- What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and when did you first realize you wanted to be a musician?
I started self-writing for therapy two years before, and then started writing lyrics.
- What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an emerging artist, and how have you overcome them?
The biggest challenge has been fighting with myself. When I came to LA from Japan, I didn't have any friends and couldn't speak English at first. I got scammed and someone backstabbed me in the first two months. I went broke and had to do some questionable things to survive. However, I met a lot of people on the street who inspired me to keep going.
I learned English and how to find hope from the street and hip hop.
- Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound and style?
2pac, Nipsey Hussle, Kendrick Lamar. Their music showed me the blood, reality, and mentality of hip hop.
- How do you approach the songwriting process, and where do you draw inspiration from for your lyrics and melodies?
I usually harvest words from the street and review my life for inspiration, and get melodies by listening to beats.
- What can listeners expect from your upcoming album or project, and how does it differ from your previous work?
My songs reflect my personal growth. They are pieces of my life, and I hope listeners can feel my progress. I'm going to be the first Japanese rapper in LA. My words may be raw, but they are truthful.
- How has your background or life experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
My background helped me realize that my words are my soul and body. In Japanese, "word" means "leaves of saying". Weak leaves kill the tree, leaves give the tree color, leaves get the tree to be alive.
- Can you talk about a particularly memorable or inspiring performance you've had, and what made it special?
My first performance in Hollywood in front of a thousand people was memorable. I felt like a fish in water and connected with the audience through music.
- What do you hope listeners take away from your music, and what message do you want to convey through your art?
I hope listeners take away something new and positive for their life. Real peace is within us.
- How has the music industry changed since you first started, and how have you adapted to those changes as an artist?
The ways to deliver our music to listeners have changed, as has the culture. However, music is still music, and I just keep doing my thing.
- What advice would you give to other emerging artists who are just starting out in the industry?
Everyone has their reasons for making music, and these reasons may change as life goes on. Sometimes, music changes our lives for better or worse. An artist's life is like a journey, and it's important to remember that you are the pilot. I'm still struggling, but I take responsibility for my story.