ShenYue: So we came to know you from your remix of Se7en’s “leaked” American debut single. Outside of that tell us about your music activities? For example, how long have you been producing or rapping. Do you do shows, do you have any albums or do you plan on in the future?

Kenji: I have been rapping for about 3 years and been producing for one year. I started to do many shows last year (2006) but stopped to continue production on my own album and other album projects. I have 2 albums on the net for download and one that I sold locally in my city. One as my old alias “RSunis” called “One Day At A Time” and another one as Kenji Astro called “Winter Snow Storm”. The last album I did was called ” Beat Kune Do” and I made a limited supply of cds to sell. In the future I do plan to make a debut album as Kenji Astro to be sold in stores.

ShenYue: We are very interested in knowing what computer and recording system you use to do your work; also to remix Se7en’s Song?

Kenji: To remix Se7en’s song I used a program on my computer called Adobe Audition. I used that program to loop an instrumental for myself to rap on, mix my vocals and mix in Se7en with me so it seemed like it was put together.

ShenYue: When you first heard Se7en’s single ‘This Is My Year’ what was your initial reaction? And what made you decide to remix it featuring yourself?

Kenji: When I heard that song I thought it was really weak and decided to remix it out of pure boredom.

Kenji: Because the leaked mp3 I got was just a draft mixdown of the song, Se7en’s vocals seemed weaker then Fabolous’s vocals. My conclusion is that Fabolous recorded in another location and they mixed down everything together. Se7en didn’t have that presence he does in his Korean songs maybe because I think they were rushing his debut and learning of English so he wasn’t as confident in what he was saying. That’s my 2 cents on the song.

ShenYue: There is a debate on the internet that the leak of the song was intentional, however recently Mr.YG claims that he was unaware of the leak and is now considering filing a lawsuit. How do you feel about this? Any conspiracy theory lol? I know in the American hip-hop industry things such as songs being prematurely leaked and songs that have yet to be released are put on mix tapes. Do you feel that this is good or bad? Do you feel that because you made a remix of a leaked song you could possibly be on the receiving end of a lawsuit?

Kenji: I think the leak was intentional and a very smart thing to do. As some of us might or might not know, Asians stars that try to cross over to the U.S usually flop (Coco Lee, Utada Hikaru, etc). I see this as a way to test how people would react to the song without putting in cash for air play and promotion. It’s free promotion and in my opinion it saved YG some money. Intentional or not, it was a plus for Se7en to have his song leaked. As for the law suit, I think that’s just a spectacle for even more publicity and money. These are all good business tactics that make Mr.YG such a good businessman. As for me what I did was perfectly legal. I didn’t make any money off it nor did I perform the song or get any radio play of the remix. I was not the one that stole the song and posted it up on the internet so I should be safe.

ShenYue: What did you do on your version of the song that made it different?

Kenji: I changed the beginning of the song with a little rap inside of Se7en’s hook because I thought it sounded better. Then I replaced Fabolous’s verse with mine because I felt that they needed an Asian mc on that track. In the song I make reference to many things that are in the Asian community (Chan ho lam , Lumpia, 1TYM, etc). I thought thats just what the song need and the verse I used for Se7en’s song was actually intended to be for another song on my album but I decided to recycle it for fun.

ShenYue: Many people received it well others didn’t like it too much. What do you have to say to those people/fans of Se7en that had some choice words for the content of your lyrics? Some might have felt that they were over the top or inappropriate?

Kenji: I respect everyone’s opinion on my remix. Some hate it, some love it. I’ve been in the music business for a long time and I’ve learned this lesson time and time again. You cannot please everyone. You can only be yourself and do what you do. As for my lyrics being over the top, they maybe are a little over the top and inappropriate but considering American rappers are way more graphic then I am and curse a lot more I think my lyrics were just fine.

ShenYue: I heard you throw in some Korean lines. Are you ethnically Korean? How fluently do you speak the language? Is there a difference between Koreans born and raised in Korea and Koreans born outside of the motherland? What are those differences?

Kenji: Actually I’m Filipino with a quarter Chinese and I’m from Canada, not the U.S.

ShenYue: How is it being an Asian artist in western countries, specifically I am speaking of America? How about from where you are right now?

Kenji: Being an Asian artist is pretty hard over here. Lots of companies will see the talent you possess but will not market you because you are Asian. This is why a lot of Asian people go back to their motherland to become stars. Even I will eventually go back to Asia and do my music there.

ShenYue: As far as Korean music is concerned (especially hip-hop) how does it stand up to Western music; similarities, differences, originality?

Kenji: I say that Korean hip hop isn’t what it used to be and the mainstream tries to do the same thing as Americans. I don’t listen to Western music but it’s hard for me not to hear it once in awhile and all I can say is some tracks from YG recycle the trends in Western music. Sometimes you get something that sounds really good and has a good vibe to it and sometimes it’s the same old club banger that sounds like a 50 cent track. But I still support artist such as Epik High, Yoon Mirae, Tiger Jk and MC Sniper. Their music really differs from what’s on MTV and stuff.

ShenYue: Where do you think Korean hip-hop/r&b is right now and do you think that artists from labels like YG Entertainment help the movement or hinder it? Do you think what they do is Authentic?

Kenji: Korean R&b is doing good right now but Korean hip hop I can’t say I know that much about it. I know that the underground scene is big and Korea has some of the best bboys in the world. As for YG helping the movement I think YG Entertainment doesn’t really help the hip hop movement. What they do is only for promotion and cash. It’s not really authentic to me.

ShenYue: What do you think about Se7en’s attempt at breaking into the American market? How much success do you think he will achieve? What is your honest projection on his success?

Kenji: I think his album will have a decent amount of sales and he will get a lot promotion in the U.S and a lot of support from his fans there.

ShenYue: What plans do you have for your music?

Kenji: Right now I plan to work with Jtek who was with GAB Entertainment (Brown Eyes, Dynamic Duo) and make a little album. I don’t know how thats gonna go but hopefully it turns out good.

ShenYue: Thank You very much for this interview…is there anything else you would like to say?

Kenji: I hope you guys had fun reading this interview and don’t think I hate YG or something. I support YG, they do make good songs but I still support the Movement and Drunken Tiger and everyone holding it down. Shoutouts to all my crew and affiliations. Secretb8se Ent and Noisy Factory. Peace out~!