Writing with RM: A.Chic Breaks Down BTS’s ARIRANG (NORMAL, SWIM, Like Animals)

Welcome back to K-ALL! In this episode, host Angel sits down with the brilliant A.Chic (pronounced aye-sheek) , a Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping visionary and one of Spotify’s “Songwriters to Watch for 2026.” From shaping tracks for Jennie to co-writing the soundtrack of the year, A.Chic’s pen is changing the global music landscape.

But her biggest assignment yet came when she was handpicked as “the chosen one” to collaborate directly with RM (Kim Namjoon) for BTS‘s highly anticipated return. After an initial high-pressure studio session where A.Chic jokingly thought RM hated her, she received a 3:30 AM phone call that changed everything: RM didn’t just want to keep working with her—he wanted her to clear her schedule to help him anchor the emotional heart of ARIRANG.

Moving their sessions to an open-air house in Santa Monica, a profound trust was born. RM found a rare, safe creative sanctuary in A.Chic, allowing him to pull back the curtain on the intense pressure of the group’s legacy, their time away, and his fear of losing their deep connection with ARMY. The dynamite duo joined forces to co-write a flawless five-track run: “SWIM,” “NORMAL,” “Like Animals,” “Body to Body,” and “Hooligan.”

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Transcript:

Angel: Hello everyone and welcome to K-ALL. I’m your host Angel and today we are here with a Billboard Hot 100 chart topping songwriter whose lyrics has touched hearts across the globe. From Jennie and Cortis to “BT-UH from everywhere to Korea,” her pen has shaped the soundtrack of 2026. Give it up for the brilliant A.Chic (AyyeChic).

A.Chic: Hey. Oh my god, I’m just getting my voice back. So, that was a weak little woo, but [laughter]

Angel: it’s okay. It was adorable. I loved it. Thank you so [clears throat] much for being here. Why don’t you introduce yourself?

A.Chic: I’m good with words and until I get to this part. Hi everybody. I’m A.Chic. I’m a songwriter, artist, creative director, stylist, but today we will be talking about the creative process, I guess, and and you know, just me as a songwriter.

Angel: Yes, absolutely. And it’s very exciting. So why don’t you share with the audience these songs that you worked on specifically for ‘ARIRANG’?

A.Chic: Specifically for ‘ARIRANG’. So I worked on “SWIM,” “NORMAL,” “Like Animals,” “Body to Body,” and “Hooligan.”

Angel: Absolutely Incredible lineup right there.

A.Chic:  All my favorites, honestly.

Angel: My favorites, too. I adore those tracks. And I really want to congratulate you on being named one of Spotify’s songwriters to watch for 2026.

A.Chic: We love when you when the research is done. Thank you.

Angel: Of course. You deserve to have research properly done. You’re an incredible human being and I had to congratulate you truly. Especially I was so inspired by how you opened up about how you hadn’t written for about 5 years. There was a point where you put down the pen and then you said how “God will go to great lengths to get you back in position.” So, I’m kind of curious if you could take us back to that turning point and how you ended up on this massive project. How did that unfold for you?

A.Chic: Oh my gosh, I just love the research also. Like, I feel so seen.

Angel: I do see you.

A.Chic: Oh, I appreciate that.

There was definitely a time where the the music business is tough. I don’t think you’re really an artist if you haven’t quit at least 100 times. So, or an entrepreneur at all. You know what I mean? like we all get, shoot, I quit 48 hours ago. I was like, I quit. My my lawyer and my management are like, no, you don’t. I was like, okay, baby, you’re right. Um, but yeah, it was definitely a time where I felt like things were very heavy and I was just kind of done with music. Um, not that I didn’t love it. I think, you know what, let me correct myself. I wasn’t done with music, I was done with the business. There’s a big difference, right? I ended up going to Atlanta just basically like on a vacation. I was just like calling some friends that I knew and one of those friends happened to be a producer named Needlz. And Needlz goes to me. He’s like, “What are you doing? You’ve just been gone and like where you been at?” And I’m like, “Man, I’m done with this. Like, I’m out of here.” [laughter] And he’s like, “No, you’re not. Come to Atlanta, you know, give it a try. Go pack.” Because I’m from South Florida originally. So, he was like, “Come to Atlanta and give it a try.” And I was just like, “You know what? What have I got to lose? Fine, I’ll do it.” And here we are.

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Angel: Here we are. Incredible. Amazing. So, what was the very first meeting like with the BTS members? And how did you break that songwriting ice to get to a place where you could write so transparently from the heart? Because that’s a big project to be a part of and a big space to be involved in with your own creative spirit.

A.Chic: That’s such a great question. So, the “Tea” is: girl, I thought RM hated me [laughter] when I first Yes. So,

Angel: No way!

A.Chic: So, when I first worked with him, I got the call from an A&R named Nicole Kim, who shout out to Nicole, she is absolutely Nicole has such an ear and an eye for talent and she’s so gifted and just an amazing spearhead. I first worked with Nicole when we were doing um the Jennie Ruby album. She was working on the Jennie Ruby album. I did Zen with Bibi Bourelly, Jelli, and a producer named Pluss. Nicole called me.

