The upstream figure ｜ Interview with rapper Naomi： ＂Diss Boss Shady＂ is an attitude, and I don’t know if I am qualified to be the next Ding Zhen.

"Boss Shady, Boss Shady, I want to Diss you …" Recently, the MV song "Xie Tian Boss Shady" created by Liangshan rapper Naomi has become a hit on the Internet. Because the lyrics "I want to Diss you" homophonic "I want Disney", and Naomi’s hip-hop dress and exaggerated expression are in sharp contrast with the old courtyard and riding machine, the magical and abstract painting style soon triggered an online and offline online carnival.

In the seventh lane of Yulin, Wuhou District, Chengdu, where the MV was filmed, thousands of people went to punch in every day, and the local government had to organize personnel to maintain order and prevent disturbing the people. On the Internet, Naomi herself was dug up and also created some thoughtful works such as "Miss Apu" and "real Trees Meet Spring". His past experiences, such as farming, working in the park and asking his mother for money, also resonated with netizens. "Sincerity and truthfulness" were the labels that netizens labeled him. As of April 10th, the number of fans of Naomi’s Tik Tok account @ Naomi lodmemo soared from 80,000 before the release of the MV to 2.01 million.

Why did you write this song? What is the shooting process like? How to develop after the red explosion? How to catch the traffic? On the afternoon of April 10th, upstream journalists interviewed Naomi.

On the afternoon of April 10th, Naomi was interviewed by an upstream journalist. Photo/upstream journalist Li Wentao

Talking about the creative process: Diss is to show attitude, and riding a fitness bike is because Boss Shady also works out.

Upstream News: Why do you want Diss Boss Shady? Are you angry because he was eliminated from China’s New Rap?

Naomi: Anger is far from it. I think it’s better for everyone to be peace. Writing this song is mainly to show an attitude and respond to him. This song is for my grandfather, not for my grandmother. Because we rapper, attitude is very important. (Note: On March 20th this year, Naomi was eliminated from the audition for China New Rap 2024. Judge Boss Shady commented that Naomi "should take rap as a hobby". Boss Shady also claimed that he had brushed Naomi’s "Song for Grandma" in Tik Tok, which made Naomi very angry, because Boss Shady said that the song "Miss Apu" was written by him to his grandfather. )

Upstream News: What is the creative process like? Why did you choose a small park in Yulin No.7 Lane and sit on a health riding machine?

Naomi: I went back to the hotel after being eliminated, and I felt unwilling. Because I think I have something and talent, the more I think about it, the more angry I am. I must write a song to express my attitude. So I found an accompaniment, spent two or three days writing lyrics, and found a friend to shoot the MV a few days later.

Looking for a place is actually a random search. rapper, who saw Chengdu before, said that he was on Yulin Road, so he chose to look for it on Yulin Road. Because Boss Shady likes fitness, there was no fitness equipment around at that time, so I sat on the fitness equipment you mentioned. Diss Boss Shady means I am also working out, and my muscles are tougher than yours.

Upstream news: Then why climb on the shelf and make a ferocious expression? Watch the video and there are security guards around.

Naomi: I climbed that shelf because I thought it was cool. I made that expression to show that I was fierce and serious. At that time, the security guard was always there. I thought it was too high and dangerous. I also told him to come down in a few minutes, but they were still very thoughtful. The shooting should be around March 25, and it will be released on March 26 after editing.

Naomi sat on the Diss Boss Shady on the health riding machine, according to the screenshot of Naomi’s "Xie Tian Boss Shady" mv.

Upstream news: Did you ever think that this song would be so popular? Why do you think it’s so hot?

Naomi: No, I didn’t know it would be so hot at first. Later, I went to review the comments, and they said that I was real and my songs were excellent … I think this is a kind of recognition from everyone.

I didn’t expect a lot of people to punch in at the shooting location. Everyone may think it’s fun, but I don’t think it’s good to have a bad influence. So when I was at the airport on April 5, I sent a video "I hope you don’t disturb the people."

Talking about the growth process: I have worked in electronics factories and construction sites, and I like rap.

