【Video】Retroll Hip Hop | The Sequel Of ‘Under Mountain’—The Hardships Of Reaching A Utopian City
Retroll Hip Hop is a new local hip hop group. They performed the song 'Under Mountain' on TV and garnered publicity. The song is based on brotherhood and hopes to use feelings of utopia to heal Hongkongers’ souls. ‘Upper Mountain’, the sequel to 'Under Mountain' portrays the hardships involved in achieving a utopian city. In reality, given Hong Kong’s societal environment, the music system needs a significant revolution. Members of Retroll Hip Hop—JWeezy, Heartgrey, Angus the Beef, and HIGGO Raj—have a few thoughts to share and a few words to say to Hongkongers about Hong Kong politics and music.
“No one in Hong Kong can point out their three most favourite genres; this is very strange, but no one finds this a problem.”
Journalist: Snowyeok
Translator: Yellow Umbrella
Photos: Just.Production
Videographer: Just.Production, HKers Normal
Video Editor: WUJAI
Retroll Hip Hop gained great popularity on the Internet through their song 'Under Mountain'. Many Hongkongers are exhausted by the pro-democracy movement, but the song ‘Under Mountain’ resonated with many like-minded Hongkongers. Retroll Hip Hop will soon be releasing their new album ‘The Story of the Mountain’ as a sequel to ‘Under Mountain’. However, the group is afraid that ‘Under Mountain’ will become a label for them, and they hope that their fans don’t support them solely because of their political stance.
HIGGO Raj revealed the theme of ‘Under Mountain’ is ‘Homie’ and the song seeks to portray the feelings of brotherhood among Hong Kong protesters. Some ‘homies’ may not always see each other—in fact, some even left us—but we hope all of us can cherish this feeling and we can see each other someday.
“Strangers become brothers, climbing this peak from all directions,” “Will the force of our times be victorious? Stand united, and never forget our initial goal.” These lyrics encapsulated the path Hongkongers have walked this past year and hit many close to home, primarily because the show was performed on the half-year anniversary of the death of Leung Ling-kit [*1].
Refusing to be silenced
During the final round of ‘King Maker II’, the biggest obstacle to creating a politicised performance is not a matter of stance but, instead, a matter of insisting on performing as an entire team during an individual show. However, being a part of the entertainment industry, expressing one’s political stance has always been a burden for different artists. Yet Retroll Hip Hop is not bounded by this; they will not silence themselves due to political fears.
JWeezy hasn’t hesitated about speaking up or not. “I’d think that because I am a hip-hopper and I believe in its culture, I speak without any reservation; I enjoy using Hip Hop music to deliver my messages.”
Fame and fortune may be one of the reasons people self-censor. Angus the Beef, however, believes that living up to your conscience is the most important thing. He explained that everyone is speaking up for what they think is right; if we’re afraid to speak up because we fear backlash, it’ll be impossible for you to hold your head up .
Heartgrey, however, believes that how you speak up is more important. He believes that when speaking up, you shouldn’t neglect the art of music. “My career depends on the expression of neither my political stance nor my ability to please the Chinese market. Only those who aren’t able to would be afraid. As long as you’re good enough, no matter where you go, people will appreciate you. Don’t be afraid because of your political stance, and don’t let fear bind your thoughts.”
While taking one’s stance is a personal decision, HIGGO Raj noted the possible consequences to the reputation of an artist’s company and peers. “This is undoubtedly a tough call to any creator.”
He took a singer known as the ‘Goddess of Democracy’ as an example: “In recent years, her music gravitated towards her personal stories; maybe that’s what she wants to do, but when she speaks up, why don’t people help her? Why don’t we do what we can, so she can continue advancing in her career? Do we think she has to completely change as a person before we can help her?”
More than just a fellow traveller
Having the courage to speak up and take a stance is people’s impression on Retroll Hip Hop. However, the group hopes that they can shake off this label and that their fans can appreciate their songs no matter what they are about.
Angus the Beef emphasised political stance and the quality of music operate in isolation. “We have given up on certain tasks before; people might not know about this, but this decision is not for us to garner support.”
Rather than gaining popularity by their political view, Angus the Beef hopes that people can appreciate their work on its own merits. “Understandably, people may like someone because of their personality and political stance, but it’s tough to genuinely like and appreciate one’s work because of that.”
HIGGO Raj, one of the songwriters and singer of 'Under Mountain', explained that the song is a gift but also an obstacle. “It’s a stunning view, but it’s also a high mountain. I’m afraid that people may not genuinely like me and like the other songs I make.”
