MaJiK has us hooked with his peculiar lyrics, overriding the norm, while he speaks on overlooked issues, and he never seems to sway away from his initial thoughts. His drive and grit in his voice show as he flourishes in his new record, "Who Do I Call?"
MaJiK, A Vietnamese-Chinese American poet and mc based in the great Los Angeles, writes music to process situations and experiences in his own life. In his everyday life, he helps manage an open mic in the historic Filipinotown called Recess Mic, one of the programs they have in Palms Up Academy, an inclusive arts and creative collective. He hopes to be where he can provide opportunities and resources for people to discover who they are and develop into their best selves, the same way Hip-Hop and writing have done for him.
"Who Do I Call?" is MaJiK's latest release with massive messages and complex topics and subjects about black history and being oppressed in the past and low-key in the present day. Speaking from a place of pain and passion, he delivers quality verses with substance, keeping you glued to each line.
Often overlooked, the issues encountered daily as a human race are futile and destructive. So many of us look toward hip-hop as a source of perspective and influence; keeping that in mind, MaJiK chooses to inform the masses on the deeper issues we face. He is struggling to wrap his mind around the law and its rules and integrity, explaining why they're the epidemic and the cause of fathers being taken away from their children, making sure they're targeting the underprivileged.
He explained why the darker the pigment, the more complex the charge for the person and how unfair that is in the real world. The corruption and evil deeds that get brushed off by the law and their lack of care for acts done by the law to innocent people. "Is that public service, or y’all just running business? Abolish the whole system" - we understand his impatience with the law entirely.
Fulfilled and ambitious MaJiK MC has our speakers on blast with his new single "Who Do I Call?" available now on all digital streaming platforms.
Welcome to BuzzMusic MaJiK. We are so pleased to have you join us today! We love "Why Do I Call?" please tell us how the song came about and how was the creative process behind it?
The song "Who Do I Call?" came about as the protest against police brutality and the murder of George Floyd was happening. I had just released my 2nd album, The Gold Album, but this moment was more urgent and more important to be a part of. The throughline was "Defund The Police," and as I participated in some of the marches and protests in LA, I learned what we were asking and how we could achieve what we wanted. And so I wrote the song with my truths of how I felt in the moment, what I was seeing was the problems, and what alternatives and solutions we could come up with.
I reached out to my boy Fuzzzy, and he helped cook up the beat based on the reference I had. We went in and recorded my verse in his studio, and then he added flourishes as he mixed the song and sang up the hook in the middle.
A lot of the time, I have the sense of urgency to write, and then it comes together into a song, and that's how this came about. As a straightforward artist with unique lyrics in your song "Who Do I Call?" What did you want your listeners to take away from the record, and why? I wanted the listeners to hear and understand the frustration going on inside me, the plea for humanity in myself and my brothers and sisters who are constantly in threat of danger from who we have given authority to, and I'm hoping we can come to an understanding and collaborate to create better systems that live up to the equality this country is supposed to stand for.
Being in LA is probably so enjoyable; what are some moments you want to share with us that brought you closer to music or assisted in getting your music out there? I'm actually a part of a collective Named Palms Up Academy @palmsupacademy on IG, and we have an open mic every Wednesday night with a variety of artists from comedians to magicians and poets, dancers, emcees, and singer-songwriters. There's this thing called B-Sides where our host Arianna Lady Basco brings open micers to come back up based on what's resonated in the evening and have them collaborate with the pieces that they shared. So much happens and gets discovered in those moments, whether you're a part of it or witnessing it.
Being different from the rest is vital. How has being different changed your perspective on how you view things now compared to your younger years?
Growing up in a predominantly Asian and Hispanic community in the San Gabriel Valley, I saw nuances in how we were to each other, and being a Vietnamese/Chinese American, I saw how the Chinese and Vietnamese treated each other as well. A lot of our own biases are conditioned in us. As I got older and I was able to see the world and how people are treated throughout cultures, I found it easier for me to understand the power structures and how the ideas of others are perpetuated to advance the agendas and narratives of those in power.
Now that I'm older, it's becoming more important and more urgent for me to stand up and speak out against bigotry, hate, unfair treatment, and bullying rather than standing by feeling helpless. I am aware of the darkness, and I'm just trying to shine to be a mirror to amplify the light inside all of us. I hope to unite and strengthen our voices, and collectively, we can care for one another and protect each other.
What's next for you?
Next up, I am building a studio in Azusa, NFNT Studios. No Failure, No Triumph. It will be a multi-creative space fit for dance classes, workshops, video and photography shoots, streaming and podcasting, and a recording studio. I'll be recording and releasing my next full project, "King Ngo," in my own studio. I hope to provide a space that cultivates culture and community and provide resources for folks to discover themselves and become their best version.