Credits:
01. 나는 [I] (Real SxxT) feat. D.meanor
Prod. by Cash
Lyrics by Dope’Doug, D.meanor
Mixed by Dope’Doug
Mastered by HILO (Isaac Han)
This track has been pre-released, give it a listen:
02. 빛 (The Light) feat. Paloalto, D.meanor
Prod. by Let The Galaxy Burn
Lyrics by Dope’Doug, D.meanor, Paloalto
Mixed and mastered by HILO (Isaac Han)
03. Chill & Kill feat. B-Free
Prod. by YongNFly
Lyrics by Dope’Doug, B-Free
Mixed by Dope’Doug
Mastered by HILO (Isaac Han)
04. 막 올라 (Bout To Lift)
Prod. by Glam Gould
Lyrics by Dope’Doug
Mixed by Dope’Doug, Glam Gould
Mastered by Glam Gould
05. She’s got that
Prod. by HILO (Isaac Han)
Lyrics by Dope’Doug
Mixed and mastered by HILO (Isaac Han)
06. 전부 우리꺼 [It’s All Ours].
Prod. by Hyuno93
Lyrics by Dope’Doug
Mixed by Dope’Doug
Mastered by HILO (Isaac Han)
07. 나는 꿈 [I, Dream] (Outro)
Prod. by CHEMIST
Lyrics by Dope’Doug
Mixed by Dope’Doug
Mastered by HILO (Isaac Han)
Art Dir./Art by Rowdee
Photography by Booba
Assistant photographer: AKA502HO
Support by Lee Joonhwa
Thanks to: First, I sincerely thank Lee Joonhwa-hyungnim for making it possible that I can release an EP album. I will never forget your kindness. I thank my parents (Lee Taebong, Lee Youngja) who are probably having another hard day. I love you. My hyung and my noona (Lee Giho, Lee Mi-ae). My beloved girlfriend who I am grateful to, she is always my dream next to my side. Booba-hyungnim and Sunghoon, Gongmin, Rowdee-hyungnim, Paloalto-hyungnim, B-Free-hyungnim. D.meanor, Isacc who mixed track five and mastered all tracks and who always gives me good energy. Kwon Hangyul, Sung Donghwa, Hanhae, Kim Kiwoong, Lim Sooin, Kim Jiwon, Park Yooseung, Konsoul, vybe. Kim Jangmin, Kim Minho, Kwag Dongchan, Yoo Kyungsoo, Seung Young-gwang, Daenjel. Hyungwoo and Taemi, Hong Joonhyuk-hyungnim, Lee Hongwoon-hyungnim, Goo Sungchul, Goo Minchul, Lee Youngjin-hyungnim. My computer and equipment. Everyone who knows the names Lee Chulho and Dope’Doug and listens to my music, as well as everyone who participated in the making of the album, there are so many people I am grateful to. Finally, I sincerely thank everyone who is reading this right now. May you be happy!
Intro)
Let it show, let it show
Stop talkin’ now and show it
Let it show, let it show
Stop talkin’ now and show it
Bounce, bounce, bounce
You gotta bounce like
Bounce, bounce, bounce
You gotta bounce like
Hook)
Tatts on arms, back, chest, go and let it show
If you got swag stop talkin’ bout it, let it show
Girls in the club, if you got ass let it show
If you got cash then you know you gotta let it show
Show, show, now go and let it show
Show, show, now go and let it show
Show, show, now go and let it show
Hi-Lite, Illionaire, you know we gonna let it show
Verse 1)
I’m in the house like monthly rent
The damp temperature in the club is totally tropical
Someone order drinks, some expensive alcohol, open it
Go up to a pretty girl and clink glasses right away
Yeah, party hard like your birthday
We’re honey bees like Wu Tang
Born in the year of the ox,((B-Free was born 1985)) that bull shit Lamborghini Mercy
Now work it, shake it like an earthquake, hey
Let it show, let it show, your everything
She says, “It’s give and take”
(OK) I can’t give you a lot
but for now take this Jägerbomb, tonight let me blow your mind
Yes, I light things up a bit,((Could be a pun on “light up” which has several meanings, so this part can also be translated as: “Yes, I dig it a bit” and might be implying that he likes to party/have fun/…)) Hi-Lite
I work hard and do well, hell yeah I fuck it right
All and everyone is busy having fun so
let it show, let it show, come on show me what you got
Hook)
Verse 2: Okasian)
It’s all about looks so I gotta let it show
If you got swag, fuck rappin’ bout it, just let it show
If you got cash, fuck braggin’ bout it, just spend it bruh, bruh
Fuck braggin’ bout it just spend it bruh
All talk and more talk, you’re quite fancy only on the surface
When you go to a year-end party you’ll talk blahblah of the past again, uh
I don’t believe what I haven’t seen, shut the fuck up
