I don’t think we realised how much of an influence hip-hop culture had on us. It was all very natural.
From the 28/09/2026 to 26/11/2026, K-Music Festival returns in all its cultural glory.
On the opening day expect performances from names like; ‘acclaimed singer-songwriter’ Chang Kiha, and the ‘traditional Korean sounds’ of ADG7.
In this exclusive interview we turn our gaze to the other performers on the opening day, hip-hop siblings, Lil Cherry (30) rapper/songwriter and Goldbuuda (35) rapper/producer.
With their next single, Yummy 88 due for release in September, itchysilk caught up with the dynamic duo.
We start by discussing their introduction into hip-hop,
“Back home there was a K-hip-hop culture but at that time I did not really have much knowledge of US hip-hop.” Admits Budda fashionably dressed with black shades,
“In 6th grade my knowledge was only in the Billboard charts but once I went to Miami my knowledge of hip-hop culture really grew. In Miami you have dirty south/Southern hip-hop all over the place. Then, we had rappers like Lil Jon, Westside Boys and so I had to drop my crip walk (C-Walk)!” Budda smirks, “however I really started to engage with more underground names like; Trick Daddy, Crime Mob, Kodak Black, Lil Pump”
Lil Cherry, holds a cuddly toy across her knees adding,
“Back then I don’t think we realised how much of an influence hip-hop culture had on us. It was all very natural. And back then by the way Buuda and I shared one computer. Basically, I was listening to whatever Buuda was downloading on LimeWire. Buuda had a heavy archive of music he was listening to with lots of instrumentals. That period heavily influenced and directed the music we are making now.”
In 2015 that “foundation” of ‘K-hip-hop’ and ‘US hip-hop’ went on to create their viral hit Mukkbang (2015).
“Was I surprised” Lil Cherry states, when we discuss the reception to the track, “I was definitely surprised! I think that period really showed how timing is everything in the music industry and in life too. We had that track and the video out for a solid year.”
“I remember I went onto this Youtube channel in Korea called Dingo (딩고) where you put your songs together and then you do a live medley performance. Those clips then went viral and that is how Mukkbang blew up (I think on Tik-Tok)”.
She continues,
“This was before going ‘viral’ on Tik-Tok was a thing that people tried to do. We never planned or even knew what happened. Like we could not even get a grip on this whole phenomenon. People then started looking into ‘us’: It was such an interesting period and showed things can happen at the most unexpected times.
Adjusting his shades slightly, Buuda adds some weight to the recollection,
“Can I drop a secret though, like an exclusive”, I give a clear affirmative, who doesn’t like an exclusive, “Like this is a super exclusive in fact. We haven’t even told our fans but before it blew up, Coi Leray contacted us and wanted to get the song. We never talked about this to fans. I think I was just a little worried it might be sensitive. But I guess it’s been five years since the track, so I guess it’s ok now.”
There’s an amazing super traditional Korean group called ADG7. They are so cool and I am really excited to see them live. We are putting together a special performance with them.
“I completely forgot about that!” shocked by her own forgetfulness, “That’s right, she wanted the song. She was supposed to feature on the track, but she changed her mind once she heard the song. She wanted to change the title to Spoiled Milk and then put it on her album. But she knows what’s up though. Like the line that blew up in the performance video was the part where I say: don’t you cry over no spilt milk.”
Over the last five years, they have become bankable names with hits like 305 Lick (2020), 하늘천따지 1000 Words (2020) and Shrimp Tempura (2021).
As their debut performance at K-Music Festival draws closer, Cherry then proceeds to drop another exclusive.
“It will be a really special performance. There’s an amazing super traditional Korean group called ADG7. They are so cool and I am really excited to see them live. We are putting together a special performance with them. So, in fact, we are going into rehearsals with them very soon. We plan to feature on one of their tracks and vice versa. That will be a unique way to show our sounds: It’s new and old. So that will be an exclusive for the festival-Budda, and I really cannot wait-see you there!”
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