#very popular experimental rapper

[chaosmenu]

eho is tyler the creator

[stay-dazed]

a simple stray kids guide (for baby stays) ✨

overview: stray kids, or skz for short, is an 8-member korean boy band that debuted on march 25th, 2018 under jype ent. they were formed through a survival show in 2017 with originally 9 members, but one member left the group a year after debut for unknown reasons. there are three subunits to the group: 3racha the rap/producer unit, danceracha the dance unit, and vocalracha the vocal unit. of course, though, all of them do a bit of everything.

stray kids were considered an “experimental group” since the leader of the group was tasked with choosing all the members himself, and coming up with the name, logo, and fandom name of the group. as a group, they produced all their own music as well. they were relatively small for a while but by the time they released their song god’s menu, they were growing in popularity.

now stray kids have had many accomplishments, including: performing at lollapalooza, being the first k-pop group invited to the met gala, becoming ambassadors for brands like versace and gucci, winning around 82 awards, and producing an ost for the deadpool movie. they've also recently set a guinness world record for the first ever group to have #1 albums 5 times in a row over the course of only 8 months!

while they are incredibly talented and successful celebrities, they’re also very down to earth, and very connected with their fanbase. they’ve shown openness and vulnerability with their fans by releasing songs with serious topic matters, crying on stage, and talking about their emotions/experiences. personally, they’re the only band i’ve ever seen who feel genuine love for their fanbase.

name: chan bahng

english name: christopher

stage name: bangchan, cb97 in 3racha

age: 27 (october 3rd, 1997)

nationality: australian-korean

languages: english, korean

positions: leader, producer in 3racha, dancer, rapper, vocalist

skzoo: wolfchan

instagram: gnabnahc

basics: chan was born in korea, but moved to australia when he was about 3 or 4 years old. he remained there with his two younger siblings, hannah and lucas, and their cavalier king charles named berry, until he was 13 when he went back to korea to become a k-pop trainee. he trained for about 7 years until he was finally able to debut as stray kids’ leader. chan is very reliable as the leader and dad of the group, but he’s also australian, so he adds to the chaos very well.

fun facts: chan has hypermobile arms and legs, and can turn his hand 360°. he sometimes wears wrist and knee braces due to overextension. chan won many medals in swimming growing up and could’ve gone into that career. along with that, he’s also good in many other sports like soccer and track. chan's hair is naturally curly!

name: minho lee

english name: rhino (yes i’m serious)

stage name: leeknow

age: 26 (october 25th, 1998)

nationality: korean

languages: korean and basic english

positions: lead dancer in danceracha, vocalist, rapper

skzoo: leebit

instagram: t.leeknowsaurus

basics: minho was born and raised in korea as an only child, aside from his cat siblings soonie, doongie, and dori. he moved out of his parents’ home at a fairly young age in order to be closer to his university, where he was said to have studied dance and comp-sci, as well as worked as a waiter for some time. he was called in to train under jype in 2017 and he ended up passing the dance test in only 2 weeks, the shortest period among jype trainees. minho is considered to be a “tsundere” since he’s very blunt, loud, and a bit rough generally, but is very kind and caring inside.

fun facts: minho toured in japan with bts as a backup dancer when he was in highschool. minho has acrophobia, the severe fear of heights, and he cannot swim. minho is well-trained in taekwondo, boxing, and bodyguard martial arts. minho said that the reason he isn’t comfortable showing his abs like some other members do is because he has a scar on his stomach from a surgery he had as a child.

name: changbin seo

english name: lewis

stage name: spearB in 3racha

age: 24 (august 11th, 1999)

nationality: korean

languages: korean and intermediate english

positions: producer in 3racha, main rapper, vocalist, dancer

skzoo: dwaekki

instagram: jutdwae

basics: changbin was born and raised in korea, along with his older sister, in a fairly wealthy family. he originally joined jype as a trainee at age 17 to debut as a vocalist, but was convinced to debut as a rapper by a counselor. unfortunately i don’t know much about changbin’s trainee days, other than he trained for about 2 years, and he was part of 3racha who uploaded their first rap song on soundcloud in 2017. changbin is a pretty silly and loud person, but has been described by his members as someone they can approach and who will notice/remember the smallest things about them.

fun facts: changbin prefers plants as he’s allergic to both cats and dogs. changbin is a blackbelt in taekwondo, and he named his own pecs "jut" and "dwae". changbin has said he would like to own his own gym or be a tattoo artist. changbin is the shortest member at 5 '6. changbin was named the fastest male rapper in the k-pop industry with 11 korean syllables per second, i believe.

name: hyunjin hwang

english name: sam

age: 24 (march 20th, 2000)

nationality: korean

languages: korean and advanced english

positions: dancer in danceracha, vocalist, rapper

skzoo: jiniret

instagram: hynjinnnn

basics: hyunjin was born and raised in korea as an only child, along with his long-haired chihuahua, kkami. he was approached by two k-pop company scouts at a young age, one of which while he was out shopping with his mom. and, of course, he chose jype. he trained as a dancer, and admitted he had hated dancing at first due to the emotional toll it took on him, but now he says dance is like another language he can speak. unlike minho, he attended university online, all during his busy career as an idol. hyunjin is introverted, but very silly and dramatic at the same time.

fun facts: hyunjin has a fear of sudden loud noises, like balloons popping. hyunjin is the tallest member at 5 '11. hyunjin was going to be an interior designer before he became an idol. hyunjin is an artist in multiple forms of media, but he’s most interested in sketching and painting. hyunjin had a live called “counseling center” where he would read his fans’ comments and give them advice/encouragement. hyunjin once broke his hand and now he can't really bend his right pinky finger.

name: jisung han

english name: peter

stage name: han, and j.one in 3racha

age: 24 (september 14th, 2000)

nationality: korean

languages: korean and advanced english

positions: producer in 3racha, rapper, dancer, vocalist

skzoo: han quokka

instagram: _doolsetnet

basics: jisung was born in korea like his older brother. his family moved to malaysia when he was about 8, where they stayed for a while before coming back to korea. his parents weren’t particularly supportive of his desire to become a trainee at first, but they made a deal with him that if he could be accepted into a company before a certain amount of time, they’d let him continue. if not, he’d have to go back to school to get another job. luckily he made it into jype, and became chan’s very first member of choice. like hyunjin, jisung is an introvert, but he’s very loud and energetic at the same time.

fun facts: jisung started learning english in malaysia, which may be why his accent when speaking english is faintly british. jisung has been open with his fans about his struggles with social anxiety and depression. he also supposedly has trypophobia, the fear of clusters of holes, but that isn’t proven. jisung has a bichon frise named bbama. jisung and hyunjin were the real enemies to besties.

name: yongbok lee

english name: felix

age: 24 (september 15th, 2000)

nationality: australian-korean

languages: korean, english, basic french

positions: dancer in danceracha, vocalist, rapper

skzoo: bokkari

instagram: yong.lixx

basics: felix was born and raised in sydney, australia, with his older sister raechel and his younger sister olivia. he was 17 when he moved to korea to become a trainee at jype, where he studied korean at the same time, as his parents didn’t raise him to speak the language very much. it’s been said by chan that he was particularly hard on felix during their time before debut because he saw potential in him, and he wanted him to do his best to succeed. felix is known as the sunshine of the group, for the fact that he’s incredibly sweet and happy.

fun facts: felix debuted his runway model career at a louis vuitton fashion show. felix is a 3rd degree black belt in taekwondo, which he won 63 medals in over the course of 12 years. felix has a very deep voice that doesn’t match his face, and he will occasionally make his own asmr content. felix has volunteered in laos with/become an ambassador for unicef. felix is so afraid of scary things, he’s admitted to reading his bible after watching a horror movie. felix cries easily.

name: seungmin kim

english name: sky

age: 24 (september 22nd, 2000)

nationality: korean

languages: korean and advanced english

positions: lead vocalist in vocalracha, dancer, rapper

skzoo: puppym

instagram: miniverse.___

basics: seungmin was born and raised in korea, along with his older sister. he moved to LA as a child for only about 3 months, but that’s where he started his study in english and where he got his english name from a teacher. he trained for one year after winning 2nd place in jype’s 13th open audition, before debuting with stray kids. seungmin is basically an ambivert (it’s not conclusive if he’s introverted or extroverted), and tends to playfully bully his members. he can be pretty random and silly.

