Jay Park on His Latest R&B Album: 'Only Jay Park Could Pull This Off… Will Never Go Out of Style'

연합뉴스 / 2024-10-08 17:40:14

▲ This photo, provided by More Vision, shows Korean singer-rapper Jay Park pose at the media showcase for his sixth and latest full-length album "THE ONE YOU WANTED" held in Seoul on Oct. 8, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Oct. 8 (Yonhap) -- "I’ve spent 18 years in Seattle and 19 years in Korea, reinterpreting those experiences in my own way. Using this background to develop the R&B genre is something that only Jay Park could achieve," he declared with palpable confidence.

For the past 16 years, Jay Park has carved out a unique path as a rapper, R&B artist, and a sex icon, as well as the head of the label More Vision. His self-assurance is evident in his music, and he is ready to deliver what fans want with his new album, The One You Wanted. Speaking at the album listening event for his 6th full-length album, held on the 8th at CGV Cheongdam Cine City M Cube in Seoul, he shared, "This album captures the version of myself that fans want to see. At this stage, making a 20-track album isn't about generating revenue, but as an artist, releasing albums remains essential."

▲ This photo, provided by More Vision, shows Korean singer-rapper Jay Park speaking during a media showcase for his sixth and latest full-length album "THE ONE YOU WANTED" held in Seoul on Oct. 8, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The One You Wanted is Jay Park's first full-length release in five and a half years since 2019's The Road Less Traveled. It is also his first R&B-focused album in eight years, following 2016's Everything You Wanted. He has included nine new tracks along with eleven previously released songs, making up a total of 20 tracks. Jay Park emphasized that some songs, which took up to seven years to produce, are timeless and will not feel outdated.

"You might think, 'Did he really work on this song for seven years?' But I wanted to create music that wouldn't lose its appeal even five or ten years from now. I'm confident in that aspect," he stated.

The album features three title tracks: "Gimme A Minute," featuring singer Chung Ha; "Mayday," featuring renowned American rapper Ty Dolla $ign; and "Piece Of Heaven," featuring More Vision trainee Lee Sol. About "Mayday," he explained, "I think listeners will find this to be the most quintessentially 'Jay Park' track. Ty Dolla $ign recently visited Korea for Kanye West's concert, and it was a great experience collaborating with him."

The music video for "Gimme A Minute" showcased rhythmic percussion, Jay Park's sharp choreography, and Chung Ha's distinctive voice. Jay Park noted, "Since Chung Ha joined More Vision, we’ve been looking for opportunities to collaborate. Her powerful performances as a female solo artist brought a high level of completion to this project. We also invested more heavily in the music video than we have in the past."

Regarding his goals with the album, Jay Park emphasized that his focus is on enjoying the process and giving it his best effort. He explained that he has never been concerned with chart performance or album sales, instead prioritizing authenticity in his music. "To me, success is about being happy, regardless of money," he remarked. "I want to show that confidence, commitment to my music, and being able to persuade others with it is enough. I believe that many rappers and idols draw inspiration and motivation from me."

Jay Park, who has often garnered attention for his provocative stage presence, including songs like "Mommae," is continually seeking to present a different side of himself as an artist. "If I suddenly stopped taking my shirt off during performances, people might wonder, 'Why is he changing now?'" he said, acknowledging the expectations around his image. "But outward appearances are just one way to entertain, and I don’t want to rely on that. I want to go beyond merely creating a sensation."

Reflecting on the challenges of his career, he added, "There are times when I think about giving up because of the sacrifices I’ve had to make." Nevertheless, he expressed determination, stating, "But for now, I just want to keep working hard and having fun—whether it’s with the idols we produce at More Vision or the music I create."