EPT
1. Epik High - Let It Rain (feat. Kim Jong Wan of Nell) 2005
+ Show Spoiler [Long Epik High bio] +
Epik High is a hip hop group from Seoul, South Korea, composed of three members - Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz. All three members of Epik High can sing, write lyrics, and compose and arrange music. Their music has been known to be a “lyrical piece of literature” and “urban poetry”, lyric orientated, soulful and often witty while addressing serious social issues such as identity, discrimination, community, unity and change as a whole.
Tablo has a Masters Degree from Stanford University (California, USA) where he majored in English Literature and Creative Writing. When he was 17 years old he wrote the song Rainy Christmas with the famous Korean singer 김건모 (Kim Gun Mo). While attending Stanford University, Tablo was part of an underground hip hop group known as 4n Objects, which caught the attention of CB Mass and Drunken Tiger, leading to them eventually offer to support Tablo in releasing a solo album in Korea.
Mithra Jin had been featured on over 11 major albums in Korea even before Epik High’s debut. Mithra Jin and Tablo met through the Movement Crew (a collaboration of hip hop artists who are determined to promote social and political awareness through hip hop culture and music), during a freestyle contest in Seoul. Mithra Jin was pursuing a solo career of his own, but with his artistic vision and style matching so well with Tablo’s, the two decided to join together.
DJ Tukutz is Epik High’s DJ, “the boy with the magic fingers”. He started DJing in 1995, and has attended the Technics DJ School in South Korea. He has DJed in not only Korea, but also in Japan at raves, and in America on radio shows, live events and clubs around Boston and NYC.
Epik High’s debut album was Map of the Human Soul, released in 2003 and featuring some big Korean hip hop names such as CB Mass, Drunken Tiger and T. This album and the following three (High Society (2004), Swan Songs (2005) and Remapping The Human Soul (2007)), have featured other well-known Korean artists such as Nell, Clazziquai, Loveholic, TBNY, unknownDJs, Pe2ny and more.
In 2005, Epik High won several awards including Best Hip Hop Artist at the Korean Gold Disc Awards, and a tie for Best Artist of the year. Their song Fly, from their third album Swan Songs was a huge hit, claiming the #1 place on many Korean TV music programs and online music charts. This song also appeared in the video game FIFA 07.
Epik High, and especially Tablo, are often featured in the releases of other artists’, and have a side-project known as Blac Bakery.
Tablo has a Masters Degree from Stanford University (California, USA) where he majored in English Literature and Creative Writing. When he was 17 years old he wrote the song Rainy Christmas with the famous Korean singer 김건모 (Kim Gun Mo). While attending Stanford University, Tablo was part of an underground hip hop group known as 4n Objects, which caught the attention of CB Mass and Drunken Tiger, leading to them eventually offer to support Tablo in releasing a solo album in Korea.
Mithra Jin had been featured on over 11 major albums in Korea even before Epik High’s debut. Mithra Jin and Tablo met through the Movement Crew (a collaboration of hip hop artists who are determined to promote social and political awareness through hip hop culture and music), during a freestyle contest in Seoul. Mithra Jin was pursuing a solo career of his own, but with his artistic vision and style matching so well with Tablo’s, the two decided to join together.
DJ Tukutz is Epik High’s DJ, “the boy with the magic fingers”. He started DJing in 1995, and has attended the Technics DJ School in South Korea. He has DJed in not only Korea, but also in Japan at raves, and in America on radio shows, live events and clubs around Boston and NYC.
Epik High’s debut album was Map of the Human Soul, released in 2003 and featuring some big Korean hip hop names such as CB Mass, Drunken Tiger and T. This album and the following three (High Society (2004), Swan Songs (2005) and Remapping The Human Soul (2007)), have featured other well-known Korean artists such as Nell, Clazziquai, Loveholic, TBNY, unknownDJs, Pe2ny and more.
In 2005, Epik High won several awards including Best Hip Hop Artist at the Korean Gold Disc Awards, and a tie for Best Artist of the year. Their song Fly, from their third album Swan Songs was a huge hit, claiming the #1 place on many Korean TV music programs and online music charts. This song also appeared in the video game FIFA 07.
Epik High, and especially Tablo, are often featured in the releases of other artists’, and have a side-project known as Blac Bakery.
2. Outsider - 일장춘몽 2010
Outsider first debuted as an underground rapper and received some success. His first break came to him when he was shown on a tv show hosted by the famous Yoo Jae Seok where he showed his incredibly fast rapping skills, which impressed everyone. He then was scouted by the Korean hip-hop legend,MC Sniper, who signed Outsider to his label "Sniper Sound". He is titled the fastest rapper in Korea, able to rap 17 syllables in a second.
3. Super Junior - 이별...넌 쉽니 (feat Yoochun and Yunho from DBSK) 2009
Super Junior is 13-member boyband that was formed in 2005. Although they are known for their dance numbers, different subunits composed of certain members will perform a greater variety of songs, such as Super Junior KRY who perform ballads and Super Junior T who perform trot. They are not only successful singers but are also active in variety shows, radio programs, and acting.
4. Taebin - Without You 2004
Taebin (aka Danny) is the lead vocal of the famous hip-hop group 1TYM and debuted in 1998. He released his solo album in 2004. He also raps in many of 1TYM's songs, although for the most part in his solo albums he sticks with the R&B/Ballad genre. He speaks both English and Korean fluently, although during the early parts of his career, his poor grasp of Korean was evident through various TV programs.
5. Morning - 행복해줄게 2003
This is most likely a group you've never heard of, even if you've been a long-time avid kpop fan. This group debuted under a no-name label in 2003, and sadly they faded into obscurity after only releasing 1 album, "Return to Innocence". They did have a lot of talent though, with one of the members playing violin at an extremely high level (featured in MC Sniper's Gloomy Sunday) and the others singing pretty well. Perhaps their rock-influenced sound didn't click with Korea's musical tastes at the time.
Hope you enjoy!
