──Please tell us about the "Bergmál" mask that Björk wore during the first week of Coachella.

James　Yes, the inspiration for this particular mask was to make something that would radiate outwards from the head, like a soundwave frozen in air. I spend a lot of time sculpting these pieces in 3D software - playing with particular forms and shapes until they produce something I find interesting. So it is often a mixture of accident and intention.

For the Bergmál headpiece I was exploring spirals and trying to produce a shape with one continuous edge that would rotate around its own axis, folding back in on itself many times. Once I had created that form I realised that it looked like a soundwave, so I pushed it further in that direction knowing that it could fit well into Björk´s sonic world.

────I feel that the word "Bergmál", which is also the title of this mask, reflects some kind of unique Icelandic values. What do you think about the word "Bergmal" and its values? Do you ever experience those values while living in Reykjavik?

James　Bergmál has always been one of my favourite words in Icelandic. It literally translates to “mountain language” - because of the way an echo bounces down a valley, as if the mountains are speaking to each other. I love that image evoked by the word. I have lived in Iceland for almost 10 years now, but the culture still reveals itself to me bit by bit - through the language as I learn it, the books I read and the music I listen to.

──Next, I would like to ask about the "Ossein" mask that Björk wore during the second week of Coachella.

James　The form of the Ossein mask was a product of many experiments in the 3D sculpting phase, and turned out to be one of the most complex things I have sculpted. I was amazed that it was even printable. My intention with the references and inspirations was more concerning the texture - I really wanted it to look like cartilage or fishbones, something with a very organic translucency to it.

──I see, so the distinction wasn’t made intentionally. The characteristics of this mask are clearly evident from the source of its inspiration, but I think one of its characteristics is that it turns blue when exposed to a certain type of ultraviolet light, in order to reproduce the glow of living organisms underwater.

James　I had originally planned for these masks to include some LED lights, moving around and flashing inside them like an underwater sea creature. However, early on in the sculpt I realised that this was going to be difficult to achieve without sacrificing a lot of the design elements, so I decided to use UV light instead. I had used UV threads a lot in some of my first early embroidered pieces, which glowed under certain stage lights - so it was an aspect I was keen to revisit in the 3D printed iterations. I´m very happy we ended up going in this direction, as this gave the mask a more organic and bioluminescent feeling (wheres LED might have become too “disco”!)

──These two masks were created with the secca team. How did you feel when you actually held the mask that they had created?

James　I was totally overwhelmed! Their meticulous craftsmanship and alchemical ability to make some beautiful textures really brought the pieces to life in a way I could never have expected. I travelled to Kanazawa to visit them and it was such a great experience - getting to know them personally and professionally was a lot of fun, and I am so proud of what we made together.

──This time, you used 3D printing to carve these two masks. What is your thought behind incorporating these new technologies into your design project with Björk?

James　Since I started making masks, I have always moved between different mediums almost unintentionally just as a result of wanting to evolve my designs. At first they were all embroidered, then I started to use wire and beadwork, then silicone sculpting, and then into metalwork and silversmithing. 3D printing was a very natural extension of that journey, particularly as I had also started to 3D sculpt and programme my masks as AR filters.

I really enjoy switching between the physical and digital worlds when I work now - and I find that the two disciplines can accompany and enhance each other, rather than compete. The last few masks i have made have come out of a back and forth between the two, designing by hand in quite a traditional silversmith practice and then putting that into 3D sculpting software and manipulating it there, and then back again into the physical world. 

──Generative AI is currently gaining popularity around the world, but many people question its existence. As technology develops. What do you think about the future where technology coexists with art?

James I think we have lived with AI for a while now, as an integrated function of all sorts of softwares and technologies that we didn't necessarily call AI until recently. But rather than perceive it as a threat, I take it more like a challenge - if your concepts or aesthetics can be so easily replicated by an algorithm, then I would rather use that as an impetus to keep evolving and think of something new that the machine can't do.

