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Michael “Maniac” Horton is poised to make moves in 2011 as he sets out as part of the new hip hop duo New Dynasty with fellow rapper and recording artist Snacky Chan.
Although New Dynasty is a new group, the two artists are very familiar with each other. Maniac & Chan had both been a part of UPT, which was the latest incarnation of the Korean hip hop group Uptown, and had featured together on other artist tracks. UPT was a new direction for both of them as Maniac was known as an underground artist with ties to different crews such as Jiggy Fellaz and Dynasty Family and Snacky Chan had been an underground hip hop artist in America. Both artists left UPT in late 2010 and are now set to debut as New Dynasty.
Maniac’s flow is typically fast, which is evidence of his Midwest influence and upbringing, and his deep voice makes him stand out on tracks that he appears on.
We were able to catch up with Maniac and discuss his career and background as he prepares to release the New Dynasty debut album later this month.
Please note that HalfKorean.com comments/questions are in BOLD.
Background: The Basics on Michael Horton
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Nuremberg, Germany and was a military brat. I was raised in Seoul and Gary, Indiana.
How did your parents meet?
In Itaewon, I think. They was both clubbing. My dad was in the military and stationed there.
Do you have any brothers and/or sisters?
I have two older sisters and two younger sisters. No brothers.
Would you say you are fluent in Korean?
Not by a long shot. I still struggle a little with writing in Korean.
What is your favorite Korean food?
Soju! haha Just kidding. I love all Korean food.
Did you grow up around other half/mixed Koreans or people of mixed heritage?
Yeah, since I went to a school on a military base in Korea there where a lot of mixed people.
Did you ever experience any identity issues while growing up?
Yeah and I still do. Sometimes I forget that I’m mixed in Korea but I’m always reminded someway somehow.
I know that you are in Korea now. Do you live there permanently?
For now, I’m here with no plans to go back .
Do you normally split your time between Korea and US? How long have you been in Korea and how often do you go back to the States?
I go back every two to three years. This time I stayed about seven years because of this music business.
Does your family live out in Korea as well?
My parents do but my sisters are spread all over the world in Texas, Indiana and Germany.
What do people who meet/see you think your ethnicity is?
They have no idea. Hawaiian, Puerto Rican, Mexican, Filipino, I’ve heard it all. haha
Maniac & Hip Hop
How did you get your first taste of hip hop culture?
When I was younger my pops had went to Japan on a business trip and brought back this compilation tape called 2 Nasty for Radio. That was the first time I had heard cursin’ in music. From then, it was on. I just knew I had to get down with that.
How long have you been rapping?
Since 1995 or 1996.
How supportive were your parents and family towards your music career?
My father was a musician and lets me know he’s proud. Moms would rather me be a doctor or a lawyer. Korean mothers… haha
Since your father is a musician and you are making music, are any of your sisters into music as well?
All my sisters play an instrument or two but nobody took it mainstream. I made a few songs with my younger sister in the underground. She’s a singer.
How would you describe your style and music?
I’m from the Midwest and I listen to a lot of Psycho Drama, Twista, Crucial Conflict. So I guess my original style is underground, dark and I usually rap fast. Now, since I’m doing it for a different crowd, I tried to slow it down a lot and made it a lot more commercial for the Korean listeners.
How did you come up with “Maniac” as your stage name?
My father gave me that name. He used to call me a Lil’ Maniac when I was a kid and that was the name I used for my solo CD in the States. After I got bigger and older, I dropped the Lil’ and just went with Maniac.
Who are some artists you admire?
There are too many, but to name a few: Biggie, Pac, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye. Damn it seems I only like dead people music. haha Just kidding. Oh yeah, forgot about Stevie Wonder.
If you had the opportunity, what artists would you like to record/collaborate with?
In the States hmm… Bruno Mars, Kanye West, Jay-Z. Damn, whoever.
Anybody in Korea you’d like to collaborate with?
Anybody who can give the music I make a new flavor or color.
Do you feel more comfortable rapping in Korean or English?
English is my first language. I’m still learning new ways to express my words in Korean.
Who are some of your musical influences?
Pac. I listened to a lot of Temptations as a kid because of my pops.
Which of your tracks are you most proud of?
It is actually a track called “Now I Know” and is supposed to release in the next few weeks.
The reason I’m proud of that song is because it is a song that I actually made in the underground with no input from any label owners, producers, etc. Me and Snacky Chan remade it and made it our title song for our new album.
Have you connected with any other Korean or Asian America emcees in the US?
