C.r.e.a.m. Team Records' First Single "Memento" Liner Notes
C.r.e.a.m. Team Records' first single "Memento" (DJ MITSU THE BEATS feat. Shing02), released on June 15, 2022. Prior to its release,Started working as a writer in 1996, writing primarily for hip-hop magazines such as "blast."The liner notes for this song were requested from Kiwamu Omae.
As the first release from C.r.e.a.m. Team Records, a label themed around 90s hip-hop, comes the single "Memento." The track was produced by DJ MITSU THE BEATS, who took on the role of Executive Producer for C.r.e.a.m. Team Records in April of this year (2022), and features Shing02 as a guest artist.This is the first single from DJ MITSU THE BEATS' self-produced album, released by C.r.e.a.m. Team Records, and it holds significant meaning in forecasting the future of this project.
DJ MITSU THE BEATS, a member of the Sendai-based hip-hop group GAGLE, has established a firm position in the Japanese hip-hop scene. As a producer, he has worked on the music of various artists, earning high regard from music fans both domestically and internationally.
■ GAGLE Official Website
As a pioneer of bilingual rapping in Japanese and English, Shing02 began his career in the Northern California Bay Area hip-hop scene in the 90s. He has since released over 10 albums through solo work and collaborations with various producers. Currently based in Hawaii, he is active worldwide.
■ "Shing02" Official Website
Although the two have walked completely different paths as artists, they have much in common in their pursuit of Japanese hip-hop. By the way, the collaboration between DJ MITSU THE BEATS and Shing02 that is known is "CA LA MODE" from GAGLE's fifth album, *VG+*, released in 2014. However, there is also a remix version of "Flow," a track from GAGLE's next album, *Vanta Black*, featuring Shing02. This song was not officially released, only appearing on a promotional CD, making it a rare track highly coveted by GAGLE fans. Including this remix, the two have only collaborated a total of two times.
In writing this draft, I heard directly from DJ MITSU THE BEATS and Shing02, and their words conveyed that they were fans of each other long before they performed together.
The two actually met much later, at a time when Shing02 visited Sendai for a live performance. They gradually deepened their relationship, which led to their participation in the aforementioned album "VG+". This single "Memento" is a further extension of that.
The track "Memento" is composed of piano melodies echoing in deep depths, with a beat that, while seemingly simple, is masterfully and comfortably interwoven. DJ MITSU THE BETAS created this track while envisioning Shing02 rapping over it.
The melancholic piano melody evokes a requiem, which connects to the title “Memento” (Memento Mori = remember you must die). While the theme of "death" is central, the lyrics, which unfold seamlessly, are brimming with Shing02's unique richness and creativity in expression.
For example, in the first verse, the line mentioning former basketball player Robert Horry would make fans who know Shing02's love for basketball smirk, and right after that, the name of Walter White, the protagonist of the drama "Breaking Bad," also appears. By firmly fitting these two names into the rhyming flow, those who know the story of "Breaking Bad" can easily understand how it strongly links to the theme of this song. The hook, combining the three words "Memento," "Lamento," and "My mental," is also very simply constructed, but it depicts the flow of emotions behind it, resonating deeply.
Robert Horry. Source: Wikipedia
DJ MITSU THE BEATS, for whom this “Memento” has become the "core track" of his self-produced album to be released from C.r.e.a.m. Team Records. Listening to this song will give you a vague idea of what kind of album he will create while digesting the theme of "90s Hip Hop." It is undoubtedly a truly special track, especially with the participation of Shing02, who was in the heart of the 90s US underground hip hop scene.
Finally, after their third collaboration, they asked Shing02 to speak about the appeal of DJ MITSU THE BEATS from his perspective.
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Music writer. Began writing in 1996, contributing to publications such as the hip-hop magazine "blast." Moved to Los Angeles in 2003, where they covered the underground hip-hop scene, including artists like Stones Throw, while also writing about fashion, art, and other fields. Returned to Japan in 2015 and continues to work as a writer for various magazines and web media, focusing primarily on hip-hop.