HIGGO Raj worries that he might have other themes that [he] wants to experiment with, but others might not want to listen to or appreciate [his] songs. He is facing all sorts of pressure when political stance and music are conflated.
With such a flawed system, how can local artists thrive?
Local artists not only face a narrower creative space; they also don’t seem to garner much popularity. Retroll Hip Hop, as part of the music industry, believes that its current difficulties are attributed to many factors, one of which is the lack of a complete system.
There was a time when Cantopop was so trendy that even neighbouring cities played it. But after the millennium, even Hongkongers stopped listening to Cantopop. HIGGO Raj believes that, nowadays, music in Hong Kong can’t be compared to music in other parts of the world. “People elsewhere may spend tens of thousands dollars in making one song, while we in Hong Kong may only spend ten thousand on it.” He took Taiwan as an example; local independent music there is doing well because the government and cultural departments fully support local artists. HIGGO Raj then pointed to Hong Kong’s problem: “No one in Hong Kong can point out their three most favourite genres; this is very strange, but no one finds this a problem.”
JWeezy said: “It’s tough to blame Hong Kong audiences for not being able to differentiate between music genres.” Of course, the lack of interest in local music has also upset him. JWeezy always questioned, “Why don’t Hongkongers learn to appreciate different music genres?” But he still believes the problem we’re facing requires talented individuals, large organisations, and industry leaders to educate the audience and allow them to rediscover different music genres and support local artists.
Heartgrey believes that Hong Kong’s system is not complete, and music is not deemed a “need”. The society also lacks a robust platform for artists to perform, and “many music students teach music after receiving their bachelor’s degree, not to perform and produce; they don’t really exhibit their talent.” He describes the status quo to be “lacking a heart, intestine, kidney; just the head is left.”
Angus the Beef understands that when people get a choice, they’ll go to the better one. He said that “good things will definitely be popular, but even if something is not, there must be a reason.” He hopes that everyone can continue supporting local culture and believes that artists should also strive to improve.
The sequel to 'Under Mountain'—the underlying story
The rise of the Internet has increased the variety of choices for music lovers, but Retroll Hip Hop believes that Hong Kong already has an audience base that listens to Hip Hop regularly.
When local music production “catches up with” foreign ones, Hongkongers who used to only listen to international music will find that they have similar works at home and will be attracted by them. Retroll Hip Hop will soon release an album “The Story of Mountain”, which attempts to incorporate different musical elements, such as a blend of electronic music, hip hop, and hymns. HIGGO Raj explains 'Under Mountain' is experimental in nature as music in Hong Kong rarely incorporates choir elements, but in foreign countries, this is very common. “I hope that by incorporating hymns, songs can become more sacred and therapeutic.”
While ‘Upper Mountain’ in the new album is a sequel to ‘Under Mountain’, the feelings it evokes are very different. “In ‘Under Mountain, people sit in a church, with sunlight streaming through the windows. The new song, however, depicts a war-torn, battered church.” HIGGO Raj believes that 'Under Mountain' depicts utopia, but to get there, we have to get through one hardship after another.
What’s worth noticing is ‘The Story of Mountain’ includes two instrumental versions of 'Under Mountain'. With these two versions, audiences can appreciate the melody of the song more closely and, by doing so, unearth the underlying story behind the song.
Retroll Hip Hop’s members all have different styles. Innovations are based on new concepts; they want to combine different elements together, so Hongkongers can listen to different types of local music.
Our message to Hongkongers
Over the past while, Hongkongers found it very hard to live. In an atmosphere full of restlessness, sadness, anger, doubt, and helplessness, how should we continue walking this path? Each Retroll Hip Hop member has a few words for Hongkongers.
Heartgrey: “We’re all in the same boat, and the future is full of uncertainty. It could become better, or it could become worse. Either way, we still have to walk this path together.”
JWeezy: “Hongkongers, don’t give up! We still go to work amidst typhoon signal 8; what can deter us anyways?”
Angus the Beef: “If people pressure you from above, see who lasts longer. Some people, countries, and governments will fall someday, anyways. Keep fighting the good fight. What we do is for freedom; what they care about are self-interests and power. We don’t need everyone to fake positivity; we just need everyone to be here.”
HIGGO Raj: “Don’t be afraid to be different. True freedom includes accepting other people’s differences. Everyone is different and unique. Keep walking in the same direction using various means. But don’t feel the need to be the same as everyone else. Walk this path, whichever way you want.”
“We are Retroll Hip Hop. We are HKers. ”
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[*1] Leung Ling-kit is a protester who fell to his death at Pacific Place on 15 June 2019.