I'M BACK! to re-edit this post hee hee. brian is moved to the bottom of the post. i'm just too lz, so~ sorry for sucky graphics, i just wanna get it over with, so yaaaa~ its gonna be the end of 2009. this year is SHOOOOO HAPPENING la! ok this isnt related as well. haha. the kpop scene of year 2009 is FLOOOOOODED with idol bands poppin` up like mushrooms. & its said to be a year of IDOLS! pls o pls, I HATE IDOL GROUPS! {those who only sell face} arggghh. despite the trend of idol domination, many true musicians or hip-hop icons {no, not BIG BANG or 2ne1} of korea made their comeback this year. still proving that 姜是老的辣！but not all are old oldddd haha. but they prove to the public tt they are the professionals and the music they make are REAL MUSIC! altho results arent obvious with chart sales and rankings, they still sell! instead of selling their face, which is common among idol groups. lookin` delicious but suck at singing LIVE! lets rock it alphabetically.
weird name, was the first thing tt came into my mind. haha! he debuted in 2007, if i'm not wrong, with his mellow rap tune "After Separation" which won him the Cyworld Digital Music Award for most promising newcomer.
In 2009, he solidified his music career with his album titled "Once Again". On his debut album 1sagain not only pens, composes and arranges all songs but also takes care of the recording and the mixing. TALENTED RIGHT?! The album is awesome! its not an all rap album, u can still hear guest artists Bora Ju and Sti lending their voices which is a plus for the album. so so soooo, GO LISTEN!
Debuting at 2006, have released 2 full albums. Having lived in the Los Angeles, US, Crown J brings US-style hip-hop to Korean listeners. Crown J takes control of all aspects of production including composing, writing and penning of all the tracks. another original artist!
Now he is back in the US, singing in english. many hv heard me say tt i hate betrayers - singing in another language etc. but i support him. y? because this isnt exactly betraying. he speaks good english & have lived in an english speaking country and moved back to Korea and voluntarily signed up for the military service - all in the name of love for music. how can i not respect him?
ok many would take G-Dragon as the best, most talented, and youngest hip-hop genius. U ARE SO WRONGGG! is this guy, DOK2 {pronounce as dokki} the latest mem of "Map The Soul". Got into the music scene at 13 {somewhere ard BoA's age when she debuted, just f.y.i} collaborating with JoPD.
He produced songs for famous names in the hip hop scene, like, Tiger JK, Dynamic Duo, LeeSsang and Epik High unlike somebody *cough* big-beang* who "co-wrote" songs with much help from their label mates, he wrote all the lyrics and beats himself and is not involved in plagiarism. He has also turned down G-Dragon's request to feature on one of his songs. {see, not everybody, esp serious korean rappers, are ALL OVER G-DRAGON of big bang's fame}
His latest release is titled "Thunder Ground". The album is sampling-free, meaning that all the beats and melodies will be original. its definitely worth the listen! you wont think this album is sang by someone who haven even reach his twenties.
this duo, made up of members Choiza and Gaeko. their style to more audience-friendly, and have a brighter ambiance. They debuted with the album Taxi Driver {2004} which became the best selling hip hop album in South Korea that year. Dynamic Duo have been known to feature many artists in their songs and also being featured in other famous artists as well. They are part of "The Movement", the most prominent hip hop circle in Korea.
The members are about to serve in the military, thus dropped their farewell album, Band Of Dynamic Brothers with a good amount of wit and humor with an attractive line-up of guest artists featured in their songs. Another one worth listening. & the best time to listen, is when u are upset, stress over projects or exams. because it just hypes u up! PLAY IT LOUDLY!!!!!
i took the longest time thinking of what to write about them. cos its just waaaay to much, and i just LOVE THEM! you should know who the hell they are~ if not just die man just die! haha jkjk. i wont go further to describe them since its just a few keys & click of buttons. but i just wanna add sth, TABLO, you shld have known, he has got!!!! Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Stanford University, California, USA. they do their own music for them & for others etc etc. ok go read them off soompi or wiki, ok? below are some quotations off their songs. You don't need to like their sound to appreciate their written words.
