INTRODUCING: CYPRUS
Enigmatic Japanese artist Cyprus is finding himself through defining a new wave of garage hip hop sound.
Fans of his music have enjoyed his unique bilingual ability to merge Japanese and English together throughout tracks with remarkable ease - but he’s determined to be noted for much more than that.
In the midst of his most groundbreaking creative experience to date, we were fortunate enough to sit down with him to discuss the meat and bones of what makes him who he is.
Interview by MATHEW SIEBUHR
Photographs by MINORI UEDA
Were there particular artists who you saw pioneer your style that inspired you?
I grew up listening to Michael Jackson and George Michael, so there is always a heavy pop influence in my music. But I think A$AP Rocky definitely impacted me the most as an artist, I learnt a lot about hip hop culture and fashion through him.
Which language creates the most challenges for making the type of music you want to?
Considering Japanese is my second language, it is grammatically more challenging to find the right flows and lyrics. But the Japanese side of Cyprus plays as a different persona. When I write in Japanese I am able to express more feelings. In Japanese I feel like I have no boundaries artistically and it allows my music to be 100% raw.
What are the biggest differences in culture and social contexts between Australia and Japan?
Japan is a fast paced country that has very high standards, there’s a lot of pressure on every individual and everyone needs to play a part. Completely different to the way I grew up on the Gold Coast. Moving to Japan helped me gain discipline, but it also taught me the importance of mental health. Despite Japan’s strict societal traits, I have found that there is a lot more acceptance for artistic individuality here than there is in Australia. There seems to be a niche for everything.
How much influence has anime had on your art and image?
Funnily enough, I’m not deep into Anime, not because I don’t like it, I just never have the time to really get into any. But I am a fan and aesthetically inspired by Hayao Miyazaki, he definitely shaped my imagination as a child.
‘ELFBOY’ - released in 2020 was your latest official project offering, what’s next in store?
Im currently working on ELFBOY2.0, which is what I am most excited about right now because content wise it’s not only music… Can’t speak too much on it but let’s just say ELFBOY will be ‘birthed’ hopefully late this year. But before that we got 2 EP’s, about 6 - 8 singles, and many dope features on the way. Can’t wait!!
In what direction have you taken your music since the release of your last offical project?
More stories, more hurt, more experimenting, more knowledge, and whole lotta melodies.
What made you decide to release bilingual music?
I wrote my first song in Japanese when I was 15. The timing was perfect. I was always in my room making music and at the same time I was studying Japanese in school. This is a tough industry, and sounding like the next guy just isn’t going to cut it. I knew I had to find my unique point. 7 years later I’m in the studio in Tokyo with my team, continuing to break barriers.
As a hip hop artist, which language is easier to rhyme and how does your creative process change for each language?
Through years of practicing, and experimenting with both languages, I have found that mixing them together is the perfect equilibrium. To me, both languages are difficult in there own way, but together they flow so effortlessly, almost magical. Sometimes things sound better in English, sometimes things sound better in Japanese, and that’s the beauty of it, you never which language might come out. Like, I don’t even write lyrics anymore, I just hop on the mic with no anticipation and see what happens.
How would you define your current sound as an artist?
No song ever sounds the same, but in entirety, my sound is a painful, yet blissful, genre binding, world mashing, melodic experience.
What are your main ambitions for the remainder of the year?
I hope to be somebodies distraction from this reality we coexist in, to interact with everyone, whether it be face to face, behind a screen, when you fall asleep. Even if it’s only for a few minutes. If you listen to my music, please accept it as invitation to the inside of my mind. My ambition is to start a family with no other agenda than just BEING.
FOLLOW CYPRUS
CREATIVE TEAM
Interview by MATHEW SIEBUHR @mateo_tololo
Photography by MINORI UEDA @minoriuedaphoto