Rap Monster explains what is HipHop for him + wise words from WarrenG

[DOOLY]

(Bold is the interviewer’s words)

 

I heard that you fell for hip-hop at the age of 14 and basically lived at a Hongdae hip-hop performance arena, which led you to where you are at today. 

That’s right. During the days where I went to see performances in Hongdae, Supreme Team was really popular. It was before coming out to the world… At that time, it wasn’t like now where illionaire took over everything, but Jiggy Fellaz, Big Deal, Soul Company, Verbal Jint… various musicians all had their own styles like the Black Turtle, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird [explanation], and everyone looked like they were fighting each other, so they were all so cool. Before this, Epik High really gave me a lot of influence. In Korea, Epik High and Garion, in overseas, Nas and Eminem. Those 4 teams set the path of â€˜what kind of music I need to do in the future’ for me.

 

Is there a similarity between those 4 teams?

Although all four have different inclinations, all their lyrics were just so real that I couldn’t help but have the thought that I want to do music like these people too. I thought that they were people who speak of real stories in an even more real way than the actual real story.

 

Although hip-hop is a genre of music, it seems like a type of religion and philosophy. Just what is hip-hop? Just what is it that guys seem to go crazy over it?

Defining hip-hop is the same as trying to define love. If there are 6 billion people in the world, then there are 6 billion definitions of love, and like that, each definition of hip-hop is different for each person. Of course, it’s possible to give a dictionary definition. In 1970, there was a person called DJ Herc in South Bronx. At a party that he was hosting, he set breaks on a beat and during that break, someone would be rapping, someone would be dancing, and someone else would be doing graffiti… That’s how hip-hop was born, and they call that the 4 elements of hip-hop, but dictionary definitions like these is something anyone knows, but to explain that spirit… In one word, it’s something that can’t be explained. It’s a way that expresses me as well as being a meaning for freedom and rebelling. Because it’s something where people play and have fun with, it can have messages of peace and love placed in it. If you compare it to a Pokemon, it’s like a Ditto. Personally, hip-hop to me is the world. The world that I’m living in… It’s difficult, right? To be honest, it’s still hard for me too. 

 

Maybe it’s because I don’t know much about hip-hop, but there are many aspects of hip-hop culture or clothing that I’m unable to understand easily. The hanging gold necklaces, gun fires, images like that… I also don’t really understand the term â€˜swag’ that is used often.

The culture of shooting guns and doing drugs is not the actual self of hip-hop. It’s just become a by-product that appeared around hip-hop music, it’s not the actual self of hip-hop. Although there’s a certain image that pops up clearly when you think of hip-hop fashion, that’s also becoming something that’s more broad. Look at A$AP Rocky or Kanye West. They don’t wear pants that drag around any more. To understand â€˜swag’, you need to understand what kind of meaning â€˜making it on your own’ has in hip-hop. Making it on your own is a very cool and important concept in hip-hop. I’ll use Jay-Z as an example. Jay-Z was a drug dealer. He’s someone that sold drugs on the rooftop of a very large stadium called Barclays Center, but he succeeded and bought that building. After buying that building, he dressed up in hip-hop and then went up to the rooftop and looked down at that building. Then they took a picture of that and posted it. After seeing that, everyone died. Kya… Just how cool is that? Jay-Z had a song a long time ago that was called â€˜99 Problems’, but he raps â€œI’m someone with a lot of problems, but I don’t have any problems with women? [actual lyrics]â€, yet he ended up marrying Beyonce later. Isn’t that amazing? Starting off as a drug dealer, becoming the best wealthy person, and marrying the most amazing woman in the world. I think that gives dreams and hopes to men. Showing that off and revealing it to the world is called â€˜swag’. Even when they show it off very openly, you can’t hate or dislike it. Because they started from the bottom and made it on their own.

 

You recently released a collaboration song with Warren G… But I had the thought that thoe who are more interested in Rapmon than in Bangtan would really enjoy that song. How was it like working with Warren G?

There are two things that Warren G told me that I will never be able to forget. The first is, hip-hop is open to any one. Despite what your race is or where you’re from, hip-hop is a type of music that is always ready to give you space for anyone who enjoys hip-hop. So, don’t restrain yourself behind any type of prejudiced thought, and the other one was you’re doing well, so no matter what others say, believe in yourself and do what you want. Although it’s something that anyone says, I think it touched me even more because he was the one to say it to me. He has a habit of saying, â€œIt’s so good.†But I think that it became a sort of spell. Someting like Hakuna Matata. â€˜It’s so good’, when I think of that phrase lately, my hearts becomes at rest a bit more.