99.99% of the AI art that I have seen is quite homogenised, unless someone is doing something clever with it or incorporating it their existing practice rather than just relying on it entirely. As with any other tool or technology I am most interested when an artist finds their own idiosyncratic way to use it and lean into the glitches, making the nature of the medium part of the artwork but bending it towards their own world.

──When you started the production of the masks did you start with the design presented by James?

Sugano　James is responsible for the overall art direction of the project and the design of the masks. James presented us with a concrete design that was digitally sculpted using 3D data, and we were responsible for how to make it a physical 3D print with the quality that Björk and James wanted. I was involved as a technical director, and the secca team was in charge of production, and they demonstrated their craftsmanship to the fullest. We follow a process where we make adjustments to areas that need to be carefully adjusted during implementation, such as the strength of the live performance, without damaging the original design, then print them out and refine them.

──Did you have a concept for each mask already decided when you received the 3D data from James?

Sugano　If anything, we had a specific design image from the beginning, and we started by figuring out how to make it a reality. James was the one who directly discussed the concept with Björk, but I was able to fully understand the important parts of the concept from James' design. It doesn't look like a digital design at all, it feels very organic. The design is inspired by things that are close to living things, or rather things that are natural. Based on my experience with previous projects with Björk, I knew from the beginning that even though this design was implemented using the latest technology, I had to make it look extremely organic and not give the impression that it was implemented using the latest technology. I think we started off by properly aligning our understanding with the secca team.

Uemachi　What really deepened our understanding was when James came all the way to Kanazawa, where we are based. By talking to him in person, face-to face, we felt like we were able to figure out what quality we should improve on and what we should propose. Just like his attitude toward this project, he was very polite and careful about how he treated us. During our exchanges, I learned that the beauty of Iceland's natural beauty that he sensitively observes on a daily basis is a source of inspiration for him, and that the beauty in nature is an expression of himself. I could feel that he was trying to embody that through his costume. It feels like part of your skin rather than something you wear. That's the kind of costume James and Björk were looking for.

──Were you able to print the prototype with a 3D printer when James came to Kanazawa?

Uemachi　Yes we were. By the time James came to Kanazawa, the secca team had had detailed discussions, adjusted the data, and printed out samples. While analyzing the rough data we received in advance, we realized that there were many parts that were physically difficult to reproduce. It was only 0.3mm thick, and there were parts where I thought it would break if I moved it around during a live performance. We also create works using 3D modeling on a daily basis, but when we look at the parts that we thought were beautiful on screen, when we hold them in the actual space, we find that they are far from what we imagined, and there is a gap between them. It is a series of tasks such as filling in the information, printing it out, and checking it again. When James came to Kanazawa, he was able to see the test printed samples and was able to give his opinions directly. We were able to share a concrete image of how we wanted the product to look and fine-tune it, allowing us to make solid adjustments. For example, we said things like, “If we want to make it look that way, let's keep it thick here and make it thicker in other areas”, and we worked out what areas we couldn't compromise on and where we could compromise.

────Sugano-san wrote on Instagram, “the 3D data sent by James was beautiful in every way, and secca was just amazing!’.

Sugano　As Uemachi-san mentioned, when we looked at the data, we felt that it would be difficult to achieve the strength of the masks due to the relationship with the material and shape. There were some parts that needed some work to make sure they would be fixed. This is because both masks were designed by calculating backwards from an ideal picture surface, so it was assumed that if things remained as they were, it would be physically difficult to put the masks on the face in the first place. Despite this, the secca team has taken the initial inspiration and implemented it in a way that enhances it without compromising its design at all. I felt that secca's ingenuity was wonderful in that respect.

In addition, this mask cannot be completed simply by printing it out with a 3D printer; it requires a considerable amount of manual labor by craftsmen in order to achieve the ideal appearance, including texture and transparency. It is not something that can be learned in a few days. It is difficult, even for experienced engineers, to realize the designs and concepts conceived by world-class creatives such as Björk and James without sacrificing any of them. In other words, both digital engineering skills and artisanal manual skills are required. In addition to having experience and an understanding of the work, you also need the ability to not give up to the limit, which is a psychological thing. The secca team was perfect in all aspects, so we owe Uemachi-san and his team a huge thank you that we were able to make it happen this time.

