A Quick Word with Khip-hop pioneer Tiger JK
Everyone calls him the godfather of Korean hip-hop , and for good reason . Tiger JK AKA Seo Jung-kwon started rapping in a scene and time ( 1990s ) when hip hop generally had a bad rap ( pun intended ) in Korea . It was considered uncouth , disruptive and rebellious in a typically con-servative Asian society . In fact his first album failed , largely because the songs were banned , red-lines , marked ‘ explicit content ’ and got no radio play .
Today , he is hailed as the man who took “ controversial ”, authentic hip hop into the mainstream . But his influence goes beyond his own music and it ’ s commercial success . He is hailed as a major influence by almost every Korean rapper of any significance ( including BTS ’ RM ).
On the cusp of creating his next album , Tiger JK ’ s new single Love Peace made a scathing statement on the contagion of anti-Asian hate that has been raging since Covid became a global phenomenon .
The Score Magazine caught up with the icon for a quick chat .
You called Love Peace " angry music on the surface but spiritual ". Can you explain this a bit ?
It ’ s angry music in the sense that I wanted this to be an outlet to let their anger out . But by doing so , you are letting negative energy fuel your positivity . Consequently , your Chakra is balanced , and that is the spiritual aspect of it .
The track condemns and comments on the recent spate of horrifying anti-Asian hate . When did you first decide that you would talk about this issue in your music ?
When Trump was calling Covid “ Kung flu ” and was downplaying the ramifications of what he said . The social climate then was …” it ’ s just some funny wordplay and don ’ t take it too personally ”. Also , the hate on the Asian community was sort of being justified instead of being seen for the terrible thing that it is . That ’ s when I decided to speak out through my music .
Given your stature in the Korean and Asian hip-hop community , how do you feel the genre is changing and evolving in recent years ?
I ’ ve never really thought of this genre as an Asian hip hop artist , but I guess I am an artist doing things in Korea . And I feel like it ’ s becoming global , especially in recent times .
Often , when someone comes to Korean hip-hop ( or any non- American hip-hop ), they tend to compare it to American hip-hop . Do you think that ' s unfair ?
I don ’ t think it ’ s unfair . Those people aren ’ t informed or at times ignorant to the culture because they are not here . Furthermore , hip-hop started in the sSates so I do understand the comparison to a point .
However hip hop culture is really big in Korea , and many of these kids now grew up in the culture looking up to artists from Korea . It evolved into a genre of its own . So it could be looked upon as appropriation
The Score Magazine
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