D-Day is the final album in what could be called Agust D’s “youth” trilogy which also consists of Agust D (15 August 2016) and D-2 (22 May 2020). Released on 21st April 2023, this is possibly Min Yoongi’s last music before compulsory military enlistment that all men in South Korea are required to do. Agust…
Category: Korean Hip-Hop
The Sands of Time: Agust D – “People Pt.2” (ft. IU) Song Review
“People Pt.2” (ft. IU) is the pre-release single from Agust D’s forthcoming ‘official’ debut album, D-Day, which will be released on 21st April. A prolific, versatile rapper and songwriter, Min Yoongi, has two nome de plume’s: Agust D and Suga (from BTS), and has collaborated with both Korean and Western musicians. “People Pt.2” is his…
The Ephemerality of Longing: So!YoON!’s “Smoke Sprite” (feat. RM) Single Review
So!YoON! (황소윤) is the stage name of Hwang Soyoon, a South Korean guitarist and singer-songwriter. She is the lead vocalist and one of the founder members of SE SO NEON, an indie rock group, which debuted in 2017 under Magic Strawberry Sound, with the critically acclaimed EP Summer Plumage, the lead single of which was…
j-hope ‘on the street (with J. Cole)’: From the Streets to the Skyscrapers – Single Review
j-hope and J. Cole are artists at similar places in terms of their importance and relevance to their respective music scenes, despite the fact that J. Cole is the senior of the two musicians. Both are at a crossroads in their lives: j-hope will be shortly enlisting in the South Korean military as all able-bodied…
“I Think You Need to Constantly Find Your Own Charm by Continuing to Look for Interests That Make You Feel Comfortable and Happy.” – In Conversation with Jomalxne
Jomalxne’s unexpected London performance, a supporting act on JAY B’s show, was one of the most exciting surprises of 2022. One never expected that the artist, whose music is barely known in Europe, could have left a striking impression on so many people, including myself. Hailing from South Korea, Jomalxne is not only an awe-inspiring…
“Show Me The Money [Rap Competition] Helped Me to Stay on Track and Motivated Me to Work Hard.” – In Conversation with Blase
Drill is a subgenre of Hip-hop that originated in Chicago, Illinois in the early 2010s. It is characterised by its dark, nihilistic lyrics, heavy use of Trap beats and auto-tune, and a menacing delivery style. It often addresses themes such as gang violence, poverty, and police brutality, and artists in the Drill Hip-hop scene include…
“I Feel a Great Deal of Relief Whenever I Release Music.” – In Conversation with SINCE
The Hip-hop scene, despite all the richness of its various facets, has been dominated by men for years. And although it is a male-dominated industry, one can finally see a decent change within. And while Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Foxy Brown paved the way for female rappers in the 1990s and 2000s,…
“I Have Been Quiet for Some Time, but I Am Back with More Arsenal, More Motivation, and More Love. Let’s Enjoy This Ride All Together” – In Conversation with Loopy
When Loopy steps on stage, he is so captivating that time seems to freeze, and all the verses he raps are a deep flow of emotions. Without a doubt, Loopy, born Lee Jin-yong, knows how to deliver a message through his music. Being based in both Seoul and Los Angeles opened his mind and allowed…
The More We Listened, the More It Became Clear That This Was Going to Be a Special Performance – Loopy Takes Over the O2 Academy Islington
Lee Jin-yong, also known as Loopy, is a one-of-a-kind South Korean artist. While initially pursuing a career in producing, his time spent living in Los Angeles had influenced the artist to become a rapper. Beginning his career in 2014 under the name Loopy, the artist grabbed my attention when he released his first mixtape, King…
Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man: RM’s “Indigo” Review
Art doesn’t come from someone who takes the shortcut. Only by taking the longest and most strenuous path can art send forth its fragrance. Truth is only realized and expressed through suffering. Yun Hyong Keun Strictly speaking, Indigo is not Namjoon’s first solo album, as prior to this he had released two free mixtapes, RM…
VIEW OF THE ARTS 