────Uemachi-san previously said that when secca produces crafts, it strives to achieve an expression of art and functionality as a product used in everyday life. I thought this story might have some similarities to that.

Uemachi　That may be the ultimate thing. For example, when it comes to tableware for everyday use that is mass-produced, the people who use it and the situations in which it is used are diverse, so in order to satisfy each person who picks it up, it may be necessary to reduce it to an average design to meet the diverse needs of each person who uses it. This time, I made it just for Björk, so I focused on how she could concentrate on her performance at her best, and I was most conscious of making sure the mask didn't create noise. If the mask itself were to break, or come off during the performance, something would be ruined, including the time and value of the experience for those attending the concert. That's what I was most afraid of, because it will effect matters even after the show.

──So, Sugano-san, when you first became involved with Björk in the music video for "Mouth Mantora" in 2015, is there anything that stands out to you through that experience?

Sugano　First of all, the most important thing is being very careful and taking the time and effort to make creative decisions. The music video for "Mouth Mantra", which I helped out with, was a very difficult idea to visualize the inside of the mouth. The live video for "Quicksand" that I also helped out at exhibition which was held in Tokyo was streamed in real time using a live camera, but after that, we had to carefully consider and have a lot of creative interactions before releasing the archived work. I remember there were lots of creatives discussions about it.

Another thing that struck me was when I asked Björk about the relationship between art and technology during our conversation was that, she told me that she really likes incorporating new technology, and she gave examples of traditional instruments that have become commonplace in modern times, such as the piano and violin. She says, “when the piano and violin were created, they were the latest technology”. As for the piano, the technology itself was treated as the subject matter of a song. However, in modern times, the use of the piano is rarely the main theme of music. At first, the use of technology may be touted and become a theme, but before you know it, the technology will disappear and only the music and the emotions it brings will remain. She says, “When it comes to expressing emotions, playing the violin in a certain way allows you to express your emotions. Performance methods and expressions have been cultivated over a long period of history. In other words, the violin is like an old computer. What artists have to do is express themselves by using the tools that we take for granted, which are unique to the era in which we live. I think it's an artist's job to put their heart into technology.” Those words really impressed me and stuck with me.

Sugano　Björk's attitude toward technology is the same when it comes to creations that use cutting-edge technologies such as 3D printing, which is the specialty of the secca team. One of the reasons we invited secca to join our team was because, even though they are skilled at creating things using the latest technology, they do not emphasize that as the main aspect for the final product. It is obvious that there is new technology behind the scenes when you understand the process by which the design was created, but the intervention of technology never comes before the design. I thought that this really matched the feeling I had gained through my communication with Björk.

──That sounds like a very important and interesting topic. When we previously interviewed Uemachi-san, you said that using technology is not the purpose for expression, but rather, technology is primarily a tool for realizing expressions.

Uemachi　Yes. We are also conscious of the exact same thing, whether it moves our hearts or not. I think this is the most important point that creates value. Therefore, I view things in this order: experience is necessary to move the mind, and things exist as interfaces for that experience. We learn from what people in the past have done and make use of it, but if we just do the same things as people in the past, we won't create much value. The times are changing, and the sensibilities of the recipients are also changing, so if we pursue new experiences, experiences that fit the present, and experiences that we want to deliver only to that person, we will inevitably find ways that people in the past could not choose. There are often hints. For example, if 3D printing existed in the Edo period, I think it would definitely be used by craftsmen and artists. If there are tools in front of us that people in the past couldn't choose, and if there's a destination beyond that that people in the past couldn't reach, we should actively try them out. We are working with this attitude.

