| Shin-B which means (Mystery in Korean) is the HipHop Femcee from LA whose been rockin' the mic and stage on the underground HipHop scene from Cali to NY and Korea, as a solo artist and a member of the Mic Vandalistz & Jeet Kune Flow crew. Shin-B has also been featured on various mixtapes incuding Mixtape Vol. I, The A.J.K. Bonfire EP produced by Tony Touch Associates, Shin-B's "The Atypical Mixtape" and Hi-Fan Records Mixtape featuring Shin-B. She proudly represents the female HipHop rappers with her own style, flava and dynamic live performances in English and Korean. Look for Shin-B's hott forthcoming solo debut album and live performances soon! |
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NEWYORKSEOUL.COM
Interview with Shin-B
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Written by Max Han
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| Sunday, 18 June 2006 |
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1. When and why did you first start rhyming?
-I first started rhyming when I was 11 years old, following along Karaoke style to what I heard on the radio. I just fell into it naturally being an extreme tomboy. So initially, I started rhyming just for fun and out of curiosity.
2. Who were some of your influences in the music community and why?
-Some of my influences would have to be all the female emcees that helped pave way for artists like myself. Definitely MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Salt n Pepa, Bahamadia. I respect their art and their approach to Hip Hop. I'm also a big fan of underground like Lightheaded and The Procussions.
3. How did you get the name 'Shin-B'?
-It derived from the Korean term "shinbi" which means mysterious. I got the name from friends around me and I went with it. They would always tease me saying how I don't look like a rapper because in person, I look very reserved but once I get on a mic, my alter ego surfaces. They would tell me it's mysterious how that sort of rap can come out of tiny me. I am living testimony that looks can be deceiving so beware haha.
4. What makes Shin-B different from other rappers now looking to make it big?
-First and foremost, I try to rap in a style different from all other female emcees out there. I don't mean to generalize, but a lot of them sound high pitched and rap one dimensional. I like to cover all topics ranging from domestic violence to cheating boyfriends to even George W. Bush. I also listen to a wide genre of music from rock to jazz to classical and to even emo. I then use these different sources to fuse together my own eclectic style. I'm all about originality. You'll never see me replicating a less than classy approach. |
5.What's the most common thing you rhyme about and why?
-I used to mostly rhyme about how bitter I was towards the industry executives. I was really angry at how I wasn't getting picked up because I didn't look sleezy and rapped about the typical. Now, it's a different story. I've realized that being bitter was making my music less approachable and it was giving me a negative attitude towards everything. I rap about issues that really get to the heart of the matter and really relate to the world. I want to try to make music that touches people and uplifts the soul. I want to make music that screams out a positive attitude.
6. Who was your favorite artist to work with so far and why?
-I enjoy working with everyone, but if I had to really narrow it down...hmmm...I enjoyed working with my crew members in Jeet Kune Flow. They help keep me creative and their passion and hunger for this art is really motivating. I also enjoyed working with another talented mc from Arizona, James Ciphurphace. Recently, I enjoyed working with a DJ from the UK named DJ K-Delight. I did a song with him about one of the four elements, graffiti art. It'll be in his new album slotted for this summer. The album will also feature collaborations with the famous DJ Jazzy Jeff. Currently, I am working on several songs with a talented producer named Silent John who has done production for artists like KRS-1, Pharcyde, and Supernatural just to name a few.
7. When and where can we see you perform in the up and coming months?
-I will be leaving for Korea on July 1st to do my tour over there. I'll be performing at local festivals and at several hip hop clubs in the major regions. Before I leave, I have a show at The Laugh Factory in Hollywood on June 22th.
8. Where did you grow up?
-I grew up in mostly Koreatown and the San Fernando Valley in California.
9. Did your upbringing have any sort of influence in the music that you make
today?
-My parents raised me well and always taught me to work hard for my dreams. They did an excellent job in instilling morals. It was because of them that I never really got into too much trouble growing up. You also kind of have to keep up an image being a daughter of a big figure in the Korean community. My mom is a known figure in the LA Korean community and she travels to Korea every year to work with the President. However, I'd have to say it was my own self motivation and my own drive that really has gotten me to where I'm at today. Every morning I wake up and all I want to do is make music. I can't go a day without some sort of music. This love, this passion, pushes me hard on a daily and it is definitely what keeps me grounded. I've also witnessed and heard a lot of stories from friends that have dealt with domestic violence, rape, and other serious issues that I use to cover some of my topics. I incorporate true life stories along with what I see going on in the world today.
