Jay Park on the Secret Sauce for 'McNasty' and What Drives His Work Ethic: 'I'm Just a Human Being as Well' (Exclusive)

Jay Park is back in the kitchen preparing something hot.

With the bite of a dip sandwich, a signature side of breakdancing, and a garnish of infectious rapping, the 37-year-old artist serves up another tasty club banger with “McNasty” and its remix, “Xtra McNasty.” ”

Jay Park.

courtesy of HIGHER VISION

Fans of the hip-hop and R&B artist, also known as JWalkerz, will note how the sizzling single follows in the footsteps of a previous hit that took the club scene by storm.

“I had a song that had that ‘MOMMAE’ energy, so I wanted to release it before I got old so we could enjoy it at Waterbombs and at festivals,” the Seattle resident told PEOPLE on Late Night Korea.

What fans may not realize is how long the hit song has been on the grill. According to the international hitmaker, “McNasty” was first recorded three years ago, along with a number of other unreleased R&B tracks since then. Yet, after balancing entrepreneurship and performing, he never found the luxury of time to release his versatile catalog in the way his art envisioned.

Now Park continues to be a pioneer in his own special way with 16 years on the music scene behind him. To date, the singer and rapper has released more than 400 songs and features while working as the founder and former CEO of three hip-hop labels — AOMG, H1GHR MUSIC, MORE VISION — and the founder of trendy soju brand Won Soju. However, the achievements are only the highlights of a career filled with ups and downs.

Before Park could rise in the music industry, breakdancing gave him a sense of identity while growing up in Seattle with minimal Asian American representation. Although his passion as a b-boy led him to never take school too seriously, he made a group of friends with whom he is still close.

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Soon after, the “Dedicated 2 U” singer left everything behind to become a K-pop idol in Korea after a successful talent audition and struggled to adjust in an unfamiliar environment. After the turning point, Park decided to “start from scratch” and rebuild his career as a solo artist. From there, he took off with a work ethic unheard of for most idols and artists.

Jay Park.

courtesy of HIGHER VISION

“Even though I’m not broke anymore, I’m still working like a broke man,” Park muses. “I need something to get going. Otherwise, if I get complacent, then everyone I work with gets complacent and there’s no progress. I feel like people were put on this earth to keep progressing and developing and learning, and that’s the way it is what I’m trying to do.”

Being a trailblazer can take its toll over time, and the “All I Wanna Do” singer makes no secret of the fact that he faces constant challenges despite his outward success. However, he tells PEOPLE that he will sometimes stay private about his toughest battles to keep his parents and closest friends from worrying. In this spirit, the “WYA” artist emphasizes the merits of being kind to those around you and constantly practicing gratitude.

“You never know what difficulties or demons someone is fighting or whatever it is,” says Park. “Everybody’s the same, whether you’re a singer or you’re working somewhere or whatever — everybody’s going through something, but it’s just different.”

Jay Park.

courtesy of HIGHER VISION

Keeping old friends in his life always helped him stay grounded and humble in the most sublime moments. But as the course of life naturally pushes people apart, he realizes how much effort it takes to maintain a relationship.

“And I’m just a human being – I’m not God,” says the dancer. “But for me, I always try to see the good in people. I always try to inspire and try to create something positive out of every situation because there is so much negativity and evil in the world. I try my best not to add to that.”

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It often takes just as much effort to get through the difficult moments of external scrutiny. But that comes with the territory of his job and he knows he can let the opinion of him control his behavior or control his mood instead. But given how quickly the industry landscape is changing, he’s trying not to waste his energies in the wrong direction. After all, achieving something is one thing—but sustaining it for a long time is much more difficult, according to Park.

“There are always new faces, new people,” says the songwriter. “I have to be on the edge of my seat and on my toes so I don’t lose my seat and keep it.”

“It’s something I’m constantly thinking about and that’s why you see me constantly working,” adds the “SOLO” performer.

What can be a “blessing and a curse” is aging in an industry where it’s hard to age well, Park says. While many fans believe the 37-year-old still has the energy of a young 20-year-old with the way he dances and maintains a fit physique, Park says he still feels increasing pressure not to lose the people and things he’s responsible for.

“It’s like a double-edged sword, where I hate it and I love it,” Park says. “I need it to progress and go to a higher level, but I’d rather live without pressure.”

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He also notes how the K-pop industry focuses on numbers and what’s trendy right now. What then falls into the background are the legends who paved the way despite the difficulties at the start, but are unappreciated because of their age. A blind focus on commercialism over art is not only what has inspired the opposite values ​​in Park’s labels, but also how he assesses his future legacy.

“I think I’m appreciated by people who appreciate me,” says the “GANADARA” performer. “People who don’t see me – they see me as an uncle, I don’t know. But I think it’s one of those things that they’ll appreciate me more when I’m gone now.”

“I’m happy with that because at the end of the day, I’ve never sold my soul,” he continues to reflect. “I have the same people around me that I had in high school and I’ve given them all a better life and opportunities while maintaining my status and building our businesses, which few people have done. I’m pleased and proud of what I’ve accomplished.”

Creating better circumstances for himself and those he cares about has always been what his purpose has been all about. After all, being a singer was never his initial dream, but became an opportunity that fell into his lap. From there, he knew he had to do his best to take advantage of it.

“It’s not about sales, it’s not about how many views I get,” he says with resolute self-confidence. “At the end of the day, I can be proud of who I am and the people who support me can be proud of me. As long as that’s the case, then I’m good.”

“McNasty” and “Dedicated 2 U” are available to stream now.

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Source: HIS Education