What impressed me when I worked with James this time was that even though we each have different identities and values, we can connect non-verbally through creation. It was difficult for me to communicate verbally because I can’t speak English well, but I think we were really in sync with each other in terms of what we think is beautiful and what moves us. This may have been a big realization that I gained behind the scenes of this activity.

Sugano　I am the creative director of the entire project for over 90% of the work I am involved with, and secca is of course in the same position, and they usually work on their own signed ideas and creations. Secca is by no means a company that only handles technical direction and 3D printing. This time we were not the ones leading the project; Björk is the creative director and James is the artist and designer. What Uemachi's realized is something that was possible because someone else was leading the project rather than himself. The question was - how can we support the creations of a rare artist like Björk and make them realize what they want to do? Although the thinking process is different than usual, we take what Björk and James want to do very seriously, and want to understand their vision, and then help them implement it. It was new and a lot of fun. The vision we all had in common this time was what kind of emotion we wanted to convey to the audience through our creations. The secca team that I know are good at expressing this, and I think they have world-class talent when it comes to achieving this. I wanted many people to know this fact.

It's extremely rare that a project by a world-class artist like this involves a domestic craftsmen like secca who are well versed in traditional Japanese techniques that have been passed down for a long time and are able to handle cutting-edge technology. I hope that by conveying the greatness of secca's participation in a world-class project with a different approach from their usual main work, they will be able to shine a light on it from a different angle than usual. If people understand what kind of valuable work they do, their recognition will expand. I'm sure more and more people will become interested in their products and work, and I sincerely hope for that.

名古屋の名門レーベル〈RCSLUM RECORDINGS〉のオリジナルメンバーの一人であり、一聴で引き込まれるシグネチャーフロウを異形のサウンドに乗せ、数多の“殺し文句”を運んできた酔いどれMC・MIKUMARI。 地下シーンで絶大な支持を集めるMIKUMARIはセカンドアルバム『FINE MALT NO.7』以来5年ぶりのサードアルバム『CONVERSATION』を2022年8月10日にCDでリリース。2023年1月6日、本作の配信がスタートした。

『CONVERSATION』にはMC KHAZZ、ハラクダリ、RITTO、CROWN-D、Campanella、ILL-TEE、JP a.k.a. chillwiredらが客演。プロデューサーには盟友OWLBEATSに加え、MASS-HOLE、DJ HIGHSCHOOL、RAMZA、RYO KOBAYAKAWA、Ne4R、RUIなど、シーンを切り開いてきた立役者から注目の新進気鋭まで、あらゆるアーティストが参加している。 MIKUMARIの作品には唯一無二のオリジナリティがあり、シーンで妖しい輝きを放つ。熾烈に言葉を吐き出し続け、強烈な印象を焼き付けたファーストアルバム『FROM TOP OF THE BOTTOM』。OWL BEATSと共に屈強なグルーヴを完成させ、特異なムードを解き放ったセカンドアルバム。そしてビート・ミュージックやダーク・アンビエントの世界観を折衷させたクリスタルな音像とギャングスタ・ラップを独自に昇華させ、哲学とユーモアをブルージーに焼き付ける、新たな地平を切り拓いた最新作『CONVERSATION』。ソロ作品のみならず、クルーやコラボ作品まで、MIKUMARIのディスコグラフィーは強烈な酩酊感が漂い、その言葉には聴き手を奮い立たせる力と胸に迫る哀愁がある。 『FROM TOP OF THE BOTTOM』から約10年。本記事では聞き手に〈RCSLUM〉主宰のATOSONEを迎え、これまでの軌跡を振り返っていくとともに、環境や心情の変化と揺らがぬ活動指針を掘り下げた。それでは、半生を共にしてきた2人から到着した会話をご紹介しよう。

