[EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] Verseatile, “having passion alone will not get you anywhere”

Hip-hip artist Mike Chun best known as Verseatile has agreed to an interview with HypnoticAsia.

Originally from Chicago, Verseatile moves to Los Angeles in pursue of his career and will now participate in the one of the biggest API showcases in America on July 26, 2013 and will be performing with a live band. With over 17,000 subscribers on YouTube, the rapper constantly shows his talent through his videos and new music releases. He has collaborated with many producers in the past such as, Smashhitta, Joey French, J-Phonics, Peez and many more.

He’s been making music for about 10 years and writes his lyrics from personal experiences like family, friends, relationships and God. He will be making his return with a new album titled “Good Mourning” as early as August 6, 2013 and has a total of 14 self-written tracks. The tracks were all procoduced by J-Phonics and has feature artists like MC Jin, Traphik as well as his good friends Tim Pae and Suejin.

In this interview, you’ll get to know and understand him as an artist and where his inspiration to his music comes from. If you are already a fan of his music, you’ll know more about the upcoming album you’ve all been waiting for. He participated in a Kickstarter project and successfully raised his goal amount of the album.

The artist will participate in Kollaboration LA on July 26, 2013 and is expected to release his upcoming album “Good Mourning” early August.

Check out the interview below.

HYPNOTICASIA: Please introduce yourself to our readers on HypnoticAsia.

VERSEATILE: Hi, my name is Verseatile. I am a hip-hop artist and a songwriter originally from Chicago. I now reside in LA, pursuing my music career.

HYPNOTICASIA: Where does the inspiration to write your lyrics come from? Are the songs written from personal experiences?

VERSEATILE: Inspiration definitely comes from my personal experiences, whether it regards my family, God, friends, or relationships.

HYPNOTICASIA: How long have you been making music?

VERSEATILE: I have been making music for about 10 years.

HYPNOTICASIA: Why did you decide to upload your video covers and originals on YouTube?

VERSEATILE: I was told it would be good exposure, and because I would be able to do it my way.

HYPNOTICASIA: Who would you say are your biggest musical influences?

VERSEATILE: Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Eminem, Nas, Royce Da 5’9, Ne-Yo, and old school K-Pop. I also come from a family of classical musicians (my father’s side).

HYPNOTICASIA: How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard it?

VERSEATILE: It’s soulful hip-hop with deep lyrics, where I share my story that ultimately points to a bigger story.

HYPNOTICASIA: If you could collaborate with an artist you haven’t already, who would it be and why?

VERSEATILE: I would want to collaborate with Royce Da 5’9. I almost did, too, but he was asking for too much money lol. He’s my favorite rapper of all time, and to be able to share a track with him would mean that I’m good enough to be on the same song together.

HYPNOTICASIA: We heard you were competing in Kollaboration Los Angeles on July 26, 2013, why did you choose to compete this year?

VERSEATILE: I think the timing of it was just perfect. I am currently performing with a live band now (which I have never done before). My sound has matured a lot, and I have grown a lot as an artist and as a person.

HYPNOTICASIA: How do you feel competing with so many fellow artists at Kollaboration Los Angeles? Are you nervous?

VERSEATILE: I used to battle as an up and coming emcee, so the competitive edge is somewhere deep inside me. However, sharing the stage with so many talented artists is just an honor and I’m humbled by the experience so far. I always get nervous/excited right before I get on stage, but once the music cues, I get lost into the music.

HYPNOTICASIA: We also heard you were releasing a new album “Good Mourning,” how does this album differ from your previous albums?

VERSEATILE: I go a lot deeper with “Good Mourning”. The events that have happened in the past 2 years of my life caused my writing for this album to be on deeper and more intimate levels compared to my prior writings. A lot of difficult times were faced over the 2 years. I’m a lot more vulnerable on this one.

HYPNOTICASIA: When’s the expected release date of your album, “Good Mourning”?

VERSEATILE: I’ll try to have some physical copies available at Kollaboration, but the official drop date will be early August, around the 6^th.

HYPNOTICASIA: Is all the music on your upcoming 14 track album written by you? Anyone help produce this new album?

VERSEATILE: Yes, I wrote the entire album. My long-time producer, J-Phonics, produced every track.

HYPNOTICASIA: How did you come up with the title of your album?

VERSEATILE: This album is therapeutic for me. The title means “healthy venting”. As I shared, the past couple years have been very, if not the most, difficult for me. I struggled with matters regarding my family, relationships, and my identity. However, the album also conveys the peace, reconciliation, and restoration that I have found through the journey as well.

HYPNOTICASIA: How did you come up with the design for the cover of the album?

VERSEATILE: I just told the designer and photographer my theme of the album. They visualized it very well.

HYPNOTICASIA: We saw that you started a Kickstarter project for your upcoming album and successfully reached your goal. Did you ever have any doubts that it wouldn’t succeed?

VERSEATILE: I was unsure of it at first, and quite skeptical about it all… But when people started to contribute immensely within the first couple days, it looked doable.

HYPNOTICASIA: In “Good Mourning” you have features like MC Jin, Traphik and more, what was it like working with them on the tracks?

VERSEATILE: The songs with Jin and Tim (Traphik) were done awhile back, but I felt they were appropriate for this album’s theme. Jin and I pretty much did the song via online and we didn’t get to sit in the studio together, but I’m glad it worked out nicely. Tim and I got to link up through a show we did in Florida. He was kind enough to get down with the joint, and it was a pleasure working with him. The other features, Tim Pae and Suejin, are my personal friends from church. They are crazy talented, and I was honored for them to get on this project.

HYPNOTICASIA: Of the 14 tracks on your album, which are you most excited to release?  Would you say it’s your favorite?

VERSEATILE: It’s tough to say my “favorite” as they are all my creations, but I am excited for “Last Call” and “Nostalgia”. I sing a bit on “Nostalgia” and “Last Call” is quite cinematic.

HYPNOTICASIA: Has there ever been a performance you are most proud of?

VERSEATILE: The one I can think off the top of my head is a recent show in Boston. It was my first official gig with a live band. We were the main event. I haven’t done an hour-long performance before, but we finished it well.

HYPNOTICASIA: If you weren’t making music, what do you believe you’d be doing instead?

VERSEATILE: I’d be doing some form of business, ideally related to entertainment.

HYPNOTICASIA: If you can give advice to an up and coming artist, what would it be and why?

VERSEATILE: Self-awareness is so important. I think it’s more important than passion because if you don’t know what you’re good and bad at, having passion alone will not get you anywhere. Know your strengths and know the areas you need to improve and work on. Drive and passion will come that much more when you recognize the potential you have in your skills. Always be learning. Thanks for having me! God bless.

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