The South Korean rappers discuss the difference between ‘idol’ and ‘underground’ artists, discovering Indian musicians and their upcoming U.S. tour
“MAD CLOWN IS FROM the ghetto, he’s got a gun right now,” San E declares with a big grin on his face. His long-time friend and collaborator Mad Clown (who, contrary to his name, seems to be one of the most gentle souls on the planet) looks positively scandalized at the notion. They’re two of South Korea’s leading rappers but their playful banter makes it easy to forget just how senior they are in the industry. That one sentence pretty much sets the mood for the entire Skype conversation between Seoul and Mumbai: a barrage of jokes and bright laughter courtesy Jung San, who goes by the stage name San E, and shy, sometimes exasperated, smiles from Jo Dong-rim aka Mad Clown. There’s just two weeks before their first North American tour, a mammoth coast-to-coast affair which Mad Clown admits he’s excited, but nervous about. “I’ve never performed overseas before,” he says.
Although just in their early thirties, Mad Clown and San E have been in the music industry for the better part of a decade and were prominent figures in South Korea’s underground rap scene prior to that. Mad Clown hit mainstream success after the release of 2013’s “Stupid in Love,” a collaboration with K-pop group Sistar’s Soyou, while San E shot to fame after becoming the first solo rapper to sign with JYP Entertainment in 2010 (labelmates include K-pop acts like GOT7 and Twice.) The two have previously collaborated on several tracks including 2015’s “Sour Grapes” and “Lonely Animals” and have appeared on various hip-hop shows as judges, mentors and guests. They explain that their similar levels of experience positions in the market made it natural for them to pair up.
Denne historien er fra April 2018-utgaven av RollingStone India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 2018-utgaven av RollingStone India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
SPICE WORLD
Ice Spice ignored the haters, commanded our attention, and became a new kind of star. Next up: a great debut album
Pritam: THE HIT MAKER
INSIDE THE MIND OF HINDI FILM MUSIC DIRECTOR PRITAM CHAKRABORTY, WHO RECENTLY WON HIS FIRST NATIONAL AWARD FOR BRAHMASTRA: PART ONE - SHIVA, ON HOW HE CREATES SCORES THAT ENDURE AND SONGS THAT CLOCK MILLIONS OF STREAMS
K-Drama Flashback: 'My Name'
'My Name,' starring Han So-hee in the titular role, deftly subverts gender norms in society via a story of relentless fight for revenge
LAST NIGHT I DREAMT I WENT TO SILENT HILL AGAIN
The 'Silent Hill 2' Remake has you returning to that restless dream from 23 years ago
FIFTY FIFTY: 'WE'LL CONTINUE TO SHOW OUR BEST SELVES'
Fifty Fifty's single 'Cupid' was a viral hit. The K-pop girl group is back with renewed vigor, releasing its new album, 'Love Tune.' The following interview covers details, insights, and anecdotes
EXCISE DEPT: 'IT WAS IMPORTANT TO CREATE STRONG, BOLD CONTRASTS'
From An Armory Of Instruments To Personal Stories Told With An Uncharacteristic Straightforwardness, The Delhi/Goa Band Are Taking Over The World With Their Latest Full-Length
Mali is Heading to SXSW Sydney in October
For the longest time I have known that my music has a significant market outside the country,' says the Chennai/Mumbai pop artist
Ji Chang-wook, Lee Jun-ho, and Cha Eun-woo to Star in Superhero K-Dramas
Features the upcoming 'Twelve,' 'Cashero,' and 'The Wonder Fools' with the Korean stars in exciting new roles
Yoon Seobin Makes a Stylish Comeback with 'Rizz'
The Korean actor and singer well-known for starring in the K-drama Kissable Lips' returns to the music scene after a 10 months hiatus
Markio Tanaldo Pours Out Emotions in 'Mera Koi Na'
The Arunachal Pradesh singer-songwriter's second release is a poignant Hindi song that pays tribute to his late father