Angel: so good.

A.Chic: Thank you. So Nicole called me like a year later and was like, “Hey, would you want to work on BTS?” And I was like, “Girl, is water wet?” Um, exactly. I didn’t I didn’t say that part. That was just going through my head. I was like, “Okay.” But then, you know, you got to play it cool. So, I was like, “Oh, yeah, girl. Okay.” And um she So, then I didn’t hear from her for like four months. [snorts] So, then she hits me again one day and she’s like, “Hey, so those BTS sessions.” And I was like, “Yeah, like just let me know.” She goes, “You’re going to be working with RM.” And I’ll be very very transparent. I was very familiar with BTS, but I wasn’t fully familiar with the actual members and their roles. And so I did my research and I was like, “Oh, okay. He’s the lead of the group and stuff.” So I was like, “All right, cool.” Like, “Let’s let’s do it.” So the day that I get there, me and Derrick actually walked up at the same time. Shout out to Derrick. And I’m like, and I’m like, “Derrick, do you know what we’re doing?” And he’s like, “No, do you?” And I’m like, “Come, no, I don’t.” And we were just like, “All right, we’re about to find out.” So, I get there and basically they just started explaining to me the guys’ stance and like where they are and how they have a bunch of incredible songs that they’ve kind of already picked out, but they need these songs to be a little bit more personal to them. So, I was like, okay. So they put like a a couple, you know, a stack of like songs in front of me and they were just like, “A lot of these are, you know, great melodies already and and the ideas are somewhat there, but they don’t really feel unique and personal to the guys just yet.” And that’s where they wanted my help. And I was like, “Okay, well, cool. Let’s let’s figure it out.” So RM comes in and he’s very very nice, but a a serious man. And and I was just like, “Hi.” And he said, “Hi.” And so we’re first sitting there and the first record we began to work on was “SWIM.” And “SWIM” originally had like a more relationship tone. It was more about like doting on a woman. And they were just like, you know, we kind of want this to be more universal. So I was like, well, maybe we could just make it about like swimming through life. There’s a lot of people that are having a hard time. Life is lifing for a lot of people. And I think that, you know, music is supposed to tell the time, right? It’s supposed to narrate the times. let’s maybe make this more about navigating life. Yeah. And they were like, “Okay, yeah, we love that.” So, we’re sitting there and, you know, we’re coming up with lyrics and all this stuff. And at first, a lot of the things that I’m like throwing out their arms like, “No, that’s not really it. No, that’s not really.” And I’m like, “Oh, boy.” Okay.

Angel: Like, uh oh. [laughter]

A.Chic: And then finally after like maybe three hours, he was like, you know, I don’t really want to work on this anymore. And I was like, oh crap. So, I was like, okay. Okay. So, I was like, well, you know, I’m very grateful for the time. Thank you for having me, X, Y, and Z. So, in my mind, I was like, well, there’s that, you know. So, then I get a call at like 3:30 in the morning from Nicole and she’s like, RM loves you and he really wants to work with you for the next few days. And I was like, what? What are you talking about? And um she’s like, he really wants to work with you for like the next few days. Like, can you please like clear your schedule? And I was supposed to fly out of town the next day. So I was like, “Let me see what I can do.” So I started like messaging all my like collaborators that I was supposed to collaborate with out of town and I was just like, “Guys, I’m working on a big project.” I couldn’t say what it was at the time, but I was like, “I’m working on a big project. Like, can you guys just give me some grace?” And they were like, “Absolutely.” So I called Nicole back and I’m like, “Okay, you got me for the next like week and a half.” And she’s like, “Okay, perfect.” The next day they’re like, “Well, he doesn’t want to work in the studio.” And I was like, “Okay.” and they’re like, “He wants to work in open air.” And I was like, “All right, open air it is.” They rented us a house in Santa Monica. And we actually finished “SWIM” in front of the ocean, which was really, really cool.

Angel: That is really nice.

A.Chic: And after that, the next song we moved on to was “NORMAL,” which you see in the Netflix clip. Um, us working on “NORMAL” and us just really like discussing what their normal is. Yeah. and how to make the song because RM is very big on like things not feeling he very much wants to feel connected. He wants the fan base to feel connected. He doesn’t want it to feel very like you know like you’re over here like I’m up here and you’re down here. He doesn’t he doesn’t want that. So that’s where we started like really trading those ideas and just me having to encourage him and just being like hey you should say the things you want to say. Like exactly me I don’t give a damn. You know what I mean? [clears throat] I’m I’m spitfire. So, it was very easy for me to just be like, “Say it. Say it.” You know what I mean? To give him a push. Exactly. So, that was basically like the beginning of it. And what I came to realize in hindsight, what I thought was that he didn’t like me. It It absolutely wasn’t that. It was the pressure of being away for so long and not knowing how your fans were going to receive you, not knowing if they would receive this new sound, being in a new space in your life and wanting to convey that new space and you know, how do you do it and not lose the people that have been with you since day one? So, it was all of these a range of emotions. And once he started opening up about those things and I realized how much he cared and how important this stuff was, it was easy for me to jump into like compassion mode and honestly into like sister mode and just be like, “No, like you can say it like the people are going to love you guys. People don’t just abandon people they love. It’s okay.” You know what I mean? So, that was absolutely that’s really beautiful.

