808 Classified

808 Classified is a fusion of musical styles shaped by my upbringing in Southern California. The title nods to the Roland TR-808 drum machine, a staple in modern R&B, neo-soul, and hip-hop—genres that intersect uniquely with jazz and Asian influences in the Asian-American pop music scene of SoCal.

Raised near Los Angeles, I was equally drawn to the world of film scores, particularly the noir-inspired soundtracks of early spy films like 007. This piece bridges those two sonic worlds—cinematic suspense and R&B groove—blending genre and cultural influence into a personal musical statement.

My goal with this piece is to show that all musical styles, from pop music, film scores, and concert music, can all be combined for self-expression in order to create a unique sound.