Because it Moves Me

let me state a musical fact:

Epik High is hands down the greatest hip hop group to come out of Asia. Lyrically, compositionally, and musically speaking there isn't a single asian hip hop group that can challenge them and WIN. because epik high is the shit. point blank, the shit. you think you're cool if you can rap in english? they rhyme english and korean like they're the same language and IT MAKES sense no matter how you translate it. their lyrics challenge you to think about yourself and the world that you're living in, psychologically, politically, and just simply---to BE. THEY'RE AMAZING!!!

epik high is a three man hip hop group consisting of the english speaking lyrical genius Tablo (rapper, producer, lyricist, writer), Mithra Jin (rapper, producer, lyricist), and musical mad man DJ Tukutz (producer, turntablist, engineer). they've been pushing the envelope in the ever changing korean music industry since they debuted in 2003 with "Map of the Human Soul." while their style has certainly evolved, they never "sold out" to the kpop industry and i love them for that.

so when their record label kept pushing them to go more mainstream, and when the korean government kept censoring their words they did the free will thing and left their label. it made things a thousand times more difficult for them, but now they are releasing an album with a book (Tablo is also a best selling author) that is in english and korean---reaching out to their fans in ways no other artist seemed smart (or brave) enough to do. they cut out the middle man and the music is coming from them straight to us! MAP THE SOUL. "Remapping the Human Soul" and "Pieces, Part One" are my absolute favorite albums of theirs. I mean, I love everything they do but I especially love these two albums. SO POWERFUL!

*faints*

i want their new album, SO BAD!!!!! the book and everything looks so amazing! it will probably leak all over the internet but i really want to read the book. T_T i might have to order internationally and have it shipped home...

the only thing about the new album that makes me sad (well a few things actually) is that it's only 10 tracks! and there are no female features (Ji Sun and Horan gave the best vocals), and the chances of there being a music video for any of the songs are slim to none. but i appreciate their hard work. i would love to work for them! illustrate/ design for them. seriously i'm gonna get an account there and start showing my artwork on here more...lol--that WAS the point of this blog too....

WARNING: sometimes their MVs are NOT for the faint of heart. their videos get banned a lot because of images shown and the touchy issues that their lyrics touch up on from politics, religion, race, and suicide (which is a REALLY big issue in korea) so i admire their guts. they don't censor their lyrics for anyone.

Epik High- Fan (album: Remapping the Human Soul)

Epik High- 1 Minute 1 Second feat. Haru (mini album- Love Scream)

Epik High- Breakdown (album: Pieces, Part One)