Coogie Dives into His Production Process, Music, and Collaborations
interview
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interview ✦
Since gaining mainstream recognition via Show Me The Money 777, Coogie has established himself as a formidable talent in South Korea’s hip-hop scene, celebrated for his razor-sharp lyricism and dynamic artistry. Now signed to duover—the artist-driven label helmed by Gray, Woo Won-jae, and Code Kunst—he’s continuing to reinforce his strong catalog with authentic storytelling and gritty textures, earning international recognition.
With his recent 2025 single “1,2,3,4,5” the rapper captures a reflective, late-night drive in sonic form, while his latest vibey collab “Shut Up (Feat.ZICO)” reminds listeners of his ability to work alongside other industry titans. And when it comes to what’s next, Coogie is ready to recontextualize his creativity as he commits to experimenting with polished production details and fresh sounds (via his new album titled UPSET) while also making contributions to the legacy of Korean hip-hop.
You kicked off 2025 with the release “1,2,3,4,5,” which has a chill energy to it. Can you walk us through the creative process behind this one and what it represents to you?
Coogie: This was actually the first time I tried a pluggnb-style track.I made it about three years ago, just for myself, and I never really planned on releasing it. But someone suggested it might be nice to share it as a birthday release, and I liked that idea, so I decided to release it.
You also recently released “쿠기랑 나” (Feat.lobonabeat!), which combines a vibey, jazz-tinted production with your impeccable flow. What do you want fans to feel or experience when they hear this track?
Coogie: Lobonabeat! is one of my favorite Korean rappers. While I had previously featured on one of his tracks, he hadn’t appeared on any of mine yet, so I really wanted to collaborate with him on my own project. Our tones are quite contrasting, which made the collaboration even more compelling for me. The track itself isn’t overtly energetic; it has a more subtle, laid-back groove. I wanted to create something that could be enjoyed both during the day and at night, and I hope that feeling comes across to listeners
You’re back with your second full album after five years—what inspired you for this collection of songs?
Coogie: I got the initial inspiration from Jung Chan-sung, who was once on the same label as me. I wanted to use the word “upset” not in the emotional sense, but in the sports context when an underdog defeats the top dog. There was a time when I only had songs that were hard to call hits, but over time, more people started recognizing my name. This project was about telling myself, ‘Now it’s time to rise from the underdog to the top.’ I also felt that I needed to release this album to move forward creatively; it was something I had to get out of my system before I could work on what comes next.
It’s been said that this album has a lot of artists featured in all the tracks. Could you tell us how you got to work with some of them?
Coogie: I had the chance to work with rappers I genuinely admire—artists I would even call my idols. There’s no official feature listed on the first track, but my hero BILL STAX contributed ad-libs, which meant a lot to me
As an artist who has played around with various genres and styles, are there any fresh musical directions or production techniques you are currently exploring (or interested in exploring)?
Coogie: As the musical landscape keeps evolving with more and more sub-genres, I’ve started to feel that rather than chasing a new direction in terms of genre, I’d like to experiment with my vocal tone. Up until this album, I really enjoyed delivering everything in my natural tone, just as it is. But moving forward, I want to explore different textures and try something new with how I sound.
As an artist helping to bring Korean hip-hop to the global stage, what are you most proud of, and what kind of image or direction do you hope to show moving forward?
Coogie: I’d really like to collaborate more with international artists. I think it would be a great way to grow musically and explore new sounds.
There are a lot of fans waiting for you in the States—are there any last words you would like to say to your fans?
Coogie: Thank you so much for showing interest from afar and it truly means a lot to me. I really hope we can meet in person sometime this year.