10. Is there a record deal in your future?
-I certainly hope so. After 7 years of performing, I just got a manager. It's been a long and arduous journey filled with blood, sweat, and tears. I've dealt with so much criticism and sexism from dj's and rappers throughout this whole journey. There were a lot of times where I just wanted to throw in the towel, but I just couldn't get myself to do it because I love music THAT much. I have now made it a personal goal where I will stop at nothing to achieve it. |
INMAG.COM
MUSIC ARTICLE
ASIAN HIP HOP SUMMIT
By Shankel Gladden
Hip Hop has now reached all parts of the world affecting people with more hardships than even Americans could relate to hardships such as war, disease, famine, and social equality. And, recently the 4th Annual Asian Hip Hop Summit was a two-day event of line music provided by today's new generation of MC's and DJ's.
The festival began with heavy rotation of performances by acts like Quickflex and Won Hyo. Surprisingly, there was that on other stages where performances of folk and alternative music. "We are trying to show that Hip hop is, and will forever be, a universal language," said a member of Jeet Kune Flow. Sponsors such as Hip Hop radio pioneering station 93.5 KDAY was on hand for support and music personality K-Sly Throughout the event, one performance I was particular amazed by was that of female Asian artist Shin-B rocking through her set with ease and good momentum. This 4'11" beauty had a lot to say and demanded the crowd's attention. Afterwards she said, "I speak for a double standard society where it's very tough to compete being a female rapper. And, being Asian, I have a lot to prove and strive to open doors for those like me."
With performances ending and the fans well pleased it looked like another barrier had been broken down - even my own as I witnessed the everlasting effect of music and its windows bringing people of different cultures together in unison.
THE ASIANS IN AMERICA PROJECT
Hip-Hop Artist Busts a Rhyme in Two Languages
Los Angeles, CA - August 10, 2005
Shin-B, a Los Angeles hip-hop artist, sits before a studio microphone at Radio Korea's sleek, bustling headquarters in a high-rise building on Wilshire Boulevard in Koreatown. A gaggle of Korean teenagers in baggy jeans and jangling jewelry edge the studio, fidgeting as the on-air disc jockeys introduce Shin-B to listeners across Southern California. Shin-B is about to bust a flow. At 22, Shin-B is barely taller than most of the teens standing behind her. Her voice flows low and silky. She is calm, patient, a little guarded.
Bilingual rapper rocks studio
Radio Korea, KYPA-AM (1230), sponsoring a youth talent competition, featured a promotional hour on Aug. 10th, with rapper Shin-B showcasing her talent in an in-studio performance. Shin-B won first place at Kollaboration in Los Angeles last year. The 22-year-old graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a degree in Asian American Studies. She has been of interest to producers both here in the States and in Korea, and hopes to launch a web site in the winter.
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HIPHOP LADIES.COM
Shin B
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Bio: Shin-B's style is Neo-Asian, unique, and fresh where it can be felt by all audiences. Shin-B (Mystery in Korean) is a femcee from LA. Shin-B has been performing for the past 5 years from Northern & Southern Cali to Texas to New York to Chicago.
Shin-B is a member of Mic Vandalistz & Jeet Kune Flow. She is an innovator, mental perceptionist, entertainer, and your girl next door. Shin-B Mixtape Vol. I was released on April 12th, 2005. A.J.K. EP produced by Tony Touch Associates will be released Summer '05. ( Just to name a few past appearances/performances: 1st place at Kollaboration '04 for the Rap Category. 1st place at JYP '04 for Song. 90.7 KPFK FM, 1650 Radio Seoul AM. E.G.G. Westcoast TV Show Appearance hosted by Margaret Cho's brother. Key Club. 100 Years Korean Immigration Festival Concert in Oakland w/ Jupitersciples and Ishle Park. NAASCON Concert w/ Nemo and Ken Oak. Shin-B is also a rap teacher at Song & Dance Music Academy in K-town. Shin-B is scheduled for tours in Brazil, Toronto, Japan, Taiwan, and Florida soon, stay tuned. Shin-B is also an Asian Hiphop Summit affiliate )
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Journey to the West
News, politics and writing from an Asian-American August 15, 2005 Los Angeles Times:
Shin-B, a Los Angeles hip-hop artist, sits before a studio microphone at Radio Korea's sleek, bustling headquarters in a high-rise building on Wilshire Boulevard in Koreatown. A gaggle of Korean teenagers in baggy jeans and jangling jewelry edge the studio, fidgeting as the on-air disc jockeys introduce Shin-B to listeners across Southern California.
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