Ten Korean hip hop favs from 2016

Though it's already 2017, here are 10 of my Korean hip hop songs of 2016, in no particular order. 

Mercy (ft AP) – Nafla. With Nafla’s flow of hard hitting bursts that match the heavy trap beat, and AP’s more laconic flow, prepare to get turnt with this one. 

Flight Attendant – XXX. The duo push the boundaries of hip hop with the almost brutal electronic beat. Though the complex multifaceted beat is the hero of the track, Kim Ximya's nasally rap is the glue between the tracks' juxtaposing elements. 

Time Travel – Beenzino. Mirroring the smooth, spacey beat crafted into a progression, Beenzino’s flow moves from slow to melodic to quick effortlessly into a real viber.

And July (ft Dean and DJ Friz) – Heize. On a classic beat with killer drum breaks, Heize shows her versatility by singing and rapping on the track. And you can’t help but notice the synergy and chemistry between Heize and Dean. 

Perfect – PH-1. If you’re having a bad day, listen to this. Reminiscent of Chance the Rapper, the infectious beat, complete with a choir and whistling, perfectly complements PH-1’s energetic, joyful flow. 

Tribeast – Tribeast. This song epitomises hip hop. The sample heavy beat is seamlessly cut under Don Malik’s clear but vivacious flow to pay homage to the classics. 

Green Horizon – Punchnello. Over the lush electronic inclined beat, customary of his crew Club Eskimo, Punchnello’s speedy rap completes another boundary pusher. 

상상 – Kim Hyo-Eun. The Illionaire protégée’s deep, grainy tone rides smoothly on the chill, classic beat, again with killer breaks. Though simple, the track is perfect to chill out to.

Caffeine – C.Cle. This may seem like a biased choice considering I interviewed C.Cle, but rest assured it’s not. With C.Cle’s robust, consistent flow over a definitive g funk beat, your head will be bopping.

Mission (ft Dok2) – The Quiett. Returning to what he does best, the Illionaire CEO’s flow and classic style beat blend seamlessly on this smooth track. But with a feisty flow, Dok2 adds nice juxtaposition to the song.  

Do you agree or disagree with my choices? Let me know in the comments.

Review: 12 by Beenzino

Beenzino’s 12 is almost not a hip hop album. Musically, the Korean rapper’s first full length record is on par with neo-soul or even indie. Yet, it still seethes that ‘you better listen coz you’re about to be served the best’ attitude that screams hip hop.  

Following his 2012 “mini-album” 24:26, and 2014 EP Up All Night, Beenzino continues to audaciously represent his everyday life in a way so honest and charming, you’re inclined to believe him. 

Alongside travelling (props to I Don’t Mind’s Australia shout out) and time, uniqueness is the biggest theme of the record. 

Even with the whole language barrier thing, it’s hard to miss the message when he raps in English “I’m unique, so unique, I’m so busy I’m being myself” on guitar heavy Being Myself. 

But he didn’t really need to spell it out so clearly; the cohesion of his flow with the unconventional beats borrowing from a range of genres, does it already.  

You’re reminded of his Illionaire link on the trap inclined January, and cruise though the Tame Impala-esque progressions and synths on We Are Going To. 

Yet, Beenzino’s producers, long time (Peejay) and new (Genius Nochang), work well to craft a sleek and coherent sound overall. 

Even the three-year-old single Dali, Van, Picasso fits well with the overall feel of the record. 

And real life sound effects of a clock ticking on the gentle Imagine Time, or groovy토요일의 끝에서 ‘s lighter chink, are a nice touches, adding even more to the record’s testament of realness.

  

The three collaborations are evenly spaced (like for realz) throughout the record to break it up. It’s especially nice to see Blacknut finally rap alongside his hero on토요일의 끝에서.

But honestly, the collaborations work more effectively to signal Beenzino’s distinct melodic flow.

On 12 Beenzino takes a step away from his jazzy roots to create something simultaneously unexpected, and something that makes complete sense. It’s a solid first full length effort for Korea’s favourite rapper. 

In a word: progressive

Listen: We Are Going To