NYC musician makes Seoul temporary home
Rapper and songwriter Koncept stands on a street in Seoul. / Courtesy of Clayton Jones
By Celeste Kriel
Rapper, producer and songwriter Koncept landed in Korea last November expecting to play two shows in Seoul and then return to New York. But, after almost four months and a music video, a couple of collaborations and a deal with Sony Music Asia, he is still here and has no immediate plans to leave.
“I flew to Korea for what was supposed to be for two weeks for a show at Vinyl City and another at Secret Society, but I’m still here and loving it,” he said.
Arriving in Korea high on the afterglow of American Thanksgiving, jet lag and the novelty of being here for the first time, Koncept played his first show at Vinyl City in the Hongik University area that same night with Seoul-based rapper duo, Part Time Cooks and Korean rapper and DJ Ugly Duck. “It was my first show in Asia, and it was incredible.”
After his first show the rapper was featured at Stove Top Sessions, a well-known hip-hop party series featuring local and international hip-hop talent, hosted by Part Time Cooks at Secret Society near Hongik University. The energy in the room was alive. “The room was completely packed and everybody was dancing and having fun. I feel Korean people have a great energy and just want to have a good time and they really support the artists.”
That show led to Koncept being booked for other shows. A Sony Music representative happened to be at one of them and Koncept was invited by the label to stay and record his next official release, “14 Hours Ahead.”
“It’s called 14 Hours Ahead because I’m literally 14 hours ahead of my home, New York," he explained.
The name also hints at Koncept's relentless ambition. "I use that reference as a time reference too, but also being ahead in a competitive way. They say it takes 10,000 hours to truly make it, and I'm 14 hours ahead in terms of success. I only create the best music I possibly can with the intent that it touches people,” he added.
Success for him is making music that connects to people. "My favorite thing about being here is the opportunity to play music for people that don’t even speak the language that I do and still being able to feel that connection."
Since landing here he has hit the ground running, releasing a music video for “Understand Me,” a song that will be on his Sony release this coming spring, as well as shooting two more music videos, and collaborating with well-known Korean rapper Vasco aka Bill Stax in the studio, plus performing at his birthday show in Busan. He looks forward to playing more shows in Korea and eventually the rest of Asia. He also just got back from touring Bangkok.
“I love playing music and the opportunity to travel and learn other cultures and perform for other people is just incredible,” he said. “I am enjoying the friendliness and openness of Koreans. Everybody I’ve met has been phenomenal.”
Koncept will be performing March 11 as part of the grand opening weekend of Soap Soul in Itaewon at an art and live music event titled “Paint.” The lineup also includes American rapper Joshua Gunn, Part Time Cooks and various Seoul based hip-hop DJs. Visit facebook.com/SoapSeoul or facebook.com/konceptfanpage for more.