The Rap Star [EN]: Chapter 177

< Verse 27. 888 Crew Version 2 >

Pyeongchang-dong, where Seoyul Arts High School was located, wasn’t a particularly bustling neighborhood, but it wasn’t exactly deserted either. Consequently, as Sanghyun, Junhyung, and Sangmi walked home together after school, they had to pull up the hoods they wore under their uniforms as soon as they stepped out of the school gates.

‘What about summer? Will I become a familiar face in the neighborhood by then?’

With these thoughts, Sanghyun headed home, a 10-minute walk away, and had dinner. After dinner, they had to leave the house again because they had to go to the studio.

In Gwangju, the crew’s studio was inside Sanghyun’s house, but when they moved to Seoul, they decided to separate the house and the studio. It was difficult to find a house near Seoyul Arts High School that was the right size to separate living and studio space, without causing noise problems.

In the end, the 888 Crew made a joint investment with a team of musicians to create a very large studio. It was a quiet, two-story building in the suburbs, and everyone loved it, except for the occasional noise from the nearby inner-city expressway.

In fact, Sanghyun, who used to be a businessman, would have been skeptical about a joint studio. The money invested in creating the studio was by no means small, and because it was created as a joint investment, a major problem could arise if the trust between the two teams was broken.

However, the 888 Crew had musicians they could trust more than any other team: the band L&S.

“You’re here?”

“Where are the *hyung*s [older brothers/male friends]? Is only *Nuna* [older sister/female friend] here?”

Miju, who was writing lyrics, greeted them as they entered the studio.

“They were working all night yesterday and are all sleeping on the second floor.”

“Have you eaten?”

“I’ll wake up the members at six and we’ll eat together.”

L&S came to Seoul earlier this year after appearing on the cable channel Style Young’s ‘Royal Band’.

At first, they thought about going back down after Royal Band was over, but after a long period of deliberation, they decided to set up a studio jointly with the 888 Crew and prepare to perform in Hongdae. From the perspective of a band, there was no better city to perform in than Hongdae, which had a large and dedicated fanbase.

It was the result of Bang Minsik, who had a complex about becoming timid in important decisions, gradually changing as he encountered the 888 Crew’s bold decisions.

“The first episode of Royal Band is tomorrow. You remembered Junhyung’s advice when you recorded, right?”

“Huh? Did Junhyung give you advice?”

“He said if you fart, it’ll go into the microphone… Ack!”

Sanghyun, who was joking with Miju, was slapped on the back for the first time in a while. Minsik, awakened by their bickering, came out to the studio living room with a disheveled appearance.

“Ugh, I’m tired. Miju, you looked so scruffy, but when did you get all dolled up? Where are you going?”

“Oh? I originally had plans with a friend, but they were canceled…”

“Then you haven’t eaten? Let’s wake up the kids and eat.”

While L&S was eating, the 888 Crew members who had been out started gathering at the studio one by one.

Soon, the studio was filled with the boisterous chatter of 11 musicians.

“*Unni* [older sister/female friend], are there usually this many practical exams in the music department?”

“It depends on the professor, but they probably won’t give you that many in your first year. Rather, in your first year, they give you a lot of reports on theory to build a foundation. I’m in the instrument department, so I don’t know much about practical music.”

Miju and Hayeon, who were seniors in art college, started chatting, and Woominho and Bang Minsik, who were in charge of composing for each team, also had a lively conversation.

‘Jun Brothers,’ consisting of Yongjun and Junhyung, who were always excited when they met, were busy throwing out useless jokes and jumping into this and that conversation as always.

“But I wonder if Inhyuk is studying well?”

“I think Inhyuk *hyung* is writing lyrics right now? On the corner of a law book.”

“When will that guy come up? I’m looking at June.”

“June is too early, maybe May?”

“Then I’ll say April.”

The 888 Crew members spoke of the time they hoped for. It was true that it felt awkward and boring without the usual ‘Keu’ sound.

