You’ll 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 often 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 yr earlier than he was boarding a aircraft to Los Angeles, able to work on new materials. It could be his first launch since his critically acclaimed 2022 grunge-rock-meets growth bap hip-hop debut album “Jack in the Box.”
Though “Jack in the Box” 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 yr.
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 means 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.
BTS member j-Hope poses for a portrait forward of one in every of his L.A. exhibits.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Instances)
2018 marked one other turning level when he launched “Hope World,” a six-track mix-tape. The next yr, j-hope launched “Chicken Noodle Soup.” Though the bouncy hip-hop monitor sampled a 2006 tune 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 Hen Shack’s signature yellow automobile.
Since his group introduced a short lived hiatus in 2022 to deal with solo work — primarily based on the Western thought of boy bands this anxious 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 Street: Vol. 1,” a soundtrack to his documentary collection of the identical title wherein he explored road dance in numerous cities internationally. 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 “Sweet Dreams” (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 reside band, and makes use of 28 shifting lifts that reconfigure relying on the stage.
Each “Sweet Dreams” 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 numerous and passionate fandom. The experiences span regional meals, website 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 might “send 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 fingers.
Forward of the final stops of the tour’s North American dates, Friday and Sunday at BMO Stadium, The Instances 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 recreation shortly after), we talked about his relationship with town, his artistry, love for ARMY and future ambitions.
“I’ve come to realize how many people are loving and connecting with my music, and at the same time, that pushes me to think about what kind of music I should create next as an artist,” j-hope mentioned.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Instances)
Congratulations—”Mona Lisa” is within the Billboard Scorching 100 as of this week and it’s your seventh tune 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 understand how many individuals are loving and connecting with my music, and on the identical time, that pushes me to consider what sort of music I ought to create subsequent as an artist. I really feel that my life in the mean time is crammed with better anticipation and pleasure for what’s to return.
With “Jack in the Box” you weren’t essentially involved about charting, however you appear extra bold 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 favored, 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 might open up new alternatives for me to experiment and take my music to the subsequent degree. I actually really feel this can be a nice time for me.
“Jack in the Box” was unimaginable however “Sweet Dreams” and “Mona Lisa” have a distinct sort of horny vibe and the ARMY is loving it. Have you ever been having fun with the response?
Properly, you understand I didn’t have an excessive amount of of this on my thoughts after I was making these songs however I needed to make a tune that sort of expressed my maturity after the army service. So, it sort of got here naturally. So, I needed to point out one other visible facet of me as j-hope and I need to present one thing new, a brand new side of me for my followers.
Can we speak about Jay?
Jay? [laughs] Sure, ARMY calls.
It’s been sort of a enjoyable factor between you and U.S. ARMY that you just sort of flip into “Jay” while you land within the U.S. How would you describe him?
You already know, 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 facet. 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.
“Of course I could not have imagined back then that I would have this kind of life and I really appreciate what I have currently,” j-hope mentioned. “As time passes by, I’m really grateful to see more and more people listening to and enjoying my music.”
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Instances)
You appear to be having the time of your life on this tour. You’re interacting with the followers much more on a private degree, going out into the viewers while you carry out “=Equal Sign” choosing somebody [to interact with]. Has a kind of moments stood out to you?
I believe you understand 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 degree by these concert events and performances. There’s a tune known as “=Equal Sign.” and its first lyric is about how we view one another as equals — “There is no one above us/There is no one under us.” Staying true to that message, as an alternative of me being on stage on the next degree with the viewers under, I needed to really join with my followers by participating with them immediately and seeing them eye-to-eye. This reference to my followers has been extremely significant.
With these upcoming performances you change into 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 stunned to even obtain a packet of fan mail might have envisioned this?
In fact I couldn’t have imagined again then that I might have this sort of life and I actually respect what I’ve at present. As time passes by, I’m actually grateful to see an increasing number of folks listening to and having fun with my music. I really feel prefer it’s their assist and fervour that enable me to be the artist I’m right this moment.
“Hope on the Stage” partly, is a tribute to your origins as a road dancer however you additionally do plenty of singing [in the show] with a reside band. You’ve downplayed your vocal means slightly bit, however you’ve an ideal voice that’s actually versatile. When did you first understand that you could sing? Was it a pure extension of rapping?
It’s an attention-grabbing query. As I pursue music, I believe I’ve developed a method that embraces versatility. All through this course of, I attempted to discover and experiment with my voice in varied methods and I consider 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 as if the viewers appreciates that. Are my vocals good? That’s one thing I want to consider, however I’m dedicated and striving to make it higher. It’s a bit onerous to pinpoint a particular 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, but it surely 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 Seashore’s VIP Information…
You watched this — wow [laughs].
Yeah…[laughs] American Hustle Life. Is there one thing you realized about hip-hop from that have that you just hold with you right this moment?
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 believe I might perceive and soak up much more. On the time, although, it was a course of to adapt to a brand new tradition, completely different from the one I grew up in. And I consider that these moments had been essential for my development and formed who I’m right this moment. That’s crucial lesson I took from that have.
Relaxation in peace, Coolio.