fun facts: seungmin wanted to be a baseball player before becoming an idol, and he actually pitched a strike at a game for the second time recently (the first time he was about 9 years old). seungmin was into boxing, although i’m not sure if he is anymore. seungmin and felix have a live called “cat puppy school” where they just mess up recipes constantly. seungmin is the only idol i’ve seen that seems to have autistic traits, from my own autistic prospective. i’m not diagnosing him of course!

name: jeongin yang

english name: bobby (i refuse to call anyone under the age of 60 bob)

stage name: i.n

age: 23 (february 8th, 2001)

nationality: korean

languages: korean and intermediate english

positions: vocalist in vocalracha, dancer, rapper, maknae

skzoo: foxi.ny

instagram: i.2.n.8

basics: jeongin was born and raised in busan, korea, along with his older brother who’s in the military, and his little brother yoon. he was a trainee for about 2 years, and was only 17 when they officially debuted. he bonded especially with hyunjin, who basically took him under his wing at the time. jeongin is introverted, but follows his hyungs’ lead into chaos. he’s very clumsy, and he’s known as the spoiled maknae. the “baby bread” of the group.

fun facts: jeongin wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, social worker, or priest before becoming an idol. jeongin has a more nasally voice, so he’s particularly good at the trot singing style. jeongin has claimed he was a naughty child, running away from home and laying down in the middle of stores when he couldn’t get what he wanted. jeongin is incredibly good with fashion, so his members come to him for advice, and he often posts ootd’s on his instagram.

[itsvivace]

Cateye ( Korean : 케이트아이 ) is a sub-unit of the fictional girl group VIVACE under I-Teen Media. The unit consists of four members : SOOMIN, MEI MEI, KYURI, & XINYI who debuted on December 11, 2019, two month after VIVACE’s debut, with the mini album CATEYE.

Popular for their experimental music and darker concepts, Cateye took the industry by storm with their creative concepts and interesting music. The last sub-unit of VIVACE to debut, Cateye is formed with the youngest members of the group and their goal is to bring youth and freshness into VIVACE and show fans concepts that they don’t see commonly from the group. Their debut song, ‘No.’, quickly gained them popularity and overtime their concepts have given them a huge international fanbase. Cateye is is the second biggest sub-unit of VIVACE and has built a cult following.

౨ৎ BASICS

NAME : Cateye ( 케이트아이 )

LABEL : I-Teen Media

DEBUT DATE : December 11, 2019

DEBUT SONG : No.

MEMBERS : SOOMIN, MEI MEI, KYURI, XINYI

FANDOM : MAOMI

౨ৎ MEMBER PROFILES

ᡣ𐭩 Seo Soomin was born in Seoul, South Korea on May 11, 1999. She was born into the Seo-Park Family, a famous Korean family full of models, actors, and fashion icons. Soomin was born as the youngest of three snobby older siblings: her two older sisters, Soojin & Minju, and her older brother, Soobin. Due to growing up with a family with horrible personalities and insane amounts of wealth, Soomin turned out to be very spoiled and rude.

Her family’s fame opened the door for Soomin to get a bunch of opportunities she didn’t earn. When she was sixteen, her parents paid for her to her music career as a soloist despite having no prior experience in performing. Although she didn’t earn her career fairly, her visuals and surprisingly good vocals attracted South Korea, and her debut song debuted in the top 10 on the global charts. When Soomin turned nineteen, she announced her hiatus as a soloist because she would be joining a survival show the following year to debut in a group.

Soomin participated in I-Doll in 2019 and ended up ranking #10. Despite her being a nepo baby, most people hated how obnoxious her family was, and she even had a lot of backlash for being on the show in the first place and making it into the debut lineup. Soomin debuted in VIVACE on September 17, 2019, as a Vocalist, Rapper, & Dancer, and in their third sub-unit, Cateye, on December 11, 2019, as the Leader, Main Rapper, & Lead Vocalist. Soomin has claimed she isn’t like her family anymore, but a lot of people don’t buy it and have said she’s very passive-aggressive and rude behind closed doors.

౨ৎ BASICS

BIRTH NAME : Seo Soo-Min ( 서수민 )

STAGE NAME : Soomin ( 수민 )

BIRTHDATE : May 11, 1999

BIRTHPLACE : Seoul, South Korea

ETHNICITY : Korean

SEXUALITY : Lesbian & Asexual

౨ৎ CAREER

PROFESSION : Idol

LABEL : I-Teen Media ( 2019 - Present )

TRAINING PERIOD : 1 year ( 2018 - 2019 )

GROUP : VIVACE

SUB-UNITS : Cateye

CATEYE POSITIONS : Leader, Main Rapper, & Lead Vocalist

VIVACE POSITIONS : Vocalist, Rapper, & Dancer

FANDOM NAME : SEOBYEONG

౨ৎ PHYSICAL

FACE CLAIM : Choi Yena

HEIGHT : 162 cm ( 5’3)

tw : injuries, chronic pain

ᡣ𐭩 Cai Yumei was born on June 13, 1999 in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China to former professional dancers. Yumei’s parents taught her how to dance from a very young age, and she participated in many dance shows and competitions. By the age of thirteen, she was named one of the most talented dancers in the country, but later that year, during practice, she fell and had to be rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, her doctor informed her that she had fractured her knee and would have a high chance of never dancing again.

Yumei was devastated by her injury and had to stop dancing to focus on school and starting physical therapy. Her love of dance never vanished; she could even begin to slightly dance at eighteen after years of recovery and physical therapy. To her surprise, a talent agency located in South Korea reached out to give her a contract as a dancer, and she immediately accepted. Yumei moved to Korea and trained her dancing more as a trainee under the company and was amazingly regaining functions in her injured leg.

In 2019, Yumei’s company sent her to audition for the idol survival show I-Doll, where she ranked last place at #13, just barely making it into the debut lineup. Yumei debuted in VIVACE on September 17, 2019, as a Dancer & Vocalist and in its third sub-unit, Cateye, on December 11, 2019, as the Main Dancer & Sub Vocalist. To this day, Yumei’s injury still isn’t fully healed, and she experiences a lot of pain if she dances too much, but her story has inspired a lot of people to chase their dreams despite the difficulties.

౨ৎ BASICS

BIRTH NAME : Cai Yu Mei ( 菜玉梅 )

STAGE NAME : MEI MEI ( 메이 메이 )

KOREAN NAME : Choi Yu-mi ( 최유미 )

BIRTHDATE : June 13, 1999

BIRTHPLACE : Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

ETHNICITY : Chinese

SEXUALITY : Straight

౨ৎ CAREER

PROFESSION : Dancer, Idol

LABEL : I-Teen Media ( 2019 - Present )

TRAINING PERIOD : 2 years ( 2017 - 2019 )

GROUP : VIVACE

SUB-UNITS : Cateye

CATEYE POSITIONS : Main Dancer & Sub Vocalist

VIVACE POSITIONS : Dancer & Vocalist

FANDOM NAME : CAIYU

౨ৎ PHYSICAL

FACE CLAIM : Shen Xiaoting

HEIGHT : 168 cm ( 5’6 )

tw : abusive father, alcoholism, domestic violence

ᡣ𐭩 Katherine Kim was born in New York City, New York, USA on October 12, 2001 to a newlywed Korean couple. She grew up close to her mother due to her father's growing alcohol addiction, and her mom gave her the nickname Kitty, which stuck through her childhood. They even ended up making it her legal name on her tenth birthday. Around the age of twelve, Kitty accidentally found out about the long-time abuse her mother had been facing at the hands of her father after walking in on him hitting her mom after an argument.

Kitty’s mom told them not to worry about their father, to keep quiet around him, and to focus on her education. So with that, she lived four more years having to deal with her father’s abuse towards her mother until the night before her fourteenth birthday when they and their dad got into a horrible argument about Kitty wanting to pursue a music career instead of going into business like he was. Kitty’s mother walked in the middle of her husband, hitting Kitty, and then immediately grabbed Kitty and ran.