Angel: It’s incredible. I think that the fact that you were able to work and collaborate like that so incredibly even after the initial fear of oh wo I don’t think he likes me. It’s more there was a respect for you and the fact that you knew how to communicate with him and pull emotions out that maybe he was afraid to face after everything he experienced within the military and then coming back and writing this groundbreaking music. So, it’s really exciting to learn about that process. And I love how you mentioned about his emphasis on that connection with the fans and wanting to feel like there isn’t a hierarchy. I think that’s something that comes out in “Body To Body” a little bit, although that wasn’t the original intention of the lyrics. So, I’d love to hear more about how that unfolded. [laughter]

A.Chic: So, “Body To Body” was definitely also like a little bit. It was more what’s the word I’m looking for? Sensual.

Angel: Yes.

A.Chic: It was originally more sensual and I was just like, well, maybe we can kind of make it more about like a crowd, you know what I mean? And lean more into that. I know Teezo Touchdown who who worked on it as well. But when RM and I kind of sat there, we were just like imagining what that would feel like again, more so what their initial reactions are going to be and just like that crowd feeling again, like that warm-up, which made which only made sense that the song kicked the project off. I didn’t know originally that they were going to use that song to start the project. And I also didn’t know that they were going to add the Arirang folk song at the end, which not for nothing, when I heard the album and I heard that part, I was like, “Oh, that’s brilliant.” Yeah, that was that was really, really cool.

Angel: Mhm. It moved me. It was so emotional, especially the fact that they were able to tie that human intimacy and connection that you discussed with RM and then also bring in their Korean heritage and their roots and combining that holistically. And I know you also had a chance to watch the Netflix live Seoul performance and see your songs come to life. So, I’d love to hear your experience with that. Was that your first time seeing them? And how did it feel hearing the music?

A.Chic: That was my first time seeing them in concert. Yes. And I won’t lie, I was like, “Oh, I get it. [laughter] I Yes, I get it. I like I like I got it before, but I get it. Get it now.” Yeah. It’s so crazy cuz Derrick and I were texting. Derrick was was also in in Seoul at the time. And so was Ink. Shout out to Ink. She worked on 2.0. We were all kind of there watching it and it I think at one point like we we couldn’t even look at our phones. was just so just like, oh my gosh. You know what I mean? Like just the energy of just being in Seoul. Korea is just it’s such an a one-of-a-kind place that has just such a magnetic just it it’s such a magnetic peaceful like wholesome energy. They know how to party, don’t get me wrong. Like they know how to party, [laughter] but it’s weird because they know how to party, but they’re not belligerent and like rude and you know what I mean? They’re just like we just want to have a good time.

Angel: Exactly.

A.Chic: And so everybody was just there in like support and and unison just like singing all the songs. It was honestly just magnetic. It really really was like magical. It was like really crazy just being able to witness it in Seoul that really added to the whole, you know, to the whole energy of everything and then hearing the songs and everything. And I know like at the time I think RM had just injured his ankle so he was sitting down on the stage at first and they’re doing the choreo and stuff and honestly it just made me gain even more respect for him because I was like oh this guy is not he’s not letting anything stop him. Like he’s like a show is what we promised and a show is what y’all are going to get.

Angel: Absolutely. Yeah.

A.Chic: And that’s true showmanship. And and they performed the record so well. And at first I was like, well, I don’t know how everybody’s going to really receive the music cuz I believe I feel like the album had came out that day. I think it was right away. It was like right away, but they had to do it because they were shooting it because then the Netflix doc was going to air like the next week. So everything was kind of like, you know, fast. So I was like, “Dang, I wonder how like the people are going to But let me tell you something. The ARMY, oh honey, they don’t care.” They were on top. They was on top of it. They knew the songs. They knew lyrics. I was like, “Well, damn. This music has been out for all the 12 hours.” Like, “Yeah, this is crazy.” So, that was that was a really cool moment.

Angel: It is really cool. I’m glad that you got to experience that and witness the passion of the fans and see how it really ignites the group as a whole when they’re performing on stage. And I truly believe that RM possesses one of the greatest minds in contemporary culture. So, I’m kind of curious, what was that creative chemistry like when your two worlds collided and you combined your beautiful brain and perspective with his lyrics and storytelling once you knew he liked you, once you got along?