Bang Minsik, who was listening to the 888 Crew’s story, suddenly asked as if he had thought of something.

“Sanghyun, have you ever met Inhyun at the company? Why doesn’t that bastard Cha Inhyun answer his phone? The song he said he’d release isn’t coming out.”

“Ah, I haven’t met him in person. I heard that Jooyohan is on a drama right now, so the album release has been delayed because of that.”

“Really? But why doesn’t that bastard call back when he sees a missed call? Is he embarrassed? Does he have to be like that with us?”

“I don’t know…”

Sanghyun trailed off and smiled ambiguously.

The topic, which had moved from Park Inhyuk to Cha Inhyun, naturally led to Royal Band, which would have its first broadcast tomorrow.

Royal Band was being evaluated as a rip-off of Hip Hop the Vibe 2, but apart from that, it was receiving quite a bit of attention.

While Hip Hop the Vibe only scored points with the live audience, Royal Band had the anticipation of having popular singers as judges.

While the 888 Crew members and L&S members were talking about Royal Band, Sanghyun quietly thought about Cha Inhyun.

In fact, he had met Cha Inhyun at Oh Kyung Media. And he was quite surprised by the animosity Cha Inhyun showed him.

‘Why is Cha Inhyun showing me such intense animosity?’

Of course, it would be absurd for Cha Inhyun to welcome him. He was the only person who knew about his wrongdoing.

However, even when they parted, Cha Inhyun seemed to be aware that he had done something dishonest, but now it was different, which was puzzling.

In fact, when Kalib’s ‘Once in a Lifetime,’ which was supposed to be Jooyohan’s title song, was not released, Sanghyun had one last hope. He hoped that Cha Inhyun had shown at least a minimum of conscience as a musician.

However, judging from his hostile behavior and attitude, it seemed that such a thing would never happen. In the end, Cha Inhyun was destined to walk into the trap himself.

“Stop playing around and let’s work!”

The 888 Crew and L&S, who had been chatting for a while, soon began to focus on their original mission.

Sangmi went into her own studio for the webtoon save manuscript, and L&S members were immersed in the final mastering of their second album, Long & Short.

The remaining 888 Crew members worked hard for their first full-length album, JFTR (Just For The Record), which was about one-third guide recorded.

Many changes had occurred for the 888 Crew members who had left Gwangju.

Sanghyun, Junhyung, Sangmi, and Hayeon, whose academic backgrounds themselves had changed to art, were not to mention, and Minho began to build relationships with DJs in Hongdae and learn what he lacked. Hwan and Minji were working with rappers from other teams besides 888 Crew from time to time, expanding their spectrum.

Thus, the 888 Crew started anew in a new life.

The day when 888 Crew Version 2 truly begins will surely be the moment when the long work is over and the first full-length album, Just For The Record, is released.

***

“Oh, you’re here?”

“Yes, *hyung*. Here’s some Bacchus [Korean energy drink].”

Sanghyun handed over three boxes of Bacchus as he entered Chaedehan’s studio on the 7th floor of Oh Kyung Media.

“Oh, the delivery was suddenly delayed and I ran out. How much is this 10-bottle pack again?”

“It’s okay. Just buy me dinner in the evening.”

Sanghyun waved his hand at Chaedehan, who was rummaging through his wallet while taking out a Bacchus. But when he glanced at his wallet, it seemed like he only had cards and no cash.

“*Hyung*, but your card…”

“*캬* [sound of satisfaction], that’s Bacchus for you. Are you buying Dong-A Pharmaceutical stock for me because you’re worried that Bacchus will go bankrupt?”

“Bacchus Company will never go bankrupt, right? At least until 2025.”

“What are you talking about?”

Chaedehan was so addicted to Bacchus that it was serious, and according to him, there was no particular reason, he just drank it because it was delicious. It felt like a gambling addict saying he gambles just because it’s fun.

