Epik High – HiphopKR

My Top 20 Korean Rappers (To Ring in 2020)

November 4, 2019

It’s once again en vouge to make lists of top rappers. This is a past time as old as pen and paper. People making lists of their favorite things, and in this case favorite MCs. However, I think the sudden resurgence of “Best MCs” lists in the past few months started after Jermaine Dupri‘s indictment of rappers, particularly female rappers, post-1995.

Epik High "Sleepless In __________" Tour 2019, Emo's Austin

Dear Epik High, Thank You

April 23, 2019April 22, 2019

As someone who writes a lot of critique, there are times when you just don’t know what to say. Words quite literally fail you. This is especially true for moments when an experience leaves you so utterly awe-inspired, so emotionally moved the prim professionalism of a music journalist seems petty. This is what happened to me following Epik High’s Austin stop of their North American tour. At times like these there’s really only one thing to say:

Thank you.

Dear, Tablo, Mithra Jin, and Tukutz,

You couldn’t have known this, but April 18 was my first time seeing you live. I didn’t quite know what to expect. I knew you’d blow me away. Word of mouth is the most powerful promotion. Every friend of mine who’d ever been to one of your shows informed me I was in for a wild ride. My day had already been unreal. My Lyft driver was a huge fan of yours. Plugged in his MP3 player, and we jammed to your older music until we pulled up to Emo’s Austin. So (to borrow your words) my high was already epik.

As with every concert of an artist I’ve never seen before there’s a certain level anxiety going in. The atmosphere is electric, to borrow a cliché. Trite as it may be, that’s not an exaggeration. The audience is buzzing with so much excitement, the energy in the room is almost overwhelming. Then comes the flutter. You know, that flutter that burrows in your stomach when you know something magical is about to happen.

The opening act, Yoshi Flower. Anyone who knows anything about Epik High’s musical journey (basically every person in the audience) understands the choice. His sound straddles multiple genres, ranging from the surging popularity of trap to the heartache and clever scorn of Kurt Cobain and even the prettiness of Kate Bush in his vocal tone. The choice to use him as an opening act makes sense. A clear reflection of the type of variety found in your music over the years.

But that’s not what I’m here for, talented as the young man is. I’m here for you. For Epik High. For the group that invented K-pop.

As soon as the music starts, the bass shaking the floor and blasting its way through my limbs, I’m completely transfixed. There’s a certain amount of detachment behind a camera. I see you, but I don’t see you. You’re there, but in another dimension. Trapped in seconds I capture with the click of the shutter. It’s safe, a way to remove the fan from the professional. I have to say, you guys made it damn hard for me to do my job. Yes, I’m here to take pictures and eventually write my impressions of the show. But after a while, none of that matters.

I remember the exact moment when the show stopped being a “job” for me. The first tripped vocals of “Burj Khalifa” stutter through the speakers. Then everything just freezes. I’m transported back to the moment I first heard the song. My first listen through of SHOEBOX. The second song of the evening, and I am blessed with the ability to time travel. The entire show is like this for me. Each song takes me back to a moment in my life where your music was the soundtrack.

This is also the first time I realize something about you. Epik High is more than music. Obviously there’s the humor. The interaction between all three of you is magical. Because you allow us to be a part of it. For the two hours of the show, every member of the audience is a member of Epik High. This is our Wu-Tang moment: We’re all a part of the group, a part of history.

But that’s the thing, isn’t it? We’re all a part of something special. The commentary between songs solidifies an undeniable truth: Epik High is precious to us, and we are precious to Epik High. The moments when you interact personally with fans in the audience. (I’m sure April’s soul left her body when she realized you were speaking directly to her, Tablo.) The entire case of water you empty on the first few rows. Hell, even the outrageous moments of obviously rehearsed but utterly ridiculous choreography. (Tukutz is the true dancing king. No idol even comes close!)

However, the epitome of the Epik High experience. What makes it such an unforgettable night for me? Those moments of utter silence. When the music sort of lingers there like a rain cloud full to bursting. You talk to us. Really talk to us. Sure, we can all sense the humor. But there’s something so sincere, so earnest that it leaves me breathless. Even declarations of not coming out for an encore hold so much weight. Because it’s just you and us. The shouts of “Encore! Encore!” The screams. The seemingly unending chorus of “Epik High! Epik High!” As an audience we are united, a collective family, if only for these couple hours.

Epik High is precious to us.

When you do inevitably come back out to perform “Born Hater,” obviously the crowd is in an uproar. Then the music just stops. Right before the chorus, Tablo reaches within the depths of who he is. With the grace and eloquence of a poet, he expresses the kind of love for his audience that transcends the music. When Tukutz finally lets the beat drop again, Tablo imploring us to join him in his ultimate love word, “WOW!” there’s a feeling in the audience. Excitement is easy. What I feel wash over each and every one of us is acceptance.

We are precious to Epik High.

You all accepted us. Accepted our adoration, but more than anything else accepted our humanity. That’s something that I’ve not felt at a concert before. That I am part of something with depth and meaning. I am part of something magical. You wanna know the feeling I left that show with? Peace. I wasn’t overexcited, wasn’t babbling like a teenager. I was at peace.

So I simply want to say thank you. From the bottom of my heart. This is an experience that I’ll never forget and one that has set a standard for any concert I’ll attend in the future.

