[TRANS] Sik-K, ‘E-Sens’ feedbacks brought some change to my lyrics’ ㅣCommentary
Original article here.
Hip Hop Playa: Firstly, I’d like to get the opportunity to ask (about something). Through SNS, we got to know that you are a from Vancouver. How did you start Hip Hop in Korea?
Sik-K: I went to Vancouver to study when i was in third grade at middle school, and since I was in an unfamiliar/foreign place alone, I naturally started writing rap lyrics which increased over time. Hiphopplaya ?? also drove up the thought in me and it became a hobby that I intended to follow up naturally (as a profession), the lyrics of ‘Better Life’ tells the story of that time. Then, I had to go to America for college, but I suddenly realized it’s now or never, my parents eventually allowed me to go to college in Korea and let me to do music.
Hip Hop Playa: Please explain what your rap name means.
Sik-K: It took a lifetime to create a name because I was having trouble coming out with tons of good names.. Actually, my foreign Canada friends did not pronounce Min Sik well in English since I did not have an English name. Then I became named/called as ‘Sik-K’ after my name Min Sik Kwon. I think the meaning is thought as headache/sickness.. But these days, the hyungs around me keep on changing my rap name to minsigy (minsikky).
Hip Hop Playa: You appeared in Show Me The Money 4. We would like to hear how you got the opportunity to appear.
Sik-K: Since I was a Show Me The Money 2 supporter, I went to the Hongdae audition and Double K hyung and Loco hyung were chosen as a team just before the audition. As a result, I didn’t come out on TV, since they edited me out and didn’t give me a chance. Of course in the next season i thought I wouldn’t get support, but then in this season, articles were published about AOMG’s Jaebummie hyung and Loco hyung being the producers (for SMTM4) and it immediately gave me support/hope.
Hip Hop Playa: People seem to pay more attention to your gold grills title rather than your music. But in conclusion, there were probably positive effects in terms of recognition were achieved through the Show Me The Money show right?
Sik-K: Was the focus on my grills? Now I don’t think so (laughs) anyways, thanks to Show Me The Money many people got to know the name ‘Sik-K’, and that is something that I find that isn’t a negative view so I think I got the achievement I had intended to get.
Hip Hop Playa: In terms of editing, the ‘Snoop Dog’ episode was the worst. What was your experience in this episode?
Sik-K: Just the thought of it makes my face turn red. The day before the sudden (cypher) audition, 4 people had a chance to get a place for the next stage. Then all the cast felt upset. The first time I was given the time to rap, Basick hyung and Lil Boi hyung were present so there was no way I could do this. Because producer San E said this had nothing to do with skill, no matter how ridiculous it is. But anyway, since it is a survival program I thought that I had to survive as much as possible and rap by the given time. Then probably Lil Boi hyung would pass me the microphone at that moment.
Hip Hop Playa: With the editing, we can see that some teams had more airing time than the others. Don’t you feel bad for not having that much exposure?
Sik-K: I have nothing to complain about. Thanks to the show, I was able to showcase my music. However, people tell me a little bit of information, now they’re starting to listen to my music and that’s fine. (laughs)
Hip Hop Playa: What kind of program do you think ‘Show Me The Money’ is?
Sik-K: Just a show?
Hip Hop Playa: In 2013, you released your mixtape [YOUNG HOT YELLOW], and in the meantime E-Sens signed with Bana and then you’ve started a collaboration with him. What is the story behind the collaboration? (T/N: In 2013, E-Sens was swept up in a heated rap battle with his former record label Amoeba Culture and then he signed with BANA which is acronym for Beasts and Natives Alike.)
Sik-K: I worked for my mixtape, I wanted to give people the CD, at any place as long as it’s around. Whether it’s at a concert hall, the streets or parties. Then I got to know Ugly Duck hyung, and he introduced my music to E-Sens hyung who listened. At first, E-Sens hyung offered to work together. “E-Sens wants to work together!!” And of course, I wouldn’t decline. There was me, E-Sens hyung and DJ Babykool, so there were three of us to start with. I do not like Beasts and Natives Alike not because of E-Sens hyung, nor because of myself, and not because of Babykool hyung. There were plenty of situations going on, and to be honest I knew who people thought it was, but i don’t want to mention them. (T/N: super rough trans.) That person is not a player.
