This is how we do it:
It takes something as universal as music to bring together a Korean-American Producer/Writer from the West Coast, and an African-American singer/songwriter/producer from the East Coast to collaboratively write and produce songs that have been translated into Korean, Chinese and Japanese. MSTR RCKS aka “The Hong Pizzle”, has been a longtime friend and collaborator of mine since my early LA days, when I was a background singer in his now disbanded Hip Hop group, Homestyle. Since then MSTR RCKS has traveled the globe working with such artists as The Far East Movement and Pigeon John and together we have created records that have been released on Universal Music Japan and Sony Hong Kong among others.
When originally introduced to K-Pop and J-Pop, being a funk musician by trade, I was skeptical I would have anything interesting or relevant to offer to this very formulaic genre, but MSTR RCKS was sure with my Berklee College of Music training, along with my vast experience with background vocal arrangements and songwriting that we would be able to craft hits together.
There is a synergy and a magic when working with MSTR RCKS; he has taught me more about becoming an artist, how to influence culture with art, and how to transcend the status-quo while working within a very formulaic, sleekly produced medium: by being true to yourself, and never compromising. He always has one hand on the console and the other hand on the pulse of what’s happening in the pop world. He is at times a bit scattered, pulled in many directions; emotional, but always passionate. He works harder than anyone else I know; an artist and a shrewd businessman, simultaneously.
A few of the great projects we have worked on together in the past few years are:
It takes something as universal as music to bring together a Korean-American Producer/Writer from the West Coast, and an African-American singer/songwriter/producer from the East Coast to collaboratively write and produce songs that have been translated into Korean, Chinese and Japanese. MSTR RCKS aka “The Hong Pizzle”, has been a longtime friend and collaborator of mine since my early LA days, when I was a background singer in his now disbanded Hip Hop group, Homestyle. Since then MSTR RCKS has traveled the globe working with such artists as The Far East Movement and Pigeon John and together we have created records that have been released on Universal Music Japan and Sony Hong Kong among others.
When originally introduced to K-Pop and J-Pop, being a funk musician by trade, I was skeptical I would have anything interesting or relevant to offer to this very formulaic genre, but MSTR RCKS was sure with my Berklee College of Music training, along with my vast experience with background vocal arrangements and songwriting that we would be able to craft hits together.
There is a synergy and a magic when working with MSTR RCKS; he has taught me more about becoming an artist, how to influence culture with art, and how to transcend the status-quo while working within a very formulaic, sleekly produced medium: by being true to yourself, and never compromising. He always has one hand on the console and the other hand on the pulse of what’s happening in the pop world. He is at times a bit scattered, pulled in many directions; emotional, but always passionate. He works harder than anyone else I know; an artist and a shrewd businessman, simultaneously.
A few of the great projects we have worked on together in the past few years are:
Andrew Pong Feat. Kahi - “Tonight”:
This song is being released by Sony Hong Kong today (8/18/15) and is a written in English, Korean and Chinese; performed by Hong Kong raised Andrew Pong, and music industry veteran, Korean Pop star, Kahi. The song has had many variations but as it comes to market, I think it sounds the best I have ever heard it. With elements of pop and electronic music, with a bit of dub step, it showcases my writing versatility, with a simple melody and lyrics, and MSTR RCKS signature, club banging, mashed-up beats. I am very excited about this release and know that it will do well. I enjoyed meeting both these artists, and hope to work with them again in the future. It is the lead single, for a future mini-album.
This song is being released by Sony Hong Kong today (8/18/15) and is a written in English, Korean and Chinese; performed by Hong Kong raised Andrew Pong, and music industry veteran, Korean Pop star, Kahi. The song has had many variations but as it comes to market, I think it sounds the best I have ever heard it. With elements of pop and electronic music, with a bit of dub step, it showcases my writing versatility, with a simple melody and lyrics, and MSTR RCKS signature, club banging, mashed-up beats. I am very excited about this release and know that it will do well. I enjoyed meeting both these artists, and hope to work with them again in the future. It is the lead single, for a future mini-album.
