BTS - another 'hip-hop idol' group.

Big Star entertainment have debuted a new boy group...

A seven member boy group.

Talented in rap, singing, producing and composing.

Focusing on Hip hop as a genre...

This sounding familiar to anyone?

Upon listening to their title track I could see a few similarities sure, but not enough to say that they're trying to be Block B. However, their debut is very well timed considering Block B are out of action (for want of a better phrase) at the moment. Bravo Big Star, Bravo.

I don't know how I feel about Hip-Hop idol groups to be honest. Often they're not actually very Hip-hop, more just pop with a few raps. It's almost like Hip-Hop is the designer brand that everyone wants in on, and so they slap the label on anything vaguely related like a counterfeit handbag at a market. 

I love Korean Hip-Hop, but when you mix it with the polished, structured, manufactured world that is idols and kpop I don't know how to take it. Maybe i'm being a music snob here, but I feel like Hip-Hop is a genre that is created in little studios or garages with lyrics that were scribbled on every surface of a notebook the artist carries everywhere, not in expensive studios next to a dance practice area and a make up studio...

Perhaps i'm idealistic and out of touch. The most important thing is that the music is good, it shouldn't really matter how it came to be, as long as it's solid.

Anyway, BTS or Bangtan means Bulletproof Boy Scouts, which is actually pretty fitting since the members are all freaking young. We have...

Jin- born in '92

Suga- Born in '93

J-Hope and their leader - born in '94

V and Jimin - Born in '95

And the youngest Jungkook Born in September 199freaking7. 

Well I feel old.

While the kettle boils for my tea, and in this ad break from my favourite pre-nap day time soap opera, Let's talk names.

Suga. really? That's just awkward to me, but forgivable. J-Hope? I can't help but think of J-Lo when I hear that name. Which in turn, gets Jenny from the block stuck in my head for the next three hours. Thanks J-Hope.
The name that really takes the cake is the leader's.

His name is Rapmonster.





RAPMONSTER.





WHAT THE FUCK EVEN IS THAT.





I don't understand. I just. I don't get it.

I actually really like the song. The first time I heard it and saw it I thought the song was about something completely different, but it turns out, it's about following your dreams kids! Aw! How sweet! ... and strange, I didn't expect that message to be shared so gangsta-esque-ly (totally a word). I guess where the group is full of 16-17 year old korean boys what else could they rap about?

Again, not sure how I feel about the gangsta vibes from this vid, there's something awkward about Hip-Hop idol groups going full gangsta, it just makes me a tad uncomfortable knowing that they're -to a degree- copying a culture that they've never lived or been part of.

That doesn't stop me from enjoying it though.

At the same time, i'm digging their sound, they have a more authentic Hip-Hop vibe, in terms of sound, than most Hip-Hop idols which is enjoyable. It's quite old school sounding, which i'm loving. It'll be interesting to see what sort of stuff they put out as time goes on. I wonder if they'll survive. 

Imma keep an eye on this jailbait group, see what the future brings.


-CKF

P.s- I know the lyrics are "I want a big house, big cars and big rings" but I just can't help but hear "a big house, big cocks and big rings", which is totally cool if he's into that, a bit out of place in the song though don't you think? And I hope the rings are separate from the big cocks... The finger kind, not the other kind. If you catch my drift... Peace x