「對我而言，從支持喜歡的創作者那邊得到一些實體的物件是很特別的一件事。對創作者來能夠，看到自己的作品實體化也是一件很酷的事。」
來自菲律賓的 beatmaker — ビクター MK I I，專注於 Hip Hop beats 的創作，以輕柔舒服的曲風，征服了眾多聽眾。音樂及專輯封面充滿著濃厚的日式風格，並且在數位音樂盛行的今日，持續堅持發行實體專輯。這次很高興 ビクターMK I I 能接受 Cassette Hunter 的採訪，除了分享他的音樂之路外，也和大家聊聊關於類比載體的看法。
The beatmaker from the Philippines, ビクター MK I I, focuses on the creation of Hip Hop beats, and has conquered many listeners with the comfortable style. The music and album covers are full of Japanese style, and in today's prevalent digital music, he continues to release physical albums. We are glad that ビクターMK I I was able to accept an interview with Cassette Hunter. In addition to sharing his music journey, I also talked to you about the physical albums.
以下簡稱＿
CH：Cassette Hunter
Ｖ：ビクター MK I I
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CH：首先想請 ビクター MK I I 跟 Cassette Hunter 的讀者，簡單地介紹一下自己。「ビクター MK I I」這個名字蠻特別的，但對一般人來說相對較難搜尋。當初怎麼會取這個名字？
V：嗨！我的名字是 Victor，大家比較知道的應該是我的 artist name「ビクター MK I I」。我是來自菲律賓的 beatmaker，以 Hip Hop beats 的創作為主。一開始，因為某些原因，我不希望大家太容易就搜尋到我，所以就決定取一個讓大家很難搜尋到的名字。我把我的英文名字 Victor 翻譯成日文的片假名，並且在後面加上「 MK I I」，因為這樣看起來很像某種物品的第二版，也是我想追求的效果。在過去幾年，我參與過無數樂團，但其實在這之前，我就已經是一個獨立的詞曲創作歌手了。回想過去參與過的計畫，有點像是另一個我。最後我發現還是最喜歡獨立創作，所以現在我只專注在 beats 的創作上。
CH: Can you introduce yourself to Cassette Hunter readers? What is the origin of the name “ビクターMKII”? Does it have a special meaning?
V: Hello, I’m Victor or more known as “ビクター ＭＫＩＩ''. I am a beat maker from the Philippines, and I produce mostly hip-hop beats. In the beginning I wanted a name that was hard to search online due to some personal reasons, so I translated my name Victor into katakana ビクター(BIKUTA), and I’ve added the “MKII” designation after it because the whole name looks like a second version of something, fitted with my thinking. I used to be in countless bands throughout the years, and I’ve done the solo singer-songwriter stuff before all this as well. The way I see it back then is a sort of like an alter-ego of those other projects. Now I only focus on beat making.
CH：你以前有音樂的背景嗎？大約是從什麼時候開始創作音樂的？
V：我蠻小就開始接觸音樂了，在我的成長過程中，跟音樂接觸還蠻多的。某段時期，我曾經學過鋼琴，也蠻常玩吉他的，但倒是從未想過未來會以音樂作為專職工作。我父親大約在我 13 歲左右，送了我第一把吉他。上大學之後，因為覺得玩音樂很有趣，也參加過不少樂團。後來我試著開始創作，並且以個人形式到處表演。也是這段時間，我開始去聽大量的 Hip Hop 和電子音樂，並且開始深入研究，慢慢地學習製作。我花了很多時間自學，很多東西都靠我自己摸索，沒有特別去請教別人或朋友。主要透過在網路上多看多聽，然後實際操作。幾年後，我試著在網路上一點一點地 po 出自己的作品，譬如每週固定在我的粉絲頁上分享一段創作，然後就一路走到現在了。
CH: Have you ever learned music since you were a child? When did you start to make music? And why?
V: I was surrounded by music growing up, and I learned piano and played guitar at some point, but I never thought I would make music professionally. I started pretty early with music; however, it really started to matter since my father gifted me the first guitar when I was thirteen. After that, I played in bands in college just having fun. During the band days, I started to write songs as a solo performer, and I listened to more hip-hop and electronic music in general. That's when I started to delve more into learning the crafts. I didn’t have close peers to guide me with it, so I had to learn everything myself just by listening and watching stuff online then trying experiments on my own. A few years later, I have started to post my things online little by little until now.
