Hailing from South Korea, cyd is becoming one of the most compelling voices in the R&B scene. With his rich and soulful sound, the singer-songwriter brings a breath of fresh air to the genre. 

For cyd, music has always been more than just a passion; it’s a calling. “I’ve felt a deep connection to music ever since I was young,” he shares. His path into music began with the taepyeongso, a traditional Korean instrument. From there, his love for music expanded into singing and dancing, but it was a specific moment that set his direction. 

“Everything changed when I first heard Musiq Soulchild’s song Love. I became fascinated by the R&B genre, and that’s when I knew this was the path I wanted to pursue,” cyd confesses. 

That passion shines through in his newest EP, SAVIOR, where his latest collection of songs proves, yet again, that his music delivers a consistently compelling experience. From the soulful All I Do to the sensual Better, with the latter diving headfirst into boldness with its lyrics, cyd cleverly combines sincerity with daring confidence. 

“The harmony in my latest EP album, SAVIOR, really came from a place of not compromising,” he explains then continues, “Sometimes I find myself caught in a dilemma: should I create music that meets the expectations and tastes of the public in my country, or should I stay true to what I want to say and express? This time, however, I chose not to compromise. I believe that mindset is what brought harmony to this album.”

I aimed to preserve the unique characteristics of R&B while also incorporating my identity as an artist. The song “All I Do” is a great example of this balance.

One of the beautiful qualities of cyd’s music is his vocal style. Described by other journalists as “sculpted from velvet and silk,” his voice brings a superb quality to every song. When asked how he developed such a distinctive sound, cyd humbly attributes it to his natural voice. “I wanna remain humble, but to be honest, I think it just comes down to having a natural voice. However, after spending a lot of time learning and studying vocals, I’ve come to understand how to use my voice in specific ways.”

His collaboration with Remain on All I Do highlights this sophisticated vocal talent. The two artists have a long history of working together, which made the recording process easy. “We’ve known each other for a long time and have worked together as background vocalists, guide vocalists, and songwriters. Because of this, we can tell what the other is thinking or about to say just by looking at each other, so there were no difficulties with line or part distribution. Remain is like my doppelgänger,” he says with a smile.

cyd’s SAVIOR EP Review

cyd’s musical inspirations are rooted in the golden era of 90s R&B, with artists like Brandy, Faith Evans, and Jodeci shaping his sound. You can hear this influence in the track This 90’s. 

“I really love 90s R&B music, so I wanted to capture that sound in my work. As I infused my love for them into my music, it naturally brought out a fresh and vibrant feel, reflecting a newcomer’s admiration for these legendary figures,” cyd says.

Yet, the artist isn’t afraid to explore bolder themes, as seen in songs like Got a One and Better. “As you mentioned, these two songs are quite provocative. My challenge was to deliver them in a relaxed, smooth yet powerful way. However, I believe that’s a strength of the R&B genre, and I think my voice, which fits well with that kind of vibe, helped maintain my identity,’ the singer explains.

A significant aspect of cyd’s artistry is his involvement in both the songwriting and production processes. This hands-on approach allows him to ensure his music stays true to his vision. As he reveals, “When producing, as I mentioned earlier, my approach was to stay true to what I wanted to express without compromise. I aimed to preserve the unique characteristics of R&B while also incorporating my identity as an artist. The song All I Do is a great example of this balance.”

His songwriting process is very personal, almost like a diary where he pours out his true feelings, “I try to be as honest as possible. Instead of creating something that only I would understand, I write down everything I want to say and then refine the verses to complete the lyrics,” cyd confesses. 

When I listen to or perform R&B, I feel happy, but sometimes I also experience frustration and self-doubt.

As a rising star in the Korean R&B scene, the artist has big plans for the future, “I wanna be someone who brings a fresh perspective to the Korean R&B scene. I simply hope that more listeners will embrace new ideas.” And for those wondering what’s next, cyd hints at expanding his role in the industry: “You might wanna look forward to seeing a side of me as a K-pop songwriter.”

While cyd is committed to his work, he also knows the importance of taking breaks, “I don’t take many breaks, but when I do, I either hang out with friends and chat or, recently, I’ve been watching movies frequently.”

Looking back on his journey, the singer also reflects on the ups and downs, the moments of frustration and self-doubt. But through it all, his love for R&B has kept him grounded and motivated, “I feel like I am my true self. When I listen to or perform R&B, I feel happy, but sometimes I also experience frustration and self-doubt. However, these emotions make me stronger and give me the strength to keep moving forward.

As Cyd continues to evolve and perfect his artistry, he is sure to make a lasting impact on the music industry. And with his bold approach to creativity, it’s clear that this young artist has a bright future ahead.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of 이승현

_{View of the Arts is an 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.}