Her mother filed for divorce and took Kitty to move with her back to South Korea. Being away from their father was the most free Kitty had ever felt in her life, and they could start doing the things they liked, including singing and dancing. At sixteen, she got into a talent agency to pursue a singing career and auditioned the following year on the survival show I-Doll. Despite having no prior fame before the show, Kitty quickly became a fan-favorite contestant and finished the show ranking #9. She debuted as a Rapper, Vocalist, & Dancer of VIVACE on September 17, 2019, and the Lead Rapper & Lead Dancer of their third sub-unit, Cateye, on December 11, 2019. Kitty is known by fans as the OT13 Fairy because, despite the members disliking each other, they always finds a way to get them together for photos/hangouts and seems to be the glue holding them together.

౨ৎ BASICS

BIRTH NAME : Katherine (Kitty) Kim

STAGE NAME : KYURI ( 큐리 )

KOREAN NAME : Kim Kyu-Ri ( 김큐리 )

BIRTHDATE : October 12, 2001

BIRTHPLACE : New York City, New York, USA

ETHNICITY : Korean

SEXUALITY : Bisexual & Nonbinary (She/They)

౨ৎ CAREER

PROFESSION : Idol

LABEL : I-Teen Media ( 2019 - Present )

TRAINING PERIOD : 10 months ( 2018 - 2019 )

GROUP : VIVACE

SUB-UNITS : Cateye

CATEYE POSITIONS : Lead Rapper & Lead Vocalist

VIVACE POSITIONS : Rapper, Vocalist, & Dancer

FANDOM NAME : KITTY KAT

౨ৎ PHYSICAL

FACE CLAIM : Huh Yunjin

HEIGHT : 174 cm ( 5’8 )

tw : death of a family member, mentions of drug dealing

ᡣ𐭩 Zhao Xinyi was born on January 4, 2002 in Shanghai, China to a low-income family with her mother, father, and older brother, Xuejian. Her family struggled a lot with money issues, and her parents took up multiple jobs to support them. Xinyi had always felt like she deserved better than what she had with her surprisingly strong singing abilities and natural beauty. Even from a young age, she knew she would be a star. When she was only eight years old, her mother and father ended up passing away in a freak accident, and Xinyi was sent away to live at an orphanage with her then sixteen year old brother.

Only a year after living at the orphanage, Xuejian ended up falling into a life of drugs and started selling them to make money. One night, he ran away from the orphanage without even telling Xinyi, and due to her getting adopted a few weeks later, they lost contact with each other and haven’t spoken since. Xinyi’s new family was everything she had ever wanted. Rich, famous, superstars, everything she had looked up to as a child, and anyone could see she was letting it get to her head, gaining a massive ego. Her parents commonly moved to different places worldwide for work, including France, Greece, and Canada, but they decided to stay in Seoul, South Korea, for a while to settle down.

To no one’s surprise, Xinyi was scouted by a bunch of major companies over the years, but declined a lot of them because they didn’t fit her standard of perfection. At fifteen, she was scouted by a super famous company that even offered to pay her family to get her to join. She joined the company and was known as the Ice Princess trainee for her cold personality, and some trainees were even scared of her. In 2019, she auditioned on I-Doll and ranked #7 and debuted as a Vocalist & the Maknae of VIVACE on September 17, 2019, and in Cateye on December 11, 2019, as the Main Vocalist & Maknae. Xinyi is regarded by the members as possibly the meanest member in the group and doesn’t even try to hide her dislike for the other members, even going as far as publicly slandering them multiple times. Although she has a huge ego, she knows her talent and visuals make up for it, so she doesn’t really care about repercussions.

౨ৎ BASICS

BIRTH NAME : Zhao Xin Yi ( 赵欣怡 )

STAGE NAME : Xinyi ( 신이 )

KOREAN NAME : Jang Si-Eun ( 장시은 )

BIRTHDATE : January 4, 2002

BIRTHPLACE : Shanghai, China

ETHNICITY : Chinese

SEXUALITY : Unlabeled

౨ৎ CAREER

PROFESSION : Idol

LABEL : I-Teen Media ( 2019 - Present )

TRAINING PERIOD : 2 years ( 2017 - 2019 )

GROUP : VIVACE

SUB-UNITS : Cateye

CATEYE POSITIONS : Main Vocalist & Maknae

VIVACE POSITIONS : Vocalist & Maknae

FANDOM NAME : ROSIE

౨ৎ PHYSICAL

FACE CLAIM : Ningning

HEIGHT : 161 cm ( 5’3 )

౨ৎ DISCOGRAPHY

CATEYE : debut mini album ( 2019 )

I GOT A BOY : mini album ( 2020 )

DUSK : single album ( 2020 )

COVEN : mini album ( 2021 )

KISSY : digital single ( 2021 )

BLACK DRESS : single album ( 2022 )

BLACK CAT : full album ( 2022 )

ROCK UR BODY! : digital single ( 2022 )

RLLY BAD BOY.. : mini album ( 2023 )

SPACE PRINCESS : full album ( 2023 )

CATGIRLZ : mini album ( 2024 )

[gerogerigaogaigar]

We're almost at the end. Since this is the gay sex website or whatever I've put together a list of lgbtq+ rappers. This list obviously trends a little more towards the modern scene and a little more obscure. But there are definitely some very big names here.

TERROR PACKETS Backxwash is my favorite modern rapper. She's a trans woman who often raps about trans issues. She needs to be more popular. please I need people to listen to her she is so good and I want queer horrorcore to be A Thing.

New York Angel Haze's relationship to gender is "I don't consider myself of any sex. I consider myself an experience." I like the beat on this song, just that fuzzy bass hit and claps to help emphasize his bouncy flow.

Georgia You probably know him from rap crew Brockhampton, but Kevin Abstract's solo work is arguably better for the way it blends hip-hop and R&B. Kevin Abstract is an out and proud gay man and he sings about it frequently.

MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name) You know this one. Lil Nas X kinda surprised me when he put out an entire album that was actually good start to finish, but the lead single still stands out as one of the best pop rap tunes I've ever heard.

WAP Once again, You know what this is. Both Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion have come out as bisexual. And when you consider how often both women rap about pussy it's clear they weren't really trying to hide it.

Sugar Honey Iced Tea (S.H.I.T.) Princess Nokia feels like they should be bigger. Their music is catchy, a little experimental and brings a bit of punk influence. Their back to back 2020 releases Everything Sucks and Everything Is Beautiful ought to be on more people's mind. Oh and Princess Nokia is bi and uses she/they pronouns.

Rent Bounce music is still a little way from being mainstream, but once people start paying attention they're gonna be bumping Big Freedia nonstop. You might recognize her voice from Beyonce's hit Break My Soul. Her genre defining style blends hip-hop and dance music in a way unique to the New Orleans club scene. Big Freedia identifies as a gay male, but also is okay with any pronouns and acknowledges that a lot of her style and gender presentation is based on the local drag scene.

Don Dada Cakes Da Killa is one of the more popular gay rappers out there. Don Dada has a groovy house beat that gives his voice a nice bounce.

SORRY NOT SORRY Odd Future alumni Tyler, The Creator had been hinting for a bit that he might be bi and this song from his most recent album confirms it. On top of that it is a great dialogue between the two sides of himself, the one that feels insecure for his past behavior and the side that wants to be proud of himself.

Ladies First The first female rap star recently introduced the world to her girlfriend. So it looks like there have been queer rappers as far back as the 80's. Looking back at her biggest hit I guess it is about loving women when you get down to it.

