LOS ANGELES, CA- H1GHR MUSIC RECORDS founded in 2017 by versatile Korean musician, performer and now CEO, Jay Park has officially broken into the US market. As the long awaited six stop US tour comes to a close, the H1GHR MUSIC crew prepares to go full throttle with their promotions.
As founder and CEO, Jay Park’s Korean-American background allows him to be a unique and dynamic leader at H1GHR MUSIC RECORDS. His ability to bring together musicians from Korea and America alike sets H1GHR MUSIC apart from other Korean record labels; making H1GHR MUSIC one of the first global hip-hop labels of its league. Together with long time friend, producer and fellow AOM member, Park and Cha Cha Malone set up H1GHR MUSIC RECORDS to fuse a diverse group of artists, ready to break new ground and international barriers.
This US tour was an impactful stepping stone for not only the label, but also the artists who are branching out to new audiences. Korean labelmates include Sik-K, pH-1 and Woodie GoChild, while American artists included Raz Simone, JARV DEE, Avatar Darco, Ted Park, Phe Reds, Cha Cha Malone, Summit and Yultron among others. Each one donned with icey H1GHR MUSIC gold chains.
Every artist presented a unique sound and style of hip-hop, bringing a vigorous quality to the show. The night kicked off with the newest edition to H1GHR MUSIC RECORDS, Korean-American rapper Ted Park. Being the laid back easy going person he is, Park’s stage was set with a casual atmosphere. Fans seemed to take a liking to Park after his endearing conversation and interaction with fans throughout the show. This was a big moment for Park who’s expressed that “there’s been so much progression and that’s all that matters.”
Following Park was the Ukrainian rapper from Seattle, Avatar Darko. Upon hitting the stage, it seemed like the crowd was slightly shocked by Avatar’s performance style as it was a complete contrast to Park’s mellowed stage presence. Darko’s intensity was immediate. His energy and stamina was next level. Fans attending only to see Korean rappers perform didn’t seem to mind the excitement that led on.
As Avatar Darko finished his set, the stage fell quiet with what seemed to be an interlude. This momentary pause passed instantly when fans detected the distinctive bright pink curly hair of Woodie GoChild heading up the stairs of the stage.
Woodie GoChild is widely known for his talented performances on the Korean rap show “Show Me The Money 6”. The crowd was definitely expecting something exciting from the rookie artist and he delivered. His performance was groovy, entertaining, and just made you want to move your feet. The fans could sense the energy coming from him. He was dancing and having a good time (even lifting up his polo shirt at one point), with attendees, and just when the crowd getting hyped, Phe Reds took the stage.
A previous AOM member and now singer under H1GHR MUSIC RECORDS, Phe Reds gave a sultry vocal performance. Accompanied by only an electric guitar, he sang soulful classics like “No Diggity” and his current single with H1GHR MUSIC “Smile”. We then see him perform again after Cha Cha Malone’s quick cameo in the show. The two AOM members surprise everyone with their unexpected b-boy performance, catching everyone off guard.
Again, H1GHR MUSIC RECORDS- being the diverse label it is- then brought out contrasting Seattle-based rapper, and CEO of his own music company, Raz Simone. On Simone’s Facebook page it states that “when he sings, raps or speaks you can feel how genuine, heavy & real each word is.” Through the connection he has with his fans, we can see that this truth speaks into his music and the story it tells.
Following Raz Simone was Jarv Dee, a fellow Seattle-based hip-hop rapper. Jarv Dee’s high tone vocals and low bass beat captivated the crowd. The momentum carried through his performance and into the next. Side note, I couldn’t help but notice his casual style and unique choice of footwear.
Another brief interlude passes before the much anticipated crowd charmer, pH-1 stepped onto the stage. Born and raised in New York City, pH-1 delivers his music from his unique perspective as a Korean-American Citizen.
In a conversation during the afterparty, I asked pH-1 what he wanted the public to know about him and his music:
“I just want my fans to know everything I produce is genuine and real, that has always been my message from the beginning.” – pH-1
pH-1 proves to be a fan favorite through his genuinely positive feel-good music such as “Perfect” and “Donut”, not to mention the wave of girls pushing forward toward the stage. Right before the finale, Ted Park reappears on stage for a couple of pH-1 collaborations.
It’s now time for the headliners. The crowd goes completely wild.
Bodies pushing forward and deafening shrills come from all angles as Korean rapper and contestant on “Show Me The Money 4” Sik-K finally steps onto stage.
Sik-K has a track record of collaborating with well known Korean artists like CEO Jay Park, LOCO, and Crush among many others. Therefore, Sik-K is probably the most well known out of the bunch, explaining why the crowd flipped out when the melody for “Rendezvous” starts playing. Sik-K, a seasoned performer displays no trace of nerves or hesitation anytime he is on stage. He’s enticing, exciting and engaging all at once.
As soon as it starts getting good, it gets even better. In an instant, all the artists miraculously flood the stage and the crowd can’t seem to pay attention to only one talent. Avatar Darko is jumping all over stage, Woodie GoChild touches the hands of fans in center stage, pH-1 and Sik-K are milly rocking all over the place, and Ted Park sipping a cup of boba taking selfies with fans. Things are glorious and chaotic, but it works and fans can’t get enough.
The mission and message of H1GHR MUSIC RECORDS is on one stage for all to see, and the show is a resounding success. Diversity in cultures, variation in tone and style, creativity and harmony all in one space. This is what H1GHR MUSIC brings to the table as a global record label, breaking new ground … and we can’t wait to see more.
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LIVE CLIPS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrXsfrpTEZg
