Having shaped and redefined their respective music scenes, SIRUP and SKY-HI have been at the forefront of innovation, creating waves that have influenced countless artists. From their early days as emerging talents to now, in their late 30s, they’ve transitioned into influential figures with firmly established positions in the industry. Known for pushing boundaries through their music and social consciousness, both artists have set the stage for the next generation. In this conversation, we dive into their journeys so far, their evolution, and what lies ahead—both as solo artists and collaborators—while exploring the “new path” they envision in the ever-evolving music landscape.
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SKY-HI Reflects on the Importance of Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation
First, I’d like to hear about the areas where you both feel sympathy and respect for each other.
SKY-HI: For me, I really admire SIRUP’s attitude of wanting to have fun. It’s about how he can say something like “Let’s go vote” in such a fun way.
SIRUP: Yes, “Grooving Night” definitely has that vibe as well.
SKY-HI: People tend to separate serious talks from playful ones to make it easier, but SIRUP doesn’t do that—he blends both in such a great way.
SIRUP: I’m really happy about that. I feel a deep sense of sympathy for SKY-HI’s drive to create change with a social purpose. On top of that, I really respect how he’s made it a success as a business. Personally, I still operate on a more personal level, focusing on “my own journey,” and I tend to move based on emotions. But with SKY-HI, there’s this strong intellectual curiosity, and the way his strategic database of knowledge combines with his emotions to produce words from multiple angles is incredible. I genuinely admire that.
SKY-HI: I appreciate that.
SIRUP: Also, you’ve pretty much experienced every corner of the music scene, haven’t you?
SKY-HI: Yeah, that’s right. I’m like a chimera.
SIRUP: The longer you stay in this industry, the more you end up becoming a chimera, right?
SKY-HI: It’s true. It’s a chimera I both wanted to become and had no choice but to become. My core aspirations haven’t really changed since back in the day, but the environment—like the state of HIP HOP in 2010 or the rock festival scene—has always shifted, so I ended up becoming this creature that can breathe underwater but also fly. I became something much more complex and high-context, far from the easy-to-understand “rock band vocalist” identity.
SIRUP: You’ve completely established your identity as both an idol and a rapper. I really respect that, and I can imagine it must have been incredibly tough. You’ve pushed through despite being labeled or placed into categories. You’ve got a strong heart.
SKY-HI: And also, the recklessness [laughs].
SIRUP: The recklessness and the confidence of “I’m going to make it happen,” you’ve kept that for over 10 years. And not just for yourself, but also with BMSG.
SKY-HI: I think part of why I started the company was because I wanted something to come from the struggles, something like, “This was born from that hardship.” Starting my own company, creating the music I love… that’s the kind of dream you have, right? In my 20s, I never thought it would be on this scale, but when I was preparing for BMSG, I had to decide: Was I going to do it alone? Start a HIP HOP label with unique artists like Novel Core? Or choose a third option? After thinking it through, I concluded that the best thing I could do was create a space where I could save “kids like the future version of myself.”