To Be Concluded ===> Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6

[quicktimeeventfull]

directors cut question: do you have any details on misa's group as a whole in stay? still in the stayverse, what are ryuk and rem doing?

hi thank you!!! these are excellent questions which i've honestly thought endlessly about. shorter answer first: rem isn't in stay atm, although i might integrate her at some point if i can think of something fgkjh. ryuk however is one of the budtenders at god's lettuce pretzel & weed emporium, the (fictional) dispensary in toronto where light buys his weed. they sell weed legally and pretzels illegally, since you can't sell food in ontario cannabis stores. this will come up eventually.

longer answer: SO misa's group is a subunit of NCT, which is a real group from SM entertainment. (sorry if you already know this, but for practical reasons i'll answer this as if you don't hgjlfgh.) nct's unique feature is being divided into a bunch of different subunits with different specialties; lovenote is a fictional seventh all-girl subunit. they debuted in the last two years or so and are already wildly popular. personality-wise, they have a reputation for being very polished but irreverent. misa's a polarizing member because her persona is clearly fake, but that's kind of the appeal of the group overall. people like them because you can tell they're barely keeping it together in interviews. (the debut era means misa is a fair bit younger than beyond -- lovenote debuted at relatively late ages but RE:4PER debuted in 2013. i want to say she's ~ 21 to his 28. this is a nonzero part of their controversy.) NCT and therefore lovenote have a heavy and somewhat experimental sound -- my models for lovenote are firetruck, hot sauce and smoothie. SM tends to isolate them a bit from the rest of NCT but they do collaborate with the rest of the group, especially on the more bespoke SM station releases. misa is also part of the SM supergroup superm, so you can imagine her voice into this. she's a rapper with a very love-it-or-hate it, high & nasally voice. i imagine it having the same somewhat ominous tone as here but like, higher and kind of (intentionally) squeaky. idk i think she'd be a fun addition. i don't think any of this is really reflective of the music misa is making in canon HOWEVER her singing career seems to be more of an extension of her modelling/acting career than an actual passion of hers, so i figure she'd just go with whatever group she got assigned into. fanfic writer's director's cut link to stay

[gavinfair]

Jay-Z's & Kanye West's Watch The Throne Album Review

The collaborative album was originally released in 2011. The idea for the album started during studio sessions for Kanye's My Beautiful Dark Twisted fantasy, Jay-Z originally wanted it to be a 5 song EP, but since the chemistry between Kanye and Jay-Z was so good it became a full length album. The album was created in many different luxurious locations around the world, with a very iconic recording session at the Le Meurice hotel in paris. Although Kanye has a lot of verse, he mainly focused on producing while Jay-Z did the vocals. The album features a lot of well known producers like Mike Dean, Hit-Boy, Q-Tip, and Swizz. SInce Jay-Z and Kanye had very different styles (Kanye being more Risk taking and experimental  while Jay-Z is more of a traditional rapper) there were tons of debates in which way the music would sound. The album talks about a lot of themes like wealth, power, and fame but it also brings up a lot racial issues in America (The murder rate in Chicago being mainly mentioned). After one year of development the album was finished in july 2011 and released August 8, 2011, and debuted No. 1 on the billboard 200 chart. “Otis” the fourth song in the album won Best Rap Performance, and Best Rap Song at the 2012 Grammys. During its first week it sold 436,00 copies, and 321,000 Itune downloads which was the second highest at the time, and on November 23, 2020 the album was certified quintuple platinum by the RIAA. Now that you are all caught up with the general history of the album let's see if it deserves all the praise it got.

No Church In The Wild

This is the opening track of the album which features Frank Ocean in it. The song talks about rebellion, morality, and questioning religion. The song is very dark with haunting vocals. The song challenges traditional beliefs and highlights the struggles of the modern world. I really like this song a lot, but I remember when this song first came out I did not. 8/10

2. Lift Off

The song features Jay-Z’s wife who is an up and coming artist, her name is Beyonce. This is one of my favorite songs on the album as Beyonce’s hook is so perfect with the trumpets, synthesizer, and if you listen very carefully you can hear Kanye’s Roland TR-808 board which single handedly made 808’s and heartbreaks. Even though there is not a lot of depth in the lyrics it is just very catchy and uplifting, 8.7/10.

3. N***** in Paris

When people hear someone talking about Watch the throne this is the song they immediately think of. This song is one of the most iconic songs of the 20th century, everyone and their mother knows this song. Now while it is the most popular song on the album I don't think it is the best, even though it is incredible. The song is funny, it flows really well, and it features some scenes from the movie “Blades of Glory” which is one of my favorite Will Ferrell movies. Overall I would give it a 9/10. Fun fact, when Kanye and Jay-Z went on tour they sung this song 11 times in a row when they went to paris

4. Otis

Best song on the album, one of the greatest songs all time. During this song Kanye and Jay-Z just ping pong verses back and forth and each one is better than the last. The instrumental samples Otis Redding’s “Try a Little Tenderness”. The song mainly boasts about how wealthy and powerful both artists are, the lyrics don't really have a deeper meaning to them as they are all pretty surface level, My favorite being “I made Jesus Walks so i'm never going to Hell” which is Kanye claiming that since he made a song about talking about jesus he is guaranteed to go to heaven (later doubling down and making an entire album about jesus called JESUS IS KING). Overall 9.9/10

5. Gotta Have It

This song is also really good, it is really fast paced and playful. The song samplesJames Brown’s “My Thang,”. Like all of the songs it talks about how wealthy both the artists are but this is the fist song that talks about race. The song opens with Kanye saying “Hello white America, assassinate my character” which touches on all of the predominantly white critics that were trying to almost blacklist Kanye and other black artists from the music industry. The song is a very good hype song as I do have it in my gym playlist. Overall 8.9/10

6. New Day

This song slows the album down and it mainly just speaks to the listeners. It talks about how all the fame and wealth that Kanye and Jay-Z were just flaunting is actually hurting their children. Kanye stated how he doesn't want his children to be hated because his father is such a controversial person, even saying “Don't be like your daddy that would never budge. Kanye then proceeds to say how he is going to raise his children to be very respectable people in society. Jay-Z then takes over and immediately apologizes to his future son for having the paparazzi already all over him, and says that his fathers sins are going to make his life 10x harder. This is a very emotional song and the lyrical depth makes up for the lack of depth in Lift off. 9.3/10.

7. That’s My Bitch

This song makes me feel like I'm in a jungle, and I like it. A lot of critics say that the lyrics in this song are too boastful but I think they are wrong, if they were Kanye or Jay-Z they too would be flaunting the money they have. The song in itself is very bold and it stands out in the album. It's not my favorite song but I still enjoy listening to it 8.4/10

8. Welcome to the jungle

I recently listened to this song and I just started liking it. This song is the reason I'm doing this review as it reminded me of how good this album is. The track's raw intensity really resonated with me which makes it a good addition to the album, even though it is not as popular as some of the other songs. I do agree with it not being as popular as it is a good song but it's not as good as the other tracks, so I give it a 7.9/10.

9. Who Gon Stop Me

This song definitely stops as it is almost like a techno song, Kanye has this filter over his voice in the beginning and the synths in the background  remind me of a 2010 call of duty montage. Just like That’s my Bitch this track is very bold and stands out in the album. Overall I rate it a 8/10

10. Murder to Excellence

This song does not follow the trend of flexing money and power and it tackles the racial issues in America. It talks about the killings in Chicago and compares it to the war in Iraq. Jay-Z makes comments about how the higher you go (more successful) the less black people there are. The song mainly suggests that we need to celebrate black excellence more, and to stop killing in these urban neighborhoods. Overall 8.3/10

11. Made In America

Frank Ocean pops up again in this album, sadly it was on the weakest song. I was never a huge fan of this song, it's mainly just Frank Ocean thanking all of the black leaders and saying that “He made it in America” meaning he is successful. 6.5/10

12. Why I love you

I really do enjoy listening to this song, this one you're able to sing to Charlie Wilson’s hook. The track talks about love, loyalty, and appreciation which goes against the whole money and power theme the beginning of the album talked about. The lyrics are very heartfelt and I love it. 8.4/10

[princeofyorkshire]

so i asked for music recs so here are a few of my own. here are a 4 random albums i’ve been listening to a lot lately:

Es ist Abend und wir sitzen bei mir by AnnenMayKantereit

Bilk by Bilk

.mp3 by Emilia

en dormir sin Madrid by Bizarrap, Milo j

all four of them are very different styles! if you prefer something more chill i’d recommend the first album. it’s in german and i really vibe w it, def my favorite out of all 4

if you’re more into pop punk/indie rock i’d definitely recommend bilk, pretty impressed by these lads! not usually what i listen to but there’s something about them that i really like

the last two are from argentinian artists and i just had to include them. emilia’s .mp3 is just a very fun album to listen and dance to without really paying attention to the lyrics, you’re gonna feel empowered by the music itself so if you wanna feel like a diva and have fun go for it. don’t be scared of not understanding the lyrics, you’re not missing much LOL. it’s mostly early 2000s pop vibes, with some hip hop and reggaeton and some genre i can’t quite explain but it’s just v catchy. i like her energy on stage a lot and i love having fun so i hope you have fun as well!

and the last one is a collab between producer bizarrap and milo j, it’s actually an ep and two of these songs are v popular already so you may have heard them buttt this is a v experimental album that i think it’s worth listening to. i like that they included some authentic argentinian sound in it, cheers to biza for that. mostly i really like milo and his style. his lyrics are great and if you don’t understand spanish i think his flow is great. he raps and sings amazingly, talks a lot about his background and how he managed to save himself at such young age and takes pride in that. nice to see a 17 yo rapper writing such deep lyrics and not glamorize drugs

enjoy !!!!!!

