AmpedAsia.com: So tell us a little background info about yourself, who you are, what you do, etc.
Shin-B: My name is Shin-b and I’m a female mc from Los Angeles. I’ve been performing for 8 years now and toured all
throughout the states and korea.
AmpedAsia.com: Is Shin-B a stage name or your real name?
Shin-B: My real name is andrea kim. Shin-b comes from the Korean word meaning “mystery.” It was given to me by friends as
a nickname because I don’t look like how I sound. I’m normally a reserved person, but when im performing, an alter ego comes out. they’d say that was a
“mystery”
AmpedAsia.com: What made you want to become an MC?
Shin-B: I grew up as a tomboy so I always did things guys normally did… like, play basketball, collect baseball cards,
etc. It was in late elementary where I discovered the radio and from then on, I fell in love with hip hop music. I would recite all the popular songs
by heart and show off to friends. It wasn’t until late high school, where I began performing at talent shows and local events that I discovered I wanted to
be an actual mc. People suggested I should start doing my own thing and the rest is history.
AmpedAsia.com: Are you able now to make a living through music or do you have other jobs?
Shin-B: Unfortunately with the state of the industry right now, I’m not able to anymore. I’ve had to take on a 9-5 to
make ends meet. But, recently, I went back to part time because of music.
AmpedAsia.com: So what kind of part-time jobs are you doing?
Shin-B: I conduct workshop seminars on hip hop for universities and organizations. I’m also a translator and I select
winners for scholarship programs for summers abroad in korea
AmpedAsia.com: I read somewhere that you had a chance to sign with a Korean entertainment agency, is that true?
Shin-B: Yes, it is true, but unfortunately, it wasn’t on my terms, and it involved a lot of gray politics.
basically, I was always put into a group situation where I’d have virtually no role and play background for the most part.
AmpedAsia.com: Was it in a huge group or something like that? Because there are some rappers right now that are
getting pretty popular in groups, like Yoo Bin of wonder Girls.
Shin-B: It wasn’t a huge group. It was a duo. I was paired up with a female singer, a typical pop standard. Also if
you see those groups, [the individuals] usually don’t have a lot of parts.
AmpedAsia.com: So it was a duo, but the girl you were paired up with would be the lead basically?
Shin-B: Yes, exactly. I didn’t want to be someone’s shadow.
AmpedAsia.com: Do you personally think it is difficult for someone to get into the Korean entertainment industry? Or
do you think they are just accepting anyone nowadays?
Shin-B: In some ways, I think the Korean entertainment industry may be a little easier than trying to breakthrough into
the American industry because Asians are still seen as a minority here with little to no credibility. The thing with the Korean industry is that there’s a
lot more competition because almost every single teen or preteen wants to be a star of some sort, and with that, more and more are starting training at an
earlier age in hopes of becoming a star.
AmpedAsia.com: So would you say there are tons of star hopefuls out there who are signed to an agency but not becoming
real artists due to the competition?
Shin-B: Yes, precisely, and not just that, but marketing and promotions cost a huge amount of money. So an agency
would have to fork out a lot of investment and gather a whole lot of sponsorship to actually push their artists out. With the current economy, money
can be a major factor.
AmpedAsia.com: So is there a particular song or songs that you’ve made that you like the most?
Shin-B: I really love “gotta move gotta groove” and “stronger” these two songs are fairly recent. I like “gotta move
gotta groove” because its totally not my usual style. I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone to try to grow as an artist and I’m proud of it. it’s a
very uptempo house dance beat with a catchy hook. “Stronger” is more on the jazz influenced hip hop side. I like it because the beat for it is
absolutely sick. The chorus is bananas. It was made by a talented producer friend of mine out in the East Coast. It’s very original and fresh.
AmpedAsia.com: So where do you see your music career a few years down the road?
Shin-B: As an established artist collaborating with the greats touring the world. Maybe dabble in some film and
advertisement too. Then once I’ve done that, start my own label and eventually help those who were in my shoes. It’s all about community.
AmpedAsia.com: Tell me what a typical day is like for you
Shin-B: work my translating job then I’m at the studio either recording, editing songs, writing, and networking like
madness. I do a lot of research.
AmpedAsia.com: I gotta ask, single or taken?
Shin-B: Single. I can’t really commit to a relationship right now because of my grind.
AmpedAsia.com: Ok go ahead and plug anything you want.
Shin-B: You can check me out at www.myspace.com/shinb, www.facebook.com/shinbhiphop, and email to [email protected].
Written by Editorial Staff