A.Chic: Yeah. I think the cool thing about us was that the respect between creative to creative being a woman and a double minority at that I’m a Black woman. Being a black woman in foreign spaces is not always easy. It’s not always easy to navigate and sometimes even internally you wonder like do I belong here or is there room for me? Is there space for me? And I think that I didn’t feel that not one time like working with him. There was a a great respect for my lyricism, for my perspectives, for the way that I deliver things. You know, even if it is a little more western leaning, the demographics we create very differently. But I think that that was really what I think that was what really made the rooms unique and special was like me respecting his lyricism and how he creates and him respecting my lyricism and how I create and you know we were both bringing ideas, we were both bringing lyrics, we were both you know shaping these stories even if there was a a disagreement per se, it was never like I can’t even call it a disagreement. It may have just been a challenge of the minds. You know what I mean? So, it’s like absolutely if he thinks that we should say, “Oh, you know what? This is a true story.” In “SWIM,” one lyric we went back and forth with for about two hours. I can’t make this up. Was I could spend a lifetime watching you. So, the original lyric was I could spend a lifetime watching you. And I said, well, maybe we can change it to Wonder Where the Waves Are Taking You. So, we did a toss up between Wonder Where the Waves Are Taking You and I could spend a lifetime watching you for almost two hours. I cannot make this up.

Angel: Wow.

A.Chic: Like we were going back and forth, back and forth. I really liked I Wonder Where the Waves Are Taking You because I was like, if it’s about life, it just felt introspective. And he was like, I like that, but there’s something about I could spend a lifetime watching you. Like, they both feel really good. And then we settled on Wonder Where the Waves Are Taking You. And then I think at the very last minute when they actually cuz I didn’t go in to record with them. We we did theirs and they went off and recorded. So when they recorded I think he said that the members really really liked I could spend a lifetime watching you. So they ended up going with I could spend a lifetime watching you because it resonated. And he’s very big on making sure like even though he and I worked together so closely he never leaves his brothers out. Like he never ever ever leaves his brothers out. He’s always just like, I want to make sure that there’s a space for him. This one can sing this. So, I could do that. Okay. This one is stronger here. This one is stronger there. And just always making sure that there’s like room and and always being just very considerate of how they may feel singing a lyric or how they how comfortable they might be. So, that was literally like one of the stories that happened.

Angel: That’s amazing. That’s a really beautiful story and I think it’s incredible because it showcases the importance of two minds coming together creatively to come up with something. But even after a 2hour stretch over one singular line, that final moment of him speaking with his members, speaking with the rest of BTS kind of ultimately made that decision of I could spend a lifetime watching you. But it doesn’t invalidate the conversations you had because that was part of the creative process.

A.Chic: All of it is a part of the process. And the thing is is that the biggest thing about the creative process is you cannot enter a room with ego. You you just can’t. I personally don’t work in rooms with ego. Like if there’s too much ego in the room, I’m like, maybe this isn’t the space for me. It’s it’s just one of those things where it’s stifling. It doesn’t allow for actual magic and God and all of these things to take place. And I personally don’t want to create without those things. I think that being able to work with him, like I said, and and us having that debate or not even really debate, but just the back and forth over like a singular line and then them ultimately settling on what’s best for them. The first thing you have to always know as a songwriter or just as a creative, whether you’re a producer, songwriter, you know, lyric, whatever, just because an idea might not be right for the song or might be might not be right for the moment, it doesn’t mean it’s not good. It doesn’t mean it’s not good. It just means it’s not right for this. It’s almost like, girl, you know when you try on an outfit and you’re like, do I wear these shoes or do I wear these shoes? Both shoes are a contender. And I love both shoes. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have both shoes. But for this outfit, we want the pumps.

Angel: That’s right. [laughter] That’s right. Perfect analogy.

A.Chic: So, that’s just how that works. And when you and when you just understand that it’s not about something being good or bad, it’s more about something being what’s best. You just continue navigating and keep swimming. Exactly. Keep swimming.

Angel: It’s all you can do. And another thing I really love is you shared a beautiful piece of advice from Dallas Austin on your social media, too, that says there’s a song in every sentence. Which I love that cuz I firmly believe it. So, I’m kind of curious. What is the most vivid conversation you had with RM that unexpectedly sparked a brilliant lyric on one of these songs?

A.Chic: Oo, that is a good You know what? I would probably I would probably say that about “NORMAL.”

Angel: Oh, okay.

A.Chic: I would probably say that about “NORMAL” because “NORMAL” we had to do a lot of digging. I don’t want to say too much of what certain conversations were because I think that’s just not really a trustworthy thing to do with any artist. You know, when you’re in an artist creative space, it’s a sacred space. So, you just want to be respectful of certain things. But I think that what I can say or what I will say is I remember like when we were when I was asking him what their normal is and he was like, “We’ve been doing this since we were practically kids.” You know what I mean? So, I can’t just go and get a cup of coffee, you know? I can’t just like walk down the street, you know. And he’s like, the way my life is set up, he’s like, I get up, we might be able to go to the gym, we go to the studio, you know, I come home, I try to like get a little bit of rest. I try to, you know, whatever. And as he’s explaining all of these things, one of the lines that I was like, “Well, you don’t have a second to really turn off.” And so when we said, “Wish I had a minute just to turn me off.” We were like, “What are things that you turn off?” Yeah. You know what I mean? Like, you turn off TV, you turn off lights, and it’s like, “But what about turning off your mind?”

