Busan seems to be the source for new talent in the Korean Female rap game. One of those talented artists is Rapper Oz. She recently caught our eye when we listened to one of her tracks on Soundcloud. We managed to track her down. Here is what she told our Curator Ferd Isaacs.
How did you get your rap name and what is it's meaning?
My rap name is OZ. It’s from my real name O Jihyun’s pronunciation. When I was very young, my friends started to call me OZ and now all people close to me, even my mother call me OZ. At first, it meant nothing. It was just a nickname, but now... do you know 'The Wizard of OZ'? In the story, a girl whose name is Dorothy and her friends take an adventure to find the Wizard of Oz and they get many valuable things they want like braveness, wisdom and a warm heart.
Right now, I think I am not a real OZ yet but the process of being close to OZ like Dorothy. OZ is the most perfect artist’s appearance I think. It’s music contains all of me naturally. My good points, bad points, my beliefs, my condition making that music, my thought and my mood... everything. I’m now on the road of going to OZ and I finally get there despite adversity and failure. And someday when I get there, I will greatly grow humanly and also artiscally.
Where are you from?
I’m from Busan, South Korea. I have lived here for 20 years. I love this city, but is too small to me and I’m now ready to leave this place.
How long have you been rapping?
All big things started from a small thing. I started to listen Hip-Hop music at age 10. I first listened to Korean Hip-Hop label, Soul Company's music and I loved Kebee and The Quiett. Just for fun. When I was 14 I started to write a raps. I just wanted to write my story with music. When I was 15, I bought my first microphone and started recording.
All big things started from a small thing. I started to listen Hip-Hop music at age 10. I first listened to Korean Hip-Hop label, Soul Company's music and I loved Kebee and The Quiett. Just for fun. When I was 14 I started to write a raps. I just wanted to write my story with music. When I was 15, I bought my first microphone and started recording.
But actually before I turned 20, I did not do any obvious activity except online. Because I was shy about showing my music to other people like friends and family and companies. And I was so shy about saying that my dream is being a Hip-Hop artist! It’s no wonder that I couldn’t do well because I’m so young and just started. Anyway after I became an adult, in the last year, I was playing my song to many people and I feel I’m growing fast. The music companies’ feedback is helpful to me and also my friends and the public, people around me are giving me a lot of good advice. Not to be too perfect. I think I can be perfect after I open it. I have little regret ‘If I rapped early in front of many people, it can be better now.’ because it’s true. If I started rapping earlier than other rappers but I can’t do well than how long I rapped.
What inspired you to start rapping?
I guess I have already answered the question before.... At first, It was just for fun. I just happened to spend half of my life with Hip-hop. And now I think I have added a little bit of thinking that I would like to leave my life in the works of art.
But it is still fun. If I do not have fun, I will quit music anytime. There's another one that I've been doing rap for, but I think it's a bit of a hiccup. I wanted to make money in a special way. Artist, that's cool. And it is also my favorite thing. I do not think it is cool to sit in front of a computer all day and waste your life knocking on the keyboard. Of course it's not a waste if it's fun. So I thought I should rap well soon. Making money with music is not easy.
Describe your rapping style?
My voice is so young. The voice is young ... If you want to compare it to Rae Sremmurd's Swae Lee? Sorry, I can not rap more than that guy yet, but just let it be. My rap style is still being made. I like rapping like singing, I sometimes try to do cloud rap. I heard that my rap feel like a Korean rapper hash swan but my rap is rainbow - colored if real hash swan is gray.
Which rappers do you look up to?
There are two rappers in my head right now. In the future, thoughts may change, these days it is just these two people.
First rapper is J.Cole. His albums and songs contain a vast number of human beings called J.Cole. As I said in the first question, it's the most perfect artists appearance I think. Second rapper is Mac Miller. His music is characteristic. It is enough to know whether it is Mac Miller's song even if I hear the beat. He does not settle for rap music but makes various attempts. He is a rapper, but he also sings songs. His song is a bit a shredded but I think it is his merit and what I like most about him. Do not just do what I do well but what I can do.
Do you have any favorite producers?
All the rappers who answered the question just before are also producers. In fact, I do not know if I've ever been so interested in people who are producers. I need to know more.
What is your Facebook/Instagram/Twitter?
OZ’s Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/
1waveffect FacebookPage : https://www.facebook.com/1-
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/
Are you working on new music?
I tried to record a mixtape in last February, but I could not get any work done. But I'm going to make the most innovative and amazing mixtape in Korea. I am now earning money while working from eight o'clock in the morning to seven in the evening. I'm going to have three mixtapes out this year. Expect it. I am going to quit my university to work on my music harder. And I'm trying to expose my music to more people than just me making music alone for myself. I also have a lot of buskings in Busan with my crew 1waveffect, and the crew show is under planning.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
To be the top musician in Korea, I will be the best in the world in 10 years.