 

Ultimately, what does Rap Monster want to tell the world through hip-hop, or is there something you want to say to yourself?

I just want to say that I’m like this right now, I’m this kind of person and I’ve lived like this, but I’m having these kinds of thoughts right now. And in the future, I’ll be like this… People want to have assurance towards their existence to no end. I think the reason I do music is that while speaking of my stories through music, I’m able to confirm the reason to my existence. I don’t want to be a petty person,but someone who remains in history. Because it’s a life that you only get one chance with, I want to influence people endlessly, give hopes, and become someone who can become a dream. Until then, I plan to continue on forth. Because that will become something that confirms the worth to my existence to the world and something that can personally confirm myself as to who I am. 

 

Full Interview: http://onehallyu.com/topic/374-bangtan-방탄소년단-official-thread-kingsize-can-you-handle-it/?p=7233293

 

TRANS CR. YASUIS @ TUMBLR (@ryuveiys) | SCANS CR. NAVER ;

TAKE OUT WITH FULL CREDITS, DO NOT EDIT CREDITS.

[SNSTD]

there are 7 billion ppl in the world

[Seulgi's Gf]

i skimmed but like... he gets it... he knows...

[ღChoco]

inb4 high fives and showers

 

Good interview, Rap Mon seems to get it. He's very articulate with his words and seems to have done his research.

[Envied]

No there are only two. Me and Wendy.

Then are the rest of us ar?

[۩ ♡ لا اله الا الله ♥ ۞]

 If there are 7 billion people in the world, then there are 7 billion definitions of love, and like that, each definition of hip-hop is different for each person.

 

The culture of shooting guns and doing drugs is not the actual self of hip-hop. It’s just become a by-product that appeared around hip-hop music, it’s not the actual self of hip-hop. Although there’s a certain image that pops up clearly when you think of hip-hop fashion, that’s also becoming something that’s more broad

 

I respect Rap Mon , he clearly know what he do 

 

 

 

me too

[Envied]

illusion

inb4 high fives and showers

 

Good interview, Rap Mon seems to get it. 

What? I've heard about this but I've never seen it.

[footballfina]

Namjoon is just super fucking intelligent wow... you can tell immediately that he understands not just the historical context of hip hop, but is smart in how it relates to him individually

 

Boy gets it

[ღChoco]

What? I've heard about this but I've never seen it.

http://www.allkpop.com/forums/discussion/226373/ikon-bobby-explaining-hip-hop-in-arena-magazine-interview

 

Interviewer: What about it specifically?

BOBBY: Well first, it has a manly charm. Um.. just rawness. There is no embellishment to it.

Interviewer: It’s cool because it is honest, without pretending or trying too hard?

BOBBY: That’s right, that’s right. That’s what I like about it: there is an aura to it even when it’s just there without doing anything. I keep falling deeper into it because of that. Hip-hop isn’t just music; it has a culture. Like when you’re simply hanging out with your friends and high-five each other, that’s hip-hop. For example, waking up in the morning and going to school without showering, that’s hip-hop too.. It’s just raw.

 

hep hap 

[theonlyexception]

boy knows what he's doing

i'm amazed tbh

[~Whatever~]

 

http://www.allkpop.com/forums/discussion/226373/ikon-bobby-explaining-hip-hop-in-arena-magazine-interview

 

Interviewer: What about it specifically?

BOBBY: Well first, it has a manly charm. Um.. just rawness. There is no embellishment to it.

Interviewer: It’s cool because it is honest, without pretending or trying too hard?

BOBBY: That’s right, that’s right. That’s what I like about it: there is an aura to it even when it’s just there without doing anything. I keep falling deeper into it because of that. Hip-hop isn’t just music; it has a culture. Like when you’re simply hanging out with your friends and high-five each other, that’s hip-hop. For example, waking up in the morning and going to school without showering, that’s hip-hop too.. It’s just raw.

 

hep hap

 

Bobby knows what's up

[Envied]

 

http://www.allkpop.com/forums/discussion/226373/ikon-bobby-explaining-hip-hop-in-arena-magazine-interview

 

Interviewer: What about it specifically?

