From pre-release to official drop, few songs have generated as much ‘buzz’ as Korean singer, rapper, and producer B.I’s latest hip-hop track “BUZZIN,” created in collaboration with Coogie and GRAY.
A beloved figure in the Korean music industry, B.I joined forces with two standout artists who garner millions of streams. From his global hit “BTBT” featuring DeVita and Soulja Boy to Coogie’s “Alone (Feat. LeeHi),” each artist brings a proven track record to the collaboration. Together, they deliver a song that B.I describes as “proving yourself and learning to enjoy it.”
Describing themselves as “introverts,” the trio crafted a track that reflects a shared mindset, one that fans were already familiar with during B.I’s ASIA TOUR [THE LAST PARADE]. Spanning cities like Macau, Taipei, Bangkok, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur, the tour gave audiences an early listen, building anticipation that culminated in an emotional payoff upon the track’s official release.
Reflecting on the experience, B.I shared, “Even though the language is different in each city, every time I hear people singing along to the lyrics I wrote in one voice, I feel an overwhelming emotion that is hard to put into words. This tour feels less like a period for me and more like an exclamation point toward the next chapter.”
The track’s visualizer brings together footage from the tour, edited in a nostalgic ’90s retro film style. Designed by B.I as an intentional mood-setter, it captures the energy and emotion of the live performances. Watch it below!
In conversation with The Knockturnal, B.I opened up about the making of “BUZZIN,” from the pressure to deliver, to the intentional timing behind its release, and the creative flow he found working alongside Coogie and GRAY.
Ultimately, “BUZZIN” stands as both a statement of respect and a marker of new beginnings. As B.I put it, “You could say this is the stage of preparing to come back with something new before long.”
Read the full conversation below!
The Knockturnal: “BUZZIN” was first revealed during your Seoul concert, and fans who attended the tour had already experienced the song live before its official release. What was it like debuting the track in that concert setting and seeing the audience react to it for the first time?
B.I: I always thought of “BUZZIN” as a song that really comes alive on stage when I share that moment with the fans. When the intro first started, and I picked up the microphone, even though they didn’t fully know the lyrics yet, seeing the fans already moving to that unique rhythm is still very vivid in my memory. Performing a song live before its official release can feel like a kind of “gift,” but for me, it’s also the most thrilling moment to see the life of the song through the fans’ reactions.
The Knockturnal: Now that the track is out, the visualizer “BUZZIN” really captures the energy of performing on stage and feels like a tribute to those live moments from the tour. Now that the song is officially out and fans who were waiting since the concert can finally stream it, how has it felt seeing their reactions so far? Are the fans ‘buzzin’?
B.I: I’m glad to see that many people are revisiting the moments from the tour while watching the visualizer. I hoped that while listening to the song, they would be able to feel the atmosphere and the cheers from that time again. Every time I see reactions like “It’s finally out!”, I feel relieved because it seems like my feelings came across. I feel sorry for making everyone wait, but I wanted to make sure it was worth the wait.
The Knockturnal: The “BUZZIN” video feels more like a visualizer highlighting moments from the tour, with a nostalgic ’90s vibe. What was the creative choice behind presenting it this way instead of a full music video, and was it meant to capture the energy of the tour?
B.I: For this video, I wanted to focus more on a sense of presence and nostalgia rather than flashy direction. To capture the raw energy we shared during the tour, I felt that real footage from the stage and backstage suited it better than an artificial set.
I added a 90s-style texture because I thought the rough but deep nostalgia of the music from that era matched well with the hip-hop mood of this song. Rather than something sophisticated, I wanted to present scenes that would stay in people’s memories for a long time.
The Knockturnal: “BUZZIN” blends English and Korean lyrics and explores themes of overcoming hardships, personal growth, and celebrating success. With your verse, Coogie’s, and GRAY’s contribution highlighting rising from struggles, gaining confidence, and enjoying the momentum you’ve earned, what inspired this theme? Could you dive deeper into the lyrics and the songs message!
B.I: “BUZZIN” is ultimately about proving yourself and learning to enjoy it. Not just me, but Coogie, GRAY, and all of you have endured and pushed through in your own ways. After going through those uncertain times, I wanted to express the belief that now we can trust ourselves and allow ourselves to enjoy this flow.
The Knockturnal: This track brings you together with Coogie and GRAY, and you once described the three of you as pretty introverted, with you maybe being the “most extroverted” of the group. How did this collaboration come about? After being around each other in the industry for so long, what finally sparked?
B.I: All three of us are a bit shy, actually. We’ve respected each other’s music for a long time, so the process flowed very naturally. In the studio, we were able to communicate just by talking about music. I think the unique focus and synergy that comes when introverted people gather together is well reflected in this song.
The Knockturnal: Speaking of collaborations, since releasing your first solo album in 2021, you’ve worked with a range of global artists like Soulja Boy and Destiny Rogers while building your solo career. Looking ahead, is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with next?
B.I: I’ve been very grateful to have had many opportunities to work with amazing artists so far. Moving forward, I’d like to collaborate with artists whose voices feel like instruments themselves, without limiting it to a specific genre. Recently, I’ve also been interested in artists working with band sounds or very minimal R&B. Rather than naming a specific person, I’d welcome anyone who can completely mix our worlds together and create something totally unexpected.
The Knockturnal: You just wrapped up The Last Parade Asia Tour, which started in Seoul and took you across cities like Macau, Taipei, Bangkok, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur, connecting with fans across the region. Looking back, how was that experience for you, and now that the tour has come to an end, what’s next!
B.I: Starting in Seoul and going on tour across several cities, what I felt was that the reason I keep making music is ultimately the fans. Even though the language is different in each city, every time I hear people singing along to the lyrics I wrote in one voice, I feel an overwhelming emotion that is hard to put into words. This tour feels less like a period for me and more like an exclamation point toward the next chapter. Now that the tour has ended, I’m back in the studio building new sounds again. You could say this is the stage of preparing to come back with something new before long.
The Knockturnal: A fun question! Since the track is called ‘BUZZIN’’ I would love to know what you’re buzzing about these days? From food to songs to fashion choices?
B.I: These days, I’m really into clearing things out. I’ve been organizing my studio, or sometimes just going for a walk with no plan to clear my head. As for food, late-night meals while working in the studio are still what excite me the most. And lately, I’ve also been getting a lot of inspiration from the mise-en-scène of classic films that I started rewatching.
The Knockturnal: Finally, what message would you like to share with your fans, as well as new listeners who are curious about what’s next? Any words of thanks or hints about what’s to come? Thank you, B.I!
B.I: First of all, to ID who always stands by my side, I remind myself every moment that the love you give me is never something to take for granted. Thanks to you, I’m able to keep dreaming without stopping.
And for those who are discovering my music for the first time, I hope “BUZZIN” can be a small spark in your tiring days.
From now on, I’ll continue to reach you with the most honest music, without trying to dress it up. I’ll be back with some exciting news soon. Thank you.
As B. I shares, “This is just the next chapter.” With honest music B.I plans to keep coming out with music that builkds connection and warmth with fans and new listeners!
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