On March 3rd, the single ‘CAR’ was released off EXPOSITION’s compilation album after the success of ‘flyaway’ (w/ Aleebi, juhye, melatonin boy, siopaolo, & Nomichit) and ‘Digits’ (w/ myno & jonnee), which received a combined 350k+ streams on Spotify, a unique achievement for a completely start-up & independent project that began less than a year ago.
The hybrid Hip Hop and R&B track, ‘CAR’ offers a unique collaboration between two artists separated by wholly different continents and ethnic cultures, brought together by the EXPOSITION community and network. Gliding and merging the line between singing and rapping, both Germany-based singer/rapper/producer Keydom and Korean artist AidEn showcase their eccentric personalities through their verses and inflections.
Listen to 'Car'
KpopWise got a chance to chat with both Keydom and Aiden about this collaboration track and to learn more about them as artists.
It's awesome to meet you! Can you
introduce yourself to the KpopWise audience?
AIDEN: Hello, I’m AIDEN. I’m doing R&B
music in Korea.
KEYDOM: Hey, I’m the Vietnamese/Serbian
singer-songwriter/producer KEYDOM!
How do you describe your style as an
artist?
AIDEN: I try different things every time,
but most of my music is basically based on R&B style.
KEYDOM: I would say I’m an
allrounder who likes to make songs with couple of climax and build-up moments whether
I sing, rap or make the beat.
When did you start music?
AIDEN: I started making beats when I was
13. I wanted to sing or rap since then, but I didn’t think I’d be great at it
at that time. I started to sing and write R&B songs when I was 15.
KEYDOM: I started with beat making
at middle school, started to rap in 2017 and picked up singing, recording, mix
and master when the pandemic happened.
What is your creative process like?
AIDEN: The first step I take to make a
song is to find a beat, which takes a lot of time for me(since I’m a picky
person). And then I make toplines and write lyrics at a time.
KEYDOM: Since I mostly do the beats
first I always start off with a very catchy chord progression and start to
build hooks with memorable lyrics and build the whole song off of that!
Can you tell us about your single ‘Car’?
AIDEN: Car has a dialogical meaning in its
lyrics. It’s about showing off a foreign car and also about starting a new
chapter in life.
KEYDOM: It’s basically about starting a new chapter in
life while reminiscing about past traumas and past relationships. Car is a
metaphor for mindset.
“I don’t go on a trip with an old car. with the foreign car”
I’m not moving forward with my old mindset but
with a fresh new one.
How did this collaboration come about?
AIDEN: I saw my guy Keydom, who I didn’t
know at that time, posted his work on the EXPO discord server. I liked the song
and thought the beat was perfect for me, so I hopped on it. It was so nice
working with Keydom. He always spreads his energy everywhere, and that’s what I
like about him.
KEYDOM: I kinda felt depressed on new years eve and
felt like I never finish songs in 2022! So ‘car’ was like a little fun side
project on the 2th January to see if I can finish a song under couple days! But
I felt like I needed someone for the second verse so I dropped an open verse in
the EXPOSITION discord server! A couple
of days later AIDEN send his verse in and I knew it was more than just a little
side project!
Aiden opening in Berlin for Junny's European tour.
What are hobbies that you like to do other
than work on music?
AIDEN: I learn different languages and
watch Netflix.
KEYDOM: I’m really into gaming, mostly immersive
role-play games or gacha games. I’m also very invested into fashion and
tattoos.
Is there a style of music you haven’t
tried yet that you would like to?
AIDEN: I think I’ve already tried whatever
I’d like to do. It’s time to dig my own way.
KEYDOM: Either very slow sad R&B, Hyperpop or very
aggressive Trap/HipHop.
What are your goals for 2023?
AIDEN: I don’t have special goals for
2023. I’ll just continue what I have been doing. I’m planning to make serious
moves in 2024 though. R&B szn coming !!
KEYDOM: Releasing songs regularly and slowly building
up my fanbase! also slowly building up my confidence in life! (also more
tattoos)
What can we expect from you next?
AIDEN: There’re so many things I haven’t
done yet. Single, EP, Album, and anything else you want from me, you can expect
from me.
KEYDOM: I have a lot of songs with other EXPOSITION
artists in the work which are pretty much done and set for release! I also
featured in a couple of songs of artists too so look forward to my features
also!
EXPOSITION
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Keydom
Special thanks to Keydom, Aiden, and EXPOSITION
for granting us this interview!