“It really feels like I’ve given birth to a child,” pH-1 states, calling in from Seoul, South Korea. A month has passed since the launch of his new album ‘WHAT HAVE WE DONE’, and the rapper has been reflecting on how it's been received.
“This album truly marks a pivotal moment for me as an artist. It’s solidified my direction and artistic identity through this project, and I now have a clear understanding of the path I want to take and the kind of artist I aspire to be.”
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‘WHAT HAVE WE DONE’ is pH-1’s third full-length album and is regarded as his most intimate record to date. The album is packed with narratives of expectations and realities stemming from loss, heartbreak, and the journey of rediscovering his identity and voice as an artist, conveying powerful messages throughout.
It’s been nearly two years since the release of ‘POP OFF’, his most experimental EP, which showcased a variety of collaborations and genres while serving as a testing ground for future sounds. After releasing a number of singles post-‘POP OFF’, pH-1 built anticipation among fans leading to ‘WHAT HAVE WE DONE’.
“I’ve been in therapy for nearly a year, and the recurring theme is my struggle with complex trauma. This makes me highly aware of my surroundings and how others perceive me, often causing me to prioritize their emotions over my own,” he shared.
“As a result, my feelings sometimes manifest in unexpected ways, unintentionally harming my relationships. I think that was a major driving force behind this album.”
Navigating life as both pH-1 the artist and Harry Park to his close friends and family can be quite complex. “It can get very confusing. The industry surrounds me with highly stimulating, dopamine-driven experiences.
“These overwhelming factors and fleeting yet intense relationships negatively impact my daily life as Harry. I’m just a person from New York, but being an artist in this industry exposes me to many bizarre situations that complicate my mental state. I’m constantly trying to reconnect with my former self, which is challenging—it’s something I have to unlearn.”
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Given that these emotions drive the project, it’s only logical that ‘WHAT HAVE WE DONE’ explores a wider array of sounds. The album touches on various genres, including pop, R&B, and jazz, while seamlessly incorporating the rapper’s unique melodic style, harmonies, and lyrical flow. Yet, this shift in sound doesn’t cause him any concern.
“I know it sounds cliché, but it really resonated with me this time. I’m not worried about what others might say because, ultimately, this is a sound I truly love, plus I’m sharing genuine stories, which should be the primary goal of my music,” he acknowledged.
Noted for featuring intriguing artists on his tracks, such as alt-R&B singer UMI on 2022’s ‘JULIETTE!’ and Thai rapper MILLI on 2023’s ‘ROSETTA’, it’s no surprise that new and familiar faces appear on this project.
‘WHAT HAVE WE DONE’ includes features from Min Jiwoon on ‘PARTY PPL’, lIlBOI on ‘KEEP IT ON THE LOW’, CHANMINA on ‘BAKA’, CAMO on ‘ERYKAH BADU’, Karencici on ‘GOSHA’, HAEWON of NMIXX on ‘54321’, THAMA on ‘EASY’, and aiai on ‘SUMMER FEVER’. Each artist played a crucial role in shaping the tone of the album.
‘KEEP IT ON THE LOW’ marks the second collaboration between pH-1 and lIlBOI, but this time it’s on his own record. “[lIlBOI] joining our label has been a tremendous source of motivation in my career,” pH-1 admitted. “His passion for hip-hop and desire to excel at rapping inspires me to improve as a rapper too, making him a fantastic creative partner.”
Choosing HAEWON of the K-pop group NMIXX to feature on ‘54321’ felt natural for the rapper. “We were aiming for a vocalist that has universal appeal and a beautiful tone. Since ‘54321’ is positioned towards the middle of the album, I wanted it to be bright and pop-oriented.”
“I’ve previously written lyrics for NMIXX on a song called ‘High Horse,’ which was very upbeat and club-like. For Haewon, this was one of her early solo features, so working on ‘54321’ was enjoyable for both me and NMIXX fans.”
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Having grown up in both Korea and New York, pH-1 explored various musical influences from a young age. He engaged with mainstream Korean pop and ballads, transitioning to alternative rock during his middle school years (with Bowling for Soup and John Mayer being favorites). Eventually, he discovered hip-hop through artists like 50 Cent and Tupac,
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“It really feels like I brought a child into the world,” pH-1 declares, calling in from Seoul, South Korea. It has been a month since the launch of his latest project.