In the ever-evolving world of music production, few artists can boast the versatility and global experience that Seibeats brings to the table.
With over a decade of production experience spanning multiple genres, Seibeats has built an impressive international portfolio, producing tracks for K-pop artists, movie soundtracks, and working with world-renowned musicians. After a brief hiatus, Seibeats is back, stronger than ever, with his self-titled album Seibeats, and his latest groovy single “Seasons of Love,” featuring the soulful vocals of Eddie Brown.
We sat down with Seibeats to discuss his artistic journey, the creative process behind his music, and what lies ahead for this dynamic music producer and DJ.
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Seibeats, thank you for joining us! You’ve had quite an extensive and impressive journey in music production across multiple genres. Can you tell us how your musical journey began and what inspired you to pursue a career as a music producer and composer?
As a child, I discovered the music of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, which led me to practice rapping. Realizing I needed beats to rap over, I began learning MIDI music and started creating my own beats. Later, as I explored the sounds of soul and psychedelic funk artists like George Clinton, I realized that relying solely on sampling limited my ability to fully express the music I envisioned. This drove me to study chords and harmony, deepening my understanding of musical composition.
You’ve spent time producing music in both Korea and the United States, working with K-pop artists, creating movie soundtracks, and more. How did your time in Korea influence your approach to music production, and what are some of the key differences between working in the Korean and American music scenes?
Over a decade ago, the Korean music scene was highly uniform, with nearly all record producers focused exclusively on idol boy bands and girl groups. Unlike in the U.S., where most artists begin their music careers independently, gain local popularity, and then attract support from major labels, the approach in Korea was different. Companies would plan the music first, then select and groom artists to fit their vision. However, in recent years, the K-pop industry has undergone rapid development, significantly broadening its diversity and professionalism compared to other Asian countries.
You’ve worked with renowned international artists and even collaborated on major events such as the “JVC Jazz Festival in Seoul.” How did these experiences shape your career and your understanding of global music trends?
As a music producer, the company I worked for organized and collaborated on international artists’ concerts, and I had the opportunity to participate as part of the staff. Although jazz wasn’t mainstream pop at the time, my focus was primarily on hip-hop and R&B. However, witnessing the performances of these world-renowned musicians and bands greatly expanded my musical knowledge and broadened my artistic perspective.
Your self-titled album “Seibeats” showcases your versatility as a producer and composer. Can you tell us about the creative process behind this album? What were some of the challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
As a music producer who immigrated from Korea, I started with no connections and was always on the lookout for artists to perform my songs, hoping my tracks would eventually make it onto someone else’s album. For years, dozens of my songs sat untouched in my studio. But times have changed. Now, it’s perfectly normal for a producer like me to release music under my own name, so I’ve decided to share my music with the world.
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The track “Still Don’t Know” featuring YK VIRAL from your latest album is a great song that showcases your artistic maturity and versatility. Can you tell us more about how this collaboration came about and what inspired this particular track?
While preparing my album, I was looking for a female vocalist. YK Viral, who is a family member, joined the project. Despite having no prior music experience, she has a beautiful voice, an impressive range, and exceptional musical talent. I asked her to sing my songs, and the results surpassed my expectations. This project will mark the start of her professional music career.
Your music spans across various genres. How do you balance staying true to your artistic vision while also being adaptable to different musical styles? Do you have a preferred genre to work in, or does it change depending on the project?
As I mentioned earlier, I worked on a wide range of music in hopes of getting a well-known artist to perform my songs, spending many years perfecting my craft at home. From this extensive collection, I chose and released only the best tracks for my album, resulting in a diverse mix. Moving forward, I plan to narrow my focus, with future Seibeats music concentrating more on hip-hop, R&B, and funk.
With over a decade of experience in the music industry, you’ve seen trends come and go. How has your production style evolved over the years, and what new techniques or technologies have you embraced in your music?
I used to focus on MPC samplers and synthesizers, but now I mainly work with a master keyboard and various VSTi and plugins. I enjoy experimenting with new products as they come out. I also love listening to trendy music and exploring new techniques, and recently, I’ve been diving into EDM-related effects and techniques.
You took a hiatus from the music industry at one point. What led you to take a break, and what eventually motivated you to return to the studio and start creating again?
After moving to the U.S., I had to find a job to support myself and my new family, which pulled me further away from music as I focused on practical matters. Despite building a stable career and achieving success, my passion for music never faded. Even with a busy schedule, I made time to set up a home studio and release new music. These emotions are captured in my track “Break Free.”
On your journey back into music, what new perspectives or influences did you bring with you into your current work that weren’t there before your hiatus?
Until now, I had only created music for others to perform. But now, I’m making and releasing music under my own name, expressing my own vision.
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Your latest single, the excellent “Seasons of Love,” featuring Eddie Brown, is an incredibly groovy and catchy track. How did this collaboration with Eddie Brown come together, and what was the creative process behind this feel-good single?
My connection with Eddie Brown is truly special. He’s been a long-time friend and my best friend, and we actually met in Korea, not the U.S. Even though he’s American, he was part of a popular K-pop boy band at the time, and we connected through music. He later returned to the U.S. and pursued a different career. Recently, as I was working on my album, I asked him to be a vocalist, and we ended up creating several tracks together.
What do you enjoy most about collaborating with other artists? How do these collaborations influence your creative process, and do you have any dream collaborations for the future?
The joy of making music, recording it, and discussing it with others is something hard to describe, and it might be hard to grasp for those who haven’t experienced it. I’m always open to collaborating with artists of all styles and genres. If you’re an artist who enjoys my music and would like to work together, please get in touch. I’m always excited about new collaborations.
You’re now expanding your musical career through new challenges and collaborations. What are some of the projects or challenges you’re excited about tackling in the near future?
I’ll soon be finishing up the production of Eddie Brown’s solo album, and I’m also preparing to release YK Viral’s album by the end of this year.
Your work as both a music producer and DJ allows you to connect with music in different ways. How do you approach creating music for a live DJ set compared to producing tracks in the studio?
I produce music using traditional MIDI methods rather than DJ sets. I’ve been exploring how to perform on stage as a producer and have decided I’d like to use a DJ setup instead of a keyboard. I can chop each instrument track of my songs into WAV files and play them using a Pioneer controller. Although I haven’t used this method for production yet, I’ve practiced extensively for performances and am confident it will help me create an impressive show.
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Music production is both an art and a science. What is your favorite part of the production process, and what advice would you give to aspiring producers looking to hone their craft?
I agree that music is both an art and a science. The process of crafting music with intention and seeing the results is similar to a scientific method. One of my favorite aspects of music production is both the creation process and witnessing others enjoy my work.
My advice is this: Many talented independent artists, including myself, have faced challenges that sometimes force them to pause their music careers. It’s essential to balance your music work with external issues to keep your music journey going. Finding that balance and staying consistent is key.
Looking ahead, what can we expect from Seibeats? Do you have any upcoming projects, tours, or collaborations that you’re particularly excited to share with your fans?
Thank you for your support and patience as we look forward to the release of Eddie Brown’s and YK Viral’s albums. My journey to becoming Seibeats has been long, but I’m dedicated to consistently releasing new music and won’t be stopping anytime soon. There will be many more collaborations ahead. I hope you’ll continue to be a part of this journey with me.
Check the links below, discover more about Seibeats and his music, and remember to add his songs to your favorite playlists!
