Zion T reflects on self-expression
Zion. T / Courtesy of YG Entertainment
R&B singer debuts with star-stubbed album "OO"
By Kim Jae-heun
Popular R&B singer Zion T revealed “OO,” his first album on Black Label, one of YG Entertainment’s independent sub-labels led by producer Teddy, Wednesday. His new album has received a lot of attention after he left his old record label Amoeba Culture and disappeared from the K-pop scene for a year.
With his return, Zion T proves he is still one of the hottest R&B singers by instantly stealing the lead of soundtracks for megahit TV series “Goblin” that have remained on top of online music charts for over the past four weeks.
The name of singer’s album “OO” reminds of a pair of glasses, a symbol of Zion T, expressing his vision and view as well as the intersection of people and himself.
Zion T wrote the title track “The Song,” imagining everybody reading his personal journal. The lyrics contain a catchy phrase, “I hope this song doesn’t get popular,” which is the singer’s ironic feeling as he does want the song to become popular.
His seven-track-album is eye-catching as it features popular rappers G-Dragon of BIGBANG on “Complex” and Beenzino on “Sorry.”
During a press conference for his new album at UNI Tower in Mapo-gu, western Seoul, Wednesday, Zion T said he tells various stories including his personal feelings, his grief and messages to society.
Q. Why did you move from Amoeba Culture to YG?
A. To be exact, I am contracted to Black Label, an independent sub-label of YG Entertainment. Amoeba Culture is a great label but I wanted to have various experiences. When my contract with Amoeba ended, I thought about my lifespan as a musician. My musical partners played a big part in my decision to come to Black Label, as many of them were working here with Teddy already.
Q. Has your musical style changed after coming to YG?
A. My company changed and the environment changed. However, that did not change my musical style. But I definitely had oppressive feelings, or I should say a burden that my music has to receive people’s recognition. I thought my music has to improve, and people who have loved my old songs, may not adapt to my new album. But I had to change as I experience different things every year. I cared much on sound and the running times for new songs became longer too. I would say the biggest change is that now people can feel full and satisfied when listening to the album as whole.
Q. What exactly did you want to say in your new album?
A. The new album contains various songs and lyrics. I thought I had to contain myself now in the music. It may sound little airy but they are melted in my album. The tracks include my recent feelings and thoughts.
Q. Please introduce your song “Complex” featuring G-Dragon.
A. I thought the story of complex, as a material, could form many people’s empathy as everyone has complex. But I think the complex is a comparative thing there are short people who wants to grow tall and tall people who wish to get smaller. Talking about complex is not about whining on my weaknesses and it is just a witty idea.
I didn’t know G-Dragon would do the featuring on my album. He was already too busy with his concerts in oversea but he took time to send me the copies. He took me offer very cool and I really appreciate it.
Q. How do you distinguish your identity from other singers?
A. My music is influenced by R&B music and jazz that I grew up listening to. I also like K-pop. I get inspirations from cultural and social phenomena as well. People say my voice is unique and it has melody in it. I think my music is based on hip-hop and I make melodies and add rhythms to the genre when I make songs.
I think I first received attention for my distinguished style of singing rather than completeness of my music. Back then, there were barely any hip-hop R&B songs in K-pop scene and many musicians came to me for my uniqueness. Now, Crush and Dean are out after me and I am no longer the exception in my position. Although I am still young and it has been only a little while since I began my career as a musician, I will need to focus more on the completeness of my music.