ビクター ＭＫＩＩ在今年4/4發佈的影片，介紹他的SP404（beats音樂創作者不可或缺的取樣機）
CH：原來如此。那在這麼多的音樂類型中，為何會獨鍾 Lo-fi Hip Hop 呢？在眾多的 Lo-fi Hip Hop 創作者中，有沒有哪一位影響你最深？
V：我偏好 Lo-fi Hip Hop 曲風，不僅僅只是因為他的聲音，也是因為它的創作方式。我也喜歡它在創作的時候，沒有固定的規則，可以進行各種嘗試，我很享受這種自由度。它沒有特定的音樂結構或混音形式，只要作品受聽眾喜愛，你就可以進行各種創作。我主要受到嘻哈網絡的影響，譬如一些嘻哈界的教父級人物，Pete Rock、J Dilla、Madlib、Nujabes、Flying Lotus、Knxwlegde、Mndsgn 等，有太多優秀的創作者及作品。即便到現在，他們之中還是有許多人不斷地推出新作品。
CH: Why do you like Lo-fi hip-hop? Who is the creator of Lo-fi hip-hop that has influenced you most? And why?
V: I gravitate towards the Lo-fi Hip-hop not just only for the sound but also the way of making it. I love how there aren’t any fixed rules on how you can do things. I love the freedom it gives me. I love how there’s no song structures or proper mixing techniques one should follow to consider it as a proper beat. You can do anything you like as long as you enjoy it and listeners are vibing.
I have a lot of inspirations mainly from the instrumental hip-hop community. Some OG’s like Pete Rock, J Dilla, Madlib, Nujabes, Flying Lotus, Knxwlegde, and Mndsgn, etc. There’s a lot of awesome stuff out there for sure and a lot of them are still being released at this very moment.
CH：現在數位發行的成本低很多，怎麼會選擇發行卡帶或黑膠呢？
V：的確，在這個時代，只發行數位專輯的話，會省事很多。但是這些類比的載體，有著很特殊的地位。我不只是一位創作者，同時也是很多創作者的粉絲。對我而言，從支持喜歡的創作者那邊得到一些實體的物件是很特別的一件事。對創作者來能夠，看到自己的作品實體化也是一件很酷的事。同時購買這些實體專輯也是支持你喜歡的創作者最直接的方式。
CH: Nowadays digital music distribution is low-cost and convenient. Why did you choose to release physical works such as cassette and vinyl?
V: Yes, nowadays it’s easier to just release an album digitally, but these analog mediums such as cassette tapes and vinyl records have a particular place. I’m not only an artist but also a fan of creators. To me, having tangible objects from the artists you liked is a special thing. From an artist’s perspective, it’s cool to see their works out in the wild, and it is a more direct way to support musicians.
CH：在你的作品中，可以嗅到濃濃的日式風格，包含專輯名稱、歌詞也都會融入日文。是從什麼時候開始受到日本文化的影響？而日本文化對於你的音樂創作，又帶來什麼樣的影響？
V：這源自於我對日本動漫及設計美學的熱愛，我非常喜歡 Nujabes 為動畫《 混沌武士 》(Samurai Champloo) 所做的配樂。當我看到動畫可以和 Hip Hop 如此巧妙地結合，真的覺得非常特別，這也是促使我開始製作音樂後，試著加入一些觀察到的事物，並融入入動漫的對話內容，透過這樣的方式暗示其中想傳遞的感受。即使不是每個人都聽得懂日文，但是我們對於這些聲音、對話並不陌生的。我覺得透過這些安排可以讓聽眾感到懷舊、熟悉，並且從中獲得愉快的聆聽體驗。
CH: In your works, we can feel a strong Japanese style, including the album name and lyrics. When did you start to be influenced by Japanese culture? And how has Japanese culture impacted on your music creation?
