Most musicians' favorite instruments are ones they seek out — the ones they've dreamed about since childhood, or ones passed down from a family member. But Korean rapper B.I cherishes his most beloved item because it was a token of appreciation from his loyal supporters.
"It was my 24th or 25th birthday," he recalls in the latest episode of It Goes to 11. "At the time, my fans were showing me their love because they wanted me to continue making music, and they gave me this microphone as a birthday present."
Thankfully, the fans made sure to invest in high-quality tech that B.I could enjoy for years to come. It's a Shure J5E, blinged out in cubic crystals.
"Now, it's lost a few crystals since I've used it a lot. It's so shiny and glittery. It catches my eye and my heart," B.I explains. "Since I know it's a good microphone, I like it even more. It's like my fans are saying, 'I want the best things for my singer.'"
When he doesn't perform with the microphone, B.I confesses he feels "insecure." But he's on top of the world when he does use it because of its clear sound, and he can never get enough of the lights shimmering on the crystals: "It makes it stand out more, or it gives off a nice effect."
Press play on the video above to learn the full story of how B.I acquired his treasured Shure J5E microphone, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of It Goes to 11.
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