The Taiwaness Hip Hop scene seem to be going from strength to strength. Hip Hop group, Da Mouth, made up of Canadian-Taiwanese MC 40, Korean-Taiwanese-American male vocalist Harry, Taiwan-born Japanese DJ Chung Hua, and Japanese female vocalist Aisa, is already a familiar name among many in Asia, Singapore no exception. A Golden Melody Award winner, the group tells MediaCorp News in an exclusive interview that their next aim to have their own concert this year.
Q: Your group name, Da Mouth, would also remind people of food. Did you guys plan for some double meaning?
DM: Yes. We came up with the name by ourselves. It was decided after a long while. We're always eating and chatting during discussions and since our work involves performing and singing - always involving the mouth - we called ourselves Da Mouth!
Q: Teamwork is never easy. Have you guys been caught in conflicts?
DM: Yes!
Q: For example?
DM: It is tough when four people have to complete one task together, for example, writing a song. Our backgrounds are too diverse so we have to spend extra effort in communicating and understanding each other.
Q: What was the worst ever scenario?
DM: (MC 40) There was once when things got ugly between Harry and me. We were discussing the song "Always By Your Side" in a café when we started arguing in there and the atmosphere felt a little stiff. I was really mad so I cleared up all the notes on the table and left in a huff.
Q: Who gave in first?
DM: (MC 40) I forgot. We made up in a few days.
Q: If Aisa makes a mistake, will you guys give in to her?
DM: No. We'll hit her immediately. (Aisa) Yes I get beaten very badly every time. He's right. (MC 40) I think we are fair to everyone in terms of work expectations. The four of us belong to a team and Aisa is very diligent; she expects a lot of herself.
Q: Poor Aisa, you have to suffer the pressure of working with three men and have had to adapt to the Taiwanese culture. You have been in Taiwan for many years, do you think you have integrated well?
Aisa: I've gotten used to the culture in Taiwan and I feel like a Taiwanese now. This is my ninth year in Taiwan. Being part of the group gives me the chance to be in Singapore and many other countries. I would feel weird returning to Japan now.
Q: You have recently released a new album. Give us an introduction of it. It has a weird name. Why so?
DM: It looks like five words "Wang Yuan Kou Li Kou", but together they form two Chinese words "Wan Ka" (player).
Q: What does it mean?
DM: It means "player" or someone who is well-informed about a particular subject like music, food, etc.
Q: The four of you have "played your game well" and won the Best Singing Group of 2008 in the Golden Melody Awards. What was your first reaction when you heard the group's name being announced on the awards?
DM: Shocked! We really did not think we would win the award and we were not prepared to deliver a speech. Our minds were blank when we went on stage. Backstage after receiving the award, we huddled together and cried.
Q: If The Golden Melody Awards is just the beginning for Da Mouth; what is your wish for 2009?
DM: Da Mouth hopes to have its first concert. I believe that is the first dream of all musicians. (Harry) My wish is more personal. I hope to be able to go on a holiday with my family, because I don't really get together with them especially when my younger brother is still studying in the States.
With the team being closely bonded, we believe that they will achieve more in music along with the recognition they deserve for being a radical Hip Hop group.
Da Mouth is also nominated again for Best Singing Group in the upcoming Taiwan Golden Melody Awards.
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