Thelma Aoyama - “Tokeyo”:
When initially approached to work on this song, I was out of the studio and submitted vocal ideas and lyrics remotely via iPhone (thank you “Notes” and “Voice Memo”). I am not tech savvy with music production, but luckily MSTR RCKS is. We were able to create a song that really showcased this sexy, young, Japanese and Black mixed, artist from Japan. Released on Universal Music Japan in 2014, I was very happy getting a credit on this very eclectic, electro-pop, hip-hop track. It was the lead single for her album “Lonely Angel”.
When initially approached to work on this song, I was out of the studio and submitted vocal ideas and lyrics remotely via iPhone (thank you “Notes” and “Voice Memo”). I am not tech savvy with music production, but luckily MSTR RCKS is. We were able to create a song that really showcased this sexy, young, Japanese and Black mixed, artist from Japan. Released on Universal Music Japan in 2014, I was very happy getting a credit on this very eclectic, electro-pop, hip-hop track. It was the lead single for her album “Lonely Angel”.
MIB (Most Incredible Busters) - “Complicated”:
MSTR RCKS and I came together to write this track for a young K-pop, boyband for Jungle Entertainment. Released in 2012 to great fanfare; I learned so much about the Asian market: how they operate, how their product cycle is much shorter than the US, and how large a demand for imported content they have. It was our first commercial track we released together and a valuable learning experience for me.
MSTR RCKS and I came together to write this track for a young K-pop, boyband for Jungle Entertainment. Released in 2012 to great fanfare; I learned so much about the Asian market: how they operate, how their product cycle is much shorter than the US, and how large a demand for imported content they have. It was our first commercial track we released together and a valuable learning experience for me.
Jaeson Ma- Confession/Resurrection (Double Album):
I had the pleasure of meeting and working with spoken word/ hip hop artist Jaeson Ma who has worked with many talented individuals including Mase and Bruno Mars. I was brought on as a featured vocalist and co-writer for “Love Me God”, “Mama”, “Surrender”, and “Transformer” on this independently released album from 2013. It was a fun project, allowing me to try many things musically, and MSTR RCKS and Jaeson really produced a fine body of work to add to our catalogs.
In addition to these releases I have also worked with up-and-coming artists Monet, Blydell, duo Koncrete, and Justin Park. I also serve as vocal coach for the studio. MSTR RCKS also mixed and mastered my first EP Who the funk is Cliff Beach? in 2013, and will be mixing my forthcoming 3rd album The Gospel According to Cliff Beach (LP), slated for 2016. I am always happy when music brings great people and great ideas together; even better when it becomes a mutually, lucrative endeavor. MSTR RCKS and I have paid our dues, and came together very organically; birthed out of our mutual love and respect for music. We are very passionate about creating a body of work that creates a lasting musical legacy, and I am proud of all the work we have done, and what we will continue to create as we inspire and mold the next generation of talent through ST5A-DTLA.
I had the pleasure of meeting and working with spoken word/ hip hop artist Jaeson Ma who has worked with many talented individuals including Mase and Bruno Mars. I was brought on as a featured vocalist and co-writer for “Love Me God”, “Mama”, “Surrender”, and “Transformer” on this independently released album from 2013. It was a fun project, allowing me to try many things musically, and MSTR RCKS and Jaeson really produced a fine body of work to add to our catalogs.
In addition to these releases I have also worked with up-and-coming artists Monet, Blydell, duo Koncrete, and Justin Park. I also serve as vocal coach for the studio. MSTR RCKS also mixed and mastered my first EP Who the funk is Cliff Beach? in 2013, and will be mixing my forthcoming 3rd album The Gospel According to Cliff Beach (LP), slated for 2016. I am always happy when music brings great people and great ideas together; even better when it becomes a mutually, lucrative endeavor. MSTR RCKS and I have paid our dues, and came together very organically; birthed out of our mutual love and respect for music. We are very passionate about creating a body of work that creates a lasting musical legacy, and I am proud of all the work we have done, and what we will continue to create as we inspire and mold the next generation of talent through ST5A-DTLA.