Producer Slom on the rise of Korean hip hop & new music

South Korean music producer Slom (real name Kim Min-woo) first garnered attention when he appeared on Show Me the Money 10 as a judge and producer in 2021. The show is credited for increasing the South Korean public's interest in hip-hop. Here, he talks about his journey into music production, the rise of hip-hop in South Korea and teases new music.

Where did the name Slom come from?

It's a combination of an English word for the animal, sloth and my Korean name, Min-woo. My friends used to think I look like a sloth. I still kind of agree. I'm pretty chilled out and slow, because I stare a lot and I may be talking strangely!

What artists were you into growing up that first sparked your interest in music?

I was growing up listening to music before online streaming services were available. So, without any pocket money, I could only listen to my parents’ and sister’s collections of tapes and records. My dad is really into standard jazz like Antônio Carlos Jobim and my sister was really into Britney Spears and Green Day, so American pop. I was getting a nice blend between those two.

You were born in California yet work in the South Korean music scene; have you lived in South Korea as well or have you always been in L.A?

I was born in California but I moved to Korea when I was three years old. It was my sister who grew up in California, but I was only born in California, so I grew up more in South Korea, but I went to college in L.A. So I'm a Korean who learned English in Korea.

When did it first cross your mind that you might like to be a producer some day?

I was always into listening to [American] hip hop beats because I was not really fluent in English then. So from listening to hip hop music, the beats were everything I could understand, because the lyrics were too fast. I was only getting the sonic quality from the productions, so I started to have a hobby of making beats when I was in college and then that started to resonate with the artist side of my work in Korea when I started posting remixed beats on SoundCloud. That gave me more courage, confidence and taste.

When you first started gravitating towards hip hop as you became more fluent in English, was it American or Korean hip hop that intrigued you?

It was both, and this is actually the first time I’m thinking about this, because lyric-wise, I was more of a South Korean, so I was resonating more with the Korean lyrics. But for the production I was listening to the American side. South Korean production was more simple and to the point. When I was listening to Korean hip hop, it was a time when people were really into jazz samples in hip hop music. That was a time when I went all the way different, listening to T-Pain and Usher and that kind of stuff.

What was your first big break in the world of music production and how did things change after that?

I guess it was when I released Snow with Zion T. Once the song hit number one, people started to get to know me. The Korean music scene consists of a small group of artists and producers and once you start to get noticed, you can literally get to know anyone.

There are no drugs referenced in South Korean songs; instead Korean hop hop talks about everyday life, personal stories and social issues specific to Korean culture. Is one of the main things that differentiates South Korean hip hop from US hip hop in your opinion?

Of course. I believe it's just about the different historical environments with different values and norms coming from the countries. There are no drug references in Korean music, but there are drugs in Korea. In Korea, the environment is predominantly homogeneous so the intensity of issues may differ from the States. 

Also, if you were to publicly talk about certain things in Korea, it would be hard to gain public popularity or commercial success because you would definitely have to get some support from companies, labels or advertisers. In Korea, it's more strict than in America.

Do you incorporate traditional Korean sounds and instruments into your hip-hop music?

Actually, I haven't! I was more influenced by jazz because I don't really play an instrument – I'm more of a sample-based producer, so I could actually try some traditional ensembles…

In 2019, you released your debut single 2Nite, followed by the collaborative album Miniseries with singer-songwriter Sumin, which received critical acclaim. How did things change for you after this?

I’m more confident in how I make music now. Definitely what I make now is better than before and I make decisions faster.

Your most recent single was F.A.F.F - (parts 1 & 2) which are far from the hip hop sound people night associate you with. Was this a deliberate departure from hip hop for you?

Yes – and F.A.F.F is an acronym for family or friends. The thing that is special about this single itself is that I was more of an engineer and producer, but not an actual player playing the instruments. I invited special friends of mine to jam together for several days and then I would edit the times we were playing and recording for hours. Those were the two songs we could get from the solid days of jamming!

Do you have any plans for a new album?

I'm actually planning on a release with Sumin again, because we already have five songs completed, so we're trying to wrap up some of the newer collaborations.

What is some essential production kit that you rely on in your home studio?

I ran into some Genelecs in 2018 at my friend's studio, and when I saw the Genelecs for the first time I was like, ‘They are so slick and nice-looking!’ These really look like they’re from the future and they’re a nice-looking speaker for my studio setup. That was my first impression. 

I now own 8010s for my home setup, which is not really a studio environment. There is a thin wall between the neighbours’, so at nighttime I have to listen to the songs I'm working on at a low volume because the bass might get out, but these speakers have a nice balance when played at a low volume. 

They’re pretty accurate and it's about the balance. Genelecs tend to be more neutral in terms of equalisation and they help me to be precise.