Imagine that you have achieved success as a bona-fide music superstar. You’ve written songs, won awards, and have been recognized as one of the best in the music industry. Then you walk away.
More specifically, you step aside to form a new group to start all over on the other side of the world. Aziatix has done that….times three.
Allow me to re-introduce the accomplished members. Eddie Shin has released an album, numerous singles, and composed songs for various artists. Nicky Lee has released five albums and won the 2007 Best Male Sing Award at Taiwan’s Golden Melody Awards. FLOWSIK is a rapper, songwriter, producer who has collaborated with heavyweights in hip hop, such as Ice-T. Together, they form Aziatix, a hip hop/R&B group as well as a label assembled by Jae Chong. There was only one reason the three left their solo success to band together. They plan to take it to the next level and make global music that can reach fans worldwide.
As Korean Americans with an extensive background in the music business, the members of Aziatix create an eclectic sound together. “We grew up out here, but we also spent a lot of time in Asia. Our sound is a mix of the East and West. When we let people here listen to our music, they say there’s an Asian feel to it. When we take our music there [Asia], they say “the rhythm, the beat…what is that?!”
In addition to the Aziatix’s talent individually and collectively, the fact that the group carries a hip hop head speaks volumes to another hip hop lover, yours truly. And after minutes, it’s not hard to tell FLOWSIK is truly a fan of hip hop for he believes in the power and movement of the culture. “I think the beauty of hip hop is expressing yourself. I really wish, through rap, that I’ll be able to inspire and motivate others.” Not to mention his energy for the culture is sick. When asked who they would like to collaborate with, FLOWSIK’s raspy voice replied, “Young Money”. Then enthusiastically once more, “YOUNG MONEY!”
The rapper is a New York native who flew to Asia and met Eddie and Nicky. Between the three, they have done some widespread traveling. Despite that, they all agree that there is no place like home. They know where they come from and where they want to be. In my opinion, they also know where they are meant to be. When I asked them what they would do if they weren’t in the music industry, they all still managed to pick something that routed back there.
Except for Nicky who claims, “I love to eat. I would probably be a professional eater….Thank God I can sing!” Yes, the soulful singer can! And there are an abundant amount of “Aziaddicts” who would agree with me. None of this would be possible without them as the trio humbly tell me, “We definitely want to thank all the fans for their love and support. We’re just starting, but the response has been overwhelming. We’re humbled and we want to thank each and every one of you. If it wasn’t for the fans, we wouldn’t be here now so thank you and we love you”.
In addition to their fans, Aziatix would “like to be a good influence on the next generation and be positive role models who show the kids they can chase after their dreams and accomplish what they want to do in life”. Ultimately, these talented men are here to make good music for everybody, with no color lines or barriers, and they’re coming for those Grammys, MTV Awards, and Billboard Awards. Make no mistake.
They’ve done it before and the chances of history repeating itself look good. Jae Chong once told Eddie, “He’s not going to wait for history to happen. He’s going to go out and make history”. Well, here they go again.
Aziatix’s EP drops next month! Be on the lookout!! Get their single “Go” on 
today.
Go music video by Aziatix
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Hokuto “Hok” Konishi is the artist as well as the philosophical one. His craft of drawing is extraordinary and is doing “a lot more things with my art”. “I have a lot of sketches that never made it onto my canvas so I’m thinking about developing those. Basically, anything inspires me, but my favorite thing to draw is the female body and just combining a lot of things.” He explains that he is where he is now because he “never gave up on his dream”. He is easily identified by his hair and that striking British accent. But growing up in England, he never thought anything of it. His hair came from growing up outside of the country as well. “When I first came to the States, I wanted cornrows, but they got really itchy so I just shaved half of it. Then I thought I would just have a couple of braids. It developed to what it is now and is still currently changing.”
Lydia Paek is the female of the Quest Crew. But that’s not the only thing that defines her. “I feel like being a female doesn’t set me apart. We all contribute equally. The guys treat me like a little brother anyways.” And yes, Lydia can most definitely dance in the same manner as they do and keep up. She’s also got a distinct voice that she uses for her other talent – singing. “I love singing R&B and soul music.” There were rumors from her freestyling that she would be a rapper, but she puts those stories to rest. “It’s just a joke. I’m just playing around. I’m more of a singer.” Singing and dancing aside, she’s also got some serious fashion sense! “My style is whatever I feel that day. I can go from kicks and baggy jeans to a dress and heels. I actually have thought of a fashion line, but as of right now, don’t have the resources.”
