pH-1 has never been the type to stay in one place for too long, musically speaking.

Never stagnant and ever-evolving, the famed Korean rapper has always traversed a multitude of genres and sounds to put together music that's so distinctly his. From hip-hop and R&B to funk and jazz, you'll never know where pH-1 will come from next. 

You hear it clearly in his highly anticipated sophomore album, BUT FOR NOW LEAVE ME ALONE. The record is the amalgamation of everything he was, he is, and who he is yet to become, as he merges the sounds of his upbringing and the elements he loves today. As a result, you get a sonically dynamic record that's exciting and fun. 

This year, he's bringing the new album and the many other hits in discography on the road with the aptly named ABOUT DAMN TIME world tour. Following his North America leg last year, pH-1 is bringing the party to Southeast Asia this March, having started with Singapore last weekend. 

Ahead of the tour, Bandwagon caught up with pH-1 to talk about how he's living his best life (as he declares on his retro track 'TGIF'), his artistic evolution, and the artists on his playlists right now. 

Hi pH-1! What’s on your playlist these days?

I listen to a bunch of different styles of music. Lately, I’ve been streaming some Frank Ocean, Mac Ayres, Daniel Caesar, Ice Spice, and NewJeans.

What was your favourite moment of 2022?

Releasing my much-awaited album, BUT FOR NOW LEAVE ME ALONE was definitely my favourite moment because I think it’s one of my best bodies of work. Also, I dig deep into a lot of the personal issues that I struggled with lately. 

You’re starting the new year with your Asia tour, what are you most looking forward to during the tour?

I’ve already completed my North American tour. It was physically challenging, but it was one of the best experiences of my life. Successfully ending the first leg of my solo tour helped me take a huge step forward in becoming a bigger artist.

This is your first headlining tour, how are you preparing for it? What do you usually do before you head out on stage, any pre-show rituals?

For every city, I usually take a few shots of tequila before going up on the stage just to take the edge off. Back in my hotel room after the show, I make sure to have a portable humidifier close to my face so I don’t lose my voice for the upcoming shows. (Also, take lots of vitamins and ginger shots.)

What song are you most excited to perform on stage and why?

I am excited to perform all of my songs, but I absolutely love singing ‘ZOMBIES’. It’s such a fun, vibe-y song that people can jump to. I have so much fun with the crowd every time.

The tour comes on the heels of your sophomore album, BUT FOR NOW LEAVE ME ALONE, your first record since 2019. How have you grown as an artist from your last album to this one? 

I think my sound has definitely matured a lot over the past few years. I also became braver in sharing even the darkest issues that I usually don’t tap into with my listeners. I believe that my transparency makes me a more relatable artist, but it’s always a challenge.

I want my fans to feel like they are not alone in feeling any type of emotion when listening to my music. I want them to be like: “Oh, pH-1 is just like me. He goes through the same things that I do. I feel better.”

In what ways do we hear that growth in BUT FOR NOW LEAVE ME ALONE?

I tried my best to showcase my style by incorporating the types of sounds I grew up listening to — hip-hop, smooth jazz, funk, R&B, etc. Even in songs I’m rapping, you can always find elements of pretty chord progressions, harmonics, and various styles of dubs that make my music feel rich.

What would you say is one philosophy you centre your music around, and why?

I highly value good top lines, easy and relatable lyrics, and a well-balanced mix of vocals and instruments. I also prefer minimal over maximal.

Following the tour, what else can we expect from you this year?

I can’t disclose it just yet, but I am planning to launch something that’s related to one of my other passions besides music. Stay tuned for that too!

pH-1 will continue his ABOUT DAMN TIME tour with concerts in Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Manila, and Jakarta.

Listen to pH-1's BUT FOR NOW LEAVE ME ALONE here.