[Exclusive Interview] Meet Year of the OX: The Most Uncompromising and Diligent Rap Duo
Rap duo Year of the OX are two of the most uncompromising and diligent emcees in the game. Helmed by Lyricks and Jae Young, the duo sharpened their skills in Virginia before making the move to Los Angeles to continue their quest for hip-hop domination.
Whether in freestyle cyphers, dedicated weekly drops, or on their upcoming debut album, Year of the OX is unmatched in lyrical ability and overall grit. The duo has covered topics of hateful discrimination, international travel, staples of Asian cuisine, unfathomable tragedy, and the trials and tribulations of the underground. With thousands of loyal supporters, known as the Oxgang, Year of the OX will be an unrelenting force to be reckoned with for the long haul.
We sat down with Lyricks and Jae Young ahead of their upcoming collaboration project (that includes two new songs and a show in LA on March 26th) to talk all things YOX.
Please introduce yourself to OK-What’s followers.
Hey OK-What!! I’m OK-Who, and my partner is OK-Why. And we are the Y O K S. Just playing… that was stupid. It’s Lyricks and Jae Young from the mighty Year of the OX.
Congratulations on your latest collaboration with Justin Park, Junoflo, and G2. How has this collaboration influenced your music?
It excites us to bring new music to our Oxgang and also the supporters of our friends you mentioned. It’s been a while since we worked on a collaborative project with another artist, let alone three.) “85 Seoul” with Reddy was our last one.) The combination of styles and personalities really shines throughout the music, and we are eager to see how everything meshes together on the same stage on the same night.
“GOLD ROCKY” has more of a fresh and carefree vibe. What inspired the lines for GOLD ROCKY?”
Justin Park brought this gem to us and asked us to add our twist to it. Some days we are meant to go out and stampede the competition, and other days, we are meant to lean back and rap about our beautiful female supporters in a mansion on the hills… with pillow fights and unlimited Dusse.
Please describe “DALE DENTON” in three words.
Who
Want
What?
“DALE DENTON” is based on the fight scene in Pineapple Express. When writing the lines, did you feel it was becoming an anthem for challenging naysayers?
YOX has always been supplying fight music for the world. Whether it means a soundtrack for a street rumble or gym music that you use to fight against ur self for that last rep, we’ve always been the supplier of stampede sounds.
The music videos for “GOLD ROCKY” and “DALE DENTON” will be released with the singles on March 24. Can you share with us a behind-the-scenes story from making the music videos?
During the shoot for “DALE DENTON,” the producer forgot to mention that he hired a street bike team to perform tricks with wheelies and such during our verses. So mid-way through our shoot, when a group of gentlemen started circling the parking we were in, revving their throttles and looking like a problem, Jae Young and I thought things were about to go left. I switched the grip on the glass bottle I was holding and tried to survey the situation preparing for a war. Thank God they were on our side. (laughs)
How has moving to LA shaped your identity of being an Asian-American rap duo?
To be quite honest, the demographics had nothing to do with our identity as a rap duo. Being already solidified from Virginia and then New York, we saw LA as another spot on the map where we could spread our fan base and find immaculate gukbap spots.
How has your music changed since JL picked up producing?
Jae Young fKA JL producing is like having a custom tailor in the studio making personalized John Wick suits. Subtle changes, beat cuts, switch-ups -- we got all in-house now. But to all the beat smiths out there, don’t stop sending us that fire though!
What are three must-haves for you to have in the studio?
Phone charger
Water
Honesty
You often talk about Asian culture in your music. How has music redefined the meaning of “cultural appropriation” for you? When does it stop being homage and become appropriation?
When you start becoming someone you’re not and putting up a facade to gain notoriety, that’s dangerous terrain. And the people aren’t stupid. Stay true to yourself, and the music will speak for itself. We replace the word appropriation with appreciation at all times. Both ways.
What would you say is an area where you’ve grown the most since your debut?
Lyricks: My stomach area.
If you could pick one song to introduce to our followers from your album Year of the Ox, what would it be and why?
It’s so hard to choose just one song that represents us. But if we had to choose one, the track “Stampede” from our first EP is a clear representation of who we are as a group. Unapologetic, unforgiving, and relentless with our force. It’s that “if you stand in our way, you will get run over” type of track.
What advice would you give an aspiring rapper?
The moment you feel accomplished in this game, you’re already done. Stay humble, stay hungry.
What are three songs on your playlist?
“94 ghost sh**” by Achemist
“I pledge allegiance” by Nate Dogg
“White Gloves” by Khruangbin
Lastly, anything you want our followers to know?
In this time of uncertainty and divided mentalities, stay true to yourselves, remain curious, and stay vigilant. Did that sound too fortune cookie-ish? (laughs)
