Get to know more about Junoflo, the masterful Korean-American rapper, songwriter, and producer.
Hailing from Los Angeles, Junoflo, a Korean-American artist, burst onto the music scene in South Korea in 2016, captivating audiences worldwide with his unique blend of aggressive rap and bright melodies.
Shaped by the golden era of jazz hip hop and the contemporary sounds of West Coast rap, Junoflo's music transcends borders, drawing in listeners from every corner of the globe. As his fanbase swelled, Juno took his electrifying performances to stages around the world, mesmerizing audiences with his raw talent and magnetic presence.
But Junoflo didn't stop there. Returning to his LA roots as an independent artist, he blazed his own trail in the music industry. His groundbreaking performance as the first Korean artist at an NBA Halftime show marked a pivotal moment, propelling him to the forefront of the global music scene.
His debut independent album, "222:AM," stole the hearts of millions, racking up over 1.5 million listens across streaming platforms and solidifying his status as a rising star. Now, with "Smiles & Tribulations," a collaborative masterpiece with G2, Junoflo continues to innovate, offering listeners a glimpse into his life's journey through captivating storytelling and infectious beats.
Join me as I catch up with Junoflo ahead of his upcoming collaborative show on March 26th to discuss his new song "DALE DENTON," his creative process, adapting his style, and more.
Hello Junoflo! Thanks for taking the time to speak with me. Please introduce yourself to my readers.
What's going on?! My name's Junoflo, and I'm a rapper, songwriter, and producer from Los Angeles.
Congratulations on your upcoming project with G2, Justin Park, and Year of the OX.
What excites you most about the new music and the show in Los Angeles?
Thank you. I'm just excited to be making music and performing with my friends. Us all
working together is long overdue and I'm glad it can come to life now.
Can you provide any teasers or spoilers of what fans expect from the live show? Is there a particular song you’re excited to perform live?
High energy! We made a whole compilation album together that is yet to be released, so
we'll probably perform several tracks off of that.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
I'm usually very focused and to myself before I perform. I don't like being around too many people. Do some push-ups and stretches to keep the body loose.
You are known for your aggressive rap style mixed with bright melodies. How did you
bring your own flair to this project?
Exactly that -- you can hear me adapting styles to each song that I'm on.
“Dale Denton” plays off the fight scene in the movie, “Pineapple Express.” Can you tell
me the inspiration behind that?
Jaeyoung from Year of the Ox produced that song, so I just bounced off the energy that
he brought with the original idea. It's a very aggressive and dark beat with heavy drums, so I loved it as soon as I heard it.
Are there any memorable behind-the-scenes stories from recording the song or the
music video for “Dale Denton?”
The recording of the song came very naturally when we were all in the studio together.
Same with the video! After finishing the song, we hit up our homie Furis, who directed a
previous video of mine called "Midas Touch," and got that going. Nothing forced.
What inspired you to start making music?
In the beginning, it was a new way to express myself and I enjoyed writing poetry
growing up. Then, it became an infatuation with hearing and making new sounds and
rhythms.
What Junolfo song would you recommend to newer fans? What’s your favorite song
from your discography?
It's hard to pick a favorite song because my music style can be very diverse depending on my mood, but I'd recommend "No Limit" to newer fans.
What’s your goal for this year, personally or as an artist?
To release all the new music I've been working on for the past year and to DJ + perform
worldwide.
What can fans expect from you next?
A whole new batch of music exploring new sounds! Something entirely different from
what I've previously released.
Lastly, can you please share a message of love for your fans?
Love to everyone who's been keeping up with me and supporting me and my music! I
appreciate you all and will be releasing tons of new music soon.
Listen to his music on Spotify and SoundCloud.
*Special thanks to Junoflo for this exclusive interview.