You’d suppose most individuals would wish a break after spending 18 months within the army. However most individuals aren’t worldwide pop stars reminiscent of Jung Ho-seok, higher generally known as j-hope of BTS. It appeared just like the worldwide pop icon had barely modified out of his uniform in October of final 12 months earlier than he was boarding a aircraft to Los Angeles, able to work on new materials. It might be his first launch since his critically acclaimed 2022 grunge-rock-meets increase bap hip-hop debut album “Jack within the Field.”
Though “Jack within the Field” was his first official album, his solo discography goes again additional to “1 Verse,” his 2015 SoundCloud launch which sampled The Sport and Skrillex’s “El Chapo” launched that very same 12 months.
The 2016 BTS album “Wings” was the primary to function solo works from all seven members. Up till then, the main focus had been on j-hope’s swaggy, growling, rap supply (he’s undeniably BTS’s swagmaster) and dance potential rooted in his early days as a member of the Gwangju, South Korea-based Neuron dance crew.
With “MAMA” his solo effort contribution to Wings, he stretched himself as a vocalist leveraging the soulful qualities of his voice in a tribute to his mom.
2018 marked one other turning level when he launched “Hope World,” a six-track mix-tape. The next 12 months, j-hope launched “Rooster Noodle Soup.” Though the bouncy hip-hop monitor sampled a 2006 track by New York artists DJ Webstar and Younger B, it featured Inglewood-raised vocalist Becky G and lyrics in Korean, English and Spanish. So it appeared becoming when he took a visit to L.A. to movie its music video, with members of the L.A. dance group, performing its choreography in entrance of native joint Rooster Shack’s signature yellow automobile.
Since his group introduced a short lived hiatus in 2022 to concentrate on solo work — based mostly on the Western thought of boy bands this fearful followers that they had been breaking apart (they’re not) — the entire members have launched albums, to particular person success, and even pre-recorded initiatives to be launched throughout their departure.
Whereas nonetheless in service, j-hope launched “Hope on the Road: Vol. 1,” a soundtrack to his documentary collection of the identical title by which he explored road dance in several cities the world over. On that album, he labored with L.A.-based Benny Blanco and Blake Slatkin, two producers he turned to as soon as once more for his newest releases “Candy Desires” (that includes Miguel) and his newest, the catchy, viral dance-inducing hit “Mona Lisa.”
In January, j-hope introduced his Hope On The Stage tour, his first as a soloist with North American dates in Brooklyn, Chicago, Mexico Metropolis, San Antonio and Oakland. The tour is split into sections spanning the narrative of his profession. The manufacturing features a dwell band, and makes use of 28 shifting lifts that reconfigure relying on the stage.
Each “Candy Desires” and “Mona Lisa” had been surprisingly performed on tour, and a 3rd single is deliberate for the Asian leg, which kicks off within the Phillipines on April 12.
Every cease has included tailor-made engagement with “ARMY,” BTS’s famously various and passionate fandom. The experiences span regional meals, web site particular merchandise, some designed with enter by the famously fashion-forward artist, and dance challenges. Followers additionally had the choice to buy a bundle the place they may “ship off” j-hope.
Because the tour has gone alongside, Instagram’s “For You” pages have steadily yielded selfies with the famously upbeat star and cute interactions. With every successive metropolis he appears to up the ante: dancing in cowboy hats and boots in San Antonio, talking full sentences in Spanish in Mexico, even getting shut sufficient at factors to alternate hugs and maintain palms.
Forward of the final stops of the tour’s North American dates, Friday and Sunday at BMO Stadium, The Occasions caught up with the worldwide star close by the stadium downtown. In an intimate post-photo shoot dialog squeezed in between his promotional occasions on Thursday (he popped up at that evening’s Lakers sport shortly after), we talked about his relationship with town, his artistry, love for ARMY and future ambitions.
“I’ve come to comprehend how many individuals are loving and connecting with my music, and on the similar time, that pushes me to consider what sort of music I ought to create subsequent as an artist,” j-hope stated.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Occasions)
Congratulations—”Mona Lisa” is within the Billboard Scorching 100 as of this week and it’s your seventh track as a solo artist to achieve that milestone.
Wow.
You’re tied with Jung Kook.
[laughs] It’s such an honor to have so lots of my songs on the chart, and I’m extremely grateful in so some ways. I’ve come to comprehend how many individuals are loving and connecting with my music, and on the similar time, that pushes me to consider what sort of music I ought to create subsequent as an artist. I really feel that my life for the time being is crammed with higher anticipation and pleasure for what’s to come back.