Angel: Exactly.

A.Chic: Like, I don’t get an opportunity to turn my mind off. So, that was that was definitely like that conversation. Um, it definitely, you know, sparked that and this sparked the lyrics for Normal for sure.

Angel: That’s incredible

A.Chic: oh my god, as I like walk down the street and get my matcha in [laughter] peace. Like so yeah.

Angel: Yeah, it resonates with you on a deeper level cuz that is such an emotionally beautiful lyric. The first time I heard that like the wish I had a minute just to turn me off, it really struck me. It was like a like even the delivery of it is so emotional. So it’s beautiful to learn the story behind it. And I also want to talk to you about Hooligan because I know that you were involved in the lyrical process on that track too. And that one was like one of the more polarizing tracks at first on the album because it’s got that classical sample, the metallic percussion.

A.Chic: Yeah. It’s like insane.

Angel: But I think the lyrics are really cool. So I want to dive deeper into that. How did that unfold?

A.Chic: “Hooligan” was kind of like what it was for the most part when they brought it. [snorts] Um they just really loved it. Like they really really loved it. So I was just like looking and I’m just like what parts of this could we make it like more you and stuff like that. So you know as we like kind of comb through like shout out MarcLo. MarcLo also like worked on “Hooligan” and he’s like one of the best songwriters and just dope creatives. “Hooligan” like when I heard it it was already so dynamic and so polarizing and so just like damn like this is hitting like you know what I mean? So I was like okay like [laughter] we right. Um that’s right. So yeah. So “Hooligan” already kind of had this and even that laugh he’s like the laugh is it like the laugh is crazy.

Angel: It is crazy.

A.Chic: The laugh is crazy. So that was one of the ones that it had like a lot of shaping. We didn’t really need to do much in terms of like changing the direction. We tweaked the lyrics like a little just to feel more relatable to them. But that one they had already had that record in like such a great place. So by the time it us

Angel: nice. That’s really cool cuz one of my favorite parts is like the “crowd looking like a campus beat drop / We still dancing.”

A.Chic: Yeah. Yep.

Angel: I’m obsessed with that.

A.Chic: Yeah. And then they did translate a lot of it as well. Believe that one they translated a lot of. So the thing is is like when they translate a lot of the records that is like a whole other process. Like I obviously don’t speak Korean maybe I do. I learned kansamnida the other day which is thank you. So I learned that that’s about as far as it goes. Finding like certain parts that just made it feel like more them just kept the energy going and then you know they were able cuz creating songs for them is a process. It’s not a linear process. There’s a lot that goes into it. There are a lot of creatives. We all play a role. We all play very significant roles because the bigger things are is the more hands it takes. Absolutely. And so, you know, that’s that’s a big part of it. The songs will come to us. We’ll do what needs to be done. And then they also just decide like, hey, we’re going to have this translated into Korean because they were very big again on just like not abandoning their Korean fan base. It’s like, okay, do we leave this part because we’re going to have that part translated or this part we need to take it and make it feel more like them. Hooligan was one of the ones that was in a great great great space. So, I’m really happy I was able to come in and just help to amplify it and make it a bit better and but shout out to the guys that that kicked that one off cuz they they killed it.

Angel: They really did. They absolutely killed it. It’s a great song. I do want to throw in a little bit of “Like Animals” because that song has it’s one of my favorites, too.

A.Chic: It’s my it’s my favorite.

Angel: All the lyrics are gorgeous. So what? Your shadow’s a mess. I’m walking with my own dirt and everything.

A.Chic: Girl, I ate with that.

Angel: You [laughter] Okay, so that was you. So let’s talk about it. Let’s talk about it cuz you did. It’s such a gorgeous lyric.

A.Chic: You know, I have, you know, RM and I So like animals is my favorite song on the project and I love it because I am a poetry girl. I love a deep introspective—I’m an Aquarius so it I love anything that makes the brain go whoosh. You know what I mean?

Angel: I’m a Pisces so I get it.

A.Chic: Oh water. Water. So yeah as Pisces you you Pisces you guys are so what’s the word I’m looking for? whimsical and just like you you guys are just very intuitive and just like deep because you’re water, you know what I mean? So, you’re just like deep thinkers and like all the things. So, you get it.

Angel: I get it.

A.Chic: But like animals is my favorite. It’s my favorite song that I was like able to work on. When when I first heard it, that one was started, I believe, by Artemas and Beau Nox, I believe. Shout out to both of those guys. Originally that record was more again sensual and not tumultuous but like it was just sensual and I was like well maybe we can make it about again like something about like just going after life fearlessly and they were like okay like we really like that. So we’re sitting there and we’re trading lyrics and that’s where I really I call myself Chic.speare every now and again. [laughter] I love it. You know, so that was where I really got to pull Chic.speare out. I was like, “Okay, let’s do this.” So, I think that, like you said, “so what your shadow is a mess, I’m walking with my own dirt.” I think my favorite lyric that I was able to contribute on that record and probably on the whole project was definitely beauty. Uh, “there’s beauty outside control.”

