Having pre-released the track “PEACE (Feat. JUSTHIS, Paloalto)” last month, DJ Noah has released his first full-length album, “DRIVE,” today.
Hwaji releases “Femme Fatales & Getaway Planes” for Valentine’s Day
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, rapper Hwaji has released the four-track album “Femme Fatales & Getaway Planes” today.
JUSTHIS drops diss track ‘THISISJUSTHIS’–diss battle unraveled
In the ongoing diss battle between JUSTHIS and VMC, the Indigo Music artist has released a digital single today. ‘THISISJUSTHIS’ is a nine-minute long diss track. Find out about the whole battle!
Who
Seoul-born hiphop artist JUSTHIS is known for being a successful artist without the help of the mainstream music market. He gave his debut in 2010 when he featured on producer Shirosky‘s EP under the artist name ‘TiMeWiNe’. In 2013 he formed the team Common Cold together with Mad Clown; the duo released one official single in 2017. JUSTHIS is signed to Swings‘ label Indigo Music and is a member of DOPPELGÄNGEM Crew, which he founded together with illinit.
In 2016, JUSTHIS released his debut album ‘2 MANY HOMES 4 1 KID‘, winning the Newcomer Award at the Korean Hiphop Awards and being nominated for Best Rap & Hiphop Album at the 14th Korean Music Awards. The album had a huge impact, and JUSTHIS’ rap skills received praise by critics and fans alike.
Previously
In November last year, Don Malik released the diss track ‘old Wave‘, in which he mentioned several rappers as well as label Vismajor Company (VMC). The label’s CEO Deepflow then responded, and after a quick back–and–forth, he announced the battle as ended.
Deepflow, nicknamed “the Godfather of Korean hiphop,” has been producing high-quality music through his label while also supporting rookie artists. In his diss track, Don Malik basically pointed out that VMC “changed their attitude,” initially showing pride in the underground scene and dissing mainstream music, but then selling themselves to that very mainstream market. With this, he referred to Nucksal‘s participation in Show Me The Money, or Deepflow being a judge on SCHOOL RAPPER. Don Malik made it evident that he had been a long-time fan of Deepflow and his label, and therefore felt very disappointed with them, seeing his trust betrayed.
Continuation
JUSTHIS and Don Malik have been known to be close; in 2017 JUSTHIS produced Don Malik’s single ‘MOWGLI‘. Already during the Don Malik vs. Deepflow (VMC) battle, JUSTHIS had expressed his negative feelings toward Deepflow at Viann and Khundi Panda‘s ‘Reconstruction‘ LP showcase in mid-December.
In the following, JUSTHIS dissed Deepflow on ‘UV Cypher Ep. 3‘ where he appeared alongside Kid Milli, Bassagong, and Swings. He expressed his disappointment in Deepflow’s change of attitude:
“You wanna earn money? Them asshole snakes changed lanes”
“In the end you became the type of person you initially dissed”
“You got no love, nor my respect”
However, Deepflow showed no reaction to the diss. He appeared on a talk show (episode revealed on March 22), where he explained his thoughts. He said that in a personal conversation, he might agree with Don Malik and JUSTHIS and feel sorry, but in a diss battle he can never admit to that. ‘You cannot respond to a diss track with a track saying that you’re sorry,’ so Deepflow’s stance.
After Don Malik’s sexual harassment incident in February, fans thought the entire issue to be over and done with. However, JUSTHIS did not give in: He appeared on episode 31 of Olltii’s freestyle series ‘7INDAYS’ (read: “chillin days”) and explicitly insulted Deepflow, Nucksal, and Don Mills. (Don Malik appeared on several episodes of 7INDAYS too, including episode 28 where he and Olltii briefly mention the diss battle.)
Responses came immediately: One day later, Deepflow dropped ‘나다 이‘ (English title: nada e; lit.: it’s me, you [insert insult]), and two days later, Don Mills dropped ‘랩저능아‘ (English title: what the fuck’s diss; lit.: rap retard).
