[EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] Artist You Should Know: Singer-Songwriter, Dabit!

The artist you should know is none other than David Kim, also known as Dabit! He sat down with HypnoticAsia for an exclusive interview.

The singer-songwriter, a former trainee in Korea, left the company to pursue his own music and style. He has moved on to creating his own YouTube channel; releasing covers and in the future, his originals for all his fans as well as new listeners to hear.

Dabit is known for his cover of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” which received high praise from fans and reached top 6 in the Jason Mraz cover contest. Not only that, but he also covered “Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber with fellow musician, David Oh.

With his experiences, he hopes to keep pursuing his dream as a singer-songwriter and to perform his own music.

Check out HypnoticAsia’s interview with Dabit below.

HYPNOTICASIA: Introduce yourself to our readers:

DABIT: Hello everyone~ I’m Dabit! I was born and raised in Ohio, and I am currently in Korea pursuing my dream as a singer-songwriter 🙂

HYPNOTICASIA: When did you decide you wanted to pursue music as a career and where did the inspiration come from?

DABIT: I think the spark of interest started in the 5th grade? When no one was home I would climb onto the counter and use the home phone to record my singing on the voice recorder. But, coming from an academic family I never had the courage to speak up and take action for my dream until my senior year in high school.

HYPNOTICASIA: Are you doing music full time? (School? Work?)

DABIT: Yes!! I would say full time, but I am also doing some part time English tutoring to keep me on my toes and to help cover some living expenses. As for school, it is on hold for now!

HYPNOTICASIA: What was it like studying at Berklee College Of Music?

DABIT: I started pursuing music later than most others. I knew that I enjoyed singing, but other than that, I had no clue on what I wanted to study in a music school. I am currently taking time off school to just indulge myself in performing and experiencing different areas of music as much as I can before deciding on what I want to study in depth at Berklee.

HYPNOTICASIA: Who are your biggest music influences?

DABIT: I would say Wheesung was the most influential musician in my early life. His 2nd album “It’s Real” was one of the first albums I received from my cousin during a very sensitive time in my life. Wheesung’s emotion and soul ultimately carved my love for R&B/Soul and taught me how emotions could be channeled and expressed through singing.

HYPNOTICASIA: We heard you were a trainee, how was that?

DABIT: Physically exhausting and mentally humbling. It was a constant battle with myself while I pushed and tested my limits in every way. In the end, it was not right for me, but I know it was necessary for me to be where I am today. I learned so much about myself and met the most amazing life-long friends along the way. I would have had it no other way!

HYPNOTICASIA: Through YouTube, you’ve covered many songs, which would you say is your favorite and why?

DABIT: I would say my cover of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” video! It was for a contest that I decided to do last minute, so I literally had 30 minutes to record a video and upload it. Because I couldn’t prepare much, I just decided to let go and have fun with it. Consequently, it did very well in the contest and ended up being my most popular video on my channel!

HYPNOTICASIA: What was it like entering and competing in the Jason Mraz cover contest and making it to Top 6?

DABIT: Amazing! I never thought that I deserved a spot in the top 6… I was even more thrilled that so many people actually enjoyed it and voted for me!

HYPNOTICASIA: Do you prefer collaborating with others or singing alone?

DABIT: If I could, I would be collaborating with someone in every video!

HYPNOTICASIA: If you could collaborate with an artist you haven’t worked with already, who would it be and why?

DABIT: I would love to collaborate with Clara C. one day~ I think she is a phenomenal singer-songwriter. Plus her voice just melts my heart!!!!

HYPNOTICASIA: Which Clara Chung song would you say is your favorite and why?

DABIT: “Offbeat” because it has such clever lyrics.

HYPNOTICASIA: Would you say your view on music changed since you started singing?

DABIT: Yes. After diving deeper into singing and music, I have developed a much deeper appreciation for the older artists as well as an unending thirst for new music!

HYPNOTICASIA: How often do you practice?

DABIT: I like to think of everything I do as practice or training. It has become more of a lifestyle than a set amount of time.

HYPNOTICASIA: If not music, what would you be doing instead?

DABIT: I would like to think that I would have become a master chef…hehe

HYPNOTICASIA: Who is your favorite K-POP artist?

DABIT: Currently I am obsessed with Zion.T I think his music is really fresh. He has such a distinct voice and style and I feel like there is so much to learn from it, just by listening.

HYPNOTICASIA: What are your future plans?

DABIT: Short term goal right now is to write more songs and prepare to release an album of some sort!

Be sure to check out his social media accounts below. Don’t forget to “Like,” “Follow,” and “Subscribe”

TWITTER: twitter.com/dabit1205
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/pages/David-Kim/53052693776
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/user/dabit1205?feature=watch

Tags: Dabit