──『FILE MALT No.7』から5年振りの作品だけど、それから色々変わってるよね。このアルバム聴いてると心境の変化を感じるよ。 それが一番大きいかな。色々環境が変わったし、結婚したり、子供ができてちゃんと仕事をし出したりとか。これまでの作品については、自分の感情も荒んでたし、そういう中で生まれた曲だったから。今回は環境が変化してからのおふざけだったり、でも基本は変わらないよ。 ──例えば、俺らが憧れたヒップホップはアメリカも含めてだけど日本はかなり変わってきたよね。 ファーストを出した時とは世界が違うし、セカンドを出した時ともえらい違う。 ──ファーストを出した頃に遡っていくと、あの頃はその土地に根を張ったスターがいたよね。ヒップホップはそんなに浸透していなかった時代で、レベルミュージックだった。親が子供に「そんなもの聞いちゃいけません」って言う音楽。市民権を得てなかった。みっくんにとってラッパー像とはどういうものなの？ 不良かどうかはどっちでも良い。演じてなくて、そいつのアルバムを聴いたらそいつが見えてくる。そして「俺はラッパーだ」ってあまりイキらない。シュッとしてて欲しい。なおかつフッドに根付いた人。昔からいて、説得力のあることを言う。俺らみたいな人が聞いて、こいつが言うなら間違いないって人。 ──ヒップホップに限らず、音楽は「俺はこうだ」「そいつが見えてくる」というリアリティより、ファンタジーや愛、夢とか希望を歌った方が一般的には浸透しやすい。あとは言ってる内容はよく分からなくてもフローが良いとか。俺らはそれに対して結構アンチテーゼ的なことをやってきた感じはあるよね。リズムが良いというよりも、何を言ってるのかはっきり分かるとかさ。 歌詞カードはいらない、聴けば分かるだろうというスタイル。M.O.S.A.D.は大体そうだった。聴けばすぐ分かる。真似できるくらいに。 ──みっくんにはウェスト・コーストだったり、チカーノの影響があるわけだけど、最初に影響を受けたアーティストは誰なの？　ヒップホップとの出会いとかさ。 最初はDJ 4-SIDEのミックステープに完全にやられた。赤いやつ（『GTP THANG Vol. 2』）。あれに有名などころからマイナーまで、網羅されてた。なおかつミックスが超ヤバい。それからCDをいろいろ買うようになったんだ。SCC（South Central Cartel｜サウス・セントラル・カーテル）とかを教えてもらってね。SCCは完全に俺の青春だよ。