[swallowedthestars]

thoughts on khiphop as a genre?

khiphop is more defined by the indie-esque music system than the genre itself. a lot of artists who start in khiphop like making music in general rather than being committed to staying within a genre so its super common to see an artist go through the tight rap to pop song pipeline. this stuff performs way better with the public than classic hiphop anyways (re: b'eo counting stars, ash island melody, imjmwdp flex) re: its way easier to make money off of

i think ive ranted about this before but while there are gems within the genre, its always going to be held back in some ways by how derivative it is, which causes (imo) the following common issues:

its easy to pick up which artists an artist is inspired by (common ones include mac miller, xxx, kanye, kendrick, asap, etc), and while thats not inherently evil its not like people are often outdoing their inspirations. for every great khiphop song you can probably pull an american hiphop song doing the same thing but better. american hip hop has just been around longer and had more time to develop which i think contributes to this. artists can evolve though, i think kid milli used to sound like an asap clone but now he has a more distinct color.

i see a number of gang/drug/hood/trapper references in peoples lyrics. it comes off as corny at best, racist at worst (with occasional exceptions. eg. there are some rappers who are very pro weed legalization who rap about weed).

khh artists often have an inability to be normal about black people. its common for a korean person to go to the US, see a black person, comes back with a story about how it changed their life and inspired them to put out shitty music (queen wasabi is the prime example of this). its also common for khiphop artists to way over-romanticize black suffering or think because they're "hiphop" that they can do shit like say the n word (eg. loopy). even justhis has pulled a "yellow skin/black soul" line in his music before

The other factor that makes a lot of artists kind of cringey to me (but is definitely not limited to khh) is artists with rich families flexing their wealth and doing the whole "I made it even tho I had haters because my family is insanely wealthy" type of song and dance. A lot of korean rappers start by taking rap classes, which are even offered at some universities now (superbee started this way, killagramz is now a rap professor. lmao). flex culture is rlly disingenuous seeming when its coming from people who did not start out poor.

ok so aside from that here's what I like:

my #1 favorite thing about khiphop is the producers. producers rarely limit themselves to a single genre or sound and this allows for really experimental and cool beats. code kunst/giriboy/boycold/etc are the true stars of the genre. in general I think korean production favors a lot of transitions rather than repeating motifs like in western production which is also fun. a number of producers like Flip_00 have had a lot of success getting work in and out of korea

korean has its own unique flow to it and allows for wordplay/rhyming that would be harder to do in english

korean music taste inspires a lot of fun songs. koreans love for ballads inspires a lot of really good krnb. you can find khh songs with trot influences. I also think the popularity of fun indie Bolbbalgan4-esque songs inspires a lot of really light and dreamy beats and songs. korean music as a whole tends to do sad/emotional music well and khh isn't an exception

[music-dmt]

The Modern Mosaic of Musical Icons: Exploring Billie Eilish and John Mayer

In today's music industry, the intersection of classic guitar-driven melodies and cutting-edge pop soundscapes is exemplified by two artists: John Mayer and Billie Eilish. These artists, although from different musical epochs and styles, have both carved unique niches that resonate with a broad audience, demonstrating the evolving nature of music appreciation and artistic expression.

John Mayer, known for his blues-influenced guitar work and sensitive songwriting, has been a fixture in the music scene since the late 1990s. His songs, such as those listed in the best John Mayer songs, showcase a technical proficiency blended with a narrative style that captures the emotional undertones of everyday experiences. Mayer's ability to blend pop, rock, and blues has garnered him critical acclaim and a devoted following, illustrating how traditional forms of music can be revitalized to maintain relevance in the contemporary music landscape.

Conversely, Billie Eilish represents a newer generation of pop artists. She integrates minimalist production with deeply introspective lyrics, creating soundscapes that are both haunting and familiar. Her breakthrough track, detailed in Billie Eilish's most popular song, marks a departure from conventional pop music, featuring subdued arrangements that emphasize her lyrical prowess and unique vocal style. Eilish’s music speaks to the thematic depth and stylistic experimentation that define today’s musical trends, showing that the voice of youth can powerfully articulate universal themes through a fresh, avant-garde lens.

The legacies of these artists underscore the transformation of musical milestones, particularly visible when considering the historic significance of the 1st Grammy Awards. The Grammy Awards have often reflected the changing tides of musical excellence and innovation. As the very first ceremony laid the groundwork for recognizing outstanding musical achievements, it set precedents that have adapted to include and celebrate the eclectic tastes of the music industry’s diverse audience, including the raw storytelling seen in modern rap and the soul-stirring narratives of older love songs.

The foundation laid by the OG rappers, with their pioneering use of rhythm and rhyme, has significantly influenced today’s music genres, paving the way for artists like Eilish and Mayer. These foundational artists redefined what music could be and created a new space for the voices of disenfranchised communities to be heard. Their narratives, characterized by an unapologetic authenticity and urgency, have permeated other music genres, influencing songwriting and production styles across the board.

Furthermore, the evolution of love songs, as cataloged in the top love songs list, reflects a shift from the straightforward ballads of the past to more complex, textured musical expressions of affection and human connection. Both Mayer and Eilish have contributed songs to this vast canvas, using their distinctive styles to explore the nuances of love and relationships in their music. These explorations have allowed them to connect deeply with their audiences, offering solace, understanding, and companionship through their melodies and lyrics.

As we look at the careers of Mayer and Eilish, we see a tapestry of influences and innovations that not only reflect their personal artistic journeys but also the broader changes in the music industry. From the strum of a guitar to the soft whisper of a melancholic ballad, their music captures the spirit of their times. Each chord and lyric builds upon the legacies of past genres and artists, weaving a rich history of musical evolution that continues to inspire and shape the sounds of the future.

This analysis of John Mayer and Billie Eilish not only highlights individual achievements but also illustrates the interconnectedness of different musical styles and epochs. Through their artistry, both have demonstrated how music serves as a reflective surface for societal changes and personal growth, proving that music, at its core, is a universal language capable of bridging generations and genres.

[thisaintascenereviews]

That Mexican OT - Texas Technician

When I first got into rap music about a decade ago, we were in what was then known as the “swag era.” Featuring artists such as Drake, Nicki Minaj, Wiz Khalifa, Tyga, Lil Wayne, and a handful more that were on the come-up, the swag era was defined by skinny jeans and snap backs, and it also overlapped with what was also known as the “blog era.” A lot of rappers started gaining traction through blogs, reviews, and social media. Simply put, rap music a decade ago is a lot different compared to how it is now, especially with how it’s perceived.

Despite a lot of songs being popular at that time, a lot of music fans were sick of the trends of that era, especially lyrically and musically speaking. Rap music, just like pop music, had become soulless and generic piles of trash. A lot of great stuff came out, too, but it was more so in the underground than in the mainstream. Unfortunately, a lot of people that weren’t familiar with those genres tended to write them off as being about the same few topics and being soulless and brainless trash, but you want to know something I’ve learned over the years?

I love a lot of music that’s considered to be “dumb,” but that’s because I look at those albums for what they are, not what I want them to be. A good recent example of this is the new Denzel Curry album, King Of The Mischievous South, Volume 2, where Curry essentially made a record that flexed his muscles when it came to simplistic and energetic southern rap. Featuring a slew of southern rappers, it’s one of my top favorites of the year, but I’d be lying if I said it was for how poignant and profound it is. No, it’s catchy, fun, energetic, humorous, slick, and just an overall great project that sounded like a blast to make.