Angel: I wrote that down. It’s my favorite, too.

A.Chic: And I remember when I wrote when I wrote that one down, RM and Yun the A&R that was sitting with us, her name’s Yun, shout out to Yun. She’s amazing. They both looked at me like, oh, oh, we’re we’re getting really poetic here. And I was like, please, [clears throat] let’s do it. I love a poetic moment. So, yeah. So, there there there’s there’s beauty outside control is because I just live my life like that. And I think that was the last song we worked on. Six feet into the sand. There’s there there’s creatures that made a whole do speak. I’m begging you. Please, there’s beauty outside control. Sorry, I write so many songs. I’ll be having to like

Angel: It’s all good. Go back. I love it.

A.Chic: When I was able to spit that lyric out and I just saw his face and I saw Yun’s face when I said that one and I think that there’s beauty outside control. It was definitely me speaking to him, myself, to people. It was a sum of all the conversations we had had about the restrictions and feeling like, okay, what do I say? What do I this? The parameters, you know what I mean? And and it was just almost like, what if we just said what we wanted to say and we just went for the madness. So even in the hook like eat this life till your heart is full. Go after it. You know what I mean? Go after all the things. Take me into your deep. I want to lay in your world. So what your shadow’s a mess. I’m walking with my own dirt. It’s really just about you don’t have to be perfect and it’s okay if you’re not perfect cuz I’m not perfect either. You’re a mess, I’m a mess. Let’s go be messes together.

Angel: Exactly.

A.Chic: So, yeah. So, Like Animals, Like Animals is an absolutely beautiful song. It is by far my favorite song on the project. It’s one of my favorite songs ever that I’ve been able to just write like of all the records that I’ve been blessed to be a part of throughout the duration of my career. That is definitely one of my all-time favorites. I love that record. So good. So good. I love that record.

Angel: I think we all need to thank Chic.speare for your work, for your service, for giving us the most heartfelt, beautiful lyrics. Seriously, cuz whenever I’m having a hard day and I’m being down on myself, cuz I’m a perfectionist, too. another Pisces struggle. So, I need to remind myself like we are all beautiful messes on this earth. Everybody’s got their own dirt.

A.Chic: Hey, everybody’s got their own dirt. And I think that’s myself. That’s them. That’s everybody. That’s, you know, the lady down the street that’s the the biggest artist in the world. It doesn’t matter. Like, everybody’s got their shadows. Everybody’s got their own dirt. And we can just be like the animals. Like, you know, we could we could literally just like live life. Like the animals aren’t really out here concerned with what people got to say or how people feel. They just are living life. Drinking water, eating grass, eating other animals, whatever. [laughter] They just out of life. Exactly. So, we should be like the animals.

Angel: We should be like the animals. It’s so true.

A.Chic: Thank you for having me. You are absolutely like the sweetest. I’ve had like such a good time. Like the time is like flying. It doesn’t even feel like we It is flying.

Angel: It really is. that like I have an arsenal of questions for you, but out of respect of this beautiful situation, I’m going to be mindful and only ask one, maybe two [laughter] to close us out. But one of the questions I really had is that throughout this whirlwind of success, you’ve constantly given God all the glory in your celebration post. I’ve noticed him as a very common thread on everything. So, I’m kind of wondering, was there a specific undeniable moment when you were writing during these sessions that you felt him working through you and helping you with specific obstacles?

A.Chic: I think that I feel God in every session I go in, whether it’s BTS or, you know, Kash Doll or Saweetie or Jennie or whatever it is, like any session that I go into, um, God is present. Um, and it’s impossible for God not to be present when you’re doing an act of service, right? So songwriting is a service. You’re you’re you’re there providing a service.

Angel: Yeah. Right.

A.Chic: So like you’re finding lyrics, you’re finding melodies, you’re ultimately you’re morphing into somebody else. You’re taking on somebody else’s shadows and and and their skin and you’re trying to become them and get into their brain as best as you can to convey whatever it is that they want to say because your job is to help them find the words for emotions that they don’t know how to and sometimes they they do. Right? So that’s where conversation in the studio, shout out Dallas, is important. Right? There was a time where I used to think or and there’s some people that still think that way like you get in the studio and it’s just like, “Yo, what’s up?” Yeah. All right. Turn the beat on. No. Yeah. Right. No. We going to sit here. How’s your day? What did you eat today? What’s your sign? Where’d you grow up? And it’s not like an interview, but it’s more in a just a flow. You know what I mean? Cuz then you sit there and you talk for like 30 minutes and now it’s like, “Got it. Now I kind of have an idea of what they will say, what they won’t say. And then you build that bond and God is the only thing that can be present in the midst of that. You can’t you can’t do that without him. You know, at least for me, I can’t do it without him. during any during all of my sessions like I said anytime you are placed in an environment to provide a service because for me like you know I was raised in church like I received Jesus as my savior lord so like was a person that was he provided services he washed feet he went around he did you know what I mean so for me it’s like not above that so it’s the same humility and that’s why it kind of goes back to what I was saying where I was like I don’t really do well with creating in spaces that are full of ego or spaces where we don’t know how to be respectful of each other’s gifts. That’s like that’s the biggest thing. You know, we have to be respectful of each other’s gifts and what everyone brings to the table, whether it’s melody or lyric or conversation or even if you’re a person that just has a really great ear and you’re like, nah, like don’t do it like that. Like, can we find another option? Can we this? Like all of it is important.