──（『'N Gatz We Truss』は）衝撃的なジャケットだよね。殺しに行くのか？　お前らラップしに行くんじゃねえのかよって（笑）。 なんで銃を構えてるんだろうって。 ──その後、某レコ屋に勤め出したじゃん。それはどういう経緯だったの？ 俺はそのレコード屋さんに毎日行ってた。金がないから、買いもせんのに。高校生の時は週一くらいで（出身の）大垣から電車に乗って名古屋まで行って、金がないのに超長居する。それが楽しくて。 ──昔はそういうのあったよね。服屋なりレコ屋なり、金がないのに入り浸る。そこにいるといろんな人に会える。 そう。それで喋りかけてきてもらって、「僕まだ高校生です」とか話したのを覚えてる。高校卒業してもなんだかんだずっと通ってて、名古屋に住み出してからはもうすごい......しょっちゅう行ってたね。高校生の時よりも金はあるからめちゃくちゃ買ってた。 ──ギャングスタ・ラップのコレクションを持ってたよね。 すごかったよ。もうだいぶ売っちゃったけどね。他ジャンルも入るけど、今でも2000枚くらいはCDを持ってるんじゃないかな。ある時、結構レアなやつを500枚売ったら、トータルで50万くらいになった。ちょうど20歳くらいかな。その後、買い直したね（笑）。それでラップは18歳くらいからやってたけど、人に聴かせられるものではなかった。 ──俺は昔から知ってるけど、結構大きな舞台でもやってたよね。カッコよかったけどな。 でも、自信はなかった。どうやってやっていいか分からないし。手探りで自分でどうにかするしかない。クラブに行って、5分くらいライブやるとかさ。ライブ時間は5分で、やるのは1〜2曲だけど、その曲すら持ってないというか、球数がない。そこでなんとか、地道にやっていく。そういうこと、バンドの方でもあったでしょ？ ──あった。でも、バンドは30分やらせてもらえる。逆に、若いのに30分やらなきゃいけないって苦痛もあった。曲なんてちゃんとできてるのは3曲くらいしかないのに。 （笑）。しかも喋りとかもあるじゃん。5〜10分でも何かが辛かったもん。 ──「調子どうですか？」って言っても、誰も聞かないでしょ。 し〜んって。「お前の調子がどうなんや！」ってさ。 ──（笑）。思われてたよね。怖かったよな。でもあんなに怖かったのに、行くのをやめなかった。 どちらかというと、それを求めに行ってた。あれが楽しかったね。昔、名古屋はバンドもヒップホップもすぐ喧嘩してた。 ──あと、プレイヤーじゃないし全然ステージに上がってなくてもカッコいい人もいっぱいいた。毎回居るけど誰か分からないのに迫力があって近づけないような人とか、山ほどいたよね。 あの頃は特にDJが多かったよね。 ──そう。DJがメインで、カッコいい音楽を聴かせてくれる。クラブに行く時「舐められねえぞ」と、すごい目立つ格好をしたり。 昔は常に（キャップを）ちょこ乗せしとったよな。俺はギャングスタ被りみたいなやつだった（笑）。 ──そういうのを経てきて、24歳くらいで俺らはTYRANTを作って、みっくんはHVST KINGSを作ったんだよね。あの頃はよくライブやってたよね。2週間に1回くらい。 HVST KINGSでは4曲入りのEP『BLACKFOCUS』（2010）を出した。あれはレベルミュージックだと思うよ。ライブは結構やってたね。毎週やってたときもあるし、自腹切ってでも行ってたよ。車で鹿児島まで行ったもん。それが普通だったよ。ギャラなんかいらないからライブをやらせてくれと。そこでみんなと仲良くなったし、その人たちとは今でも相変わらず。

──それからHVST KINGSの相方がいなくなって、一人でやるんだよね。 そう。でも急なことでソロの曲が無いわけ。そこで出会ったのが恩人OWL BEATS。 ──俺が小銭の入った貯金箱、コッコちゃんをみっくんに渡して、それで鹿児島まで行ったんだよね。 そこで一曲作った。最初に渡されたビートがまた癖が強いやつで頭こんがらがってしまってね。OWL BEATSにやられてしまう。それから、もう一人で行こうという気持ちになった。 ──そのあたりから、だんだん定まってきた感じがある。一方であの辺から俺らは色々とトラブルまみれたけど、振り返ってみると、良くないことも何回かあったけど、それ以外は楽しかったよ。そして、ファーストアルバム『FROM TOP OF THE BOTTOM』（2013）が出た。 あれは確か28歳くらいの時かな。『FROM TOP OF THE BOTTOM』を出した時もよくライブした。毎週どこか行ってたし、福岡までバスで行った時のことを良く覚えてる。

──その後はSLUM RCでアルバム（『WHO WANNA RAP』2015、『WHO WANNA RAP 2』2016）があり、セカンドアルバム『FINE MALT No.7』（2017）が出る（インタビュー記事：密接な関係性ありきの音楽 MIKUMARI×OWL BEATS）。翌年にはILLNANDESとのEP『GAZZA CROOKS』（2018）もリリースされて（インタビュー記事：やらせたらスゴい 不良のメンタリティとストイックな姿勢を併せ持つラッパー・デュオ GAZZA CROOKS）。 『FINE MALT No.7』でOWL BEATSとの相性はバッチリだなと思った。セカンドを作るまで色々荒んでたけど、それからちょっと「人間になりたい」という思いも入ったアルバムになった。あの辺から俺は真っ当な人になりたいという気持ちになってきた。そう思うのに年月はかかったけど、これ以上行くと廃人になる。良くないぞと。それでだんだん人になる準備をしていったアルバムかな。特に“VOODOO”が超カッコいい。PVも最高。

