SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HIP-HOP & ELECTRO, A TALK WITH THE PRODUCER G-SLOW

The Korean Hip-hop is getting more and more attention from the international musical scene, lots of young talents with impressive stage charisma set on fire all the south korean stages. Let’s get behind the scene, in the making with one of their main producer G-Slow. After working with many huge korean artists like Swings, Jerry.K & Zion.T, G-Slow is also sharing his own sounds as we can see with his latest release Pulse. Here is the oppurtunity to know him a little bit more :

–        Hello, can you first introduce yourself and your different activities (work) and when did you started?

Hello, my name is G slow, I’m a music producer working in Korea. I first debuted in Soul Company with the album “High Frequency” back in 2009.  My most recent album is “Pulse” which has been release this year.

–        You’ve been working with lots of Korean hip-hop artists such as Jerry.K, Okasian, Born Kim, Swings… is there any special working memories that you would like to share?

I remember the recording of the song « Yes I am » from my first album “High Frequency”.

The track features Juvie Train, Deep Flow, J Kyun, Zion.T. Without any proper preparation, I had to release suddenly an album in Soul Company and we encounter many difficulties while recording. Due to a lack of time, we had to finish the recording in one night. We started at 7~8 pm and finished at 6 o’clock at dawn the next day. I will always remember that song because I consider it as my toughest work.

–         A few months ago you’ve release “Pulse”, which is clearly showing electronic sounds. What attracts you in electronic music to pursue in this way instead of producing an hip-hop album, knowing that you can do both perfectly?

I’m not narrowed to a specific genre of music, as long as the beat is groovy I will like it!

Hip-Hop music has huge potential.  I keep thinking that all types of music can rebirth by fusion with hip hop music.

“Pulse” is an album that combines hip hop beats, synthesizer and electronic sounds.

This is why, for me, “Pulse” is definitely an hip hop album.

I recently discover and get absorb by the originality and the power of electronics sounds.

But beside, I still enjoy to try new things.

 

–        Did you personally made the cover arts (artwork) for your different singles, including “Pulse”? Have you thought of painting and drawing apart of music (maybe some exhibitions?) Have you made an art school?

That’s right, I did both cover arts for “Pulse” and “#ing”. A part from music, I am also very interested in videos process and design.

Listening to music is a completely subjective thing, and each person as their own feeling. I thought my artwork would help people to understand my music in my point of view.

I decide to listen to a new album depending on its cover. When I like the cover of an album, most of the time I also like its music.

I didn’t attend an art school; but, I will definitely continue video editing and design even as a hobby.

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–        Can you tell us your musical and artistic influences? Which album you put on repeat these days?

I’m inspired by all things original.

When I listen to a new song, I think about how to reproduce its qualities. Good films, good books, everything helps. If I have to name one, I will say that I really appreciate Amélie Nothomb’s books.

As for music, I really enjoy listening to Disclosure’s Settle, it’s a minimal and still fresh album. I also listened to Alep by Gesaffelsteins very often and the recently released Michael Jackson’s album Xscape.

–        Who are the artists you would like to collaborate with?

Since I started to do music, my dearest wish was to feature in Michael Jackson’s album.

Unfortunately, he died, although I cannot work with him in real until I die. My dream is to work in a song with him for an album, in the afterlife.

I want to collaborate with musicians that nobody has worked with before, a new face.

–        Korean Hip-hop is getting more and more attention around the world (for France, Jay Park, Dok2 & Dynamic Duo have made sold-out concert), how do the Korean producer like you, feel about it? Do you think Korean rapper will try to work with foreign producer or they will choose to keep working with Korean ones?

I’m feeling great an optimist on the Korean hip hop expansion.

That is why, I think, that an opportunity like this interview has come to me.

Korean rapper would welcome collaborations with foreign producers. If it is a good song, they will like to work with any musician regardless of nationalities.

–        As a Korean citizen what do you think of this Korean Wave (k-pop), is it beneficial or it bores you? Do you wish to work with some of them or you don’t found it interesting and want to keep on doing your own style of music?

I wish the K-Pop market gets bigger.

Although the over production of songs with similar format is a down side, I’m confident because there are still well-made songs among them.

Sure, I would like to work with kpop singers. I also want to keep my own style of music. The collaboration with a K-Pop singer will just simply be as a work, so I will continue to do music of my taste, like I did for Pulse.

I think that music cannot be cut-off from visual anymore. Sure, there are still artists loved only for their music, but the visual intensify musical emotions more than music does by itself. This is why I’m interested in video editing and design. I welcome and appreciate the use of new contents and technologies.

–        We’ve been noticing many feminine voices in your songs (Boys, Away). Is it your own voice that you transform or is it a real lady singing?

I made feminine voice using samples. I modified one by one each tuneto create the tone and the melody.

It’s not because I prefer female voice but when I was writing songs, it happened that I used lots of feminine voice samples while editing them.

I’m also thinking of transforming my own voice. Maybe one day if I get the chance.

 

–        Do you also write the lyrics when there is or it depends on which artist you’re working with?

If it’s not for a special occasion, I write most of the songs by myself. I don’t like to involve other people.

Because I collaborate with lots of rapper, rappers do the writing part themselves.

Concerning my own album, I choose myself the theme and the words corresponding to each song.

–        What are your future projects?

I will pursue on producing independently made albums like my last album Pulse.

Besides, I also would like to work with plenty of foreign musicians and rookie artists.

Thank you for your time.

Interview by Nabi, translation from Korean by Choi Ji Hyung

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Purchase High Frequency on iTunes.