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[report] Rakaa’s album release party – pt 1

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After sifting through my photos and evaluating the night, I decided it’d be best to divide this into 2 posts. [warning: long post ahead]

It’s 6:30pm when I first arrive. Already, there is a line forming outside the club. There are 2 DT fans from the UK who were waiting since 4pm. One of them mentions he was a fan since 2000 and said he had never seen JK live. He couldn’t miss this opportunity. Long time dedication like that is truly beautiful.

JK and crew arrive at 7:30pm. Their infamous black van catches immediate attention as they are rushed inside the club.   The fans are teased with the sound of their rehearsal booming from inside. They are given some relief as ticket sales start selling at 8:00pm (an hour later than the scheduled time). Most of the relieved fans go off to dinner before the show starts.

After 15 minutes of waiting, the crew finishes their set and are on their way to get ready. We head off to YangLee Hair, a Hongdae spot that they frequent on occasion. Yang, the owner, is the stylist for a number of celebs and was there to personally handle their beauty needs.

As we enter, we see a wall of photos of celebs. At the elevator door is a picture of JK, and we laugh as he stands right next to it during the elevator wait. At the back of the salon is a wall of signed CDs, and 2 shelves filled with autographed Movement CDs.

(pictured: YoonMirae 3, Drunken Tiger 5, DT 7, DT4, and Bobby Kim’s 3rd)

The crew is rolling deep on this night. On top of the headlining performers, almost JK’s whole 8th album line up is present. Those who aren’t getting prettied up have to find ways to kill time before the show. Stylez is drawing on his iPad and mentions its is his lifeline on the road. Roscoe and !llmind talk about their time in NYC (Roscoe just finished rocking Radio City Music Hall with Donnie Wahlberg). Roscoe raves about the crazy double decker tour buses there and NY pizza (made me miss home!) Tasha, determined, finds the one English magazine hidden on the shelf and peruses through the fashion ads. Other major players in the crew, i.e. JK’s producer, Techbeatz, Jason Park, and rapper Loptimist, browse the internet or play games. While this is going on, JK and Rakaa are in the next room doing lines of interviews (almost 2 hours of it)

Halfway into preparations, everyone stops to take a group photo. [Pictured Left to Right: Rakaa, Loptimist, JK, Stylizstik Jones, Yang, Roscoe, Techbeatz, !llmind, and Tasha].

As the group puts the final touches on their show, some of us go back to the venue and claim our spot for the night. At 10:30pm, the loyalists of fans have already packed in. It’s a strange scene — a pillar divides the stage. On the left are primarily Korean fans, while the right are a group of non-Korean fans. They are there to see not only Rakaa, but some came primarily for JK or Tasha. They’re a sure sign that Jungle has gone truly international.

The DJ spins a strange mix of hip-hop and trance. Fans try to dance the time away, but they slowly become impatient and tired. Some are so tired that they choose to sit on the stage. Finally, at 12:30pm, JK comes out to introduce and MC for the night. He chooses to be the official translator as well.

J gives the crowd chants to practice and hypes them up. He introduces Bizzy and in pure Bizzy fashion, he jumps on the stage with crazy energy. As he performs parts of YDG’s “RUN” and his single “After the Night We Broke Up (해어진 다음 날),” he rocks the stage with a fire that fills the room. He had just finished a commercial shoot right before the show and couldn’t even go to the rehearsal, but he somehow rocked it out with 4x the energy than usual.

Roscoe’s up next with Stylistik Jonez. For those who don’t know, Roscoe’s been collaborating with JK since the 2nd album (2000). The two met through DT’s old DJ, DJ Jhig, who asked Roscoe not only to drop verses on the 2nd album, but to also help produce it. Roscoe admits that many of the tracks were produced and mixed down in his old house in a few short weeks. Stylez is a member of the LA collaborative hip-hop crew, Likwit Crew, who are also responsible for recruiting rappers Xzibit and The Alkoholiks.

Stylez steps off the stage to say what’s up to the fans. [The bodyguards are not happy apparently.]

This is what I dubbed “the hat trick.” They brought on a stack of 8 hats and Stylez went through all 8 saying he hated them all. Meanwhile, the fans anticipated they would get one thrown out at them. All they got was disappointment as Stylez threw them to the back of the stage.

Finally, Stylez decides to film the fans wiling out during their set. I will finish this post with Roscoe’s final song, “Live It Up.”

-TO BE CONTINUED-

-L aka Miss DrunkenCamp

News & Such

[news] TIGER JK “I’m planning to break into the US music industry.”

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On August 8, in an interview with the Summer Festival Week & T, Tiger JK said: “I had a dream when I started working with music, so I was always satisfied with what little I had” … ‘But through twitter, I realized that many people (the U.S.) show interest in me and YoonMirae.”

Regarding his recent role in Rakaa’s “Crown of Thorns” album and future US collaborations, JK says that everything flowed naturally. “They showed interest in us and so many artists got to know theirs, but then I was willing to show our music to them too, influencing them to listen to our music.”

On the same day, Tiger JK invited Drunken Tiger affiliate member, Roscoe Umali, to the festival. The both hinted that they will perform with an artist with Korean-American decent on the 15th (surely, this would have to be Rakaa’s album release party).

JK will start his debut joining the underground Hip Hop artists from the United States, performing with “legendary” artists (“who” is the question). He will expand little-by-little, going from  cities like New York and LA, where many Korean immigrants, and media show a favorable interest in various types of music.

