Having worked with BABYMETAL twice before – on PA PA YA!! and LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND – Thai rapper F.HERO is a huge fan of the kawaii metal titans. So much so that when he was first asked to collab with the band, “I was so happy I almost went crazy…”
This summer, BABYMETAL brought together an incredible array of artists for their exhilarating album METAL FORTH. But they’ve worked with even more than those on this latest record – here, we chat with Thai rapper F.HERO about collaborating with the trio on 2019’s PA PA YA!! and last year’s LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND…
How did you come across BABYMETAL?
“When I first met them online, I thought they had a very strong superstar aura because onstage they had so much energy. Their eyes could captivate the audience in an amazing way. But when I met them in person, I found out that they are actually simple girls who live a modest and humble life. They love eating street food and enjoy walking around markets in Thailand. I remember once our team took them to a night market, and at that market, they saw a product with a counterfeit BABYMETAL logo being sold. Instead of getting angry, they were so excited and happy that they took out their cameras to record videos and take pictures. They are like sisters that I love as if they are family.”
How did the initial discussions about collaborating come about?
“At that time, I was a spokesperson for a soft drink brand, and BABYMETAL were working on their album METAL GALAXY, which had the concept of collaborating with artists across Asia. KOBAMETAL came to work at a studio in Thailand and saw my billboard advertisement. Upon seeing my picture, he was inspired and contacted my manager via email. At first, I didn’t believe it and thought it might be a scam, but I took a risk and met with them. When I found out it was the real deal, I was so happy I almost went crazy.”
How did you end up laying your parts down?
“KOBAMETAL would personally oversee the recording of my vocals here in Thailand. The way he managed during our meeting was very reassuring; he made me feel comfortable, relaxed and not pressured. His kindness helped me overcome my nervousness. On the other hand, both his and BABYMETAL’s professional standards are extremely high. They are flexible yet strict at the same time. I’ve never experienced working in this manner anywhere else before.”
What do you think makes BABYMETAL such an important band?
“The humility grounded in immense energy. Every metal band I know often possesses a colossal energy, ready to explode everything into chaos like fire. But I think BABYMETAL are like water. They make us feel comfortable when seeing or hearing them. However, when that water turns into waves, it can crash everything into destruction just as fiercely as fire. BABYMETAL makes me feel that they are like an endless flowing water, expansive and never standing still, with energy that can never run out.”
This interview originally appeared in the special-edition Kerrang! Presents BABYMETAL magazine.
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