Rap superstar Shin-B

Trendy, spunky, witty, universal – Shin-B is transcending the odds as a Korean female MC from LA. She released her single “Buzzkillin” this fall produced by THX (Snoop Dogg, David Banner). “Buzzkillin” is the follow up release to Shin-B’s previous single, “Get Up and Go,” produced by Twitch (Raekwon), which grabbed headlines thanks to the creation of the world’s first music video that incorporated interactive QR codes within its storyline. The two singles are a part of 3 Choices, Shin-B’s debut album, to be released at the end of 2011. Meanwhile, Shin-B will also be releasing a mixtape, featuring “2 The Top (AraabMUZIK – Streetz Tonight Cover)” – a music video to that track was released on October 2011.

Growing up as a tomboy, Shin-B played basketball and rhymed in lunchroom cyphers with her male friends. She discovered artists such as Dr. Dre, Tupac, Coolio, LL Cool J and Snoop Dogg. “I remember I would record the top ten nightly countdown on Power 106 and just study these artists’ flows. I’d recite them back to friends and quickly began falling in love with the art.”

Shin-B’s battle-themed punchlines soon turned into witty wordplay with social undertones. She developed a hypnotic blend of electro, house and alternative hip-hop, offering a modern twist of California retro with a feel-good vibe. LA Times discovered her and ran a full feature, which led to performances at festivals throughout California and New York. Shin-B shared the stage with Rah-Digga, G-Dep, Rage Against the Machine, Jay Sean, The Beat Junkies, MC Mong and more, at famed venues such as the Shrine Auditorium and The Knitting Factory. Meanwhile, Shin-B established a huge fan base in Korea, where she toured with K-pop superstars.

Recognizing her natural talents, Shin-B was nominated for the 2011 Female Hip Hop Honors Award. Praised by mainstream media, Shin-B has been lauded by Fuse TV, MTV, Interview Magazine, The Heavy Hitters (top DJs from NY’s Hot 97, Kiss FM, etc), Internet radios such as PNC and The Company Man (Brooklyn Bodega, Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival), and various blogs. Power 106 FM, LA’s top R&B/Hip Hop station, selected Shin-B for their 2010 mixtape, as did NY’s Hot 97. Her track “Wanna Battle”, perfectly embellished the climactic scene of the Lionsgate distributed movie “Step Off.” Feltics Streetwear and Rocksmith Tokyo tapped her as their official spokesperson.

Shin-B remains humble, frequently helping and encouraging her community to reach for the stars. She conducts educational and hip-hop workshops at middle schools, high schools and universities, including a workshop at UCLA with actor George Takei and Giant Robot Magazine.

Shin-B has a huge reservoir of recorded tracks that boost an impressive list of producers: Twitch, THX, Tony Catania (Scatman John) and more. The single “Get Up and Go” cleverly integrates technology and art by incorporating QR codes throughout the music video. The code leads viewers to her website for contest giveaways and various sites. Samsung jumped on board with a sponsorship, sending the video overseas. The video is currently being aired on MYX TV, Northern California’s biggest music network with 5+ million households nationwide.“Buzzkillin” will be accompanied by a music video produced by Restless Films, the same camp that produced videos for Jessie J and B.O.B.

Shin-B is also releasing a Korean EP Black Swan overseas this year featuring K-Pop artists. With all the fervor surrounding Shin-B, are you ready for the global phenomenon?

ASIANCE: Let’s start by asking you about your name. Does it have a particular meaning?

Shin-B: Shin-B means mysterious in Korean. It was a nickname given to me because I don’t fit into the typical image of a rapper mold. It’s an alter ego and people would find it mysterious where it came from.

ASIANCE: I think it interesting that you sing in English but add Korean where K-Pop groups do the opposite. I recently spoke to a Japanese singer who said the language was not important but the sound of the words. How do you feel about the use of different languages in music?

Shin-B: If done properly it can be cool. If you know different languages, why not broaden your fan base and showcase your ability? You’ll stand out more.

ASIANCE: How would you best describe your music?

Shin-B: Feel-good alternative mixed with a slight East Coast flow and a melodic LA vibe. I blend different genres of music and add in solid hip-hop rhymes. Good examples: Travie McCoy, Lupe Fiasco, Afrojack. Most people think just because I’m a rapper that Hip-hop would be the only genre I listen to, but surprisingly I listen to hip-hop the least nowadays. I like dubstep, electronica, alternative rock. I really like Empire of the Sun. It’s my favorite group right now. So obsessed. I’m also big on songwriting, so I sing on my choruses and bridges.

