Today, we delve into the creative realm of, SEBii, who dives headlong into his ANTii-Hero era with the release of “VVSS2.” Revered by an eclectic trio of heavyweights — Anthony Fantano, Playboi Carti, and Sam Sulek — the boundary-pushing New York artist, with Shanghai roots, is carving his own path in the Future Digital Hip-Hop scene. “VVSS2” not only serves as the highly anticipated follow-up to SEBii’s breakout project, “VVSS,” but it also stands as the triumphant climax of his primary colour EP trilogy. In it, SEBii weaves a complex emotional tapestry—combining the introspective blues, fierce reds, and sunny yellows of his past works into a vibrant narrative that propels his artistry to staggering new heights.
The eclectic “VVSS2” imagery doesn’t stop there; SEBii, alongside Y2Kyle, steps into the role of Creative Director to propel the visual narrative forward. VVSS, the emblematic mascot birthed by SEBii, morphs with each release, gaining new mythical features and leaping off the cover as a symbol of SEBii’s evolving story.
In conversation with SEBii, we unravel the layers behind his latest work and his inaugural journey into the ANTii-Hero narrative. Join us as we uncover the depth of his artistry and the chromatic heart of “VVSS2.”
KALTBLUT: Your latest project, VVSS2, marks the beginning of your ANTii-Hero era. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind this new phase of your artistic journey and how it differs from your previous work?
SEBii: The ANTii-HERO era started because I had got the Playboi Carti cosign as he shared a remix I did of this song on his story with the 100 emoji tagging me haha. It was so surreal for me at the time, but also so funny as everything Carti stands for and represents is so opposite to what SEBii represents. Thus the all white fashion ascetics of SEBii for the ANTii-HERO arc juxtaposed the all black of Carti’s opium label. There’s actually a really good hyperpop daily post that breaks it down (here is the link). But that’s the main ethos of the ANTii-HERO arc and the all white outfits was just to make it feel distinct, however now as we have entered the VVSS2 arc, I’m still SEBii and I still embody that same ethos, it’s just the visual language has changed to represent a new arc; an evolution.
KALTBLUT: VVSS2 is described as the culmination of your primary colour EP trilogy, each representing different facets of your character. How did you use these colours to convey distinct emotions and themes in your music?
SEBii: So the color Blue has always been associated with sadness, for example like Pablo Picasso’s Blue Period where he only did paintings in this monochromatic blue color scheme. The work he did in that period was inspired by his own emotional turmoil and financial issues. Not that SEBii could ever be not rich hahah, but VVBLUE was like my blue period, written during the heat of covid, I was going through a lot, quarantined in my college dorm where my shower became this place of reflection. And I think the fact that Picasso had these distinct periods inspired me to do the primary color trilogy each representing a different era of my life. The color red to me is an aggressive gruesome color, as it is the color of blood, it’s the color of anger. That aggression is reflected on the music of VVRED. Partly also inspired by Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red, which was the introduction of Rage music in the contemporary hiphop space. VVRED is also a reflection of that. Last color yellow makes me think of bright light, symbolizing hopefulness, but a very optimistic one. The color is just much more playful, when I first thing of yellow I think of fruits which a sweet and good for your health. The thats the vibe of VVYELLOW. Big shoutout to famous Bollywood producer Salah, pka aywhat, who executive produced VVYELLOW and help me find that sound.
KALTBLUT: The concept of chromaticism appears to play a significant role in both the musical and visual aspects of VVSS2. Can you expand on how these sounds alongside video game aesthetics influence your creative process and the overall storytelling in the album?
SEBii: Chromaticism is very important to the sonics of VVSS2. I just have a very sensitive ear to anything chromatic, that as soon as I hear a chromatic note, I instantly get a shot of dopamine in my head, it’s what I’m addicted to. So for this project, implementing chromatic notes was very important. It was also important for us to do it in a new and interesting way, taking huge inspiration from video game music such as Pokemon and Earthbound, we implement it in a midi focused way. I think with this project and my music moving forward, I want to put people onto chromaticism. cause already everywhere, but I think it’s the people who use it very intentionally, those are the people that stand out to me.
KALTBLUT: As the Creative Director of VVSS2, how did you collaborate with others to shape the visual universe of the project, and what were your guiding principles in taking the design in new directions?
SEBii: For me it’s really important that the visuals are consistent and stylistically match. The rollout for VVSS2 is the most ambitious rollout I’ve done when it comes to the art. I think this project is the one I’ve had most people working together on. I think as a creative director it’s important to have a strong vision and concept, but also have a good understanding of what different people are good at, and how to leverage everyones strength to create something greater than the sum of its parts. But also to just have fun and make the coolest stuff you can with your friends. Big shoutout to Y2Kyle for being such an important part of the visual identity of the VVSS series as he 3D models all the VVSS mech designs. Also big shoutout to Sabdog who worked on the project trailer which was an evolution sequence of the VVSS mech into the VVSS2 one. I had a very specific vision for the whole rollout and how it conceptually all ties together with the existing SEBii lore, and they both were able to help me carry out that vision so very blessed to be working with such talented people. Also shoutout Martin and Chungo too, who helped me with the Stage 1 of the rollout doing a VVCOLOR CD collection concept, which is a whole other project that we are still working on and excited to finish as I’ve been starting to do more physical releases, but quality is so important to me so I’m taking my time with them.
KALTBLUT: Your unique styling, particularly the outfits on your social media, is said to represent specific character arcs in your story. How do you use fashion and visual presentation to further develop the narrative of your persona and music?
SEBii: Thank you! Yes, I try to make each single release feel like its own mini arc. I like different outfits that are associated with different eras of SEBii and you can see it progress on my instagram. For example, when I was first in Japan I wore this navy red striped Ralph sweater, with the same colorway Diesel pants. That was like the “SEBii-sannn” era to me. It’s usually super subtle and not explicit, however like the ANTii-HERO arc was defo and arc that I gave an official name and made it more a thing. But like to me all my outfits have a slight significance. Like another one would be “QUEUE” era where I wore all grey since I was just coming off of releasing VVYELLOW and finishing the primary VVCOLOR trilogy, so I was wearing all grey, signifying a transitional period of no color. I always use clothing to help me communicate a certain mood or vibe. Like new SEBii drip usually means a new SEBii arc.
KALTBLUT: In what ways do you see VVSS2 as an evolution of your sound and artistry, and how does it set the stage for the future direction of your music?
SEBii: This project I think is the most sophisticated sound that me, pipes and kimj have ever created. Also since there are 18 songs to showcase this new sound, it was important for it to have range whilst still feeling consistent. For this project I’ve probably made like 60+ songs and ideas, and way more beats, but I tried to narrow it down to the 18 best ones. It was really good to lock-in on creating a new sound for a while, but I think moving forward, post VVSS2, I want to be a bit more spontaneous with releases because it’s just more fun that way. VVSS2 helped me build such a good foundation so I’m excited to build upon that now more freely.
KALTBLUT: How will you be presenting VVSS2 to a live audience?
SEBii: This is such a good question cause I’ve been thinking about this recently a lot and this is defo the next step of focus. I’ve been going to more shows of other artists this year and it really showed me the power of having good live show visuals. It was honestly so inspiring and made me want to upgrade my live experience. Since I spend so much time on the visuals and the world building it only makes sense to also start thinking about incorporating all of that into the live performances. So honestly that is the next thing I’m gonna be working on because my next shows are in May so I have some time to lock-in and cook sum crazy stuff. It’s all about evolution.
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VVSS2 is out now