Today, JUSTHIS released the digital single ‘THISISJUSTHIS’, which contains a nine(!)-minute long diss track. It is rumored to have been recorded in one take. JUSTHIS once again dissed Deepflow, Nucksal, and Don Mills, and name-dropped Swings, FANA, Hwaji, and illinit.
Not even five minutes after the single came out, Nucksal revealed his own opinions on the dissing in the track ‘Black Mirror‘, in which he also mentioned ‘THISISJUSTHIS’. As it seems impossible that Nucksal recorded the track within five minutes, he likely added those parts at the end.
Opinions
While ‘THISISJUSTHIS’ gained favorable reviews, the whole affair brought JUSTHIS a few more haters. Deepflow was praised for the good quality of his diss track. Both Don Mills and Nucksal’s diss tracks garnered mostly negative reviews, as they were lacking compared to the two rappers’ usual quality.
As usual, Fans are eager to find a “winner” in this battle. However, since JUSTHIS is asking for a confession that Deepflow is evidently not going to give in a rap battle, the two sides appear to be at cross-purposes.
‘THISISJUSTHIS’ Credits:
Executive Producer: JUSTHIS
Scratch: DJ KENDRICKX
Mixed & mastered by Kaystah at Lighted Theater Studio
Artwork Design: JUSTHIS
Presented by Indigo Music
Follow JUSTHIS:
[icon type=”facebook-square”] [icon type=”instagram”] [icon type=”soundcloud”] [icon type=”tumblr-square”] [icon type=”twitter-square”] [icon type=”youtube-square”]
Hippy was Gipsy pre-release ‘기록’ music video off upcoming LP
One day before the release of their second full-length album, duo Hippy was Gipsy have pre-released the music video for their track ‘기록‘ (lit.: record).
Hippy was Gipsy (히피는 집시였다) are producer Jflow of WAVISABIROOM and singer Sep. The two released their debut album ‘Island‘ in February 2017 and their first full-length album ‘Tree‘ in June. The LP was awarded The Best R&B/Soul Album at the Korean Music Awards this year.
Tomorrow, the duo’s second LP ‘언어‘ (lit.: Language) is coming out. It will feature CIFIKA, Jjangyou, Hwaji, jeebanoff, and Kim Oki. Prior to its release, the music video for the track ‘Record (with Hwaji)‘ has come out via YouTube–watch it above!
A music video for the LP’s title track ‘침대’ (lit.: Bed) is coming up as well.
‘기록’ MV Credits:
Music: Jflow, Sep, Hwaji
Executive Producer: FLEV
Directors: Deukhwan Kim, Jooyoung Byun, Yoo-ah Seo, Hyang Rok Seo
DOP: Hyang Rok Seo
Motion Design: Yoo-ah Seo
Follow Hippy was Gipsy:
Soul One releases first full-length album ‘SouLonely’
Singer Soul One has released his first full-length album ‘SouLonely‘ yesterday with support by Coke Jazz, Satbyeol, Huckleberry P, Hwaji, and Paloalto. The music video for the title track ‘Thank U’ has come out as well.
Hwaji releases new mini album ‘WASD’ and ‘Nappe’ MV
Hwaji brings you laid-back hiphop music with his second mini album ‘WASD’ and the title track ‘Nappe’.
Hiphop artist Hwaji has been pleasing the ears of hiphop fans since 2009. His LP ‘EAT‘ is a legendary album and in 2016 he delivered again with his second LP ‘ZISSOU‘. In November 2017, the rapper raised fans’ expectations for his new album with the pre-released single ‘Shine My Way (Feat. Chaboom, JUSTHIS)’ (watch it live for Dingo Freestyle).
Do you remember the time when you first played a video game as a child? Hwaji’s new album starts by going back to the first time Hwaji played a first-person game. He remembers it as an entirely new experience, controlling the character’s movements with just the ‘WASD‘ keys on the keyboard. Changing direction using the keys and looking around the area using the mouse was like a new world to young Hwaji. It broadened the range of possibilities for him. The same goes for this album with which Hwaji dives into a new dimension of his music.