Genius is not the answer to all questions. It's the question to all answers.
Do we learn math to add the dead's sum? Subtract the weak ones? Count cash for the great ones?
We use words to bring forth sticks and stones; to sing psalms of hate that fill the streets with bones.
Do we learn to read to receive the lies? To deceive the eyes, from seeing between the lines?
If police are role models for the righteous, why does Justice depend on guns and nightsticks?
Education is killing my religion. Intuition is killing my religion. My religion is killing your religion. My religion, your religion.
Even when we love we imitate dramas.
Appearance doesn’t matter, just fix it. Internet. It’s nothing but webcams and photoshops
So called “message” artists gives and receives is mere SMS.
Older generation of kpop fan should know this guy. formerly a member, being the oldest & leader, of grp SechsKies. after the breakup of the grp, he started going solo in 2001 under the name G-1 and is now working under SD Entertainment.
He changed genres from pop music to hip hop and rap. {he made drastic changes & yet hit BIG!} He composed and penned most of his songs. Though Sechs Kies disbanded, in 2002 he performed with former Sechs Kies members, Kang Sung Hoon, and J-Walk (Kim Jae Duc and Jang Su Won). He has worked with artists such as Lee Hyo Ri and Tiger JK. joining "The Movement" in mid-2006. He also performed at the DKNY party, yes DONNA KARAN NEW YORK!
Other than being active in the music scene, he is cast in various variety shows as well. &do check out his latest release, "Plantonic". AWESOME!
another mem of "The Movement" crew. started in the music industry in 1997, then opted out to start their career as a duo. LeesSang is a Korean hip hop duo, composed of Kang Hee-gun ("Gary") and Gil Seong-joon ("Gil") {Jewelry's leader's boyfriend}, formed in 2002. It is composed of one melodist and one rapper.
Known for their collaboration with Drunken Tiger, T, Big Mama King, Park Hwayobi, Jung-in, Park Seon-joo and Bubble Sisters. They were even invited to perform at Seotaiji ETPFest in 2002.
The duo has released five albums to date. claiming 1st places through online music charts from portal sites such as Cyworld, Dosirak, and Bugs with their new release, Hexagonal, lines up a colorful grp of guest artists like Dynamic Duo, Lucid Fall, Bizzy, YB and Casker. The principal song "Girl, Unable to Separate - Boy, Unable to Leave" is accompanied by a music video starring Lee Hyo Ri and actor Ryoo Seung Bum.
You should know this guy, if you dont, label yourself a NOOOOB! he debuted in 1998 with the group People Crew, he started gaining acknowledgment when he acted in the MBC comedy show “Non-Stop 4.” He made his debut as a solo artist in 2004 and what makes this man so likeable can be traced to his down-to-earth mannerism and a big sense of humor as seen in his variety show appearances and his simple, honest style of music.
For his early releases, he has collaborated with famous acts, like Lisa{fr Japan, former member of M-Flo}, Park Hyo-Shin, Ivy, Kim Tae-Woo, and MayBee. Producing top-charting songs squeezing out big names like Rain and Se7en as well. He wrote, composed, arranged, and produced all the tracks for both album, Circus/Show Has Just Begun and Humanimal. Again featuring a colorful line-up of guest artists, luring in top names like Yangpa, Big Mama, SG Wannabe, Navi to name a few.
He has got really GREAAAAT LIVE! and knows how to heat the stage up. i rmb watching 2007 or 08's dream concert when the audience all turn against SNSD when they came up {boo-ing &/turning off their light sticks etc} & right after snsd was MC Mong performance, & he brought the cheers back by singing Circus & Michigesso. it was AWESOMEEEE! He is definitely a man to look out the k-pop scene for years to come.
