Se7en, "My album will break the prejudice on Asian singers"

[Liddo Annie]

Posted May 4, 2008

Se7en, "My album will break the prejudice on Asian singers"



Before the start of the preview party at Highlands in Los Angeles, Se7en first held a press conference at around 8:30 pm. The interview was done in English and Se7en did not get the help of an interpreter for the reporters' questions.

In the said press conference, after sharing the process of getting in YG Entertainment as a trainee when he was still in junior high school and debuting in 2003, Se7en expressed the pressure he is facing now.

He said, "It's rare for an Asian singer to debut in the US and the load is heavy on my shoulder. The nervousness is actually bigger than the burden. I'm feeling like 5 years ago before my debut."

He continued, "There's prejudice on Asian singers but my music will change that. Famous producers worked on my album, which includes R&B, pop, hip hop music that will be able to remove the prejudice on an Asian singer. If it's played on radio, it will feel as if it's sung by a current singer because it was made to current trends of music."

Se7en's album put together the work of famous producers like Mark Shimmel, Rich Harrison, Noize Trip and Darkchild.

With regard to the production of the album, Se7en said, "It went well and was fun. I learned a lot on music and being a person. I feel that I've grown as time went by. How much the album sells and how high it's going to rise in the Billboard chart are not important. It's my goal that a lot of people get to listen to my music."

When asked what was the hardest thing about his debut, Se7en said it was the language.

"I had to study pronunciations and the meaning of the lyrics. I studied English for 4-5 months, 3-4 hours a day. It'll be great if my English is perfect. But as a singer, the music should be the one to do the talking. If my thoughts can be transmitted through music, then my English will follow through. This year, next year, I'll continue to show my growth," Se7en said, who has considerably good English, having stayed in the US for 6 months.

Se7en was also asked which American female singer he would like to work with since he has already worked with male singers. Se7en answered that he would like to work with Beyonce and Alicia Keys because he likes their music.

The press conference was organized by Red Queen Media (RQM) and was attended by its President, Jang Young Woo, and its Director of Public Relations, Jonas Hudson.

Jonas Hudson praised Se7en and said that he is equipped with the good traits to debut in the US and that Se7en is an Asian star that is going to be born again as a world star.

"Top team of producers worked on his album and TV and a music video will be utilized for his promotions," Jonas Hudson said.

Preview Party

Se7en's performance at Highlands was to test the reaction of music fans before the actual release of the album, which includes 12 tracks and is planned to be released this Summer.

"It's a a very special for me because tonight is my debut stage in the US," Se7en said.

Attendees of the event were producer "Darkchild," officials from record labels Interscope and Sony BMG and YG Entertainment's Yang Hyun Suk and Jinu of hip hop duo Jinusean.

2,500 people, composed of fans and clubbers were present, were first to see The Far East Movement, who opened the show. Three 6 Mafia then performed. Then Se7en, wearing a leather jacket, went up on stage, which made the females in the club scream. At this time, cameras and cellphones were also held up high in order to take videos and pictures of Se7en.

Se7en performed "You Got Me Now," which features Three 6 Mafia, "Money Can't Buy Me Love," composed by 1TYM's Teddy and "Girls," which was produced by Darkchild.

credits: yonhap + cecilia @ soompi + http://z12.invisionfree.com/Se7enth_Heaven/
DO NOT REMOVE ORIGINAL CREDITS OR ADD OTHER CREDITS

[froggyboy604]

Cool, It's good that asian singers are finally releasing albums in North America. I wonder if his album be released in Canada.

[Hikari]

Well, good on him! I wish they'd try releasing albums in the UK, though.

[froggyboy604]

Atleast, the internet exist, so it is not as hard to listen to asian music these days or buy it online from yesasia.

[Liddo Annie]

I was also surprised at Se7en's English



Not only mass communication officials in the US were surprised at Se7en's English, which he used to communicate with the reporters in a press conference hours before his preview party in Los Angeles, but also YG Entertainment's Yang Hyun Suk.

"I was also surprised at Se7en's English. His English is very good to think that it's only been 5 months since he focused on learning it," related Yang to reporters whom he met last May 4 in a hotel in Los Angeles.

According to Se7en, the language was the hardest part in his US debut preparations. But based on his English skills during the press conference, he has considerably become better in the language.

"Se7en seems to have an excellent ability in learning a language. He learned Japanese in less than a year but he speaks it well. He seems to have an inborn talent in language but he also works hard on learning it."

Last May 3 and 4, Se7en and Yang Hyun Suk were busy attending to offers. Also, right now, according to an official, Se7en's camp is continuously meeting with a record company, which is almost at the point of making its decision. Se7en's American album, which includes 12 tracks, is to be released in June-July under the determined record company.

[maisia]

I like se7en! His english is better than Rains. I think he'll make it big, since hes coming out as a singer and not a actor like Rain. Can't wait to see him!

[froggyboy604]

I also think Se7en do well in America since his voice is great. He is a good dancer. Know anywhere I can see the english interview with se7en?