I pag-ibig GD&TOP and I cannot lie. If I sinabi sinabi that I didn't, I'd probably be stuck down sa pamamagitan ng heaven. Because, come on, gorgeous and talented? I had no chance from the start. That being said, there are some less well-known rappers that are also well worth your time. If you're a kamakailan rap-addict like I am, or a seasoned connoisseur, these are a few artists worth a listening ear.
10. Noise MOB
If you're into a wilder style, with crazy accent bits and a good driving drum line, I recommend Noise MOB. A duo of rappers Minos and RHYME-A-, they were very influential in planting the foundations of hip-hop in Korea.
Songs to listen to:
- MOB
9. B-Free
B-Free actually hails from Hawaii, where he grew up, and his slight American accent is to die for. Also he's goofy and amazing. his lyrics are unusually raw and sincere for a Korean artist, which I really appreciate. All in all: definitely makes my favorites list.
Songs to listen to:
-Hot Summer
-Leaving ft. Bumkey
8. huckleberry P
HuckP is a great underground freestyle rapper. I personally find his music to be very fun and catchier than most rap. It's less of a heavy sound than you usually find. To me, he seems to just sort of take his time about what he says, and the result is appealing music rather than a boring and draggy number as you might imagine.
Songs to listen to:
-Comma
7. Swings
As it has been put before, Swings often stands out because of his "clear understanding of his stylistic approach." I agree. His rap has a clean cut to it and is good listening, ranking him number seven on my list.
Songs to listen to:
-Just Do It ft. Deepflow
(Deepflow is another terrific rapper btw)
6. Outsider
Before I start in here, just let me admit that I adore Outsider. He is amazing. Supposedly, this cutie can spit 21 freakin' syllables a second. Not only is he fast, but honey, he is GOOD. Despite the speeds he's capable of, he keeps his work at a reasonable tempo and manages to keep it flowing. Plus, the chord progressions are to die for.
Songs you must listen to:
-Alone
5. Leessang
If you're a K-Pop fan, chances are you've heard of the variety ipakita Running Man (it's okay, I pag-ibig it too) and know who Kang Gary is. If you don't, he's a fantastic rapper who is also part of a group called Leessang. If you do anything in the susunod 24 hours, check out their album, aklatan of Soul.
Songs to check out:
-I'm Not Laughing ft. Ali
-Ballerino
4. Palo Alto
A personal paborito of mine, Palo Alto has been taking the world sa pamamagitan ng storm since the early 2000's. And as if out-rapping the pants off of the rest of the hip-hop world wasn't enough, Palo Alto has ascended to starting and maintaining one of Korea's tuktok indie labels, Hi-Lite. Just wow.
Songs to listen to:
-Stay Strong
-Ideal Moment
3. Tablo
Besides the fact that he's labelmates with Bigbang, which is enough to make anyone tuktok my list, Tablo has a unique approach to rap that is really intriguing. His seriousness and sincerity pull his solo pieces together, while his work with Epik High serves to highlight his style in a lighter way.
Songs to listen to:
Tomorrow ft. Taeyang
2. Verbal Jint
Verbal Jint is the man who put the rhyme into Korean rap. You think that's just a metaphor, but I am so not joking. His innovations to the genre are necessary for much of the hip-hop and rap culture today. Yes, occasionally, he enjoys out-rapping the youngsters, but if I was him, I'd do it too.
Songs to listen to:
-Walking In The Rain
-Good Morning ft. 10cm
1. Jerry-K
There's a reason he was nominated for best Hip-Hop and Rap Group at the 2013 Korean Music Awards. Jerry-K is really inspirational and I'm not surprised at all sa pamamagitan ng his growing popularity in Korea. The gentleness of some of his songs contrast with the harshness of others to ipakita his flexibility as an artist. Hopefully, we'll hear madami from him in the susunod few years!
Songs to listen to:
-Dafne
-Nobody But Me
10. Noise MOB
If you're into a wilder style, with crazy accent bits and a good driving drum line, I recommend Noise MOB. A duo of rappers Minos and RHYME-A-, they were very influential in planting the foundations of hip-hop in Korea.
Songs to listen to:
- MOB
9. B-Free
B-Free actually hails from Hawaii, where he grew up, and his slight American accent is to die for. Also he's goofy and amazing. his lyrics are unusually raw and sincere for a Korean artist, which I really appreciate. All in all: definitely makes my favorites list.
Songs to listen to:
-Hot Summer
-Leaving ft. Bumkey
8. huckleberry P
HuckP is a great underground freestyle rapper. I personally find his music to be very fun and catchier than most rap. It's less of a heavy sound than you usually find. To me, he seems to just sort of take his time about what he says, and the result is appealing music rather than a boring and draggy number as you might imagine.
Songs to listen to:
-Comma
7. Swings
As it has been put before, Swings often stands out because of his "clear understanding of his stylistic approach." I agree. His rap has a clean cut to it and is good listening, ranking him number seven on my list.
Songs to listen to:
-Just Do It ft. Deepflow
(Deepflow is another terrific rapper btw)
6. Outsider
Before I start in here, just let me admit that I adore Outsider. He is amazing. Supposedly, this cutie can spit 21 freakin' syllables a second. Not only is he fast, but honey, he is GOOD. Despite the speeds he's capable of, he keeps his work at a reasonable tempo and manages to keep it flowing. Plus, the chord progressions are to die for.
Songs you must listen to:
-Alone
5. Leessang
If you're a K-Pop fan, chances are you've heard of the variety ipakita Running Man (it's okay, I pag-ibig it too) and know who Kang Gary is. If you don't, he's a fantastic rapper who is also part of a group called Leessang. If you do anything in the susunod 24 hours, check out their album, aklatan of Soul.
Songs to check out:
-I'm Not Laughing ft. Ali
-Ballerino
4. Palo Alto
A personal paborito of mine, Palo Alto has been taking the world sa pamamagitan ng storm since the early 2000's. And as if out-rapping the pants off of the rest of the hip-hop world wasn't enough, Palo Alto has ascended to starting and maintaining one of Korea's tuktok indie labels, Hi-Lite. Just wow.
Songs to listen to:
-Stay Strong
-Ideal Moment
3. Tablo
Besides the fact that he's labelmates with Bigbang, which is enough to make anyone tuktok my list, Tablo has a unique approach to rap that is really intriguing. His seriousness and sincerity pull his solo pieces together, while his work with Epik High serves to highlight his style in a lighter way.
Songs to listen to:
Tomorrow ft. Taeyang
2. Verbal Jint
Verbal Jint is the man who put the rhyme into Korean rap. You think that's just a metaphor, but I am so not joking. His innovations to the genre are necessary for much of the hip-hop and rap culture today. Yes, occasionally, he enjoys out-rapping the youngsters, but if I was him, I'd do it too.
Songs to listen to:
-Walking In The Rain
-Good Morning ft. 10cm
1. Jerry-K
There's a reason he was nominated for best Hip-Hop and Rap Group at the 2013 Korean Music Awards. Jerry-K is really inspirational and I'm not surprised at all sa pamamagitan ng his growing popularity in Korea. The gentleness of some of his songs contrast with the harshness of others to ipakita his flexibility as an artist. Hopefully, we'll hear madami from him in the susunod few years!
Songs to listen to:
-Dafne
-Nobody But Me