Recording artist and founder of underground hip-hop crew Buddha Baby/SniperSound. MC Sniper is considered a controversial and relatively influential musician in South Korea. Debuted in 2002 with the album “So Sniper…” and immediately became recognized for acrid lyrics that challenged economic, governmental, and societal conditions with a powerful mixture of hip-hop and traditional Korean music. He is also credited with discovering and producing Baechigi {while everybody is head over heels with MBLAQ created by Rain, ok, i'm one of them.}
With his latest release, "Museum", MC Sniper is responsible for both the album's production and lyrics which reflect his own experiences. He invited a strong guest lineup for the album including Rain's producer Tae Won speed rapper Outsider and underground star Saet Byul.
He voice out his opinion abt the current kpop scene, saying, "Music today seems to consist of songs that you listen to and throw out." {this is SO TRUE! i hate "NOBODY" now & they are still singing it~} "The music industry today are focusing a lot on the age brackets of 10-20, using idol marketing." {YA! IDOL DOMINATIONNNN!} he also added, "rather than being the boss who tells everyone to make money, I want to be an artist who is like a 'brother' to my hoobaes." {so true, unlike SME, YG, JYP~~~~, he is a true musician man~}
This family ROCKSSS! Namolla Family, a trio of comedians who ventured into the world of hip hop music through their comic skits. As if to disprove their critics, Namolla Family’s music was surprisingly sincere and different. The lyrics written by the members communicated their thoughts in the most intimate manner.
They made their singing debut in 2006 with the title single, "Namolla". For their latest full-length album titled, Try Again, they worked with hit-making composers like Han Sang Won, Kim Won, and Kang Ji Won, in addition to writing their own songs.They are well known for songs that blends passionate rapping and sweet female vocals together to create a very unique and different sounds. Do check out their latest release, "Break Down" mini album. The last track featuring "Big Queens" IS EXTREMELLLLLLLLY AWESOMEEEE!
well known for delivering fast rap with precise accuracy, Outsider is reputed to be able to rap at 17 syllables per second. debuted as an underground rapper, he was then casted on a tv show hosted by famous Yoo Jae Seok, where he showed his incredibly fast rapping skills, & got everyone impressed. He was then scouted by MC Sniper, who signed him under his label "Sniper Sound".
His latest release, "Maestro", was a huge success! Though the industry is dominated by idol singers, Outsider swept the on and offline markets, topping charts with title track "Loner" and held the #1 spot on M.Net and Melon music charts for more than 5 weeks. {the song, if not wrong is written by him, talking abt his past life, & if u know the lyrics to the song, u will know how harddd is his life}
As much as his popularity is sky-rocketing in Korea, Outsider is receiving continuous scout offers from overseas Hip-Hop musicians. Recently, he succeeded in working together with the popular U.S. Hip-Hop group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. {YAY!!!!!}
Supreme Team is comprised of Simon D, a captivating rapper and husky-voiced vocalist, and E-Sens, nicknamed Korea’s Eminem with his witty and biting lyrics. Another underground act surfacing into the industry. if you are a close follower of Korean Hip Hop, you should have seen them being featured in many artists' releases. Latest featuring was Brian's "My Girl".
Supreme Team, who officially made their mainstream KPop debut in mid-july has already turned fans into a dizzy tizzy over their supremely addicting song, “Super Magic", main song off their full length album, "Supreme Team Guide to Excellent Adventure". They nab the “Rookie of the Month” award at the Cyworld Digital Music Awards. This is quite impressive for a debut hip-hop group/album in the fickle world of KPop. SO SO SO! do give them a listen. Another talented band!
all the talk about "The Movement", this guy, Tiger JK, is the one who created it {in 2002} ! his life is as exciting as hv a black as a US president! {ok too kua zhang, haha!} from experiencing L.A riots, to drug controversy, to making music in hope of relive culture tensions etc. He teamed up with with partner DJ Shine in 1998 and the two debuted under the name Drunken Tiger.