Ryan “Ryanimay” Conferido is one of the founding members of Quest Crew. Yet is quite humble about that aspect. “Pretty much all we [Ryanimay and Hok] did was establish the relationship between the group and the Quest Learning Center.” Ryanimay and Aris, began taking a hip hop class at the community college. The two explain, “We always saw girls going into dance class. We said we should go to that class. So at first, it was for the ladies, but then we found people to look up to. We didn’t realize how fun it actually was and we just kept going with it.” His introduction to dancing came from Soul Train. “I went to a Christian school that didn’t allow any dancing so we didn’t have a prom or social events. I didn’t know the existence of a dance community. I thought only dance existed on Soul Train. He has tapes filled with the Soul Train lines. His inspiration? “There was a b-boy on Soul Train named B-Boy Ivan. He was my favorite dancer and had a humungous influence in my life. I followed him throughout his career.” Ryanimay was also able to meet his idol and “it was such an honor.”
Ryan Feng aka Feng has a love for photography that came from dance. “Before I started dancing, I was very academic-driven. I started dancing at nineteen and it opened me up to other creative arts. There are ways I can inspire myself through photography that I can’t do with dance. What inspires me the most is people and culture.” With his demanding and hectic professional schedule, Feng has managed to balance time for his significant other. “I have to be thankful that I have a girlfriend that is so understanding. I try my best to spend time with her and make the best of our time.”
Aris Paracuelles is a jokester that just doesn’t embarrass easily. I should know. I tried to call him out on some “interesting” photographs, but he had posted on Quest Crew’s MySpace. “Everyone [in Q.C.] is a jokester. I don’t care if people laugh at me – I don’t get embarrassed.” With his impressive medical background, which includes CPR-certification, massage therapy, and pharmacy tech, he still brings humor. “I think getting into the medical field, in one way or another, is a natural Filipino thing to do.” Like a lot of the other members, he got his start breakdancing in high school. He first started taking dance classes with Ryanimay in college to get the girls. And even though the members tease him, he is heavily influenced by the Beat Freaks [their opposing dance crew in ABDC’s finale].
Steve Terada is the martial arts master. Perfecting his craft since the age of nine, he is a second-degree black belt, which can sometimes be “a good intimidation factor”. Steve started out competing in martial arts in the forms division. This developed into a martial arts derived sport called tricking which he is known as one of the originators. His skill also led to a stunt position on Black Eyed Peas’ Pump It video. “They were really down-to-Earth. When I first came in, they all introduced themselves. It was a two-day shoot and the whole first day was all of them going against myself. So it was just me getting beat up for the whole day, but Will.I.Am offered to bring in his personal masseuse since they were working me so hard that day.”
Brian Hirano is the DJ. “Not so much in parties, but I mix. I guess I’m a “bedroom DJ” – not quite professional yet, but it’s a hobby one mine. I started with one turntable since I started with vinyl and I wanted the better sound quality. Then [it became] two turntables, a mixer, and a microphone. I eventually moved over to Serato and that’s what I use now.” He was also an extra in Ocean’s 13 as well as Indiana Jones, but it’s not as glamorous as it sounds. “I was a mud warrior in Indiana Jones and it was one of the most uncomfortable things I had to do. I as covered in paint and glue from head to toe and spend all day running around in that. I could hardly breathe, but it was an interesting job.”
Victor Kim fulfilled his parents’ wishes and followed his own path. “My Bachelor of Arts in Economics comes from my desire to make my parents proud of me. I knew it meant a lot to them for their son to go to a university. As far as music, dance, and art – those are things that meant a lot to me. It’s what I find the most joy in.”
Andy Luo has an M.S in Aerospace Engineering. He balances it with dance as they balance him as well. “While it is certainly a challenge managing both engineering and dance, it makes it that much more fulfilling to be a part of both. I always felt like having both would keep me sane” as the two together do fulfill his mental and physical stimulation. “At the same time, I do it because I love them both.”
