INTERVIEW: Part Time Cooks — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Clayton Jones

Part Time Cooks

________

I do not often get a chance to take my digital…

ship over to Asia! On this occasion; I have been finding out about the South Korea-based Rap duo, Part Time Cooks. The guys talk about their new track, Old Friends, and why its origins are so special. I ask whether there are gigs coming and a trip to the U.K.; any new material in their minds right now - and if they have plans for 2018.

The duo discusses how they got into the game and what the music scene is like in South Korea; whether there are any new acts to keep an eye out for; how their Christmases will be spent – the music they grew up on and are inspired by.

________

Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Aweh, Aweh. We are very tired.

We just came off back to back shows in Seoul and Busan (Korea) this weekend - coupled with a mixing session for our up-and-coming single. But, we can’t complain: it’s always good to stay busy.

For those new to your work; can you introduce yourself, please?

Part Time Cooks is Black Moss from Durban, South Africa and Saul Good from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. We are the joint-tie for the 'Best Rapper Alive' title - previously held by Lil Wayne. We started our group three years ago in Seoul, South Korea with the intention of becoming the biggest international success story to make it in a foreign country.

Tell me about the new song, Old Friends. What is the story behind it?

Saul: Old Friends is the first song made with our mentee, Elexven: an eleven-year-old producer from Korea, who just learned how to make beats a year ago. It is an open letter to our long-standing friends who, in the light of our recent success, may feel as though the connections are being put on the back-burner...

Moss: It's a sort of apology in advance for the strains the Rap game places on personal relationships.

There are rap beats and African colours; deep layers and explosive highs. Was it a difficult song to formulate and perfect?!

Once we had the hook down, the verses seemed to flow easily - as you can imagine; the inspiration for the lyrics is very close to heart.

At first, it was just the hook and verses - and the song sounded a bit bare. With us puzzling on how to really bring out the emotion Saul Goode, the southerner from North Carolina, suggested: “Why don’t you do that Zulu thing you do with the harmonies?”.

I turned the mic on and just started to freestyle harmonies in the intro and on the hook.

Is it true you met in Seoul, South Korea?! How did both of you, teaching English at the time, come to meet?

Saul: We met through a mutual friend, who is also now one of our main producers, Scotty Soul. I met Moss on his first weekend out in South Korea - but we only started working together two years later.

You are still based there. Is it hard getting your music exposed and trending in a nation with a less fervent musical economy than the U.K.?

We have built a good base in Seoul; joined one of the fastest-rising Hip-Hop crews, Vis Major - and partnered up with the biggest music distributor in South Korea. It’s a more difficult (and slower) rise to the top but, I would say, it’s not that far now until our goals are realized...

PHOTO CREDIT: Clayton Jones

Is there going to be more music coming? When can we expect an E.P., for example?

Yes! This is a Music Musings and Such exclusive: we will be releasing an E.P. titled Sacrifices in February (2018). All the music has been recorded; the music video production is underway - so fans definitely have something to look forward to!

What music do you both listen to daily? Do you take inspiration from music you hear around you?

A lot of Part Time Cooks!

Apart from our own musi; we try not to listen to too much current music - so as to not be influenced while in the writing and recording process.

Who were the artists you grew up on and followed as children?

Moss: 2Pac, Busta Rhymes; Ray Charles, Brenda Fassie; TKZee, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony; Mos Def and Talib Kweli.

Saul: Sam Cooke, Busta Rhymes; Pharoahe Monch, Nina Simone; Tribe, Eminem; Jay Z, James Brown, Slum Village; my dad, El-P and Outkast.

PHOTO CREDIT: Franke Theunissen

In that same spirit; who are the new artists you recommend we check out?

From South Africa; I would definitely say check out the likes of YoungstaCpt, Nasty C; Raheem Kemet and Shane Eagle.

In the U.S.: Well$, J. Gunn; G Yamazawa, Deniro Farrar; Sylvan LaCue and Buddy.

In South Korea: Vis Major, Company Artists; Brwna and Junoflo.

IN THIS PHOTO: Raheem Kemet

If you each had to select the one album that means the most to you; which would they be and why?

Saul: My homey Ben, who passed away, burned me Del the Funky Homosapien's Both Sides of the Brain in high-school. He wanted me to be me when I rapped - rather than just imitate the big artists at the time. It opened the door regards hearing so many underground artists (that influenced me in high-school).

Moss: I don’t have one. I don’t really get sentimental about things...

What advice would you give to artists coming through right now?

Work harder. Find people like Black Moss, who bring out the best in you, and stick with them. If you feel like music is what you want to do for a living; stop working a nine-five and go get it.

Cook, yo!

PHOTO CREDIT: Anuj Madan

What tour dates do you have approaching? Where can we see you play?

Part Time Cooks are coming off a busy November in South Korea and Japan. They hit the ground running in 2018 with the release of the Sacrifices E.P. - and a February tour of Japan. In April, the Part Time Cooks will make their first tour of Africa as a group - with confirmed shows in South Africa and Kenya.

Stay updated with our show schedule at www.parttimecooks.com.

Do you think you will come and perform in the U.K.?

Of course! We would like to add on shows in Europe for our tour; so, any promoters reading this can contact our management at Campbell.al81@gmail.com.

Christmas is not too far away. Do you both have plans already - or will you be busy working?

We will make a solo trip back to their home countries - to spend time with family and perform for our day-ones.

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each name a song and I’ll play it here (not one of yours as I’ll do that).

Oliver Mtukudzi - Neria