PAY2PLAY by Saul Goode & ROMderful

U.K super producer ROMderful and Saul Goode met in Seoul, South Korea towards the end of Saul’s journey in Asia. Saul, the first American emcee to be signed to a major Korean Hip-Hop label, was in the midst of a legal battle with immigration and being deported from the land he had called home for over a decade due to visa related complications. Rom on the other hand, was just beginning to fall in love his new home and the lifestyle in Seoul and, albeit newer to the Korean music scene, already begun making big waves, establishing himself as the most exciting new producer in the city.

Unfortunately due to issues with his visa, Saul was forced to leave Korea. Prior to his deportation, however, Saul threw a month long farewell tour of rowdy parties and concerts, and met ROM at an event being held by a local radio station.

The very next day, the two met at Rom’s studio and made an entire album’s worth of material in just 3 days, and even found some time to film a performance video on Namsan, a small mountain that lies in the heart of the Itaewon district of Seoul.

Displaying some of Rom’s most masterful musicianship to date, Pay2Play is an offering distinct from anything Rom and Saul have individually made in the past. Beginning with its title track, the E.P gives a glimpse into the paranoia Saul was feeling at the time, highlighting Saul’s concern that immigration police may have been following him through the streets of Seoul as he walked around writing super good raps on all of Rom’s fire ass beats. Yet, despite all of the challenges he was facing, all is well by the time we reach the final track entitled ‘Peanuts,’ as Saul finds resolution and safely makes his way back home to North Carolina.

Saul Goode of Part Time Cooks.