One of the featured artists on that record is That Mexican OT, a Texas-born rapper with the real name Virgil Gazca, and he’s been a rising star within the last few years, especially with his last album, 2023’s Lonestar Luchadore, and how he’s gone viral for a couple of tracks from it. He came back earlier this year with a new album, entitled Texas Technician, and sort of with how the aforementioned Denzel Curry paid homage to his Florida roots on 2019’ ZUU, Texas Technician is very much a love letter to Texas hip-hop. Is the album deep, poignant, and intellectual?

No, it’s really not, but what it is, however, is an energetic, fun, humorous, and engaging ride through the south that has some really clever and funny lyrics along with some great performances and production from That Mexican OT and his collaborators. I’ve been going back to this album quite a bit over the last few weeks, and I’d say it’s one of my favorite albums of year so far. I’ve come to redefine what constitutes as one of my favorite albums of the year, and it doesn’t have to be an album that’s super weird, experimental, or unique, but it needs to be something I go back to quite a bit, regardless of its sound.

I’ve been coming back to this album quite a lot, just for how catchy, groovy, and fun it is. I don’t have a lot to say outside of how good the production is, as well as how fun and unique OT’s flow is, but it’s a solid little album. At 16 songs, it does feel a little long and repetitive at times, but it’s only 41 minute, so it isn’t even that long of an album, but it’s still a lot of fun. If you enjoy southern rap, it’s worth hearing, though. That Mexican OT is one of the biggest rising stars in rap, and for good reason. This was my introduction to his music, and I’m excited for whatever he does next.

[popmusicu]

JPEGMAFIA: Pop culture as a resource and the evolution of rap music.

Barrington DeVaughn Hendricks a.k.a JPEGMAFIA, is an american rapper and producer with jamaican roots that was born in October 22, 1989. His main features and probably his label are their experimental beats and flow that differentiate him from other rappers. JPEGMAFIA has a long history in making music, before he assumes as JPEGMAFIA, he made music under the name “Devon Hendryx”, where we can hear some of the beginning of his particular sound, playing with retro nostalgia (specially PS1 aesthetic) in order to create his own sound ambients. JPEGMAFIA (a.k.a Peggy by his fans) tracks are distinguished by a very creative way to use sampling, in his latest work “SCARING THE H*ES” (censored for academic reasons) he samples a lot of popular songs (and also some not so well known) with his unique style and make some beats that only he and his collaborator on the album, the rapper Danny Brown, could rap on.

There are two tracks from the album that I want to highlight: Garbage Pale Kids and Kingdom Hearts Key (ft. redveil).

In the first song, Peggy sampled two japanese commercials, the first is from a company called Nichiro, and the second one is a Famicon commercial from Nintendo. The way that he transforms this two samples and makes something new is outstanding, and stablish his own sampling label that’s gonna be associated to him over time. 

In the second song, he sampled the opening from a japanese anime called “Tenkū no Escaflowne” and used it as the main melodic loop of the track. This is one of his many songs that I got totally impressed by his sample flips, the amount of research that he did in order to find those samples, and also that creative mentality to elaborate a completely new product from those samples.

Peggy kinda created a brand new style of making rap music, not just because his flows but also because his production, I personally consider him one of the avant-garde of our generation hip-hop culture, where stuff like pop and geek culture join into rap, being a sort of evolution for the genre.

I invite to anyone that’s looking to experience new music and wants to learn about this experimental rap genre to give it a try, not just this album but his entire discography, maybe is kinda hard to listen at a first instance, but if you want to amplify your musical radar it will be definetly worth it.

Diego Marín 1

[heizelnutlatte]

💬 Heize's 10 Year Debut Anniversary Interview

[YeSol Encyclopedia], the encyclopedia for female solo artists. The YeSol Encyclopedia contains stories of female solo singers from Korea making their mark on the world stage.

[StarNews | Reporter Ahn Yoon-ji] K-pop stars have traversed the globe, expanding the base of Korean popular music. Singers who initially targeted the domestic fans have gradually shifted their focus to the global market, aiming for the U.S. music charts, including Billboard. Indeed, numerous stars have climbed the Billboard 'Hot 100' chart, affirming the strength of K-pop stars. This situation has significantly contributed to the advancement of Korean music. K-pop, once confined to idol music, has branched out into hip hop, ballads, rock, and more experimental music, with artists breaking out of their molds to explore new challenges.

The most significant change has been among female solo artists. While female solo acts in the past might have centered their music around 'sexiness,' they now do not hesitate to showcase their vocal abilities alongside their performances. StarNews has decided to focus on these female solo artists. Now, in the year of the Blue Dragon, 2024, amidst the challenging music industry, we look into how these artists have managed to carve out their own paths and survive on their own.

The second artist featured in the "YeSol Encyclopedia" is rapper and singer Heize. Heize debuted in 2014 with the digital single "After I've Wandered A Bit" and was known for her hip-hop music. She gained recognition by participating in the Mnet hip-hop survival program "Unpretty Rapstar 2" in 2015, seemingly following the path of a female rapper, but in 2016, she released the digital single "Don't Come Back," showing a different image.

Since then, she has produced numerous hit title tracks, including "And July," "Star," "Don't Know You," "You, Clouds, Rain," "Jenga," "SHE'S FINE," "We don't talk together," "Late Autumn," "Lyricist," and "HAPPEN." Recently, she released "Stranger" with singer 10cm, showcasing her diverse musical spectrum.

In a recent written interview with StarNews, Heize shared her thoughts on her 10th debut anniversary and the journey she has taken as a solo artist. We aim to slowly unfold her discography.

- 2023 is coming to an end, and 2024 is approaching. As we welcome the New Year, could you please share a brief message?

▶ Hello, this is Heize. I'm truly grateful to be able to exchange New Year greetings with you all in 2024. You may be setting big or small new plans for this year, and I hope you find happiness in achieving them one by one. I'm rooting for you.

- You debuted in 2014, and this year marks your 10th anniversary. 2024 must feel special to you. Can you share your thoughts on reaching this milestone and, looking back on your activities, what moments stand out as particularly special?

▶ It’s really been exactly 10 years. Rather than just thinking, 'Wow, it's the 10th anniversary!', I was the type of person who lived day by day, but now that it's over, I only remember a few key scenes from the entire 10 years. Even then, detailed situations, words, and emotions became blurred. So now, apart from trying to achieve something, I think I should try to put my mind at ease every day.

When I first released a song called "Don't Come Back" after "Unpretty Rapstar 2," I think it was a very important and special moment for me. At that time, I was told that a hip-hop album should be released at this time to continue the Unpretty Rapstar image. I was too young to assert myself and didn't know much about anything, but I think I instinctively knew that the first song I released after the show would greatly affect my future direction. I don't know how long I could continue if I did something that wasn't me from the beginning, and it would have taken me a long time to come back with something that wasn't me. I'm still grateful for that choice because I think I was able to fully explore the music world I had starting with "Don't Come Back" in earnest.

Reflecting on the past, her appearance on Mnet's "Unpretty Rapstar 2" in 2015, followed by activities with "Don't Come Back," "And July," and later "Star," "You, Clouds, Rain," "Don't Know You," etc., helped her gain recognition, continuing with a series of breakup songs. When asked about the most memorable and regrettable activities during her career:

▶It's still vivid to me that "You, Clouds, Rain" rose to No. 1 on the charts. It's amazing to think about it again, and I'm thankful for everything back then. I'm thankful for all the rain that rained a lot at that time, for singing about the rain that I love, and for people to understand how I felt. But it's sad to see that I didn't try to express my joy at the time. It's good to have a high ranking, but that's not all. I think it's because I was already worried about my next album. Whenever we won No. 1, I told myself not to get too excited thinking, "Let's not be too happy. Let's think of it as a miracle that happened to me." But now, I think I'm going to think, "Yeah, that miracle happened to me. Let's do our best to be happy at this moment." But I can't go back now, it's regretful.