The music they did touched upon taboo topics such as sex, anti-establishment, etc. {This is wad i call, MUSIC WITH MEANINGGGGG!} By 2004, Drunken Tiger had already performed at near sell out venues of 5000+ in places such as Tokyo, Taipei, Beijing, Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, and Chicago. {& useless idol bands still touring asia? & so what if the wonder-gals hit the billboard charts & toured with Jonas Brothers?}
Then the depart of DJ Shine in 2005, Tiger JK went solo. his latest release, "Feel gHood Muzik," sold a total of 50,000 copies in 3 weeks. {& TMD DE BIAS PANEL gave tt heartbreaker album of the year award when he only sold 11,000+ WTFFF!}
Untouchable, consisting of Sleepy {weird name for a name} and The Action {another weird fella} started off with single "Ready to Shot" in 06. sadly, i think they wasnt recognised then. wad sparked them to fame was their collaboration with Hwayobi singing "It's Okay" for the reality show, "We Got Married". They released their first full length album in january 09. The album is awesomeeee! Songs like "Quiet Storm", "Tell Me Why" and "Driving Me Crazy" really drove me crazyyy. haha! Then followed by their first mini album. Again filled with with rhythmic rap and hip-hop ballads. Wassup was totally addictive. & if u have heard G'Dragon's "The Leaders", theres a part somewhat similar to this song.
I'm not too sure about them producing their own music but they sure have better lives and can rap really well. But i think they arent receiving the right amount of attention they deserve. saddd. oya fyi, Sleepy's Hwayobi's boyfriend :]
Uptown, a South Korean hip hop and R&B group which first debuted in 1997. Uptown was first created in 1996 when the R&B and hip-hop genres of pop music were first introduced to Korea. The group's four original members included Chris Jung, Carlos Galvan, Steve Kim and Tasha Reid. The group underwent several lineup changes and then disbanded in 2000.
They made a comeback in 2006 without Tasha. The female spot was later replaced by teenage artist Jessica H.O {who got into deeeeep shiat criticising BoA} Their latest release, "New Era", with leader Jung Yeon Joon the only remaining original member, continued the brand of hip-hop gangsta funk originated by the group during the 90s. The album puts forth the message that there is always hope, regardless how big problems may be, hoping to comfort listeners during these times of economic insecurity. Totally addictive, totally worth it!
She's the wife of TIGER JK! talking about prefect match. haha~~ ok she didn really release anything this year but you can see her active in awards. haha! along with his husband. eg is MAMA {the crowd stood up when she rap!!!} & GDA.
She is an American born R&B singer and rapper, born to an African American father and a Korean mother. Debuted at an early age of 16. & is a pioneer member of Uptown. She then later formed a duet,
then in 2001, as a solo artist & hv release 4 albums to date. She's signed under the same label as her husband, and is part of "The Movement" crew.
She's fierce {in rappin`}, speaks Korean and English fluently & is one of the most influential rappers in Korea! LOVE HER! you can check out her latest release, Please Dont Go, which was released last year. ITS AWESOME!
ok, this has nothing to do with the title but i'm just too excited to post about Brian so ya~
first Fany with his mini album, H Soul, now Fly to the Sky's Brian is back with his 2nd album. It suppose to be released on dec12 but i guess, with the power of fanatics & technology, fans get to hear it earlier. Why in the world did this duo BREAK UPPP?!!! they are perfect tgt. not saying they arent going solo but but but... haiz ok back to Brian.
This is the first project released under his own label OnPoint Entertainment and features artists such as Epik High's Tablo and Mithra and MAMA's Best New Male Artist hip-hop duo Supreme Team. Brian sang three songs of the album in english & will be releasing to iTunes worldwide. I had a quick listen to the songs, they arent awesome with the first listen, but they are definitely growing into me cos its catchy and addicitive. plus u hear Brian singing in english with perfect pronunciation! haha. following is the track list:
