We first featured Yuri in 2016 and in a blink of an eye, here we are again in 2020 finding out what she has been up to in the last 3 years.
First of all, I changed my artist’s name to Yuri TKA. “TKA” means Takase, which is my last name. I used my last name because I wanted identification as an artist.
Also I started to work with record labels since last year. It is a very great experience. I get to sing with a bunch of different tracks. Also I started writing songs in Japanese which is a great opportunity to represent my own culture.
This year will be a great year!
Where do you get your music inspiration from?
I get inspired from my daily life. I watch a lot of movies, shows, socializing with a lot of people, have girl talks etc… I think people give me lots of great inspiration.
If I force myself to write music, I can’t have much creative ideas for some reason. Always, ideas fall down on me unexpectedly.
What is your proudest achievement so far?
Definitely I have stronger connection with my fans. Compared to the beginning of my music career, I get my comments about my music from fans. I really appreciate them.
If you could collaborate with anyone past or present, who will it be?
I can’t tell a specific name. But I would love to collaborate with whoever respects my music. I’m not a fan of being controlled too much.
How is a typical day like for yourself?
Most likely going to the gym and working out and eating lots on the weekend, haha. I love eating. I mostly eat out with my girl friends on the weekend.
Do you have any other hobbies and interests?
I’m a dog lover. I have two dogs. They are my babies.
Which is your dream performance venue or event if you were given a choice?
I would like to perform in Japan again. Also my favorite place is NYC which means I have to work harder.
What exciting projects do you have planned for 2020?
I’m releasing my new EP in April. Then, I’m hosting a release event on April 16th in Vancouver, Canada.
My name is Cathy Kim and I am 23 years old. I was born in Sydney, Australia, but moved to S. Korea a few months after I was born. When I was 6, I moved to Dallas, Texas, lived there for 10 years and now I’m in the best of the west, California. I just graduated from UCSB’ 14. Go Gauchos! I am a singer, songwriter at ST5A MRMG in Downtown LA. I am slowly transitioning into a music producer. I also do food blogging on the side, because I love to eat and cook!
Where does your inspiration in music come from?
I began to play the piano since the age of 4, which is a typical thing to do growing up in an Asian family. Playing the piano was something really special to me. I believe it was the only thing that I knew I was really good at and I also knew I had the talent to pursue my career somewhere in the music industry. I wasn’t confident in education, it wasn’t something that I felt comfortable in.
My parents were very strict about me listening to Non-Christian music. They were a very strong spiritual family. However, I have been rebellious since the day I was born. Secretly, I loved to listen to Korean Pop. When my parents were away, I’d sneak on the computer to listen to the latest Korean Ballads, and Pop music.
I took something that I was good at, which is playing the piano and improvising, and what I love to listen together in the beginning year of my college. I was more free since I was further away from my strict parents. I was able to listen to K-Pop whenever I wanted. My musical abilities, and my love for K-Pop definitely brought this whole thing together.
What are some of the challenges artistes face in the competitive K-Pop market?
Back in the days, maybe about 3-5 years ago, it was all about how pretty or good looking the “idols” were, and this is just my opinion, and anyone can disagree. Now currently, I feel as if the superficial aspects of K-Pop is diminishing and it’s more about having multiple talent, which for me, is great. K-Pop industry also wants younger generations as trainees. So, now the older idols are less accepted and they stress about what is stored in next for them in their career. To satisfy a K-Pop fan is tough I think. One has to really be able to execute everything. If you are a dancer, it is recommended that you know how to rap and sing, and vice versa for the vocalists. If you don’t have that, the artist has to know how to entertain. Overall, it’s getting harder to become a K-Pop artist, you have to know how to sing, rap, dance, and entertain.
If you could have the opportunity to collaborate with anyone past or present, who will it be?
My style of writing is transitioning. As a classical trained pianist, it was a lot easier for me to write top lines for Pop. But as I have been taking vocal lessons, and practicing more of new style, R&B and Hip-Hop I personally would love to collaborate with AOMG, ZICO, CRUSH, ZION T, and DEAN.
What’s the most expensive item you have splurged on?
Hm… I’m trying to remember. I rarely go out to shop for clothes or anything. Money never came easy for me. My family always had a hard time. I earned my money through teaching piano and teaching swimming as well. But yes, now I do remember. I saved up about $1500 to buy myself a laptop for college. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I was able to download K-Pop music on to my computer and listen to it whenever I wanted.
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Can you recommend some of the best spots to party in Seoul?
I can’t answer you this one because I haven’t gone out to party in Seoul, just yet. But I heard Octagon and Arena are poppin’ right now.
If you had the choice of any superpower, what will it be and why?
Teleportation for sure. I want to travel the world. Listen to each culture’s music. I took ethnomusicology classes back in college. I love all kinds of music. I want to just teleport to places and experience their music world.
Which Disney character best represents you?
Ariel. She was rebellious, she learns her lessons through mistakes. She was willing to lose her voice to become human. I’d do anything to stay with music.
What guilty indulgences do you have for food?
Oh dear Lord… I do blog about food. My Instagram is just photos of food. My mom’s a chef. I can’t stop eating. I love Korean food. It’s in my blood. I love garlic, onions, vinegar, kimchi and rice.
Naughtiest thing you’ve done?
I’m an angel though… O:)
What’s sexy to you?
Confidence. I hear celebrities say this all the time, and I highly agree. If you are able to get past your insecurities and out of your comfort zone and accomplish what you want to do, that’s sexy in a woman.
Hi Bella, it’s a great pleasure to feature you on SimplySxy. Please share with our readers a little about yourself and where you’re from?
I want to start by saying, “Thank you for having me!” I am from Toronto, Canada but my nationality is Italian, hence the reason why my name is Bella Ricchi! I grew up on the west end of Toronto, and in the greater Toronto area (GTA). My family is 100% Italian so their traditions and culture made a big impact on my life. But because I come from such a diverse community I have learned so much about other cultures as well, and that has also made me who I am today.
How did your interest in music come about?
I took an interest in making music at a young age. At first, I was actually more fascinated by being on stage and performing the music instead of making it. I grew up listening to all sorts of music which has influenced my style a lot. I can be very diverse. When I was younger I went to dance school for 8 years, and it taught me to be able to pick up any rhythm. It’s helped me in all aspects of my music career thus far. Without having my capability to perform my music well, I don’t think I would have even made it this far. I just knew I wanted to be an entertainer.
Is there a reason why you love rap and hip hop in particular?
My love for writing, and recording music only came when I took interest to Hip Hop. I never really had the urge to write before. Me and my friend would chat online when I was 13, and we would write raps to diss each other back and forth. I loved the raw underground Hip Hop. It really spoke to me when I was turning into a rebellious teen. I didn’t really come from the ghetto, but for some reason I could relate to their mentality. Some rappers were angry, some boasted about themselves, some told stories, and some just made you want to get fucked up and party, and that’s exactly how I felt growing up listening to Hip Hop. I was angry and didn’t want to be like how the teachers wanted me to act in school. I didn’t like authority, and I just wanted to do my own thing. I turned to drinking and smoking with my friends, in some park or parking lots. That’s when I would share my songs I wrote. Me and my friends, well my “boys” cause I was the only girl who rapped in my whole school, would kick it and rap all night. Next thing you know word spread and I was known as “That chick who raps!” and the love for Hip Hop and making music was born in me.
What inspires you?
When I see or hear something that exceeds my expectations, or in simple words, “blows my mind” I get inspired. Anything I know that comes from pure, genuine hard work and talent inspires me.
You have a new single coming out next year, can you share with us about it?
Of course! I am so excited for it because it’s been such an exciting process just putting it all together. I connected with the producer, “Niknikateen” from LA on Instagram. I saw he produced for some of my favourite artists & I loved his style. We facetimed each other and that was that. We stayed in touch, and I flew out to LA like a year later and made this song, “CIRCULATE” with him. We had such a blast, I went back two months later and recorded more! I just recently shot the video with the amazing Toronto based video director “Chris Strikes”. I have worked with him on set before when he directed the Kardinal Offishall and Karl Wolf – Turn It Up music video I was one of the main models for, and I thought he was perfect guy for the job. I was so happy to have him direct it. This song is a Booty Shakin TRAP Anthem for the clubs, preferably Strip Clubs! It’s all about making it rain, girls dancing and making their money, and calling out the broke dudes in the club that ain’t spending, because we only want the ballers, of course. LOL
Is there a story behind it?
Of course! So you can just imagine what the video is going to be like. LOL! I don’t want to spoil it but all I gotta say is that it’s going to be hilarious. You’re going to see lots of ass and titties, money flying around, me acting like a boss all around this whole story line that is going to make you laugh your ass off. So stay tuned!!!!
What can fans look forward to your projects in 2016?
I took a step out of the scene for a bit to rebrand myself and take things to a higher level with my music. So a lot has changed for the better and 2016 is looking really exciting. I have some big collaborations coming up in the near future. Not only am I going to be working with some of Cash Money’s producers and writers, I’m flying to Italy to do a project with one of Italy’s biggest Producers and Rap Artists. I also have more singles coming out with these amazing rappers from Brooklyn, New York and another one with my homie NikNikateen from LA. The music will speak for itself so stay on the lookout in the new year.
If you have the opportunity to collaborate with any artiste, past or present, who will it be?
This is tough because there isn’t just one for me. I would probably have to pick someone that I admire greatly like Madonna, or Nicki Minaj, or even someone like Pharrell who has produced some of the best hit records in the world. I’d be happy to collaborate with anyone who inspires me really.
Thank you for taking your time to answer our questions on SimplySxy, Bella. One question before we end, how do you define “sexy”?
Thanks for having me once again. It was my pleasure!
To me, sexy can define many things. Even a car per say. For example a Lamborghini. Anything with over exceptional features could be sexy to someone. But just remember, sexy isn’t everything! If you are beautiful and have the brains to match, now THAT’S sexy 🙂