Angel: It actually reminded me of the lyric to swim with the name a place that I could be on this map, world. Looking like a goody goody in this bad or breathe on this map because it’s that whole idea of being one with each other. No one’s above anyone, no one’s below anyone. We all bring something creatively to the table and being in other creators presence is a gift and it is God who allows for this all to be orchestrated. So you don’t want to have that ego when you’re in a space like that creating something so powerful. It’s a service not just to the artist that you’re working with, but also to the world who gets to hear the music afterwards.

A.Chic: Exactly. And even in “SWIM,” you know, another one of my favorite lyrics on the project. But it was when it was in the um in the prehook when when we said it was right here with the moon and the sharks. I don’t have to think about a thing. I just swim. And it was funny because at first we were like trying to find a word and RM is like, I really like the word shark. And I was like, “What?” I was like, “Okay.” And at first he was like, “Oh, haha.” And then he like, you know, we’re we’re talking about other things and he kind of comes back to it and he’s like, “No, I really really like the word shark.” He’s like, “I don’t I don’t know.” And I was like, “Maybe we could say the moon and the sharks.” Like the moon and the Because at first I think we were like, “Oh, the moon and the stars.” And it’s like, “No, that’s cheesy.” And we’re like, “Oh, the moon and the sharks.” And I’m like, that’s actually kind of fire. Like the moon, the sharks, like and everything like from the lowest of the low like sharks are super below and the moon is all the way. I was like, we actually ate with that. I was like one of those lines we’re like collaborating on and we’re like he’s like ‘shark’ and I’m like ‘moon and sharks’ you know what I mean? Like so and that’s how the creative process works a lot of times too. It’s so collaborative. Somebody might start a line and you finish the line or you did the whole line and then they come in with the second one and that’s the only actually like get make it happen.

Angel: Yeah. And get right here with the moon and the sharks. So brilliant. I love that line. You’re welcome. And I did want to ask you just cuz you mentioned the co-writing process. You also worked on Zen for Jennie which we spoke about prior and that is Chic.speare. Like those lyrics are stunning. So, can you talk to me a little bit about your favorite lyrics on that project? Because oh my god,

A.Chic: in the dark I grew. I can tell you that right now.

Angel: Midnight Bloom. In the dark I grew.

A.Chic: In the dark I grew. So Bibi Bourelly, shout out to her. I got a call from Pluss, my guy. He’s an amazing amazing producer. He called me. I was living in Atlanta at the time and he’s just like, “Hey, we got Bibi Bourelly over here. She’s looking for somebody to write with today, but she wants like girl girly energy, like girl to girl energy. I was like, “Okay, cool. I’ll pull up.” It was my first time working with Bibi. Um Bibi is an otherworldly brilliant mind. Like her her mind and the way that it shapes things and where she pulls things from sonically, it is it’s otherworldly. It It’s not normal. Like, it’s it’s insane. So “Zen” came about because we were just there having conversations. Nicole Kim was there and we’re just there having like you know girls just talking again conversation in the studio at the time. I was really really tired cuz I owned a cafe in Atlanta and I was like running my coffee shop and and writing music and doing all the things and I was so exhausted and we’re just sitting there and just having like the conversation with with other strong women. It was just kind of like giving me energy, you know. And I remember like we were talking and I was just like, you know, I am who I am and I dare somebody to try to shake me. And Bibi looked at me and was like, I dare you shake me. And she was like, then she just starts going off. And she’s like, I dare you shake me. I dare you shake me. And she’s like, we need to have a beat that’s like boom boom boom. And like all this stuff. And plus is looking at her like, um, okay. And Zen just starts like coming to life. And wow. Like it needs to feel like command. and she’s like down now. And she starts like saying all this stuff and then we’re going now we’re like going back and forth on lyrics. I said something like, you know, I am what you think about me. Whatever you heard about me, like that’s what it is. So, we’re throwing all these things and me and Bibi like we’re co-writing the the first half of it, which was the actual first verse and the prehook. My girl Jelli came in later on and she helped with the hook. So, we just had like a lot of the first half and then Nicole Kim called me and she was like, “Hey, she we really really love Zen.” She was like, “Do you mind finishing the rest of the record?” And I was like, “Sure.” So, I went to a studio in LA called Westlake and I wrote the second half of the of the song. And again, you know, that that record will forever mean a lot to me as a woman, as a creative, as somebody that has to power through things when you want to do them, when you don’t want to do them. You know, thick skin, layered like chains on chains on chains. I wear the pressure on my neck and rings, rain, midnight bloom in the dark, I grew. And even those are some of my I have a couple songs where I’m like, these are some of my favorite lyrics ever. And that I might tattoo those lyrics on me.