Upstream news: After you became popular on the Internet, are the photos of you being punished for going to school, working on the construction site, plowing in the fields, and asking for money from your mother who plays cards all true? Can you tell us something about your growing experience?

Naomi: Those photos are all true. I was born in 1999 in meigu county, Liangshan Prefecture, and I have two younger brothers and a younger sister at home. My parents are farmers, and my mother occasionally works in a supermarket in the county. But the part about asking my mother for money is actually my mother playing cards with her friends, and I am watching.

In 2017, I went out to work after finishing high school, worked in an electronics factory in Guangdong, and went home in November and December every year. Find a new place at the beginning of the year. In 2021, I worked on a construction site in Wuhan.

Upstream news: When did you come into contact with rap?

Naomi: When Hip-hop in China came out in 2018, I learned what rap is and was very interested. At first, I watched the MV of foreign black people and learned their actions and ways of speaking. I thought it was cool and very style.

Foreign words are better at saying whatever they want, but the disadvantage is that they are a little more swearing and more violent. Compared with peace, domestic rap expresses friendship, love and affection more. My personal understanding is this.

I didn’t learn their bad side, but in general, I just "get rid of their dross and take their essence".

Netizens lined up to punch in at the Nomi MV shooting location. Photo/upstream journalist Li Wentao

Upstream News: Why did you choose to come to Chengdu for development?

Naomi: I came to Chengdu in July and August, 2023, because Chengdu is a hip-hop town, and the rap culture is better. Many rap OGs (short for original gangster, which means that a person is an influential figure such as a veteran and godfather in the rap circle, and describes a rapper as very powerful and powerful) are here, and I want to learn more from them.

Upstream news: I heard that you slept on the street in Chengdu and were taken in by other rappers?

Naomi: Yes, I just came to Chengdu and couldn’t find a place to sleep. I slept in the park for one night and found a house in the back. I have also been taken care of by many friends here, and I am very grateful to them.

Talking about creation: I will always write songs, and I am honored to contribute to the propaganda of my hometown.

Upstream news: When was The Missing of Apu written? Do you have deep feelings with grandpa?

Naomi: "Miss Apu" was released on November 4th last year. I wrote the lyrics, and the accompaniment was mainly found online.

Grandpa died when I was in the fourth grade of primary school. When I came home from school, I heard firecrackers and music playing outside. When I got home, I found him lying in bed and died. Grandpa was over 70 years old when he died, and his health may be a little poor.

Grandma died when I was three or four years old, and I don’t have much impression. When I was a child, my parents farmed at home and planted some corn and potatoes. They were so busy that they got up early and got greedy for the dark. At this time, grandpa will take me to herd sheep and go to his house to fry eggs for me. There was no trouble at that time, just follow him, very happy!

Upstream news: For example, "Miss Apu" and "Dead Trees in Spring" were reprinted by CCTV Online Travel Service and Liangshan Travel Service to promote the beautiful scenery. What do you think? Have you ever thought about becoming the next Ding Zhen?

Naomi: I am still very happy to be reprinted and forwarded, because my songs can be heard by more people, and they have also been recognized by CCTV and Sichuan media.

I don’t know if I am qualified, because Ding Zhen is very handsome, and I am a songwriter. But I am also very happy to be able to make a little contribution to promoting my hometown. Over the years, great changes have taken place in Liangshan Prefecture and meigu county. Thanks to the national policy, our village is now full of newly built buildings, not the mud houses we lived in as children.

Moreover, there is a high-speed direct line from meigu county to Xichang recently, which makes it more convenient for villagers to go to the city, and they can also directly pull our vegetables and grain and sell them.

As of April 10th, the number of Naomi fans has exceeded 2 million, and some videos have been praised by over one million. Screenshot of Nomi social platform

Upstream news: Look at your announcements recently. Do you have any plans for the future?

Naomi: I recently went to Xi ‘an and Dalian for performances, and I will go to Yangzhou for a music festival this weekend. To tell the truth, although I was famous before, I have never received so many invitations.

For myself, I will continue to write songs, make my own works, and go further on the road of music. For my family, I think they can live a better life.

Upstream journalist Li Wentao