For as long as I can remember, I have been a huge fan of hip-hop, particularly the golden age, where the music was raw, unfiltered, and revolutionary. Bars were razor-sharp, beats were built on soul, funk, and jazz samples, and the culture was shifting the world. Of course, every region had its own flavour; New…
Tag: Korean Hip-Hop
Lee Young-ji to Perform in Paris and in London in January 2025
Lee Young-ji is the kind of artist who can light up a room with her humour one moment and leave you impressed with her lyrical brilliance the next. A great force in Korean hip-hop, she has quickly emerged as a gem within the genre. As the youngest winner of both High School Rapper 3 and…
James An Delivers Raw Honesty in New EP “I Have No Friends And I Must Party” – EP Review
Korean-Canadian artist James An will transport you back to the 1990s with his new EP, I Have No Friends And I Must Party. This eight-track release captures his genuine passion for hip-hop and skilfully pays homage to it. The artist mixed the quintessential elements of golden age hip-hop to create a beautiful and necessary listening…
The Essence of Non Smokers Club’s “La Verdad” and “MMATT”
The last time we spoke to Non Smokers Club, was back in July when they released their double single, with tracks called Dickies and Bandonin. But what do we know about this fun and charismatic duo so far? Composed of Zuo and Herr Nayne, they adopted the moniker ‘Non Smokers Club’ as a symbol of…
Igniting the Stage: Bang Yongguk’s Fiery Performance at Dingwalls, London
With a discography dating back to 2008, Bang Yongguk has become a force to be reckoned with in the world of music. The artist is no newbie when it comes to touring in London, however, the last time his fans were able to see him was back in 2019, when he performed in Camden’s Underworld….
Bringing the Heat: pH-1 Delivers a Show-Stopping Performance in London
pH-1, a Korean-American artist, is known for his unique and versatile rapping style as well as his smooth and confident flow. One of the defining characteristics of pH-1’s style is his ability to tell personal and relatable stories through his lyrics. He often draws on his own experiences to craft introspective verses. He rejects using…
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…
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…
Embracing Authenticity – 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…
SINCE – “I Feel a Great Deal of Relief Whenever I Release Music.” – Exclusive Interview
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…
“I Hope That We Can All Do What We Love, But Also in a Way That Can Best Shape a More Equal World.” – In Conversation with James An
While being an independent artist carries some risks, independence is indeed an important aspect for many, especially musicians. Not only does it allow them to communicate directly with their audience, it also enables them to promote their music whenever and however they wish. Frankly speaking, you don’t need to have a label to be a…
MIK Festival 2022: Hip-Hop Day Review
There is no denying that the Korean music industry is mainly associated with K-pop, which often draws on Hip-hop whether this is obvious to listeners or not. What’s more interesting is that Hip-hop has now become an indispensable part of K-pop and, while the latter is the one with the most popular tunes around the…
Bang Yong-guk’s Performance at London’s Underworld Glues the Audience to the Floor
Being an artist has never been synonymous with an easy life and Bang Yong-guk‘s story is one to admire. Born and raised in South Korea, Bang quickly caught attention with his rapping and songwriting skills. At the age of 18, he debuted in an underground hip-hop group Soul Connection, and in 2011, he released a…
VIEW OF THE ARTS 