The artist’s previous albums contained an overall message, stories that would deeply comfort the listener or convey meaningful philosophical insights. Hwaji turned the ideals that he pursues into music. On the other hand, this new album is made up of music that you can listen to comfortably, just like playing a video game.
The title track ‘Nappe‘ that stands out among the rest of the tracks very directly states one message: “Leave me out of Korean hiphop!” Hwaji expresses his own complex feelings about how people generalize when they have doubts about a specific part of the Korean hiphop scene. He raps about his personal contemplative impression and his own role, so this track is recommended to everyone who listens to Korean hiphop. Also, Hwaji’s “hippy” character makes another appearance in ‘Born Hippy’, a track which encourages a life of fun. Especially interesting this time is the fact that the two tracks ‘WASD’ and ‘On It’ are entirely in English. Hwaji put down all the burdens and pressure, and had fun making this album.
In ‘WASD’, Hwaji contemplates about living and comfortably raps about “his new life” as he enjoys doing his thing. When you feel like having some fun or just chill, listen to this album!
Scroll down to check out the music video for ‘Nappe’!
On January 19, Hwaji is holding a showcase. More info here.
‘WASD’ Track List & Credits:
- 나 빼 (Nappe) TITLE
Produced by Young Soul, O’nut
Written & performed by Hwaji
Composed by Young Soul, O’nut, Hwaji
Arranged by Young Soul, O’nut - Shine My Way (feat. Chaboom & JUSTHIS)
Produced by Young Soul, O’nut
Written & performed by Hwaji, Chaboom, JUSTHIS
Composed by Young Soul, O’nut
Arranged by Young Soul, O’nut - WASD
Produced by Young Soul, O’nut
Written & performed by Hwaji
Composed by Young Soul, O’nut
Arranged by Young Soul, O’nut - 게임 하지마 (Don’t Play Games)
Produced by Young Soul, O’nut
Written & performed by Hwaji
Composed by Young Soul, O’nut, Hwaji
Arranged by Young Soul, O’nut - On It
Produced by Young Soul, O’nut, Jay Cry
Written & performed by Hwaji
Composed by Young Soul, O’nut, Jay Cry, Hwaji
Arranged by Young Soul, O’nut, Jay Cry - Surf
Produced by Young Soul, O’nut
Written & performed by Hwaji
Composed by Young Soul, O’nut, Hwaji
Arranged by Young Soul, O’nut - 모태히피 (Born Hippy) (feat. O’nut)
Produced by Young Soul, O’nut
Written by Hwaji
Performed by Hwaji, O’nut
Composed by Young Soul, O’nut, Hwaji
Arranged by Young Soul, O’nut
Album Credits:
Executive Producer: INPLANET
Album produced by Hwaji, Young Soul, O’nut
Recorded by Young Soul, Hwaji at Rhythmer Studio
Mixed by Jay Cry, Young Soul at Rhythmer Studio
Mastered by Nahzam Sue at 쑥고개 III Studio
A&R Director: Jungbong Yeom
A&R: Sunghyun Joh
Art Director: Yeonjung Kang
Illustrations by Hwaji
Design by Loudnine
Photographer: Mijin Park
Music Video: COCKY
Promotion: Yeonjung Kang, Sunghyun Joh
Online Distribution: Baegun Park for INPLANET
CD Distribution: Windmill Ent.
Sponsored by Korea Creative Content Agency
‘Nappe’ Music Video:
Follow Hwaji:
[icon type=”home”] [icon type=”instagram”] [icon type=”soundcloud”] [icon type=”twitter-square”]
Source: Mnet
Hwaji releases new single ‘Shine My Way (Feat. Chaboom, JUSTHIS)’
Three lyricists of the Korean hiphop scene have gotten together for the single ‘Shine My Way’.