‘Is taurine also addictive? Then that’s a disease.’

Sanghyun thought so inwardly, but did not say it out loud. Chaedehan was showing him great favor, but anyway, as a disciple, he couldn’t just tear down his teacher’s flaws(?).

In fact, his terrible personality also played a part.

“You bastard… did you just look at me with contempt?”

“No, sir. Teacher.”

“Did you do your homework?”

“Of course.”

Sanghyun smiled and booted up his computer in Chaedehan’s room. Soon, the Cubase (Cubase: composition program) screen appeared.

Sanghyun’s computer had not only Cubase but also Nuendo, Logic, Adobe, and many other composition programs used in hip-hop.

This was because of Chaedehan’s belief that there was a program suitable for each music style and instrument type. Because of this, Sanghyun was learning how to use various programs until his head exploded.

As difficult as the process was, it was having a great effect on learning. As he understood the system of different programs, his understanding of each effect control was increasing day by day.

Chaedehan, who was checking his homework, took off his headphones and said.

“You changed the drum source?”

“Yes. No matter how much I mixed it, the drum sound didn’t sound deep, so I changed it altogether.”

“Really? So in the end, you gave up the instrument you wanted and ran away? If this is mastered and comes out on a CD, do you think it will be exactly the same as the Stylus drum texture that accurately expressed your initial inspiration? Even if it’s a CD, what if it comes out on LP? Can you confidently say it’s the same then?”

“Um… no. It’ll be different.”

Sanghyun immediately admitted his mistake. Chaedehan liked Sanghyun’s attitude very much.

If there is something he doesn’t know, he never runs away and asks. When something is pointed out, he tries both options, thinks about it, analyzes it, and then fights.

Perhaps Lee Sanghyun will bring a newly created beat and a beat made with the original drum source within this week and start a fight. A very pleasant fight.

“Of course, I like the changed one better. I’m not usually a person who praises well, but you really have some inspiration that surpasses the sound of 2006. But it’s not all about the good results. If you ran away in the process, it’s fake. Fake ass.”

Sanghyun nodded at Chaedehan’s words.

He was learning a lot from Chaedehan. He was learning the essence of authentic black music that he had learned in New York with a guitar at the age of 22. Without any compensation.

In fact, there were rumors of complaints among other trainees and sub-composers because Sanghyun was learning composition from Chaedehan.

There are no cases where the agency teaches composition. Most of them learn by watching over their shoulders and studying on their own. It is quite grateful just to give advice on the parts that are blocked.

For a proper composer to be born, it takes at least 5 years, no matter how talented they are. No, 5 years is short.

However, the problem is that even if you spend more than 5 years and money to raise a composer, there is no guarantee that the composer will become a hit composer.

So, from the company’s point of view, it is much more profitable to hire a composer who is already good than to spend money to raise a composer.

Another reason was the reason for the outflow of talent.

The company wanted to fully monopolize the talent of both exclusive and freelance composers. So they don’t feel the need to give such opportunities to trainees who come and go so many times a year.

What if they terminate the trainee contract because they thought he was nothing special, but suddenly becomes a big composer with what he learned from the affiliated composer a few years later? Apart from being sick to the stomach, it was also a case of the originality of the company’s affiliated composer being copied.

Of course, it would be a good thing if you look at the entire music industry from a long-term insight, but that’s not the case with Korean agencies.

So most of the trainees were talking about Sanghyun learning composition from Chaedehan as an unfair privilege. Quite persistently.

Chaedehan’s answer to this was simple.

‘Are there any of you who came to me to learn composition? Has anyone ever sincerely asked me to teach them?’

A few days later, when some trainees bought Bacchus and visited Chaedehan, his answer was even simpler.

‘You guys have no talent, so get out.’

Those who have talent in show business but no talent as musicians. He had never shown it, but he had grasped most of the trainees at Oh Kyung Media.

< Verse 27. 888 Crew Version 2 > End

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