──ファーストは「ひとでなし」、セカンド「人間になりたい」、サード「人間になった」（笑）。 そうそう（笑）。セカンドからその兆しはあった。 ──「俺はあったかい場所で歌う自由に」（“Happy Go Lucky Me”）とも歌っているし。そしてサードアルバム『CONVERSATION』を出した。一番最初の話に戻るけど、一切虚色がない作品だよね。 気をつけてるのはそこなんだよね。盛らないし、設定を作りたくない。良いことも悪いことも設定なし、地で行くぜと。「そうはなりたくない」ことがはっきりしてる。 ──「設定なし 地で行くぜマジ」（“Warming Up”）ってラインも、普通に歌ってるだけじゃん。でも下手したらさ「設定なし 地で行く イマジン」って捉えられたりするよね（笑）。 以前リリースした楽曲でもそういう風な捉えられ方をされたこともあったけど、解釈は自由だから良いと思う。ただ、ラッパーが自分の曲を説明するのはちょっと違う。それは意味を分かってもらえてないことだから。それは激しく思う。 ──言わなくて良いことは言わなくて良いスタイルだね。このアルバムはRUIちゃんの“Intro”から始まるけど、あれは良いよね。お洒落。 RUIちゃん、ナイスジョブ。 ──MC KHAZZが参加してる“Warming Up”はネタだね。気づく人は気づくというか。 ネタというか、ほぼまんまだね。 ──そして、文字通りな3曲目の“Freaky”に次いで、問題の“Under Doggs”。「何言ってんだこいつらは」っていう。 ただ負けた曲だよ。それも生活の一部であって、たまにはこういうのもいいかなって。 ──それで“Garbage”を挟んで、“Rush”だね。DJ HIGHSCHOOLはビートをバケさせるよね。 すごかったんだって。最初録った音源を送ったら、「ガヤ入れてよ」って言われたのよ。ガヤはほぼやってないし、基本的には一本勝負。たまに2本被せるくらいだから。どうやってやれば良いか聞いたら、「適当で良いよ」って言うから、本当に適当に入れて送ったわけ。それが返ってきたら0S3さん（DJ HIGHSCHOOL）はもう、マジックをかけてたよ。 ──プリプロで一回聴かせてもらったときと全然違った。あれはマジックだよ。酒飲み讃歌の“Drunk”には、金なんかいらないからとにかくライブさせてくれって回りながら仲良くなったILL-TEEが参加していて。ILL-TEEはバンドもやってるよね。 そう。ILL-TEE君がファーストアルバム（『ICE CREAM DREAM』2013）を出したときのイベントで、吉祥寺WARPに呼んでくれたの。とある時に山口で出会ってから、ずっと仲良い。酒飲むしすげえ面白くて、俺らと似たような感じ。彼もずっとやってる。ビートはちょっと今時な感じ。 ──次の“Active”にはCampanellaが参加していて。雄一（Campanella）は昔から変わらないよな。“Under Doggs”や“Daddy’s Home”と同じく、プロデュースはMASS-HOLEだけど、このアルバムには結構MASS-HOLEの曲が入ってるね。 MASS君のビートは結構使わせてもらってるよ。正統派のビートだから、ちょっと締めたい時にはMASS君かなって。 ──“Feel So Good”にはRITTOが参加してるけど、RITTOとはどういう出会いがあったの？ HVST KINGSで沖縄に行った時が初対面だったと思う。それから＜METHOD MOTEL＞（ATOSONEとDJ BLOCKCHECKのイベント）にも来てて、ちょっと喋るようになったのかな。RITTOが録ってる時、すごいなと思ったよ。レコーディングした後、声を何もいじらないで良い仕上がりだったんだ。俺とはタイプが違うけど、レコーディングを近くで見た感動があった。アーティストよ、この人は。

