On a picturesque sunny day in the vibrant city of London, I found myself eagerly anticipating the arrival of the multi-talented South Korean artist, Yangrae, also known as ChillMonday. Curl up in a cosy café at BFI Southbank, I couldn’t help but feel the excitement in the air, knowing that I was about to engage in a conversation with this producer, DJ, and singer. With his mix of musical genres and a down-to-earth approach to his craft, Yangrae has slowly but surely been making waves in the UK music scene.

“Becoming an artist was all about freedom”, Yangrae frankly admits, and then explains the reason why he decided to record his own songs: “Whenever I work or have worked with artists, the process always involved ‘time’ issues or a different approach to music itself. So, [one day] I just decided to do it by myself and [record my own songs]”. 

Prior to becoming a singer, Yangrae worked as a producer and a DJ. Some of his producing credits include Blaq Jerzee and JOEBOY’s Summer Bounce, and Kyle’s Who’s Taking You Home (feat. Tinashe). And while DJing at various events, whether it’s a K-pop or Korean R&B and Hip-hop club night, Yangrae is steadily building his reputation as a musician, weaving together elements from various genres to create a distinct musical experience. 

Although it has been only a year since his debut as a singer and a couple of years since he became a DJ, Yangrae’s ability to effortlessly blend genres and experiment with different sounds allows him to create music that he truly loves.

“I started DJing right after the pandemic; everything is very fresh to me. Having said that, [I began my journey into music] as a session player back in Korea. I was a session bass guitar player. After that, I decided to become a producer, followed by DJing, and now singing”, Yangrae admits with a chuckle. He also mentions that he is currently concentrating on mixing other artists’ music, however, he is planning on releasing his own tunes as a DJ too. 

As a producer and DJ, Yangrae brings a fresh perspective to his own artistry. His productions are marked by intricate layering, lush instrumentation, and beats that instantly draw listeners into his world. In addition, his attention to detail, coupled with his smooth vocals, creates an atmosphere that envelops the audience in each one of his songs. Although he struggles to write his own melodies and counts on the help of his other artist friends, he still manages to release good quality music, and that includes his latest single called Wish.

Wish itself shows his growth as a singer. The song presents his signature fusion of genres, with its sultry R&B foundation infused with electronic elements. 

“I released only four songs within the last year, and three songs out of the four have that kind of House influence to them. I also realised that [this particular music genre] has had and still has a big influence on my music”, Yangrae admits honestly.

Yangrae likes to call himself a “music assembler”, and says that he never really thought about why he chose the genres that he currently plays, confessing that he “often analyses music and checks charts” and simply goes for what he likes.

Yangrae made the bold decision to pursue his career in London, drawn to the vibrant international opportunities and diverse cultural landscape that the city has to offer. Despite the distance from his home country of Korea, Yangrae embraced the challenges of starting anew, eager to expand his horizons and make a mark in the bustling metropolis.

“The reason why I came here [London] was to release my music in the foreign market. Simply because the market is much bigger and there are more opportunities, especially in London. I feel like everything is accessible in the capital too”, Yangrae says, then adds that, “When I came to the UK, I was exposed to various music that I never heard in Korea. I didn’t intend to avoid the Korean market, but it just so happened that I ended up in London”. 

Undoubtedly, London’s thriving music scene has also given Yangrae opportunities to collaborate and connect with like-minded musicians, fostering a sense of community and encouraging artistic growth, which also includes Korean-British Hip-hop artists, as well as other Asian singers, including Tamara Canada, with whom he collaborated on Anything, Can Happen and Drunk Texting. 

“She is incredible”, Yangrae exclaims, then continues, “I trust Tamara 100% when it comes to making music with her. Our collaboration, whether it was mixing or doing other stuff in the studio, was a very trusting experience. We did have some creative differences, but we managed to find [a common ground] and release those songs. Recording those songs was a turning point for me, and that was the moment when I decided to become a singer”.

And while he wouldn’t mind collaborating with Tamara again, Yangrae says that he is keen on expanding his portfolio with different types of songs as both a producer and a singer. 

“The next track that I am working on won’t be a House or R&B track. It will be a mix of D&B. [Having said that], I am still not sure if I am going to release it”, Yangrae confesses. 

Yangrae often works under the nickname “ChillMonday”, claiming that, “I used to work with my friend under the ChillMonday name before. This was actually the name of our duo, and the idea behind it was to make Lo-Fi music. But he is currently taking a break, and I work under ChillMonday as a solo music assembler. [I must say that] making music is really fulfilling to me”. 

In a world where music is constantly challenged and redefined, Yangrae stands out as an ambitious artist, pushing himself to deliver a fresh sound. As he continues to craft his art, he is poised to make an impact on the British music market sooner or later.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

_{View of the Arts is a British online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}