From Incheon to Los Angeles, Trippi Nu’s story is one of movement — across countries, cultures, and creative dimensions. His journey isn’t just about geography; it’s about identity, sound, and perseverance.
Born in Incheon, South Korea, Trippi Nu was, by his own admission, a quiet and slightly eccentric child, often lost in his own imagination. Shy and observant, he leaned heavily on his older sister, who became both protector and early creative influence. Watching her artistic growth — now an art director for a media and advertising agency in New York — helped shape his understanding that creativity could be a real, tangible path. Performance also ran in the family. His grandmother regularly appeared at local events and even on regional television programs that showcased hometown talent. She had once been on the brink of debuting professionally in her youth before marriage redirected her path. That unfinished dream lingered in the background of Trippi Nu’s upbringing, quietly planting seeds.
In first grade, his life shifted. His family relocated to Malaysia, where he lived with his mother and sister while his father, a pilot, visited once or twice a month. The distance was challenging, but it also introduced a defining theme in his life: transit. With access to free flights once a year, travel became ritual. Moving between Korea, Malaysia, and eventually Los Angeles left him with a complicated question — when you belong to multiple places, which one is truly home?
Malaysia broadened his worldview. Enrolled in an international school filled with students from American, British, Malaysian, Chinese, and Korean backgrounds, he grew up in a cultural crossroads. It instilled openness and adaptability. At school, he was the “good kid,” careful not to cross lines. But creatively, his mind was restless. He devoured movies, manga, and anime, and began making short films with friends, inspired by early YouTube creators like Freddie Wong and his production brand RocketJump. Storytelling through visuals came first. Music would follow.
His musical roots were as layered as his upbringing. Growing up in Korea meant immersion in K-pop, and groups like Big Bang introduced him to rhythm-driven hip-hop energy. Elementary school playlists included global pop figures like Pitbull and Lady Gaga. Then came a rock phase, sparked by American Idiot from Green Day — its rebellion and self-written lyricism leaving a mark. That spirit led him deeper into hip-hop. Eminem became a favorite for his technical rhyme schemes and emotional candor.
As he grew older, his influences expanded with artists like A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd, 21 Savage, Tyler, the Creator, and Bones. One pivotal figure was Korean rapper Okasian, whose laid-back delivery and introspective depth helped shape Trippi Nu’s evolving style.
He first experimented with GarageBand around 13 or 14, began writing lyrics at 16, and didn’t fully complete a structured song until age 20. Then came mandatory military service in Korea at 21 — a pause that clarified everything. In his limited free time, he found himself constantly writing. That realization became a turning point. Music wasn’t just a hobby; it was the mission.
Now based in Los Angeles, Trippi Nu describes his sound with two words: fusion and cinematic. Like a chef blending cuisines, he merges genres, textures, and languages to create something immersive. His music aims to feel visual — like a film soundtrack that conjures settings and emotion. For him, vocals are as instrumental as the beat; whether in Korean or English, he chooses words that best paint the images in his head.
His early works were shaped with guidance from Brian, also known as Eko, at Ice Cream Studios in Downtown LA. His Trip Itinerary album sessions took place at Jairo’s home studio, and more recently he’s been building at Ben Kemi’s home studio in Hollywood, sharpening a sound that feels increasingly expansive.
Despite his artistic focus, much of his youth was spent outdoors. Soccer fields were his primary gathering spots, but Malaysia’s malls — especially 1 Utama — hold vivid memories of afternoons spent watching films with friends. Even the country’s movie censorship added its own strange charm to the experience. By 15 or 16, weekends expanded to Kuala Lumpur’s TREK strip, where he got early glimpses of nightlife culture.
His latest release, “RUN LOLA RUN,” captures the tension of modern city life. The track explores the feeling of being trapped in a loop — chasing momentum, drowning in substances, and searching for direction. Built on dystopian, sci-fi textures, it leans into futuristic sound design to mirror emotional chaos. The accompanying music video extends that vision, pulling listeners deeper into his cinematic world.
More is on the horizon. His upcoming album Trip Itinerary is structured like a flight experience — guiding listeners from the moment they enter an airport, through takeoff and transit, until arrival at a destination that may feel like home or something entirely new. Another single, “Yamamoto,” is slated for late March, described as a rowdy, high-energy anthem inspired by last year’s World Series finale.
Through every chapter, Trippi Nu credits a community that helped him stay grounded. From his day ones in LA — Jonathan, David, Harry, Eugene, and Evelyn — to his first musical mentor Brian (Eko), and creatives across the city like Chelsea Monet, Sema, Tawny, Ben, Jairo, Zaye, Dru, cyclycyty, and Obee, he understands that no journey is solo.