──そして次の“Give Me Love”。いいよね。愛をくれと。 これはRamzaのビートなんだけど、だいぶ前にもらったビートで、Ramzaも忘れてた。アルバムを作るにあたって色々聞き直してて、Ramzaに使っていいか聞いたら「全然良いですけど、よくこれ持ってましたね。いつのやつですか？」みたいな風に返事があったよ。 ──そして“NEW WORLD”にはCROWN-Dが入ってきて。 だいちゃん（CROWN-D）は天然。レコーディングの逸話があるんだけどさ、録る時にだいちゃんが「まだ書いてないっす」って（笑）。その日は結局だいちゃんのバースは録らずに終わったんだけど、2回目もまた書いてきてなかった（笑）。そういうところも含めて可愛い。それに、だいちゃんもずっとラップやってるから。内容はまあ、そんなこと言わないで酒を飲もうよってこと。 ──“Daddy’s Home”は（ヒップホップ・ユニット）BACKDROPSのジュンペイくん（JP a.k.a. chillwired）が参加してて。付き合いは相当古いよね。 ずっと仲良い。ジュンペイくんは年々、世界観がすごくなってるね。内容はお父さんの心情。こうでありたい。生意気なこと言ってますけど（笑）。もうだいぶ人間になってるね。 ──これはもう、人間を通り越してパパでしょ。誰にでも人になることはできるけど、親になるのは難しいよ。 俺らは人間になったんじゃなくて、ならせてもらったんだよ。子供にも成長させてもらってるよ。 ──そうだね。嫁さんに感謝ですよ。最後の曲は？ 人生においての教訓と発展、感謝ですかね。ただ酒はやめられないな。酒はみんなで飲んでアホなことを言い合うのが最高です。

──みっくんの音楽はその延長線上にあるよね。みんなで酒を飲んでる時に盛り上げる音楽でもある。 大それたものじゃないよ。ある意味、パーティーチューン（笑）。 ──例えば俺はDafuniksって好きなグループがいるんだけど、そいつらは全曲通してめちゃくちゃカッコいいんだ。でもTwitterで探したらフォロワーが300人くらいしかいない。ただ地元では当たり前のようにライブをやってる。俺はレーベルをやってるから思うんだけど、俺らが好きなのは地元のルール。地元のみんなは今売れてるやつよりも「あいつの方が売れてほしい」とか、「あいつの方が本当はライブがカッコいいのに」と思っていたりする。地元には本当の答えがあるわけじゃん。今はそれが度外視されて、売れた者勝ちみたいになってる。みっくんはバズとかそんなことではなく、仲間を沸かしてナンボみたいなところがあるでしょ。 この間、鈴鹿ANSWERでライブした時にそれをすごい感じた。バックDJは訳あってマサルを呼んだんだけど、彼はドシロウトでそこまでDJができないんだよ。別にそれについては何も言ってないんだけど、そこにヒロシ（DJ BLOCKCHECK）とカズオ（MC KHAZZ）がずっと付いてて、絶妙なグルーブができてたんだよ。キャパ50人くらいの小箱だったんだけど、俺からしたら広さがちょうど良い。DJも良くて、すごい楽しくて、2022年一番のライブをしたんだ。 ──大箱で起こる奇跡もあるだろうけど、小箱でも奇跡が起こる。そういうこともみっくんのアルバムを通して伝えたいね。 ライブで一体になれるから。俺はライブしてて写真とか撮られることないよ（笑）。でもそれは重要だと思うな。ちゃんと見てるってことじゃん。誰かのライブを観に行ってるのに、なんで画面越しで見てるんだって。 ──今に迎合できない部分は俺らにはあるけど、全員が一体化して同じ感情でぶち上がるみたいな、本当に奇跡みたいな瞬間が起こってるわけじゃん。その瞬間のために音楽をやっているのが我々だということを理解してほしいよね。1,000人いても800人が携帯を見てたり、違うことを考えてるなんてことがあったりするじゃん。 だったら俺はその200人でいいよ。 ──そう。多分、俺らの周りはそれを求めてやっているからね。それでは、最後に一言。 酒を飲むなら俺を呼べ。