Koven Wei on his new single “BEFORE” and what’s to come after [Q&A]

04.01.23 BY CHRIS MAE

PHOTO BY CHRIS MAE

After opening for Korean R&B singers JUNNY and CAMO this year, Koven Wei has created his own unique sound for the new generation. The 24-year-old Chinese Canadian rapper turned singer went viral on TikTok for his cover of DPR IAN’s ‘Scaredy Cat.’ He recently released his own tracks such as 'Everything is Red’ and ‘Before’ that edge on alternative rock roots.

We got to speak to Koven before his opening set for Gemini on March 16 at the Axis Club in Toronto.

Y/N MAGAZINE: I know you have opened for JUNNY and CAMO this year. How was your experience?

KOVEN WEI: It was sick, honestly seeing all the fans. They’re all hella supportive right, [even though] my music is not very Korean-style like theirs.

You’ve experimented with different genres, but what would you say you feel the most connection with? Do you feel influenced by certain artists?

I would say it’s like antipop, hyperpop. The thing is: I grew up in different eras of music. I had like my k-pop artists, I used to listen to DEAN, also DPR LIVE was huge for me. His music spoke to me. But now, for hyperpop, I was inspired by younger artists like Bladee. They’re hella young - they’re what, sixteen, eighteen? They’re inspiring especially for someone who’s older. I just kind of make music that defines my time as I grow up and my experiences.

You’re almost creating your own genre through all these different influences and life experiences. I was looking at your TikTok and it’s always changing, I couldn’t pinpoint the genre initially.

I can’t either, haha. I can’t figure it out either!

You grew up in Toronto, right? A lot of artists take inspiration from the cities they grow up in. Is this the same for you?

Yeah, I grew up in Toronto. I grew up around a lot of Asian people. I listened to a lot of Asian music. But also, when I was young and in high school, I used to listen to hip-hop. Even now, with my music, I do a lot of singing but actually, I do a lot more rap. But I never release it as much. It’s something I’m still figuring out for the future. I tend to like singing more, it’s more fun than rapping.

What are your goals moving forward? What’s next for you?

I would just say, the ultimate goal for me as an artist is to be able to make anything without having a financial barrier to it, you know? Like, just on a whim, if I want to do something - I can make it happen. I think I see myself beyond being an artist and more of a creative. I enjoy making things with the people around me and my team. They’re the ones who’ve made me who I am today. I want to grow with the people I started off with.

PHOTO BY CHRIS MAE

How has your team contributed to your journey so far? Who helps you prepare for live performances?

My team is composed of multidisciplinary individuals that work both in music and visuals. They inspire me creatively and personally because of their different perspectives and versatility in the creative arts. When you see the team you built work together flawlessly and efficiently, you begin to realize that anything in the creative world is possible and that feeling is absolutely empowering.

My whole team helps with live performances whether its visuals, rehearsals, make-up, styling, photography, videography. It's a pretty extensive list but I'm incredibly grateful to have their support as their skills have gotten me to where I am today.

You’re releasing ‘Before’ this week, can you say anything about the new song? What type of feeling or message do you want to convey to your listeners?

‘Before’ is a song about the cyclical nature of love. I think when it comes to romantic relationships, we're way more emotional than rational. I feel you can get blindsided by love and although you tell yourself you won't make the same mistakes again, oftentimes you'll end up in the same place basically "being here before".

Sonically, it's a fun song though. I was really inspired by EDM music ‘cause I went to my first rave not too long ago so I really wanted to make a song that is unique but not sounding as serious as the message portrays.

Anything else you want to add for people wanting to get to know you and your music?

I mean, I feel like for me, music has never been anything else for me other than an outlet, an expression of what I do. I’ve been asked like: “yo, what are your plans?” or whatever and I don’t have a finite exact answer. I just like making music just for making music. I don’t think that will ever change.

I appreciate the people that like my shit. Honestly, I don’t expect anything. I’m grateful for people liking it. I’m just putting it out there for myself, you know? If other people like it, that’s great. If they don’t, I already finished what I needed to make just for myself, to begin with.

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Make sure to follow Koven Wei on Instagram, Tiktok and Spotify to stay tuned for his next projects!