- Personally, I feel like your music has broadened its spectrum over time, initially focusing on breakups as a major theme. Do you feel your musical direction is changing, and what direction are you pursuing now?

▶ When a lot of breakup songs were being released, it was a time when my world had completely collapsed due to a breakup and was being rebuilt. Everything felt strange, difficult, and different because of that breakup, so it seems like I ended up connecting everything to my own experience of parting. As I go through life, there are events that influence me at the moment, and naturally, my interests and the texture of my lyrics change accordingly. If I were to experience a breakup with someone I love, a deep breakup song might come out, but I'm also apprehensive about it. Regardless, I want to continue capturing the many things I see and experience in life in my own words.

- A challenge for me was definitely "Vingle Vingle," released last April. There are various opinions, but "Vingle Vingle" opened up a new genre in Heize's music. Personally, how do you feel about this song?

▶ Reading this question to myself, I just laughed out loud. Just hearing the title "Vingle Vingle" makes me laugh for many reasons. It's mostly because it feels a bit embarrassing and shy. Until "Vingle Vingle," rather than focusing on the feedback from people who liked my new releases, I was particularly mindful of comments saying 'it's always similar.' The "Vingle Vingle" demo I heard during that time was really a new world for me, interesting, and the guide was great. Even though it was the same theme of breakup, I was excited to present a breakup song that could be played in a lively space, a breakup song that could wake you up. It seems to have woken people up in a different way, haha~ I think if another artist who could digest it better had sung it, the song might have done much better, so there's a part of me that feels a bit regretful. But since there are people who like it, I think of it as having given them a good song. That's enough for me!

- The EDM genre generally divides opinions, and it seems "Vingle Vingle" has received such responses as well. What are your thoughts on these opinions?

▶ It could be, or perhaps the musical direction people expect from me was clearer than I thought. I was moved reading the comments. The fact that people sincerely think about and write about Heize as an artist... I was surprised by how much they worried. Reading thousands of comments and heartfelt DMs made me think that I should continue to create and share what I can do in my own way, and I was able to focus entirely on putting myself into my eighth mini-album that came out afterward. I plan to keep challenging and changing, but not too drastically.

- I love your ballads, but I actually also enjoy your unique R&B and rap. Fans occasionally ask in comments for you to do R&B songs again. Do you plan to revisit this genre?

▶ I really love it too. However, the message I want to convey greatly influences the lyrics and melody, and recently, there haven't been many messages suitable for rap. Writing rap involves a different posture and expression. Lately, my messages have been too nice, it seems. Maybe I need to toughen up a bit. I'll definitely share it with you.

- In the music industry, where female solo artists are relatively rare, your popularity and topicality feel especially welcome. Having gone through tough times and now actively performing, do you have any advice for juniors or others walking the same path, in light of your 10th debut anniversary?

▶ I think it's important to take an interest in how other artists continue their activities, how they create music, and how they perform on stage. Watching them work hard behind the scenes to complete a piece of work and carve out their own paths through that work, I think I always need to ponder what my own thing is and which direction my path lies. What I can do well, what I like, what should be next for me... There’s always no right answer, but the absence of a right answer makes it all the more necessary to understand myself. I'm still trying.

- Female solo artists used to focus on being 'sexy,' but it seems their spectrum has broadened significantly in recent years. Especially you, Heize, have been walking a path that doesn't shy away from various genres, including hip-hop, R&B, and ballads. What drives your activities and what do you consider the most important point?

▶ I think it's important to be true to myself. If I could fool people into thinking something not true to myself looks cool, people would immediately notice when I try to digest something that's not me. Just like with "Vingle Vingle"...

- The major Korean holiday, Lunar New Year, is approaching. How do you usually spend the Lunar New Year? What are your plans for this year?

▶ I spend time with my family or, if that's not possible, I spend time alone. This year, I think I'll have a meal with my brother, work on some projects, and so on.

- With the New Year here, do you have any wishes or goals for this year?

▶ As it's a new year and it's been 10 years since I chose this path and walked it on my own terms, I want to take this opportunity to look back slowly and see if there's anything I've forgotten. While doing so, as always, I don't want to forget my duty and want to continue doing what I need to do. I don't have any grand goals yet. In fact, I had resolved to post a photo on Instagram once a week starting in January, but I've already compromised with myself to once a month. Instagram is too hard, even in my 10th year of debut.

- As you mark your 10th debut anniversary, I'm curious about any special activities or plans you have for this year.

▶ I think I need to have a discussion with my company. Not just concerts, but I want to create opportunities to meet and communicate with fans up close. I sincerely thank everyone who has been by my side, making it not so scary or lonely even when the night comes on the path I've walked for 10 years, and for listening to my music. I sincerely hope you all will be even happier this year.

Heize, often nicknamed a "breakup specialist" due to her ability to articulate emotions, has always been focused on self-improvement. As someone who takes to heart feedback about being "always similar," she demonstrates a grounded approach, selectively incorporating necessary elements to present better music, rather than being swayed by opinions. Listening to her music in sequence reveals that Heize, initially focused solely on the theme of breakup, gradually layers emotions to construct a solid narrative.

Love and separation are the most common themes in ballads. Listeners have been exposed to various forms of love over countless hours. Yet, what makes Heize's portrayal of breakup special could be attributed to her transition from other genres, breaking conventional molds. The unrefined emotions, detailed circumstances, and sometimes blunt expressions in her music resonate with the audience. It's intriguing to ponder what lies ahead for Heize, who narrates every story as if it were her own. Whatever that may be, listeners are already prepared to embrace it.

[thelensofyashunews]

SEMATARY SHARES NEW VIDEO SINGLE "WENDIGO"

The Northern California-based experimental rapper and producer, Sematary has just released his new single “WENDIGO” and accompanying music video. The new release follows Sematary’s recent collaboration with Chief Keef and Hackle on “Fuck the World” from the forthcoming FTP mixtape. As the founder and leader of the Haunted Mound collective, Sematary has gained a massive cult-like fan base since releasing his pioneering debut mixtape, Rainbow Bridge in 2019 which accumulated over 50 Million streams and was championed by the likes of Anthony Fantano, Paste Magazine and No Bells. Pushing the boundaries of rap music, Sematary’s dark and experimental sound combines sonic elements of 2010’s Chicago Drill, Witch House, and SoundCloud-era Trap music with haunting visual aesthetics and “deep-fried” imagery evoking a feeling of rural American decay. With his new single “WENDIGO”, Sematary maintains the dark and ominous aspects of his signature identity while entering new sonic territory with new wave-inspired production, featuring a shoegaze guitar riff and synth pop drums. The track’s title, “WENDIGO” is a reference to the North American Algonquian-speaking First Nation word that describes an ancient mythical deer god that possesses a desire to kill and eat their victims due to their greed or weakness. Likening himself to the folklore, Sematary delivers a track that doubles as a love song while simultaneously cursing out the subject for not having faith in their love.

Sematary’s new single arrives on the heels of a career minting year in 2023 in which he surpassed X million streams, performed at Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash Festival, toured as direct support on $uicideboy$Grey Day stadium tour, and dropped collaborative records with BLP KOSHER as well as BLACK KRAY. Best known for his popular tracks like “Bunny Suit” (13M+ Streams) and “Slaughter House” (12M+ Streams), as well as his recent collaborations, Sematary’s new video single “WENDIGO” effectively marks a new chapter for the Haunted Mound leader. As he continues to lean into his distorted sound and harsh aesthetics, Sematary is kicking off 2024 by revitalizing the very sound that he’s pioneered, stretching his vocal performances and brazen production style to new heights. Contributing to his mercurial status as the pioneer of a burgeoning underground scene, Sematary and his Haunted Mound collective are looking forward to sharing more music and news soon.

[cyarskaren52]

Every Rage Against The Machine album ranked from worst to best

When Rage Against The Machine's incendiary debut album was unleashed in the winter of 1992, it felt like an atomic bomb being set off at the heart of the metal scene. Matching the snarling bars of talented rapper Zack de la Rocha with the earth-shaking riffs and experimental eccentricities of guitarist Tom Morello, anchored by the powerhouse, groove-driven rhythm section of bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk, it was unlike anything else in alternative music at the time.