Hip Hop Playa: You’re currently working with ‘BEEN TRUE MUSIC’. What is your connection with this label?
Sik-K: BEEN TRUE MUSIC is a label that is part of the label ICONIC SOUNDS. I’m currently working with this label but I’m still an independent artist. Artists such as Stereotypes or Underdogs and some producers are also working for this label. BEEN TRUE MUSIC is a really reliable label that will lead me in the right direction. This label is one thing I do not have redemption against.
Hip Hop Playa: You’ve started a hip hop career at a very young age, don’t you feel any burdens? ‘Who said that you’re still too young, you know time can’t be thrown away’ including the previous ‘Click Clack Pow’ lyrics (T/N: I can’t seem to get the rest of what this question is asking lol. But the lyrics are said to tell that age doesn’t matter.)
Sik-K: I’m 22 and I don’t think that it’s an early age to start my career. There are so many artists who are younger than me. I hear a lot of comments about my age like ‘You’re young~ There’s till plenty of time~ Do your best~’. I hope it works out well for people of my generation, and that we can do it together. (Then he speaks of his crew and how they spend time together eating, drinking and partying.)
Hip Hop Playa: Do you have any messages to send to your friends?
Sik-K: Yes. The lyrics of ‘My Man’ are about my friends and telling people to become my friends. Those friends are in any (career) field. And just when I hear that my friends have listened to it, I want to say to them in books as well. (T/N: Super rough translation lol I wasn’t sure of the context.) I want to take care of that intention you know? The track tune is by Inwoo hyung of Band Hyukoh long before I first made songs, and E-Sens hyung praised me for the first time I wrote the lyrics (for My Man) and said the song will be great.
Hip Hop Playa: Can you introduce together what type of people ‘YELOWS MOB’ are?
Sik-K: Firstly, the music people (people that do music) are me (@younghotyellow94), Heo Naein (Naezzy) (@rxdherrxng), then the producing team Groovyroom’s Lee Hwimin (@hwimmm) Park Gyujeong (@groovypark). The fashion side consists of Baek Jaehoon (@onehunnnit), Lee Gwangmin (@2gwaaaaaaam), the twins Jung Sungmin (@sungminist), Jung Gwangmin (@gwangminn) and Donghyunnie hyung in Busan (@sundhc). Everyone except 3 people didn’t appear in the Better Life music video because of schedules. And, there are many people that aren’t together in Yellows Mob (T/N: that helped in the Better Life things I think?). One of them is the one that produced the Better Life single cover, Yoon Jiyong hyung (@zyobb) whose photographic work is always enjoyable. We can all have fun even though our boundaries don’t meet, like music and fashion, that is another example of good people working hard in their own fields.
Hip Hop Playa: Compared to your 2013 mixtape, your new single seems less powerful. What changes did you make in your hip hop style?
Sik-K: In fact, I asked E-sens to work with me on my mixtape [YOUNG HOT YELLOW] to show a different color of my music style. As the time goes by, listening to music and meeting people have influenced my point of view on music. Now my view is wider. I felt trapped (T/N: trapped in a certain style of music. That’s why he was talking about how listening to different types of music made his vision in music wider). I want my music to represent my generation. I also want to be remembered for my music. With E-sens hyung’s feedback, I brought some changes in my lyrics. (Then he explains how he worked on his style and how it was stressful for him)
Hip Hop Playa: So far there aren’t so many works released to build your own character. What image do you want to convey to the world?
Sik-K: I’ll just keep doing what I do, so ‘the real me’ will always be my character.
Hip Hop Playa: Download links for your mixtapes are really hard to find. Is there a reason behind it?
Sik-K: You can find some songs on my Soundcloud. And also sometimes, there are some I don’t release to the public.. But I don’t know why I’m like that. Right now, I am trying out different processes and I want to show what kind of music I think I will be able to do. I just want to show what vibe I can give off.
Hip Hop Playa: The interview is over and I wish you the best for your future.The last thing i want to ask you is, what are your future plans?
Sik-K: My goal is to release a regular EP that I’m currently working on. I think it’s too soon to tell but it may be out by the end of this year! #yelowsmobbin
translations cr. younghotyellow and lee-gwangmin. please do not reupload and please also take out with full credits!
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