South by Southwest has invited a number of Korean hip-hop and R&B artists to spotlight. The likes of Epik High, MFBTY, and Crush have all left their unique stamp on the festival. In 2019, the range and diversity of hip-hop and R&B acts has only broadened. Here I give a sneak peek into who I’m really excited to see (and who you should probably check out as well).
XXX release first full-length album, “Language”
Hiphop duo XXX, consisting of producer FRNK and rapper Kim Ximya, released its first full-length album, ‘Language‘, yesterday.
Two weeks ago, XXX pre-released one last track, ‘Sujak‘, before the album finally came out yesterday.
With the release of their LP, XXX also announced a 2-CD-album titled ‘Second Language‘, which will hold the following tracks:
무뢰배
우린
우아
Bougie
FAD
Scale Model
Language
괜찮아
다했어
사무직
The time of release has not been revealed yet but fans can look forward to ten additional tracks. Meanwhile, enjoy the ten tracks that were released yesterday on international music platforms like YouTube (see above), iTunes/Apple Music, and Spotify!
‘Language’ Track List & Credits:
- 18거 1517 (18G 1517)
- Ugly
- 수작 (Sujak) TITLE
- 간주곡 (Ganju Gok) TITLE
- Trust Us
- S_it
- 뭐 어쩔까 그럼 (What You Want)
- Arranged
- Bad For You
- Told You
- Just Like (Limited Edition Bonus Track)
- Noise (Limited Edition Bonus Track)
Lyrics: Kim Ximya
Music: FRNK
Track 4 co-arranged by Leechae Kang
Distribution: IRIVER
Presented by BANA
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XXX pre-release ‘Sujak’ off upcoming ‘Language’ LP
XXX of bana have pre-released the track ‘Sujak (수작)‘ off their upcoming first full-length album, ‘Language’, today.
Rapper Kim Ximya and beatmaker FRNK started to release tracks off their first LP in February, with ‘What You Want‘. In May, another track off the LP, whose title has not been revealed yet, came out as part of FRNK’s ‘Copy and Creation Mixset Vol. 1‘. Then, just last month, the two dropped the single ‘Just Like‘.
This fourth track seems to be the last pre-release as the album is coming up on November 28. You can find the single on international music platforms, including YouTube (see above), iTunes/Apple Music, and Spotify.
‘Sujak’ Credits:
Lyrics: Kim Ximya
Composed and arranged by FRNK
Presented by BANA
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Source: Mnet
E SENS releases new digital single, ‘MTLA (Feat. Masta Wu)’
E SENS of beasts and natives alike has returned with a new digital single today. ‘MTLA‘ features Masta Wu.
XXX pre-release ‘Just Like’ off ‘Language’ LP
XXX have pre-released the track ‘Just Like‘ off their upcoming first full-length album, ‘Language’, today.
Producer Suho Lee aims to ‘Entertain’ with debut full-length album
Producer Suho Lee has released his debut LP with featurings by Kid milli and Kim Ximya today. ‘Entertain‘ ignores genres as it puts noise into order.
The name Suho Lee (read: “Sooho Lee”) first came up in March through Kid milli‘s first LP ‘AI, THE PLAYLIST‘, where it was credited as producer of the track ‘AI’ and the title track ‘WHY DO FUCKBOIS HANG OUT ON THE NET’.
In May, Suho Lee appeared on SoundCloud, pre-releasing ‘Ambush‘, the title track of his debut album which features rapper Kim Ximya of XXX.
With this full-length album, producer Suho Lee wants to express emotions like anger, suppression, and confusion. Rather than having listeners dance or move along to his music, he wants them to react by feeling the emotions his music evokes.
“I sometimes think my existence is unnecessary. The suppression and injustice I feel from the world might be the reason; from time to time I feel deeply lonely doing something different from everyone else. At those times, what comforted me weren’t your average lyrics or melodies. Releasing my anger through a practical means like shouting and the catharsis I felt through that anger were the greatest comfort for me.”
By taking part in directing the music video, Suho Lee also shows himself as a visual director. He already has experience in this area: In April, he directed a concept film for vulcanized shoe brand Excelsior.
The album artwork was created by owvbics, who has made artworks for the likes of G-Dragon and Keith Ape. The featured artists include Kim Ximya and Kid milli, and the producers who helped out are Hipincase and zamzako.
Finally, the tracks were mastered by world-renowned engineer Chris Gehringer, who’s worked for Rihanna, Drake, Nas, and Wu-Tang Clan.
‘Entertain’ Track List & Credits:
- We Make Noise, Not Music (Feat. Kid milli)
- Hang
- Ambush (Feat. Kim Ximya) TITLE
- Enter
- Baek Hwa Jeom
- Heritage (Feat. zamzako)
- Outro 出口
Executive Producer: Suho Lee
Co-Producer: Hipincase, zamzako
Lyrics: Kid milli, Kim Ximya
Mixing: FRNK, zamzako
Mastering: Chris Gehringer at Sterling Sound, New York
Album Cover: owvbics
Video Directors: Suho Lee, Minki Kim, Jihoon Kim, Kichan Nam
Photography: Nikolaus Kim
‘Ambush’ Official Audio:
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Source: Mnet
FRNK releases ‘Copy and Creation Mixset Vol. 1’ including new XXX track
bana’s producer FRNK has revealed a new mixset titled ‘Copy and Creation (모방과 창작) Mixset Vol. 1‘. It includes a track off XXX’s upcoming album ‘Language’.
XXX ask ‘What You Want’ with new single
Hiphop duo XXX, who are FRNK and Kim Ximya of beasts and natives alike, have released their new single ‘What You Want (뭐 어쩔까 그럼)‘ today.
XXX previously released the track ‘Cheap (Feat. E SENS)‘ for the OST of the drama ‘Bad Guys: Vile City’ on December 31.
Now, the two return with a new track that is a pre-release off the duo’s upcoming first full-length album ‘Language‘. On FRNK‘s electronic sounds you can enjoy Kim Ximya‘s raw rap and lyricism. The single is available on all Korean music portals as well as on iTunes worldwide. Go here for the links.
‘What You Want’ Credits:
Composed and arranged by FRNK
Written and performed by Kim Ximya
“Stop the talk about money
I just wanna talk art
Art is human
Humans are greedy
Greed is about money
“Wait hold up
Stop the talk about money
I just wanna talk art
Art is business
Business is about profit
Profit is money
“Wait hold up
Stop the talk about money
I just wanna talk art
Art is love
Love is natural
Nature is ..”
Related Links:
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BANA release I’M GOOD #7 ‘Everywhere’
beasts and natives alike have published the seventh episode of their documentary I’M GOOD.