Mac Miller – Downtown Magazine

BTS — short for the Bangtan Boys — is a seven-member boy band from South Korea. The group debuted in 2013, going on to win awards within a year’s time from the MelOn Music Awards, Golden Disk Awards and the Seoul Music Awards. BTS also made history with its second full-length album Wings charting at #1 on iTunes in nearly 30 countries and debuting at #26 on the Billboard 200; previously a K-pop album had never charted so high in the U.S. Forbes recognized BTS as the most retweeted artist on Twitter in March 2016, while Billboard placed BTS in the #1 spot on its Social 50 chart in October 2016. Earlier this year, BTS ranked at #5 on the Power Celebrity list of Forbes Korea.

2017 has not only brought the release of a new BTS album, You Never Walk Alone, but also a world tour. 117,000 tickets have been reportedly sold for this tour, which includes New York area stops at the Prudential Center on Mar. 23 and 24. Following the pair of sold-out concerts in Newark, BTS has sold-out arena shows in Chicago and Anaheim. In celebration of these major events, Downtown conducted Q&A with all of the BTS members — Rap Monster (Kim Namjun/Team Leader, Rapper), JIN (Kim Seokjin/Vocalist), SUGA (Min Yoonki/Rapper), J-HOPE (Jung Hoseok/Choreographer & Rapper), JIMIN (Park Jimin/Choreographer & Vocalist), V (Kim Taehyung/Vocalist) and JUNG KOOK (Jeon Jungkook/Vocalist, Rapper, Choreographer) — via e-mail.

For more on BTS, visit http://bts.ibighit.com. BTS can also be tracked via Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

BTS toured New York in 2015 as part of the 2015 BTS Live Trilogy Episode II: The Red Bullet. Was that your first time in New York?

Jung Kook: Yes, it was our first time in the city. We were very excited to go back with even bigger shows packed with new songs and performances.

Did you try any restaurants while in New York? Any sightseeing experiences that were especially memorable?

Rap Monster: I loved Shake Shack last time I was in New York. Best burger yet! Thank god we have Shake Shack in Seoul now. I was enchanted by the scene at Times Square because it was my first time as a tourist.

J-Hope: I tried a Korean restaurant in New York back then and the meal was some of the best Korean food in the world. I also loved walking around Midtown area and Times Square. Awesome!

V: I had the best Korean food at Korea Town in New York!

Will you have any time to explore New York during your tour dates?

Jung Kook: Our tour schedule is very tight this time since we have other shows coming up in Chicago and the L.A area. We hope we can find some time to explore New York during the stay to check out the beautiful night skyline and everything else.

Do you have a favorite musician from New York?

Rap Monster: Nas, Biggie, A$AP Rocky, Lady Gaga.

V: Maxwell.

Jin: Jay-Z.

What is your favorite song on the You Never Walk Alone album?

Suga: “Spring Day,” the lead single. I wrote the lyrics based on my very personal story that involves my old friends.

Jung Kook: “Not Today.” It has very intense lyrics that excite people and I especially love choreography of the song. It is one of the best and coolest of BTS.

Aside from your upcoming tour, what is coming up for you and BTS?

Jung Kook: The upcoming tour is the most important event for us in 2017. We’re trying to go to as many cities as possible this year. We’re also planning to write more music on our own.

What is your favorite part of touring?

Jimin: Favorite part of touring is that we get to meet thousands of fans from around the world. Wherever we go, fans are passionate and they show us lot of unconditional love. It is very special experience for all of us to sing and perform in front of people who are singing the song in Korean together.

When not busy with BTS, how do you like to spend your free time?

Jin: When not practicing, I’d stay home and take rest. I like playing games with other members and watching TV.

J-Hope: I write lyrics or play around with tracks I’ve made. I also try to study foreign languages during my free time.

Jung Kook: I work out from time to time and play games with my BTS brothers at home.

Rap Monster: I usually read books in my free time. I go out and meet my friends sometimes. But most of the time, I wander around the city listening to music.

What was your favorite album of 2016?

J-Hope: Mac Miller’s The Divine Feminine.

Jin: Gallant’s Ology.

Rap Monster: dvsn’s dvsn, J. Cole’s 4 Your Eyez Only, Chainsmokers’ Collage EP, Justin Bieber’s Purpose, and Flume’s Skin.

Finally, any last words for the kids?

Jung Kook: Hey, BTS is coming to New York! We’ve been waiting for this tour for a long time. We’ve got so much prepared for the shows, so expect the unexpected of K-pop!

A lifelong New Yorker, Talib Kweli first turned heads in the late 1990s as one half of the hip-hop duo Black Star. Talib’s first solo album, Quality, was not released until 2002, as featuring appearances by Kanye West, DJ Quik and comedian Dave Chappelle. Just a year later, Jay-Z would help elevate Talib Kweli even further when he rapped “If skills sold, truth be told/I’d probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli” on the song “Moment Of Clarity.”

In the years since, Talib has been steadily putting out solo albums and featuring on other artists’ tracks (e.g. RZA, Quincy Jones, Nelly, Mac Miller, A Tribe Called Quest). His latest release is the collaborative effort, Awful People Are Great At Parties, as released through his own label Javotti Media. Javotti — as named after his grandmother Javotti Greene — is also home to other artists, including Cory Mo, NIKO IS, MK Asante, and Jessica Care Moore.

On Feb. 10, Talib Kweli will be headlining at The Highline Ballroom, with Styles P and K’Valentine both opening up for him. Talib spoke to Downtown about his love for New York and what he has coming up beyond his show at the Highline. The Brooklyn native can be visited online at www.talibkweli.com and followed on Twitter via @TalibKweli.

What do you remember about the first gig you ever played in New York? Where was it?

Talib Kweli: I think it may have been at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, I was 14. I remember there being no one there.

For you, is playing for a New York audience different than anywhere else?

TK: It’s home. It’s where I cut my teeth. It’s humbling, because a New York crowd has seen it all, so you need to come with your “A” game as an artist or they will leave unimpressed.

As a lifelong New Yorker, what is it that keeps you here all these years later?

TK: New York is as inspiring to my art has my parents are to my existence. The streets of New York are the direct inspiration for what I write. As I traveled, my perspective grew, but it is New York that birthed my style.

For someone who hasn’t seen you live before, what should be expected from your show at The Highline Ballroom?

TK: A wonderfully-grand, awesome hip-hop experience.

Do you have a favorite song to play live?

TK: Right now my favorite song to play live is “State Of Grace” from my Gravitas album.

Highline Ballroom show aside, what’s coming up for you?

TK: The Seven album with Styles P — I am very excited about this project.

What’s the latest with your record label?

TK: Besides the Seven album, we have Javotti Media’s own K’Valentine coming with her debut, Here For A Reason, early April. She’s on this tour as well.

When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?

TK: Doing interviews. (laughs)

What was your favorite album of 2016?

TK: A Tribe Called Quest’s We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?

TK: I have a connection with Blue Ribbon Brooklyn.

Finally, Talib, any last words for the kids?

TK: Stay in school, eat your greens, and brush your teeth, because we must fight Mr Tooth Decay.