Nope. Never had the pleasure to other than Snacky Chan.
Prior to Jiggy Fellaz, who were you associated with? Were you just recording solo or were you with another group or crew?
I had started a group called New Dynasty and built a huge family call the Dynasty Family back in Busan.
When was that crew created?
2001 or 2002.
Who else was part of it? Any notable names?
The family and nobody big yet.
Are you still connected to this crew?
Yeah, the family is still the same and I’m still here.
In the Korean entertainment world, do you think it has gotten easier for mixed race Korean artists to make it?
Oh yeah, I think it is a lot easier after the hip hop scene came in because I heard some stories about the half black entertainers back in the days and they suffered a lot. There are still a lot of haters though.
Have you had any issues with people in the Korean music industry due to your mixed Korean background? How about the fans, what kind of reaction do you get from fans being mixed Korean?
After the first variety show that I went on my name made number one on Naver and a lot of other Korean sites.
Then this female journalist straight attacks me through their papers talking about how it was so bad to watch me on TV and my race made her uncomfortable or what not. That got pretty big and out of hand.
As far as fans, I could hear them say, “Oh, it is Maniac, blah blah blah” but many of them hesitate to approach me because some don’t know how I would react I guess. haha Some don’t even know I can speak Korean. They just seen me on TV and sort of stand around me for about five minutes before they build up enough energy to come talk to me… But it’s all love.
Regarding that journalist’s negative response after the variety show; was this with UPT or before?
Yeah it was while I was with UPT on the first variety show I went on, Star Golden Bell.
When did you join the Jiggy Fellaz and how did it happen?
I was cool with Vasco and when I got back from Germany in 2007, he asked if I wanted to start a crew with him called Jiggy Fellaz. I was like, “No doubt” as long as the family I had built could join. From there we just set it off and I noticed a lot of people starting joining
So you brought people into Jiggy Fellaz from your crew? Which artists?
Illtong, Mark K, Bigsmall, Funny and some other cats.
Are you still part of that crew?
No I’m not. Not a part of Jiggy Fellaz but Vasco, he’s still family to me.
When did you leave Jiggy Fellaz?
I think like 2 years ago.
Was it an amicable split?
Yeah, we split on good terms. I guess I felt I wasn’t doing much for that crew and vice versa. So I met up with Vasco and we both agreed. I don’t even think Jiggy is still a rap crew, I think it’s just a crew. Vasco’s coming out with this new shit called Independent and he’s building his army.
UPT/UPTOWN
How did you get involved with UPT?
Jessica Ho introduced me to Chris (Jung Yun-Jun).
What was it like to be a part of the group?
I learned how dirty this game could be and learned a lot about the music business.
Did you get much say in the group with song creation, performing, etc.?
Yes and no. I said what I wanted but it didn’t always go the way I planned.
What was the reaction of fans to this new version of Uptown?
Except the older die-hard fans, the only difference they noticed was that Tasha was gone. haha
They didn’t seem to notice me from Carlos and Chan from Steve. They would come up to me and were like, “I loved your song My Style,” and Chan and I would look at each other and tell them straight up that we ain’t make that song and that the old Uptown did .
Did you have any relationship at all with the old/original members of the group? I know you are friends with Carlos, but what about any others like Steve Kim, Tasha, etc.
No. Carlos was the only one I got a chance to get cool with. I spoke to Steve a few times and never got the pleasure to meet Tasha.
You released two albums while part of UPT. Between the two, was there an album you enjoyed making more?
I enjoyed the first one. Chan, Swings and I clowned a lot and had a good vibe because it was actually the first mainstream album for all three of us.
Are you still promoting the last album, Surprise!, that released this past September?
Actually that’s when I dropped out of Uptown. They couldn’t promote the album because I refused to perform. But, actually, that album had a big response compared to how much was put into the promotion.
Okay, I was going to get to that. I recently saw a video on YouTube of Chan and yourself where you both mention that you had left UPT/Uptown. When did this happen?
It happened the first day that the second UPT album was released.
Now that you have left UPT, what would you say your experience was like being a part of the group?
I loved working with Chan. He’s family to me. That’s why I’m still working with him. As far as the rest of the group, I have no problems with them and still got love. I only had a problem with one person. I’m sure whoever heard of UPT knows who it is.
Looking back, if you could, would you change anything about your involvement with UPT?
