"H1GHR": Jay Park Interview

Overview

Jay Park discusses his early struggles after leaving idol life, emphasizing a “survival instinct” mindset. Even when others were skeptical, he continued pursuing music and sharing it publicly.

He says he was frequently dismissed because he used to be an idol and couldn’t speak Korean well. He also recounts how even his parents and coworkers opposed his YouTube covers—especially early uploads like “No On You”—because they feared criticism.

Jay Park clarifies that he wasn’t trying to stage a “comeback.” Instead, he wanted to share music with a sincere, “pure heart.” Over time, persistence helped people eventually accept his work. He adds that people often fear unfamiliar things and prefer stability, but he believes growth requires continually trying new approaches.

Starting a New Label: Higher Muse

Jay Park explains the motivation behind starting a new label: creating opportunities for talented people who share the right mindset.

He describes choosing the name “Higher Muse” after thinking for about a month. He wanted the name to reflect upward development rather than something simple or static—like “just music” or a career path.

A key influence came from connecting with Seattle rappers. They told him many talented peers exist, but there aren’t enough pathways to break out of the local scene. This inspired Jay Park to build Higher Muse with a more global perspective—connecting artists worldwide through music, culture, and hip-hop.

Label Direction and Team

Jay Park outlines the label’s direction and structure. The current members include:

• B-Room
• CK
• PH1
• Ki
• after
• J
• Les

For management, Jay Park and “Chacha” plan to work together.

Personal Goals and Values

Jay Park shares his personal goals and values, stressing that he prioritizes the impact he can make on others over money or fame—since fame can disappear quickly. He wants people to remember him as someone who is:

• Helpful
• Inspirational
• Positively influential

He frames his current hard work as temporary and strategic: lifting up friends and others while he has influence now, with plans to rest later through travel, dating, and relaxation.

Presenters / Contributors

• Jay Park
• Chacha (co-lead in management with Jay Park)
• Seattle rappers (source of insights quoted)