By the end of the decade and following three more studio albums, Rage Against The Machine's time as a creative output was already done, the band split up and with three quarters of its members soon to team up with Soundgarden's Chris Cornell under the banner of Audioslave. Nonetheless, in a recording career even shorter than The Beatles', Rage Against The Machine changed heavy music forever, and their influence is felt as keenly now as it was thirty years ago.

Here is the band's explosive back catalogue, ranked from worst to best.

Every Metallica album ranked from worst to best

Every Megadeth album ranked from worst to best

Every Korn album ranked from worst to best

Every Tool album ranked from worst to best

4. Rage Against The Machine – Renegades (2000)

Covers albums can be hit and miss affairs, but fair play to Rage Against The Machine, Renegades hits the target way more than it misses. The lead single was a fattened-up groove through Afrika Bambaataa’s classic Renegades Of Funk, but whether they’re going gangsta rap on Cypress Hill’s How I Could Just Kill A Man, hardcore punk on Minor Threat’s In My Eyes or garage rock on The Stooges Down On The Street, Rage prove they can adapt without losing any of their own identity. The true highlight though is their brilliant re-imagining of Bob Dylan’s counterculture war cry Maggie's Farm, which brings some musical muscle to fit those seething lyrics.

3. Rage Against The Machine – The Battle Of Los Angeles (1999)

Coming in 1999, three years after the release of Evil Empire, it was a new musical climate that RATM found themselves returning to. The blueprint of rap and hard rock that they had perfected had been co-opted by the hugely popular nu metal bands of the time, but Rage still stayed ahead of the game. The Battle Of Los Angeles is maybe not quite as consistent as the first couple of albums, but it remains a brilliantly powerful piece of work all the same, with the swirling march of Testify, the rhythmically dexterous Calm Like A Bomb and the bouncing, crushing Sleep Now In The Fire (complete with its iconic video where Rage shut down the Stock Exchange) all becoming definitive moments in the band's career.

2. Rage Against The Machine – Evil Empire (1996)

Seen as a bit of a dip at the time of release in 1996, it’s good to see that RATM’s sophomore album now gets the dues that it richly deserves. It’s really only due to the fact that it followed one of the greatest albums ever made that it has to take the silver medal here, and even then, it is only by the very smallest of margins. Evil Empire is a phenomenal record, spawning mega hits like Bulls On Parade and People Of The Sun, but it’s when you dig a little deeper that you can really get the genius of this record. Songs like the psychedelic punk of Revolver or the scattergun jazz of Down Rodeo are as good and as experimental as anything Rage have ever written. It might be number two here, but this is still a ten out of ten album.

1. Rage Against The Machine – Rage Against The Machine (1992)

One of the most revolutionary albums in the history of music, the 1992 debut album by Rage Against The Machine remains legitimately groundbreaking and utterly perfect. By the early 90s, rap and rock had started to become closely linked, but no one could have seen the amalgam of the two styles being so perfectly realised as it is here. It’s really no exaggeration to say that almost every track on Rage Against The Machine has gone on to become an anthem of the era which still stands up today; Know Your Enemy, Bullet In The Head, Freedom, Bombtrack and, of course, Killing In The Name, there are plenty of bands who have released greatest hits albums that couldn’t hold a candle to the track listing here. Morello’s unique guitar style, the perfectly synched, tightly wound rhythm section and De La Rocha’s furious and intelligent raps...you’d not change a single second of this record, an all-time great.

Since blagging his way onto the Hammer team a decade ago, Stephen has written countless features and reviews for the magazine, usually specialising in punk, hardcore and 90s metal, and still holds out the faint hope of one day getting his beloved U2 into the pages of the mag. He also regularly spouts his opinions on the Metal Hammer Podcast.

With contributions from

Merlin AldersladeExecutive Editor, Louder

AI alert: blues legend Junior Wells has just released an official newly recorded single despite dying in 1998

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Sent from my iPhone

[elliebass]

@matriegler

Matías experimentou um sentimento muito bom naquele momento. Saber que ela havia pensado nele esse tempo todo e, de um jeito muito egoísta, que não sofreu sozinho. "Don't worry. I wouldn't send you an invitation." Ele segurou um sorriso e virou o rosto para deixar um beijo na palma da mão de Ellie. "What about you and the rapper? O que ele fez pra te conquistar?"

"Why, thank you!" Devolveu com uma risada. Ellie abaixou a mão e ficou um pouco mais séria. Não queria ter que contar sobre o Noir. "Eu estava no auge da minha loucura, quando eu conheci ele. I was out partying a lot, doing... a bit of drugs." Olhou um pouco sem graça para o ex, julgando a si mesma. "It's hard, sometimes... not getting involved in this kind of shit, in this world. Anyways, he's always been batshit crazy, as well. We met at a party, went out a few times, and the internet went wild." Dois grandes nomes como os dois, saindo juntos? Ellie nunca se esqueceria do número de fanpages do "ship" que via por aí. "We did a song together that got very popular... I mean, It was fun, for a while. But I guess we were both more interested in the buzz than in each other."

[cinnamonroll999]

PURPLE KISS

A GUIDE TO PURPLE KISS

Here are three of their most amazing songs that summarize their sound and vibe.

Zombie: It's their most popular song for a reason. One of those songs that everyone falls in love with after first listen. I learned the choreography and it's so fun!

The song is such a bop and just makes you want to dance. The concept is cute, funny and quirky. I also like the lyrics. They show that you can be adorable and feminine without "falling into a guy's arms".

Can We Talk Again: God damn does this hit hard. The song is slow and beautiful, but so, so sad. They put so much emotion in their voices. If you close your eyes and listen to every word they draw out, I swear you'll be dead, in a good way. It feels like a knife being excruciatingly twisted in your stomach, but it's addicting.

I have never seen rap be slipped in so smoothly in a Vocal song before. And the instrumental is like descending to heaven. Their most recent Title Track, Sweet Juice, has a similar vibe.

Oh, and it's a pre-debut song.

(Btw, don't be put off by subtitles, lol. Most of their content has subtitles.)

MemeM: A lot of people hate this song. Let me rephrase. Most people hate this song. This song is very experimental. The repetitive lyrics may seem senseless and be a turn-off, but this song hits hard, especially that last chorus.

It may come off as too girl crush to some, but it really shows Purple Kiss's versatility. The Vocals, Rap, Choreography, Visuals are all top-tier.

Most people don't like this song, but I don't want to hide any side of Purple Kiss. In case you don't like it (which is completely fine. You don't need to like every song of a group to stan them), it's their only experimental song, and here is a b-side on the same album that rocks.

Purple Kiss is a self-producing 6-member girl group that debuted in 2021 under RBW Entertainment, Mamamoo's company.

They originally had 7 members, but Jieun left the group in November of 2022 due to health reasons.

Goeun (leader, center) and Swan (maknae) are the group's main vocalists. If you heard MemeM, you could guess from that high note and belting that they are quite talented. One listen and it speaks for itself.

Yuki is the main rapper and the second most credited 4th Gen Female Rapper, after Soyeon of G-IDLE. Unlike many kpop songs where the rap is just thrown in for the sake of it, her raps are delivered very smoothly). Her voice is recognizable and...swaggy? It's suitable for a rapper.

Ireh and Dosie are the main dancers. Ireh has a fun little cover of Maniac

Despite not knowing the choreography or practicing it properly, she matches the vibe of the song and her movement is well-delivered and sharp.

Dosie is a great dancer, you can tell from watching her in Ponzona. Maybe it's because the song requires it, but I'm in love with her footwork in Sweet Juice era.

She does it a little bit, but most of the time she doesn't "stutter" much in getting to her position. It's detailed and comes to her naturally. She has the best expressions. During, before and after the performance. Seriously, you should check out her ending fairy in their Ponzona Debut Stage and her little smile in the beginning of the fan cam I gave.

Chaein is sort of an all-rounder. She holds the lead vocal, dance and rap positions in the group, and I believe she lives up to it. I can't link all of it here, but once you see her with all her skills in action, you'll be convinced too.

Tune in to see their latest comeback:

If you wanna convince anyone else to stan purple kiss, feel free to send them this.