K-Hiphop / K-R&B Gem Directory
February 15, 2017
When you’re talking about K-pop today, the question of
Hallyu and its influence on international shores is undoubtedly huge. Now more
than ever, Korean entertainment companies are aiming to launch their artists
beyond the traditional ‘safe’ arenas of East and Southeast Asia. Those living
in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and so on know that Hallyu has earned a
comfortable little spot in local culture. Knowing this, it’s perhaps safe to
say that Hallyu has achieved its desired influence in these certain regions.
The majority of the Hallyu groups and artist are largely backed by
companies, and that just shows that mostly everything is manufactured. I am
aware that the artists sometimes write lyrics and even occasionally compose,
but the perception largely remains that the company is responsible for all
image/music/branding. But there's also some Korean musician who are active on the field without having a big company to backing them up, a massive
fanbase to support them but just simply being an individual artist but still have all that
quality with them, and these are my favorite:
1. Jay Park
I know, I know. He's so overrated as a rapper, even for a
fan like me, he's still so so. Not that bad but also not that good. After
leaving his group in 2009, he reappeared on YouTube and his rendition of
“Nothin’ On You” originally sung by Bruno Mars, reached well more than a
million views. Since then he became one of the most successful K-Hiphop and
R&B artist with dozen killer song released and now even having his own label, AOMG (Above Ordinary Music Group) with his wife Simon Dominic as the duo
CEO of the company. AOMG is a home for a Cha Cha Malone & Gray, those
badass producer, Loco, Elo, Ugly Duck and my current favorite one, Hoody!
Jay also known for some of his featuring tracks with several
huge musician and even western artists.
2. Verbal Jint
Verbal Jint is not a new name on Hiphop and R&B
industry, he has this kind of plethora musical qualities. A good rap album is
hard to find, because so while rappers are very passionate about what they do,
it’s hard to channel that passion into great music that suit my taste. Verbal
Jint not only managed to do that on his music, but he showed me that he could
still maintain his identity as a rapper without compromising to more mainstream
hiphop. There’s no doubt in my mind that he will continue to shape the scene
for years to come. His variety sense is not bad either, I mean he's funny A F.
I still remember one of the Running Man episode with him as a guest along with
Jay. Hilariously amusing.
3. Zion T
I first encountered with him when I was scouring through
Simon Dominic's solo work and I stumbled upon “Stay Cool” a smooth R&B
track with suave rapping from Simon D and to my musical delight, wonderful
vocals by Zion T. He has an incredibly unique quality to his voice and
excellent control over it despite his young age when he was debuted, plus his unique sense of fashion, an icon. He has the
skills of someone far older and is very versatile with it able to adapt many
different musical styles ranging from Latin infused funk to smooth R&B.
Though he is fairly new to the music scene he is making some definite waves.
4. Reddy
Only knew him on his appearance on Show Me The Money 5. One
of the rapper that signed up into Hi Lite Records and member of a crew named
Cohort. He looks like he is mixed when he's definitely 100% korean. As much as
I enchanted by his look and his street-style fashion, I love how his music is
'atmospheric' driven by chilly synth plodding drum machine and half-sung,
half-rapped vocals.
5. Babylon
Anything with Babylon's voice, I will listen to. Seriously
his voice melts butter, chocolate and my heart. The 20-something star, who
became popular after recording a hiphop hit track "Boys and Girls" by
Zico on sometime November 2015, know for his smooth sexy ass vocal
with an addictive jam with sweet-sounding soul. Never forget that he
actually said this to the media: "With my name, I am going to make money,
succeed with my music and meet my woman." Lol.
6. Samuel Seo
His music has a signature breezy, ambient feel to it that
serves as a perfect soundtrack to all of your Saturday afternoons. In addition
to his smooth vocals, Samuel Seo also raps and produces many of his songs. His
voice balances a simple tone with complex emotions. His music is uncomplicated
but manages to create an emotional maelstrom of its own. He’s an artist that
needs to be on everyone’s radar. Just as my first encounter with Sam Kim,
listening to Samuel Seo is an experience that will elevate your love of music
and give you a sense of soaring, hovering above yourself and experiencing life
on two separate planes.
I know I'm being too biased here with all of these
explanation but frankly I don’t know quite what to say about Samuel Seo. He's
all that, the quality of his music, his image, his visual. Love of my life.
7. Heize
Coming into the spotlight through Unpretty Rapstar 2, Heize
as rapper and a singer. She has a really unique vocal color, much
like Suran I might say and I appreciate how easily she flows between rap verses
and singing bits. Both are equally dynamic and becomes a harmonious exchange of
banter that is never dull.
8. Phantom
Kiggen, Sanchez, and Hanhae as Phantom under Brand New Music label are a hiphop group whose
members are born in different generations, the 70s, 80s, and 90s respectively.
Too bad back in 2013 I failed to meet them here, too bad, man, too bad. Phantom
has always kept a very distinctive sound to them, thanks to the voices of
Sanchez and Hanhae, who are much lighter and airier compared to the majority
vocalist. Their style and skills sell for me. Too bad they're too underrated
as a group, too bad, man, too bad.
9. Hoody
Hoody is the first (and currently only) female
artist under AOMG. She famously lent her voice to Jay Park‘s mellow single
“Solo” on 2015, but she’s also collaborated with artists such as Puchnello
and Elo. Hoody was involved in the producing or the arranging in all her songs.
Her AOMG‘s labelmate, Gray, also helped produce each track. Her recent EP, On & On, gives off a pretty classical R&B vibe, with the light playfulness of
Hoody’s personal style. While all the songs are cohesive, they’re all unique
and show off a different side of Hoody which is I like.
Although she may not have many solo songs of her own out
just yet, we can definitely expect new music from her under AOMG.
10. Dean
Yes, this is the last one, to make this as a whole list. Ten
is enough right? A breakout artist both internationally and in the Korean
R&B scene, Dean is a musician we’ll definitely be seeing more of in the
future. He’s already collaborated with heavyweights such as Zion. T and Crush,
and also has English collabs with renowned artists Eric Bellinger and Anderson
Paak under his belt. All before he released his first album. He's the artists
who have so much soul as they do mind for what makes the soul explode into
colors, being more than just an homage to the origins of the genre, he allowing
his own kaleidoscopic flavors to spill over and dribble down until they reach the
ground below and make the very earth brand new. Dean, a new air to breathe.
Aside of their Pop culture, as K-pop, their underground
culture, K-Hiphop / K-R&B products are also well received and loved internationally. Insane
amounts of talent (in terms of dancing, singing, composing, creativity) can
result in recognition. If you think about it, a lot of the big acts in Western
music involve a lot of talent (real or perceived). Eminem, John Mayer, Lady
Gaga, Adele, Taylor Swift (yeah she probably can't sing but that's beside the
point) et cetera, they all write their own music and lyrics. This helps set
them apart as musicians from the manufactured artist under the company control and doing their music freely, as they please.
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