Angel: You should.

A.Chic: I just I might.

Angel: I support it

A.Chic: cuz baby those lyrics were experience. And when I saw the people on Twitter like just quoting that part specifically. Even when Jennie would do her interviews and talk about like how “Zen” was like one of her favorite records and or was her favorite record, like that was a different level of of of um fulfillment for me and and gratitude because again, you’re not really doing your job if you’re not like speaking to people’s emotions, speaking to absolutely you know what they feel. And it doesn’t matter what it is. It doesn’t always have to be introspective. I don’t care if it’s, you know, it’s Friday and I I just got a check and now I’m outside. Like, that’s an emotion. Speak to it.

Angel: Yes. Every emotion is valid.

A.Chic: Every emotion is every emotion is valid. Midnight bloom in the dark, I grew. Honey, I’m still growing in the dark some days. So, that that. Yeah, we all are.

Angel: We’re all messes. [laughter]

A.Chic: We’re all messes. We’re all growing in the dark. We’re all swimming through life.

Angel: Yes, we really are. It’s beautiful. Thank you so much for your time today.

A.Chic: Oh my god, I had a blast. I’m so glad. I had a blast with you. I’m so glad that I was able to be here. Thank you for having me. Shout out to you and your platform and the ARMY for all their support over the t over time. The ARMY is by far one of the most like intense but respectful fan bases I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s so beautiful to like witness and to be a part of. So yeah, thank you so much for having me. I had a blast. I hope I answer a lot of your questions. You answered all of my questions.

Angel: Honestly, the only the only thing that’s still here that I didn’t ask you is just kind of what is your current dream right now because that’s something I love to ask everyone on my show. You’ve succeeded with so many beautiful accomplishments. You’ve created lyrics, treasure troves blooming that have just healed people across the globe. But what is your dream right now?

A.Chic: My dream, this might sound crazy. My dream is to cultivate a space of peace where I can just create and continue to live out every single last one of these crazy ideas that pop into my head day in and day out. but to be able to build them and execute them from a place of peace and certainty and from a place of just passion and not really having to do it because I feel like someone said I should or not not doing it because someone said I shouldn’t. That’s a dream and I think I’m doing my best to like make that a a reality. Um I do have music that I work on for myself. I am an artist as well. I have children’s books that I’m that I’m writing. Um, there’s a lot of things and I have a ton of ideas and it’s really just to bring them all to fruition and do it in a way where I can just still be at peace and bring peace to other people. Yes. Yeah. Peace is an underrated luxury. And the more you grow and the more your career grows and the more that things take shape and they move forward, you really just start realizing how important peace is and how undervalued it is. And peace doesn’t always mean like, oh, I’m just sitting in quiet. It just means that whether you’re in a party or with family or traveling the world or whatever it is, you just feel a sense of content doing it. You just know that where you’re supposed to be. You’re okay with what worked out. You’re okay with what didn’t work out. It’s And nothing can just Nothing can nothing can shake you. Nothing can shake you.

Angel: Just like Zen. You’re going to keep the Z.

A.Chic: Oh, honey. We’re not letting the Z go at all. We’re not letting the Z go. We really aren’t. Wow.

Angel: Wow. Chic, that’s a beautiful dream. Not crazy at all. I think it’s incredibly hopeful and I think you are already a living testament of that of preserving peace and the I really mean it because the songs that you have kind of breathed life into through your lyrics are giving people peace all around the world. It’s a little corner of peace that they can listen to to heal and find that peace within themselves. And I think that through all of your work, you’re going to continue to create these safe spaces for others and for yourself to be that channel of peace. So, thank you for sharing your peace with us today and your honesty.

A.Chic: Thank you so much. And again, thank you for having me. I had the absolute best time with you and congratulations on everything you’re doing and I can’t wait to see your platform just like continue to grow and just you are such a beautiful spirit. So wishing that peace and that confidence on you as well that you know that wherever you are, God put you there. You belong there. Continue to just keep your humility and you know just that little pure Pisces spirit of yours. [laughter]

Angel: I will I will try. Yeah. I will do my best. Thank you.

A.Chic: All right. And I’ll see you next time. Yes, definitely.

Angel: And that concludes this episode of K-ALL. Thank you all for tuning in and listening. Make sure to follow A.Chic on all of her socials. I’ll be linking them below as well as the Written by A.Chic Spotify playlist. So, you can take a look at that. And that’s all for K-ALL. Thank you guys for listening.

A.Chic: Bye, K-ALL.