Amoeba Culture

Crush

Crush Casts a Spell on Korea Spotlight at SXSW 2018

One thing you must understand and prepare for before you head into a Crush show: he will try everything in his power to utterly destroy your life. This is no exaggeration. He’s crafted his performance style with as much care and dexterity as his music. The man knows how to put on a show — even more so how to rouse an audience, sweeping all his fans up in a furor and making them nearly catatonic with unbridled affection for his on-stage antics. One fan standing against the barrier behind the photo pit was beside herself. The mere suggestion of Crush’s presence had her in a near fugue state.

Crush performs at SXSW‘s Korea Spotlight 2018 presented by KOCCA (Korean Creative Content Agency)

There’s nothing quite like the roar of a crowd of adoring fans when the object of their undying affection makes his appearance. It’s something similar to the howling winds of an F-5 tornado, a squall like the finger of God. All hyperbole aside, it became increasingly apparent with every second that Crush not only knew what he was doing, knew the effect he had on his audience, he was dedicated to leaving each soul utterly shattered. Even the security guards, who’d attempted to remain stoic throughout the entirety of the Korea Spotlight, couldn’t help but smile, some fashioning the overt head nod indicative of men attempting to hide the fact that they’re overwhelmed.

Crush is a study in musical balance. Even without the backing of Band Wonderlust, you feel each dip and curve of his music as if he were playing fully loaded with all the trappings of a jazz ensemble. From the opening notes of “Sometimes,” the man’s on a mission. He completely engulfs the stage, almost suffocating everyone in the front row with his charisma. The song ends, silence ensues, and Crush milks the moment for all it’s worth: staring out into the audience with the gaze of a bird of prey. He has captured us all and isn’t intent on letting us go until he takes his final bow.

He flows effortlessly from song to song, giving us the bump and grind of “Woo-ah” only to transition into the smooth jazz inflection of “In the Air.” There are moments of such ingenious crowd interaction I just have to laugh. For instance, blowing a very slow, very deliberate kiss to the audience, eyes serious and focused as if physically planting a quake and quaver in the bodies of all those in attendance. At one point in the show I started protecting my camera whenever he picked up a water bottle.

He’s tender when delivering ballads, practically yanking the screams out of his fans. At one point he falls to his knees — the previous song seemingly wringing him dry for all its heartache. He then launches into an a cappella rendition of “Sofa,” a Jackie Wilson-inspired bit of hallelujah that culminates in a melismatic jubilee in that flawless falsetto of his — candle-wax drip flirtation he brings out when he doesn’t believe his audience is close enough to the edge of their sanity. But he gets downright sinful when teasing us with his R&B, suggestive lyrics like those of “She Said” or “Hug Me” causing a reaction that nearly shakes the Belmont from its foundation.

When Crush has had his way with the audience, wrung every last yelp, screech, and entreaty for his affection from the throats and hearts of his crowd, he takes a deep bow and heads backstage. (Of course, it’s only fitting that he come back out for a few more seconds to deliver a flying kiss and soak up more of that seething adulation.)

Crush absolutely pulls no punches. This is a man with no qualms about snatching the life out of you, and he does it all with his voice. Yes, the interactions were brilliant, his ministrations giving every body in attendance the fits. Even his song choice was calculated. But the unmistakable truth is that Crush is a voice and a mind for music that lends itself to performance. He knows how to work an audience, to send each and every person into hysterics. His voice is the catalyst of it all.

Crush performs at the Belmont Theatre at SXSW 2018. Photo by Andrew Noh for HiphopKR.

 

 

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DJ Friz - The Record Vol. D (cover art)

DJ Friz releases ‘The Record Vol. D’ with MRSHLL and Megan Lee

Amoeba Culture’s DJ Friz has released his second single ‘The Record Vol. D‘ today as well as a music video. The featured artists are Feel Ghood Music’s MRSHLL and singer Megan Lee.

Last year in March, DJ Friz released his debut single ‘The Record Vol. R’. Today, the second part of the series has come out in form of a single and music video.

While the previous single in the series contained tracks whose titles began with an “R,” this new single tells a story with focus on the letter “D.” The music videos have the same main character and this new video tells the character’s story before its breakup. The video art once again comes from talented artist Seoro Oh.

The addicting song features singers MRSHLL and Megan Lee. The lyrics of the Korean version were co-written by Dynamic Duo‘s Choiza.

“Wanna Dive with me?”