OK I’ll let it slide, empty your drink already
If you’re really hot in the club then take it off
Those who pretend to be well-behaved, please stop it now
Even if your breasts are small, there’s no need to be careful
You can keep your pretty bra on, just pull your skirts up
Uh, hit the ground with your ass and the ground returns it
I’m not joking, I don’t make jokes
When it comes to havin’ fun, we’re pros you’re amateurs
So lil mama let it show, tell ’em
Verse 3: Beenzino)
A navy MTM sweater and camouflage shorts
I’m fresher than a mufucker, hairstyle like Ryota Miyagi((Character from the manga/anime Slam Dunk))
Point guard,((Basketball position, another reference to Slam Dunk (see previous line too) )) the key to opening girls’ hearts
I don’t have a foreign car yet but I’m wild and young and free
Fuck that money, fuck that pop, fuck that DD((Dynamic Duo)) wannabes,
Fuck that smartasses who steal my music, all of them
Who’s the underground king now? It’s a bit embarrassing
to say this myself but fuck it bitch it’s me now .. so ..
It’s on me, the alcohol is all free
Nothing’s forever but my stock price is still high
2010 feature king, got 7,000 with my first EP
And thanks to a nationwide tour 350 in one week
Damn, let’s celebrate, man I’m only 26
Hip hop has saved me from the hell that is unemployment
And you never been this far like me, fuck broke, RIP
Hi-Lite, Illionaire, our music is always alive
On Tuesday, November 17, the global city of London was the place to be for European fans of Korean hiphop. Hi-Lite Records’ Okasian and B-Free had come for a visit, joined by a “Very Special Guest” in their quest to “spread peace and love,” as B-Free put it.
Read on for a detailed review of the Currency Exchange Show #1 organized by Cult of Ya which I attended as part of the press.
The show was Okasian and B-Free’s first time in London, yet it was not London’s first time hosting a Korean hiphop artist as Dok2 had already performed there in 2011. Scene of the event this time around was Ace Hotel‘s night club Miranda with its dazed but somehow cozy atmosphere.
Entrance to the venue started a little late due to a malfunctioning DJ kit from Korea, which “got […] sorted McGuyver style,” as the organizer stated on the event’s Facebook page. Luckily, as part of the press I was already inside the venue one hour earlier and thus able to escape the hassles of waiting in line outside in the cold.
As the club started to fill with people, the elegant Red Pig Flower got everyone in the right mood with her smooth DJ set.
Next up were more local artists: Jungle Gang, Joe Jas, Zone 17, and Macca Wiles. Several among them were sporting Hi-Lite hoodies, which made me nod along to their music in envy (sadly, no Hi-Lite merchandise or CDs were being sold at the show). I did not know any of the artists as I mainly listen to Khiphop, but many others in the audience did know them and screamed and rapped along full-throatedly, and I must say I did enjoy most of their performances, especially those of Jungle Gang and Zone 17.
While I was standing in the very front row at the beginning of the show, as time passed and artists went on and off stage, I was pushed back farther and farther, as you might have noticed while watching the footage above. The crowd was not very civilized; soon I found myself elbowed, headbutted, and barely escaping the fist of a girl next to me who raised her arms eagerly. Before I knew, I was standing at the back of the crowd and had missed the performances of Freshberry and Darq E Freaker because I had been too concentrated on staying unharmed. Mind you, I have no idea if they even performed at all (no, I was not drunk).
At the latest when Macca Wiles came on stage, joined briefly by the main acts B-Free and Okasian, the crowd went completely crazy and people were pushed on the nearly ground-level stage which had no barriers of any sort. Security personnel had to rush in to help, and even B-Free’s countless friendly requests to “Calm the fuck down” were of little use.
