01Profile
A Lick-G Photo
Lick-G
Musician — Kanagawa
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Lick-G, Zushi in Kanagawa, Japan.
What do you do?
Hip-hop artist.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
It’s live footage but Dave. I’ve been digging musicians from the UK recently and he’s one of the artists that I found. Definitely knocked me down when I saw him on a piano and rapping at the same time. The performance was so on point from the start till the end, with political messages at the frontline.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I watch a decent amount of films and I’d say, Michael Winterbottom, a director known for ‘Wonderland’ is the one I’d mention. The first film of his that I saw might have been ‘The Killer Inside Me’ and his works just struck me. There’s a sense of stimulation not quite like films in the US.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Womb in Shibuya, the main floor. It’s great sound-wise and the crowd size seems well balanced too.
If you could be on the line up with any artist in history?
John Lennon. He’s usually positioned as a rock musician, though I can feel the hip hop and rap elements in his music in terms of its rawness, his style was always a few steps ahead of the game. He sings first then my rap part comes later on.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I’d love it if Paul McCartney could lead me into some areas of music I’ve not entered yet.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Donovan. I don’t think he’s that well-known with my age group. I tend to like music with shades and shadows so I want people to acknowledge the dark and psychedelic side of his music.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
How did you select the tracks for this playlist?
I realized after creating the list that my selection leans toward the head-music. I’m kind of focused on the lyrics rather than feeling as body-music. Oh and, I did try to add fresh tunes to keep it away from being just the old classics.
The first track you played on repeat?
Such a major track but ‘Viva La Vida’ by Coldplay. It was on MTV back when I was in primary.
A song that defines the teenage you?
‘Help!’ by The Beatles. Another track that I played on repeat a lot and there’s actually a bit of depth in its simplicity even when I listen to it now.
One record you would keep forever?
‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ by The Beatles. I can play it in my head but I can’t really be satisfied even right now. A dried squid. The more you chew, the better it tastes!
A song lyric that has inspired you?
‘God’ by John Lennon was just striking to hear. His expression about self-belief and the repetitive wording that goes "I don’t believe"… could relate to rap too.
Best song to turn up loud?
Yet again another one from The Beatles, ‘Come Together’. I like the howling shouts from them.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Love In The Dark’ by Adele. As the title goes, it’s a pretty dark track. Again, that’s my favourite shadowy sound right there.
Any new bands you are listening to now?
Ocean Wisdom. I’m very familiar with US hip hop but it’s only recently that I’ve started listening to UK sound so I’m using Urban Dictionary for the unfamiliar slang (laughs).
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Lick-G, Zushi in Kanagawa, Japan.
What do you do?
Hip-hop artist.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
It’s live footage but Dave. I’ve been digging musicians from the UK recently and he’s one of the artists that I found. Definitely knocked me down when I saw him on a piano and rapping at the same time. The performance was so on point from the start till the end, with political messages at the frontline.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I watch a decent amount of films and I’d say, Michael Winterbottom, a director known for ‘Wonderland’ is the one I’d mention. The first film of his that I saw might have been ‘The Killer Inside Me’ and his works just struck me. There’s a sense of stimulation not quite like films in the US.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Womb in Shibuya, the main floor. It’s great sound-wise and the crowd size seems well balanced too.
If you could be on the line up with any artist in history?
John Lennon. He’s usually positioned as a rock musician, though I can feel the hip hop and rap elements in his music in terms of its rawness, his style was always a few steps ahead of the game. He sings first then my rap part comes later on.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I’d love it if Paul McCartney could lead me into some areas of music I’ve not entered yet.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Donovan. I don’t think he’s that well-known with my age group. I tend to like music with shades and shadows so I want people to acknowledge the dark and psychedelic side of his music.
04Playlist Notes
How did you select the tracks for this playlist?
I realized after creating the list that my selection leans toward the head-music. I’m kind of focused on the lyrics rather than feeling as body-music. Oh and, I did try to add fresh tunes to keep it away from being just the old classics.
The first track you played on repeat?
Such a major track but ‘Viva La Vida’ by Coldplay. It was on MTV back when I was in primary.
A song that defines the teenage you?
‘Help!’ by The Beatles. Another track that I played on repeat a lot and there’s actually a bit of depth in its simplicity even when I listen to it now.
One record you would keep forever?
‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ by The Beatles. I can play it in my head but I can’t really be satisfied even right now. A dried squid. The more you chew, the better it tastes!
A song lyric that has inspired you?
‘God’ by John Lennon was just striking to hear. His expression about self-belief and the repetitive wording that goes "I don’t believe"… could relate to rap too.
Best song to turn up loud?
Yet again another one from The Beatles, ‘Come Together’. I like the howling shouts from them.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Love In The Dark’ by Adele. As the title goes, it’s a pretty dark track. Again, that’s my favourite shadowy sound right there.
Any new bands you are listening to now?
Ocean Wisdom. I’m very familiar with US hip hop but it’s only recently that I’ve started listening to UK sound so I’m using Urban Dictionary for the unfamiliar slang (laughs).
Lick-G | Halloween (2019)
Lick-G | Trainspotting (2018)
Lick-G | Twin Peaks / Turn Off, Take Off (2018)
Lick-G | Sociopath (2018)
Lick-G | Mellow Akira (2017)