ASIANCE: Growing up, who were your musical idols?

Shin-B: Eminem, Black Thought, TLC, Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, Boyz II Men, Naughty by Nature, Tupac, Bad Boy, Nirvana, Soundgarden, 3rd Eye Blind, Alanis Morrissette, Moby.

ASIANCE: You just released your album “3 Choices”, your second single “Buzzkillin” and its music video, a short time ago. What is the meaning behind your title, “3 Choices”?

Shin-B: We all have 3 Choices in life: Give up, Give in, and Give it your all. We all go through these three phases. We have our trials and tribulations. Throughout my journey, I wanted to give up, but couldn’t, so I tried so hard to accommodate what I thought everyone wanted/liked, but as I got older, the more I realized that was nonsense. You can’t please everyone. When I tried to fake the funk, I was a fraud and my music sucked because it lacked sincerity. Now, I’ve come to the conclusion to just do what I feel is right for me. When I’m done with a song, I’ll blast it in my room and meditate on it. If by the end of the song, I feel something inside whether it be excitement or any emotion, I know it’s done. Just give it your all. I live by the “Who Cares” theme. Don’t let the opinions of others affect me. I’ve thrown out the garbage and surrounded myself with an amazing team.

ASIANCE: What inspires you to write your songs?

Shin-B: 3 Choices inspires me. I live this on the daily. A good song by some unknown indie band inspires me. My last relationship inspires me. The random man on the subway with a clown suit inspires me. Life inspires me.

ASIANCE: How was working on the music video?

Shin-B: Hilarious. Hot. New. It was my first time shooting in NYC in the summer, so it was HOT. I got a bad farmer’s tan from it. Yup, it’s still there and winter is approaching! I was sweating like a pig. Glamorous right? Hilarious because it’s comedy rap and the actor who played my bf was a riot! The director, Court Dunn of Restless Films, was amazing. He’s shot for so many A-list celebrities that it was a privilege and honor for me. He really has a great eye for editing and shooting.

ASIANCE: I was very excited to hear that your music will be used in the upcoming Quentin Lee film, “White Frog”. Have you done a lot of work for film and television?

Shin-B: This will be my second official feature. In 2010, my music was featured in a movie called “Battle” that was produced by the same folks who brought you “You Got Served” with Omarion. My song, “Wanna Battle” was featured throughout and distributed by Lionsgate. I’m excited for “White Frog”. They are featuring three songs of mine throughout. It should be a great film! Plus, a lot of great actors are in the movie from Harry Shum Jr to Tyler Posey!

ASIANCE: How do you feel about the recent wave of interest in K-Pop groups in the US like 2NE1? Do you think the Korean Wave is continuing or is it dying down?

Shin-B: I think it’s dope. It’s incredible actually. Couldn’t be more proud. I think it’s growing and will continue to grow. K-pop is addicting and the visuals are on point. I’m a huge fan of 2NE1. They are the ones to breakthrough.

ASIANCE: What do you think about the Korean artist training system like JYP? Is it too much like a factory pumping out cookie-cutter bands?

Shin-B: It is what it is.

ASIANCE: I think that you are a bit of a pioneer. Many areas of media, especially television, have been missing out on Asian and Asian-American talent. Since you first began in the music business have you seen an increase Asian-American musicians?

Shin-B: Absolutely. You see an influx of incredible Asian Am talent. It’s definitely the next wave to hit. With social media, the game has now changed.

ASIANCE: What do you do to promote yourself?

Shin-B: Tours, Concerts, Social media, Networking, Events. Besides these though, I try to go back to the community and do workshops for the youth. Teach them the roots of hip-hop and give them a platform to showcase their talent.

ASIANCE: Where do you see your career going in five years?

Shin-B: Currently, I’m working with TV for some exciting features in the next year. I’m starting my own streetwear line and operating my own lifestyle record label.

Recently s Shin-B was just featured in Interview Magazine, FUSE TV, HipHopDX, DJ Enuff’s ThatsEnuff Radio w/ HOT 97’s Global Vito and featured on a Mixtape by HOT 97’s J. Medina. To read more about Shin-B in the press visit: http://www.weroqq.com/epk/shinb/press.html