Visibility-wise, the venue itself was very good so that one should have been able to see the artists on stage even from the far back. However, by the time “Green Kawasaki” resounded from the speakers, phones and arms blocked the front view and overzealous cameramen had surrounded the artists on stage, blocking the sight from left and right. In the end, all I could see was the face of the very tall security guy rising above the crowd who did not look too amused in his position. So I made myself comfortable on one of the soft seatings in the back, watched people dance, cameras flash, and enjoyed the music.
However, fear not, I did take some videos of the Hi-Lite members! Thanks to Cult of Ya, I had the opportunity to watch the rehearsals which were sheer luxury as I could unobstructedly film full shots of DJ Djanga, Okasian, B-Free, and the special guest. Although the video is missing the crowd and the turned-up atmosphere of a concert, you can instead get a taste of what happens behind the scenes, something which we fans do not get to see every day.
If you would like to see videos of the performances and behind-the-scenes pictures of the artists in London, head over to Cult of Ya’s Twitter. There are also links to other reviews so you can form yourself a better view on the event.
Yes, you might have already guessed it from the blurry picture above: the “Very Special Guest” was none other than Hi-Lite Records’ CEO Paloalto! He DJ’ed at the afterparty into the early morning.
The Korean artists brought us the best of their latest releases and hits, from “It G Ma” (which they played at least twice if I am not mistaken) to unreleased (!) songs produced, written, and performed by B-Free. Against my faint hopes, they performed lots of trap and none of their older tracks, aside from Okasian’s “Spread the Word“.
B-Free did not miss out on giving away free t-shirts and the crowd went nuts as he distributed them, making him shout: “It’s just a shirt!” He also stated his solidarity with Paris along with the message that they simply came to London to spread peace and love, which the crowd embraced with appreciating cheers and applause. One guy in the audience who was standing in the front must have had a few drinks too much or was just overwhelmed by all the love for he attempted to reciprocate it in form of a kiss. It was crazy.
Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the afterparty due to logistical issues, but several people said that they had had a great time.
Although I did miss out on some parts of the event, and organization-wise there was room for improvement here and there, it was a great experience. The venue staff were all very friendly and helpful; needless to say, but the artists were super nice as well; and despite some people being slightly “violent,” the overall crowd was fun too. I met a bunch of wonderful European Khiphop fans; shout-out to Maria, to Soompi’s Cream (if you know French, read her insightful review here), and especially to Tiffany for supporting me spontaneously by being my photographer! Merci les filles !
It is not an actual part of this review, yet I cannot not mention the extra “intimate” show which took place at Visions Video Bar on Sunday, November 15, two days before the Currency Exchange Show. The event was announced on very short notice (only three days earlier) with actually very good intentions: since the Currency Exchange Show was sold out and many people did not get any tickets, the Welcome Party was supposed to make up for it. For some reasons however (most probably the short notice, not enough promotions, the event taking place on a Sunday), very few people attended. At one point there were more people on stage than in front of it, so calling it an “intimate” show was no PR stunt. Probably everyone came the artists very near at one point, either when everyone stood outside of the venue, smoking in unison, or when Okasian and B-Free decided to get off stage and jump around in the middle of the audience. All kinds of things flew through the air, from cellphones over blood (luckily no serious injuries were inflicted) to sparks of love.
Judging from what I have heard and read so far, the great majority of everyone who attended had a huge load of fun at the Currency Exchange Show (and at the Welcome Party). And I can only agree, despite having preferred better security and organization for the sake of the audience and the artists. That way, I would not have had to worry about surviving the crowd but could have fully enjoyed all the performances instead. Actually seeing the artists during the show would have been a plus too, but to be honest I am in no position to complain since I got to meet and watch them at the extra “intimate” show and during rehearsals.
Last but not least, huge thanks go out to Cult of Ya for making this review possible!
I dare claim that Europe wants more Khiphop, and I cannot wait to find out what Cult of Ya have got up their sleeve for us next!
Check out the second of SCV’s Mineral Excavation Interviews, this time with Simba Zawadi who has a lot to say about his interesting background and his remix of ‘Come Back Home’.