JinSei

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Remembrance

Hip-hopLo-fi

Behind the Music

The best part of this project was working on something new and innovative that has never been done before. And I think that this project is really cool because people will experience a deeper connection to the stories. It’s like watching a movie without sound. If you watch a movie without sound, it’s probably going to suck. Music sets the vibe and I think it’s also a better way to experience certain emotions. I think that my music in this project evokes emotion. What I did differently for this project was I put way more time and effort into creating a vibe. Adding the musical vibe to the articles people read can stimulate in a new way. My goal was to create an easy-going vibe to complement the different sorts of articles.

Before diving into the reporting, I already knew about the piracy and shootings that happen at sea. And everyone knows the stories about slavery at sea, but I didn’t know the full extent of the lawlessness out there beyond piracy and slavery. I grew up in Amsterdam, where you have to follow the rules and you can’t break them. But I didn’t know there were so many people who disobeyed laws and got away with it. That, for me, was interesting to see. 

JinSei
About JinSei

JinSei is an Amsterdam based lofi hip-hop producer who loves bananas and cold beer. And music, of course. He puts all of his creativity and passion into the production of his distinctive sound. Spreading good vibes and giving people a laid-back feeling are his mission. Apart from producing on his own, JinSei also enjoys working with other talented people from all around the world.

JinSei has already released at FUNCC and Dust Collectors and is working hard for labels such as Effortless, Childcow and Etymology Records. You may have already heard his most popular tune, “Distune,” which has over five million plays on Spotify, or his other big tracks like “Obtain” and “Hurtz.” Six years ago, JinSei started off making simple songs together with friends. Later on, he decided to dive deeper into the world of producing and he studied sound design.

While creating his unique sound, JinSei gets inspired by genres such as jazz, bossa nova and 70’s and 80’s pop music. Having accomplished his dream of making a living from his passion for music, he also counts his first million streams on Spotify and building a strong network with other international musicians among his biggest successes. JinSei still strives to grow a steady fan base, to start selling merchandise and to even run his own label in the future. He hopes to produce more great tracks, perhaps producing one with Ian Ewing, which would be a dream collaboration for him.  

Winner of the 2021 Scripps Howard Award for Excellence in Innovation in Journalism

The Journalism behind the Music

All music in this project is based on The Outlaw Ocean, a New York Times Best-Selling book by Ian Urbina that chronicles lawlessness at sea around the world. This reporting touches on a diversity of abuses ranging from illegal and overfishing, arms trafficking at sea, human slavery, gun running, intentional dumping, murder of stowaways, thievery of ships and other topics.

Learn More