V: It all started with my love for anime and Japanese design aesthetics. I am a very big fan of Nujabes’ work particularly on Samurai Champloo. When I saw how anime really mixed in well with hip-hop beats, I thought it was so special. After I started making music, I added a bit of anime conversation samples to convey the atmosphere and moods in my songs. Although not everyone can really understand the conversations, all of us are familiar with those anime sounds. I think having these sounds is enough to give the listeners a nostalgic ride and gives them a more pleasant listening experience.
CH：除了日本文化的影響外，你的音樂創作靈感還有來自哪裡？
V：我向來很喜歡大自然的聲音，譬如一些環境音、城市生活的聲響，甚至人們旅行中的聲音。我會試著把這些聲音加進我的音樂裡，這些背景音和主旋律一樣重要，它可以將整體音樂融合在一起，並強化了作品的整體性和意義。
CH: In addition to being influenced by Japanese culture, are there any inspirations for your music ideas?
V: I really like the sound of nature such as organic ambient noises, city life ambience, even the sound people make whenever they’re on the go. I usually try to add those sounds into my music that are just as important as the theme melody. It also reinforces the integrity and meaning of the work.
CH：我們知道ビクター MK I I有很多海外粉絲，是否有從Bandcamp的後台或其他管道，觀察自己的聽眾大多來自哪裡？未來在音樂上，是否有想再進行什麼樣的挑戰？
V：我的確有觀察過。我的聽眾主要來自美國、墨西哥、巴西、菲律賓、加拿大，以及日本。實體商品的銷售主要來自美國和日本。作為一位獨立的音樂創作者，存在著很多挑戰，主要是宣傳。當你沒有積極經營時，在媒體和播放列表中，就看不到你了，所以你必須在社群媒體上推薦自己。但要讓自己的名字持續地出現並不是件容易的事。多年來，我覺得自己很幸運的是，有一些很棒的粉絲和聽眾，支持我的音樂，並且主動地分享，真的是太感謝了！
CH: Did you know where most of your fans come from (by the backend of music streaming services)?
V: Most of my listeners are mainly from the United States, Mexico, Brazil, the Philippines, Canada, and Japan. About sales of physical goods, most of my customers are from the U.S. and Japan. As an independent musician there are quite a few challenges, mainly on promotions. Once you don’t actively operate it, you’ll be easily invisible on media and playlists, so you have to promote yourself consistently. Luckily for me, over the years there are my awesome fans and listeners who always support my music and actively share it to increase my visibility. Thank you so much!
CH：可否提供給世界各地正在進行 Lo-fi hip hop 創作的新進音樂人一些建議？
V：我對於剛起步的創作者，最想建議他們的就是，「儘管去做、不要停止學習，在創作的過程中別忘了保持一顆愉快的心」。保持愉快的心是最重要的。對於創作者來說，遇到瓶頸是很稀鬆平常的事。遇到的話，可以休息一下，但千萬不要放棄。對於創作者來說，無論時間是長是短，休息是很重要的。
CH: Can you give some advice to all new musicians who are creating Lo-fi hip-hop around the world?
V: The most important advice I would like to say is to try your best and never stop learning. It’s common for artists to hit a wall sometimes. When it happens, just take a break and don’t quit. For creators, it’s important to take a break, no matter how long or short it is.
關於ビクター MK I I
ビクターＭＫＩＩ 是來自菲律賓南部一個小城市—納迦市的音樂製作人，又名 Victor，創作以 Lo-fi Hip Hop 為主。音樂不僅受到 Old school hip-hop 啟發，也深受日本動漫、文化影響。他將所創作的音樂稱為「器樂短篇故事」，因為它們通常不僅包含了節拍和旋律，還融入了許多環境音和對話的聲音。聽眾可以在他的作品中發現這些元素的結合，並且找到令人愉快、獨特以及懷舊的聽覺饗宴。
About ビクター ＭＫＩＩ
ビクター ＭＫＩＩ is a beatmaker / producer from Naga City, a small city located south of the Philippines. Known as “Victor” in real life, he mainly makes short lo-fi flavored hip-hop beats inspired by Old school hip-hop beats, Anime & his deep love for the Japanese culture. He often calls these beats “Instrumental short stories” usually filled with not just beats & melodies but also a lot of ambient sounds & short random conversations. Having all these elements glues it together to create this really pleasant, distinct, & nostalgic listening experience usually found in all his releases.