Life is What She Makes It, Taiwanese Pop Sensation 9M88
Photographed by Sophie Hur
Photography: Sophie Hur
Interview: Isis Nicole
It's a moment we've been waiting for. On a rooftop in New York City appears soul-era vocalist Baba, also known as 9m88, from Taiwan who leaves a heartfelt signature in tune with the core of her sheer desire to find inner peace.
After a year of following each other on Instagram, we get into compact facts: Milk and Roses in Greenpoint Brooklyn is her favorite restaurant, "Attica Blues" by Archie Shepp is her favorite album, and she just finished reading Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre.
Living up to her presumed nature (seriously three seconds into watching her music video "Sid and Geri" 9m88 - 九頭身日奈Nine Head Hinano, with a growing 1 million plus views) Baba turns out to be adoringly cool.
Just a couple of months up to her performance at Angus Chiang during Paris Fashion Week, Baba shares with us that she has plans to release an EP before the end of this year. Pay close attention.
Isis Nicole: Did you imagine that you'd be where you are today?
Baba: Not at all. I was doing fashion design before being a musician. When I found out that [fashion design] something I like wasn’t something that I was good at I moved on to music.
IN: What were your interests growing up?
B: Basically fashion and music. I was crazy about Japanese fashion magazines during high school and would go to stores to find items that look similar to stuff I saw. As for music, I grew up singing Mando-Pop songs. I started listening to R&B and Soul around age 14. When I first discovered Erykah Badu’s live video for “I Want You” on MTV, I was like, "WHAT IS THIS?! What took me so long to find out all the good stuff in the world?"
IN: What was it like when you made the decision to move to New York, and how has living in the city changed your life?
B: I came to New York for a design internship. After living in this city and being immersed in the live shows, I was blown [away] and made up my mind to give music a try. It was the best decision I’d ever made in my life. I changed the way of seeing myself and others. I’m trying to gain more confidence, know my worth, be more mindful, and to be empathetic.
IN: How has your family responded to your accomplishments?
B: My family is always supportive of what I want to achieve. My mom is like my second manager and biggest fan. If I haven’t posted stuff on my page for a while, she messages me and asks me to post something!
IN: What are some of the challenges you face?
B: It takes extra time and energy to operate as an indie artist.
IN: How do you overcome it?
B: Keep trying until I can’t. [smiles]
IN: What's the kindest thing someone has done for you?
B: When people come up to me and tell me they like what I’m doing.
IN: What's the kindest thing you've done for someone?
B: Help to carry strollers with moms for subway stairs.
IN: What do you daydream about?
B: A nice vacation.
IN: What's the coolest thing you've learned about yourself?
B: I’m a stubborn person who is striving to make what I want to become reality.
IN: How do you take yourself out of your comfort zone?
B: By doing and learning something I’m not familiar with everyday.
IN: You've given credit to Erykah Badu as someone who teaches you how to be strong and honest. Have you two met yet?
B: Not yet. I wish one day it will come true!
IN: Is there anything that has changed or made an impact on your worldview?
B: I started to realize there are layers of layers in people’s beliefs. Even though my belief seems contradictory to someone else’s, we may still reach consensus on another level. I’m trying to be as open-minded as possible.
IN: Dream collaboration?
B: Anderson.Paak, Esperanza Spalding, and so many more!
IN: What do you want to be remembered for?
B: A girl is striving to be herself.
IN: What motivates you now?
B: Aphex twin, M.I.A, and Weather Report’s music motivates me to become a composer/producer.
IN: What comes to mind when you think of the word "increase"?
B: Fulfillment, satisfaction, and knowledge.
IN: What's your favorite piece of advice?
B: Everything’s gonna be alright at the end of the day.
