Penomeco is a name that has become synonymous with boundary-pushing artistry, and with his latest release “KK,” he’s once again shattering expectations. From his explosive rise as a winner of Breakers to his pivotal role in the iconic Fanxy Child crew, Penomeco has always followed his own unique rhythm. But with “KK,” he steps into a new era, combining sharp, chaotic humor with honest, introspective truth in a way only he can. After parting ways with P Nation and launching his own independent brand, Penomeco is embracing freedom like never before, ready to experiment with fresh sounds and stories that continue to defy the norms of the industry. As he prepares for his next big move with RNSSNC TAPE, the journey of this artist is far from over. We caught up with Penomeco to talk about his evolution, his relentless drive for artistic authenticity, and the exciting road ahead.
You’ve described “KK” as an outlet for the discomfort and absurdity you’ve been feeling, but you chose to wrap those emotions in humor instead of heaviness. Was there ever a version of this song that was darker or more direct before you landed on this chaotic, sarcastic tone?
No, from the start, I focused on humor—it’s like the irony that comes from a tragicomedy, a kind of black comedy that makes you chuckle even though you probably shouldn’t. While the sound is chaotic, the lyrics are quite straightforward. To me, “KK” is like a sly human defense mechanism: “If you don’t laugh it off coolly, then you’re just not cool.”
You say you’re too indifferent to challenge the industry directly, but your lyrics still land like sharp observations—almost like a mirror. Do you think that indifference actually gives you more freedom to speak your mind?
That’s right. I think it’s a desire to take a step back and observe from a more objective perspective. The phrase ‘the freedom to speak my mind’ is something vast to me, but even in “KK,” I used a more malicious way of putting things—that it’s actually not cool to get overly sensitive when someone pokes at your weak spots while consciously holding back from being too straightforward. It’s all part of that same defense mechanism.
When you talk about being “irreplaceable,” it doesn’t feel like ego—it feels more like a quiet mission. What does that kind of uniqueness demand from you creatively and personally? Has chasing that ever felt isolating?
It might be a compulsive way of pushing myself, but I constantly scrutinize my own work and evaluate it with a critical eye to find ways to improve. There are definitely pros and cons. It drives me to grow and get better, but on the flip side, it can also plunge me into deep self-loathing, so I’m always careful as I stick to this approach.
You’ve said “KK” gave you a broader perspective, like a first ticket to somewhere new. What exactly is that “somewhere”? Is it a musical direction, a mindset, or something more abstract?
It’s a complex journey with a lot of abstract meaning. Ultimately, it relates to the dream I want to achieve, who I am as a person, and the process of raising the value of myself as an artist—PENOMECO.
You’ve been part of iconic collectives like Fanxy Child and worked under powerful labels, but you’re now fully on your own. Has leaving P Nation shifted how you see collaboration versus independence?
Right now, I’ve created my own independent brand called if I within EGO GROUP. The only thing that changed after leaving P Nation was the place. I’ve always been painting the picture I want, and I’m still doing that. I just work with people who are willing to walk this path with me. P Nation was a great partner that supported me, and we’ll continue to wish each other well moving forward.
“KK” feels like a turning point—but you’ve had a few of those before: winning Breakers, dropping Garden, moving to P Nation, and releasing Rorschach. Do you see your career as a series of clean chapters or more like a continuous evolution?
As a part of ongoing evolution, I interpret myself in different chapters for now. But I’m curious to see how I’ll define myself when all of these pieces come together. Hopefully, in a positive way. (laughs)
Looking ahead, now that “KK” has kicked the door open—what are you most excited to experiment with next? Is there a sound, story, or side of yourself you haven’t revealed yet but want to?
I hope my future sounds will reveal new sides of me and set a good precedent for what comes next. The next album, <RNSSNC TAPE>, will contain both the raw excitement and the refined, delicate emotions only humans can express. I’ve never liked the term ‘full-length album,’ so I hope all of my work is seen as one continuous piece. I hope it ends up positively influencing other artists, too.
Your career has been full of milestones—from winning Breakers to working with some of the biggest names in Korean hip-hop. What moment in your career so far has felt the most defining for you personally?
That’s a really tough question, but if I had to pick one moment, it would be when I gave up music for a while to make a living, then decided to come back to it. It might sound humble, but that was when I used my savings to enter college, joined an African American music club, and got up on stage for our first performance. That’s the moment that stuck with me the most.