BOBBY: Well first, it has a manly charm. Um.. just rawness. There is no embellishment to it.

Interviewer: It’s cool because it is honest, without pretending or trying too hard?

BOBBY: That’s right, that’s right. That’s what I like about it: there is an aura to it even when it’s just there without doing anything. I keep falling deeper into it because of that. Hip-hop isn’t just music; it has a culture. Like when you’re simply hanging out with your friends and high-five each other, that’s hip-hop. For example, waking up in the morning and going to school without showering, that’s hip-hop too.. It’s just raw.

 

hep hap 

 

WHAT?!

[WhateverBitch]

I used to not like him, but I think he has matured so much since that time he said his talent was "talking black". I'll give him a second chance, his mixtape is awesome, and I feel like he has started to understand and be respectful of what hip hop is, instead of just appropriate it and "swag" around. I'll really look forward to his music.

[loves]

I don't get why a interview can be this touching but I feel like he really talks about himself in that one and tries to tell everyone about his feelings. (not only in that part but in the whole one)

I'm happy that he could release a mixtape and tell everyone about himself. That's what he wanted from the start: for more people to hear his voice.

[GodBot]

there are 7 billion ppl in the world

 

7.3 billion to be exact

[Byakugan]

Intelligent guy and he showers too

[liya18]

 

http://www.allkpop.com/forums/discussion/226373/ikon-bobby-explaining-hip-hop-in-arena-magazine-interview

 

 

seriously this is getting ridiculous, anyone has his own definition of hip hop, no one is right or wrong! 

if he's feeling it that way and makes him happy, good for him... 

take notes of what RM said above!!

Defining hip-hop is the same as trying to define love. If there are 6 billion people in the world, then there are 6 billion definitions of love, and like that, each definition of hip-hop is different for each person

[sinnfb]

Loved this interview. He has so many interesting things to say and you can see how passionate he is about what he is doing. 

 

I used to not like him, but I think he has matured so much since that time he said his talent was "talking black". I'll give him a second chance, his mixtape is awesome, and I feel like he has started to understand and be respectful of what hip hop is, instead of just appropriate it and "swag" around. I'll really look forward to his music.

 

Mte. He's always been a smart and talented guy but it's great to see that he also learned from his mistakes and matured. I don't see him doing this type of stuff anymore. 

[Meth Krystal]

 

http://www.allkpop.com/forums/discussion/226373/ikon-bobby-explaining-hip-hop-in-arena-magazine-interview

 

Interviewer: What about it specifically?

BOBBY: Well first, it has a manly charm. Um.. just rawness. There is no embellishment to it.

Interviewer: It’s cool because it is honest, without pretending or trying too hard?

BOBBY: That’s right, that’s right. That’s what I like about it: there is an aura to it even when it’s just there without doing anything. I keep falling deeper into it because of that. Hip-hop isn’t just music; it has a culture. Like when you’re simply hanging out with your friends and high-five each other, that’s hip-hop. For example, waking up in the morning and going to school without showering, that’s hip-hop too.. It’s just raw.

 

hep hap 

 

 

He wasn't wrong until the high five and shower 

[DOOLY]

Let's not turn this into a Bobby thread tho guys, pls

[OHuzr]

Actually, there are more than 4 elements of Hip-Hop. 

 

The culture of shooting guns and doing drugs is not the actual self of hip-hop. It’s just become a by-product that appeared around hip-hop music, it’s not the actual self of hip-hop.

 

Finally! I don't know much about Rap Monster, but I'm glad he said this (above).  It's true, "Hip-Hop" itself was never the negative things (especially) media paints it to be.  While this interview doesn't tell me how much he knows about Hip-Hop it seems he's on the right path.

 

Though, this whole "swag" thing is really played out.  They need to drop that from their vocab.

[Kaity]

Namjoon is just super fucking intelligent wow... you can tell immediately that he understands not just the historical context of hip hop, but is smart in how it relates to him individually

 

Boy gets it

Exactly.

I love his attitude, his self awareness, and his cultural awareness for the rest of the world.

[abra]

there are 7 billion ppl in the world

there are 9 million bicycles in Beijing

[tomatosoup]

B-but Bobby said...

[DOOLY]

B-but Bobby said...

 

 

Let's not turn this into a Bobby thread tho guys, pls