Nah, I actually learned a lot from that group. One of the things I learned was a contract is just a piece of paper. Getting 50 percent don’t mean shit if you don’t know how much the 100 percent was…
NEW DYNASTY
Now are you and Chan coming out independently or are you with a label in Korea?
We actually got this killer deal with a label called Big Musik. Hopefully we could all make some real money this time around.
Did you know and/or work with Chan prior to UPT?
Yeah, I did a feature for him and we both featured for Vasco on his second album.
You mention you did a feature for Chan prior to UPT. What is the name of the track and did you ever release it?
haha Chan didn’t put the song out. Thank God. He tried to make me sing the hook, so…
Now your old crew was “New Dynasty” so is there any relation to between the old one and this new one?
I guess it’s just a joint project of what I was doing and what Snacky Chan was doing.
Was it purely coincidence that you had New Dynasty and Chan had Dynasty Muzik?
Pure coincidence, but it actually made it easy coming up with a group name. It was destiny… nah I’m BS’in.
When will you be releasing the album and will it be a full length or mini album?
Mid-April and it will be a mini album.
Do you have a title for the album yet?
I think we might name it Body Language. Ain’t decided yet. That’s actually a song on the album but not the title song though.
Will there be any artists featuring on the album?
Yeah. Vasco, Verbal Jint, Basick from Jiggy Fellaz. I hope I spelled his name right. haha And some other cats. Sorry if I ain’t mention y’all names.
So, “Now I Know” was originally a solo track you did that you have now remade with Chan? Will this be released on the new album?
Yup, that’s actually the title song.
Are you guys planning to just market yourselves in Korea or will you attempt the American market as well?
Only Korea for now. As far as America, we will make another album because I think this album might be too Korean for the listeners in the States.
Who would you consider the best rappers in Korea?
I don’t know about best but I like Gae-ko from Dynamic Duo.
Are you interested in production at all?
If you mean make beats, nah, nothing worth listening to. I help my Dynasty brothers with their albums giving them pointers and tips.
Are you considering releasing any solo projects at some point?
Maybe. I actually got solo songs and have a solo album I did back in the days. But, as far as doing it again anytime soon, no plans yet. I’m having too much fun working with Chan.
Have you been offered or considered any other entertainment fields in Korea?
Yeah. Acting, I actually did a lot of movies, small parts of course. But, they were fun and I actually enjoyed working in the acting field. Just wish my acting skills were better! haha
What should we expect to see/hear from you in 2011 and beyond? Any specific goals you plan to accomplish?
I want Korea to know you don’t have to be an idol to hit the charts… No disrespect to the artists, but that’s what all the companies seem to be looking for now a days in Korea (idols).
I want them to know hip hop ain’t dead!
Any advice you would give to someone pursuing a career in the music industry?
I don’t know about the States but in Korea, there’s a lot of downs and you see a lot of these entertainers in videos with a lot of flashy shit… Don’t fall into that because a lot of them can’t afford it by the time they leave the label. Real talk. Labels are grimy and dirty… Don’t get into this music shit unless you have the heart to be number one or unless you are doing it just for the love of music.
Random
What is your current relationship status? Do you have any preferences towards dating?
I plead the fifth. haha As for preferences, I love Asian women haha Actually ain’t no special race I prefer.
Do you have any hobbies or interests that you do to relax?
Yeah, I like to make music that I like and drink. When I have time to stay home, I’m stuck to my Xbox.
Anybody you respect/look up to?
My father. He’s my friend, father, brother and role model.
Do you like soju?
I love soju! And any other alcohol. haha
Now, I’ve never met you but from seeing your pictures you look like you tower over most everyone. How tall are you?
Last time I checked 6’3″. haha It depends how I stand with my lazy ass.
Do you get on the Internet often and, if so, what are some of your favorite websites?
Yeah. Worldstarhiphop.com, I check that site out often. That is where I get updated most about what is going on in the States.
How did you find out about HalfKorean.com and what did you think about HalfKorean.com when you first saw it?
I heard about it through one of the interviews you did with Carlos. I feel it gives people like me a chance to speak up.
Any words that you would like to pass on to the mixed Korean community?
Yeah, New Dynasty album is dropping mid-April. Check it out!!!!!
Thank you to Maniac for doing this interview. We wish him much success with New Dynasty and all of his future endeavors. Be sure to check for the New Dynasty album which should release later this month.
You can find out more about Maniac via his official Facebook, Twitter, Cyworld and MySpace. Also check out New Dynasty’s Official Website and their YouTube for updates.
Interview by: David Lee Sanders
Posted: 4/15/2011
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