Yours truly,

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Written by Cy
Photographed by Cy
Edited by Lena

We Do ‘Epik High’: An Interview with Epik High

April 19, 2019April 17, 2019

It wouldn’t be a stretch to call Epik High legends. For over 15 years, the hip-hop Renaissance Men have enraptured audiences with their alternative perspective of the genre. With a penchant for creating music that digs into the insecurities and frailties of human nature, Tablo, Mithra Jin, and Tukutz have paved the way for a generation of artists who express themselves without fear.

Following the release of their second EP, “sleepless in __________,” the trio have embarked on a world tour. Before their stop in Austin, TX, they took some time out to answer some questions for HiphopKR.

Fearless Expression

Firstly, how is the tour going so far? Any interesting stories you’d like to share?

Tablo: The tour has been absolutely amazing. Beginning with Europe through N. America we will have met 30,000 fans in a little over a month since ‘Sleepless in __________’ has been released. We’re blessed to be able to see these many souls and share something with them. Also, I get to visit my other hometowns like the Bay Area and Vancouver, so that’s exciting!

Since your earliest days, when your music used to get banned from stations, music (and particularly hip-hop) has started talking more openly about controversial issues (mental health, the suicide rate, criticizing the government). Do you think your work has had a hand in making those issues come to light more prominently?

Mithra: There is no real way to gauge the extent of our influence, but we have been told that we inspired newer artists who speak on social issues, such as BTS.

Tablo: We’re happy about that because our intent in doing music was always to inspire others to have a voice, even if our own would get stifled in the process.

“[e]nergy” is one of our favorite Epik High albums. It’s just so emotional and so powerful. It was also the last album you put one of your lessons on until “Shoebox” five years later. We think it’s especially relevant considering our current political climate (One of the lines is “Isn’t it fun whenever the period recycles?”) What would Tablo’s Lesson be in 2019?

Tablo: When I have something to say, I put it in the music, so you’ll have to wait for Lesson 6.

If there were one aspect of “fame” or being a “celebrity” you could completely get rid of, what would it be?

Tablo: I’m grateful for everything, be it good or bad.

Who We Are

Many outlets describe you as “alt hip-hop.” Would you say that’s an accurate classification? If so, what do you think makes you “alternative” to “traditional” hip-hop? If not, how would you describe what you do?

Tukutz: We don’t really care, honestly. People can label us what they want.

Tablo: It really doesn’t change who we actually are and what we do.

Tukutz: We do ‘Epik High.’

Jin. You started out in the underground scene before you and Epik High really became internationally renowned and respected superstars. There are hundreds of rappers still grinding it out independently. Even rappers like RM and Suga who were underground rappers have found major success as mainstream artists (with BTS). What do you (or any of the members) think allows underground rappers/artists to go from underground/independent to popular/mainstream?

Mithra: Hard work and the fans. What I mean by hard work is perseverance.

Tablo: Yes, perseverance. Many people work hard, but only a few can persevere in the face of immeasurable odds. Like time, like suffering, like loss.

Tukutz. As a former b-boy, your connection to music is a little different than someone who writes and raps/sings. The musical range on all the albums has been so varied. What inspires how you create the music?

Tukutz: Tablo and I write songs together, and because we’re so different in personality, interests and life experiences, Epik High’s music automatically becomes diverse.

You’ve worked with record labels for 15 years. Do you think having the backing of a label made creating music less stressful? Or has the creative process always come easy for you?

Tablo: Even when we were with a label, we’ve always had complete creative freedom because we’ve always been willing to fight for it.

Mithra: Now that we’re independent again, all we have to fight is ourselves to continue to make good art.

sleepless in __________

You’ve worked with a wide range of artists over the years. If you were to do a “Born Hater 2,” who would you want to feature on it?

Tukutz: ‘No Thanxxx’ was ‘Born Hater 2,’ in a way. We already have ideas for the next squad song, but you’ll have to wait!

We have seen you describe “sleepless in __________” as a new beginning for Epik High. But it also seems like it’s a return to what made Epik High what it is (sort of revisiting the “purest” form of the group). What do you consider it to be most — a new beginning or a return to the beginning?

Tablo: I’d say both. Sometimes the best start is to go back to where you started.

Tukutz: Yes. I think the reception to the album has been so explosive because of this. People recognize and love that the album sounds like a classic Epik High album.

The intro to “sleepless in __________” is really fascinating: A monotone, almost robotic voice asking some very personal questions about loneliness and melancholy. Why was it important for you to start the album that way? Are those questions that ask yourself?

Tablo: Often, we don’t know what we’re feeling or dealing with because no one asks. This is why I made this track and this album.

Was the track “No Different” directed to someone in particular?

Tablo: Anyone that misses someone.

There was a focus on lo-fi for “sleepless in__________.” What drew you all to that sort of music? Was that an intentional musical choice for the album?

Tukutz: Lo-fi has always been our sound, even before it became a talking point. We were just doing what we do best.

Tablo: I found it interesting though that lo-fi music recently became this ‘sleep playlist/relaxing music/study music’ thing. I thought there would be a sense of irony to go super lo-fi on an album dealing with sleeplessness. That’s why in ‘Rain Again Tomorrow,’ I have lyrics directly addressing this: ‘Fuck em all, man I hate this.’

For each of you, what song on this album holds the most meaning to you personally and why?

Mithra: ‘Lovedrunk.’ I love the song and the video.