‘The Record Vol. D’ Track List & Credits:
  1. Dive (Feat. MRSHLL, Megan Lee) TITLE
    Written by Choiza, MRSHLL
    Performed by MRSHLL, Megan Lee
    Composed by DJ Friz, MRSHLL
    Arranged by DJ Friz
  2. Dive (English Ver.) (Feat. MRSHLL, Megan Lee)
    Written by MRSHLL
    Performed by MRSHLL, Megan Lee
    Composed by DJ Friz, MRSHLL
    Arranged by DJ Friz

MV Art & Animation: Seoro Oh
Directed by VIDEOKID

‘DIVE’ Music Videos:

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Source: Mnet

Dynamic Duo - BONGJESEON (cover art)

Dynamic Duo drop new single and MV ‘BONGJESEON (Feat. Suran)’

Gaeko and Choiza are back with a new song and music video about love. ‘BONGJESEON (봉제선)‘ (lit.: seam) was produced by Philtre, and features Suran‘s vocals as well as lyrics written by Heize.

From one moment to the next, two people in a relationship can go from being the closest to each other in the whole world, to being the farthest away from each other. Dynamic Duo‘s latest single tells of a regular, real and thus sad love story. In the lyrics, the two describe their views on a longtime couple who are standing on the edge of a breakup. They say that “with time, lovers naturally get bored with each other, just like a ripped seam. We hurt each other, pricking into the other’s heart, yet can’t let go of the needle until the end.” With this, they describe how the two try to mend their relationship even though they both know it is too late because they have already drifted too far apart.

‘BONGJESEON’ is a song for everyone who cannot let go of the needle until the end.

‘BONGJESEON’ Credits:

Written by Gaeko, Choiza, Heize
Composed by Gaeko, Philtre
Arranged by Philtre
Performed by Gaeko, Choiza, Suran
MV starring ChungJae Kim

Music Video:

Related Links:

[x_block_grid type=”three-up”][x_block_grid_item]Dynamic Duo    [icon type=”facebook-square”][/x_block_grid_item]
[x_block_grid_item]Gaeko    [icon type=”instagram”]     [icon type=”soundcloud”]     [icon type=”twitter-square”][/x_block_grid_item]
[x_block_grid_item]Choiza    [icon type=”instagram”][/x_block_grid_item][/x_block_grid]


Source: Mnet

Crush - Be By My Side (cover art)

Crush releases single and music video ‘Be By My Side’

With his new single and music video ‘Be By My Side‘, Crush conveys his gratitude to everyone who has been supporting him.

“This year, I realized that one cannot live in this world by oneself. I sincerely wanted to thank the people dear to me and everyone who has been by my side.”

Crush has always released songs that soothe listeners with their honest lyrics and various topics. This time, he tells everyone that they’ve worked hard in 2017.

On a day when you feel tired and exhausted, rely on this song and have a rest.

‘Be By My Side’ Credits:

Included Sample: Brazilian Rhyme (Interlude) by Earth, Wind and Fire
Original Writer: Maurice White
Original Publisher: EMI April Music Inc.
Sub-Publisher: EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING KOREA

Lyrics written by CRUSH
Composed by CRUSH, Maurice White
Arranged by CRUSH

Music Video:

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Source: Mnet

Rhythm Power - Dongseongro (cover art)

Rhythm Power release single and MV ‘Dongseongro (Feat. Crush)’

The hiphop trio Rhythm Power have released a new double single and music video together with sturdy support from Crush, ELO, GroovyRoom, and Assbrass.

The title track ‘Dongseongro‘ is about going out and having fun for the night. Rhythm Power‘s enthusiastic rapping and Crush‘s vocals are a refreshing synergy that perfectly displays the atmosphere of a night out.
This single also holds the song ‘집앞으로 갈게 (Feat. ELO)‘ which is very different from the title track. It is a song you can listen to at the end of the day. The story: After a fight, a man tells his girlfriend that he’ll stop by her place for a while.

Rhythm Power shine the brightest when they’re together. Enjoy the energy and music of these three artists! You can watch the title track’s music video below, as well as Rhythm Power performing it live. Also find a teaser for ‘집앞으로 갈게’ below the tracklist.

‘Dongseongro’ Track List & Credits:
  1. Dongseongro (동성로) (Feat. Crush) TITLE
    Written by Hangzoo, Geegooin, Boi B, Crush
    Composed by GroovyRoom, Crush, Boi B
    Arranged by GroovyRoom (Gyujeong, Hwimin)
    MV by Studio Pivote
  2. 집앞으로 갈게 (Feat. ELO)
    Written by Hangzoo, Geegooin, Boi B
    Composed and arranged by Assbrass

Mixed by Stay Tuned

‘집앞으로 갈게’ Teaser:

‘Dongseongro’ Music Video:

‘Dongseongro’ Live Performance:


Source: Mnet