With “Jack within the Field” you weren’t essentially involved about charting, however you appear extra formidable with these releases. Is that true?
Sure, you’re very on level. I really feel like this was a problem that I wanted to tackle after my army service. And up till now, I centered on what I appreciated, however this time, I needed to collaborate with nice producers who’ve a deeper understanding of the tradition. I used to be inquisitive about their tackle j-hope as an artist. As soon as I took that step ahead, I felt it could open up new alternatives for me to experiment and take my music to the following stage. I really really feel this can be a nice time for me.
“Jack within the Field” was unimaginable however “Candy Desires” and “Mona Lisa” have a distinct type of attractive vibe and the ARMY is loving it. Have you ever been having fun with the response?
Properly, I didn’t have an excessive amount of of this on my thoughts once I was making these songs however I needed to make a track that type of expressed my maturity after the army service. So, it type of got here naturally. So, I needed to point out one other visible aspect of me as j-hope and I wish to present one thing new, a brand new aspect of me for my followers.
Can we discuss Jay?
Jay? [laughs] Sure, ARMY calls.
It’s been type of a enjoyable factor between you and U.S. ARMY that you just type of flip into “Jay” once you land within the U.S. How would you describe him?
, I discover it very humorous too. I really like the vibe within the U.S. I’m having fun with myself and having enjoyable, and due to that, it permits me to point out a extra real aspect. Followers actually appear to love it too and so I really feel nice about what I’ve been in a position to share right here within the States.
“After all I couldn’t have imagined again then that I’d have this type of life and I actually respect what I’ve at the moment,” j-hope stated. “As time passes by, I’m actually grateful to see increasingly individuals listening to and having fun with my music.”
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Occasions)
You appear to be having the time of your life on this tour. You’re interacting with the followers much more on a private stage, going out into the viewers once you carry out “=Equal Signal” selecting somebody [to interact with]. Has a type of moments stood out to you?
I feel me inside out by now and I actually respect that. I needed to point out one thing nice for the followers who’ve been ready for such a very long time and I needed to attach at a really private stage by these concert events and performances. There’s a track known as “=Equal Signal.” and its first lyric is about how we view one another as equals — “There isn’t a one above us/There isn’t a one underneath us.” Staying true to that message, as an alternative of me being on stage on a better stage with the viewers under, I needed to really join with my followers by partaking with them straight and seeing them eye-to-eye. This reference to my followers has been extremely significant.
With these upcoming performances you grow to be the primary solo Korean artist to headline BMO Stadium (he’s additionally the primary Korean male artist to headline a stadium present in North America). Do you suppose the Jung Ho–seok of 2013 who appeared shocked to even obtain a packet of fan mail might have envisioned this?
After all I couldn’t have imagined again then that I’d have this type of life and I actually respect what I’ve at the moment. As time passes by, I’m actually grateful to see increasingly individuals listening to and having fun with my music. I really feel prefer it’s their assist and fervour that permit me to be the artist I’m right now.
“Hope on the Stage” partly, is a tribute to your origins as a road dancer however you additionally do lots of singing [in the show] with a dwell band. You’ve downplayed your vocal potential a little bit bit, however you have got an excellent voice that’s actually versatile. When did you first notice you can sing? Was it a pure extension of rapping?
It’s an attention-grabbing query. As I pursue music, I feel I’ve developed a method that embraces versatility. All through this course of, I attempted to discover and experiment with my voice in numerous methods and I imagine that’s mirrored in my vocals these days. I attempt to ship my vocals in a pure method with out forcing something and it looks like the viewers appreciates that. Are my vocals excellent? That’s one thing I would like to consider, however I’m dedicated and striving to make it higher. It’s a bit arduous to pinpoint a selected second. Earlier than my debut, I had vocal classes and as I began recording, my vocal model naturally started to develop. It’s tough to say precisely when the shift occurred, however it was a gradual course of.
Whereas working right here you went to In-N-Out, and had all of the “L.A.” experiences. Within the early days of BTS you filmed a actuality present the place you had been mentored by Warren G and Coolio — they even took you to Lengthy Seaside’s VIP Information…
You watched this — wow [laughs].
Yeah…[laughs] American Hustle Life. Is there one thing you discovered about hip-hop from that have that you just hold with you right now?
It was greater than only a musical affect. I used to be very younger at the moment, and if I had the prospect to return now, I feel I might perceive and soak up much more. On the time, although, it was a course of to adapt to a brand new tradition, totally different from the one I grew up in. And I imagine that these moments had been essential for my progress and formed who I’m right now. That’s an important lesson I took from that have.
Relaxation in peace, Coolio.