Another advantage JK has is he spent many of his school years in the US, furthering his bilingual Korean/English skills. Language barrier is one thing that keeps many Korean artists from testing the American market, and JK’s bilingualism has been working in his favor throughout the duration of his Drunken Tiger career. Surely, it has already set the foreground for his entrance into the American media..

Some wonder if JK’s US songs will have a similar sound to “I Want You” (난 널 원해), “Do You Know Hip Hop?” (너희 가 힙합 을 아느냐), and “Monster,” which had an American hip-hop style mixed with the Korean language. However, no one knows how his US songs will sound like and how it will differ from current hip-hop artists.

No one knows what’s in store for JK’s US career path, but we look to Jackie Chan as an example. He suffered very early in his career in show business, considering him as a “Clint Eastwood” type character who had a limited success run. But after returning to the Asian market, he improved his “Kung Fu acrobatic,” and went again to the American market, but this time achieving great success in the United States.

Main Source: Nate News

Much love to DrunkenTiger Brasil for the update (and thank God for Google Translate!)

-Miss DrunkenCamp

News & Such

[photos] DT crew kicks it with Hot 97’s Miss Info

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While at Summer Week & T, the artists sat down for an interview and these exclusive photos were released. Pictured above: Tasha, Roscoe, JK, Stylistic Jonez, Miss Info, and Bizzy.

For those who don’t know, Miss Info is a hip-hop news reporter for New York’s hip-hop station, Hot 97. She is most known for her “Celebrity Gossip” segment on the station and also was a vocal protestor of the station’s controversial “Tsunami song” that mocked Asians. She is both a major force in the hip-hop industry and one of the more involved players in promoting Asian Americans in the media industry.

On a side note, a few days after the Naksan concert, Tigerbalm, Korea’s US website, posted an ambiguous news release stating JK is preparing to break into the US industry. No details were provided, but it’ll be interesting to see if this news will unfold at Rakaa’s Album Release party next week.


News & Such, Shows & Concerts

[can’t miss show] RAKAA Korea album release party

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For those who can’t make it out to Naksan, Jungle Entertainment is putting together something more convenient and central to DT fans.

For a mere 20,000won ($20), fans are invited to Rakaa’s Korean album release party on August 15th. Drunken, Tasha, IllMind, Roscoe Umali, Stylistic Jones, and Bizzy join the line up to a wild Sunday(?) night. There’s been buzz JK and Rakaa’s twitter about a “special surprise.” Looks like we’ll get to see it on this night!

Directions Update:

From Hongdae Station:

Come out of Exit 5. You will need to get on the road to CLUB COCOON. Follow that road down, but you will need to pass the club. You will pass Watsons, Ho Bar IV, and then reach a side road going RIGHT that has some construction next to it. Head into this road and you will find Club 2NS.

– Miss DrunkenCamp

News & Such

[exclusive release] Rakaa “Ambassador Slang” ft. Drunken Tiger, Tasha, Epik High, Dumbfoundead, Roscoe Umali, BIGRYZN, MOSHPIT, and more

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Well, after much hype, Rakaa’s new album “Crown of Thorns” was released on July 20th, with the anticipated “Ambassador Slang.” This is one of the first times that a major American artist included multiple Korean musicians on his album.  Check out the track on youtube:

Catch up with Rakaa on his MySpace.

News & Such

[news] Meeting Of Two Worlds – Amerie & Tasha

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When people talk about mixed Asian artists, Amerie and Tasha are often one of the first names mentioned. However, since the two of them promote themselves in two different places, it’s hard to imagine the two would ever cross paths.

One trip to Los Angeles changed all that.

Recently, Tasha and JK met with Amerie and Amerie tweeted these photos on her site:

Shows how global DT/Tasha really are 🙂

News & Such

[news] Rakaa of Dilated Peoples will feature The Movement on his next album

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Rakaa’s album track list was leaked yesterday and it was revealed that he will feature a track with some of the Movement’s power players. The track, titled “Ambassador’s Slang,” will feature Tiger JK, Tasha, Roscoe Umali, Epik High, and Dumbfoundead. It was produced by Japan’s pioneer hip-hop DJ, DJ Honda. Below is the report from HalfKorean.com:

Rakaa Iriscience Taylor“Ambassador slang. Connected worldwide! Understand we’re worldwide!!!” – Rakaa Iriscience / “Ambassador Slang”

I recently had the opportunity to preview “Ambassador Slang” from Rakaa Iriscience’s (Rakaa Taylor) upcoming hip hop solo album Crown of Thorns. All I can say is that “Ambassador Slang” matches all that I was anticipating ever since Rakaa mentioned it in our interview back in February. The hip hop posse cut features a variety of Asian/Pacific Islander artists including Korean/Korean-American artists Tasha, Tiger JK (Drunken Tiger), Dumbfounded, Tablo & Mithra Jin (Epik High).

Here is the lineup of MCs that spit fire on this dope dj honda-produced track (in order of appearance and where they represent): Tasha (aka Yoon Mi Rae) / Korea, Tiger JK (Drunken Tiger) / Korea, Roscoe Umali / L.A. via Philippines, Chiefsons – Big Ryzn / L.A. via Samoa, Chiefsons – Moshpit / L.A. via Samoa, Rakaa – WORLDWIDE via L.A., Dumbfoundead / L.A. via Korea, Tassho Pearce / Hawaii via Japan, Epik High – Tablo / Korea, Epik High – Mithra Jin / Korea, Jay Jaballas / L.A. via Philippines & King Kapisi / New Zealand via Samoa.

I can confidently say that each and every MC comes correct on the track! You will NOT be disappointed if you are a true hip hop fan. Trust me. This is a groundbreaking hip hop track full of talented artists, regardless of their ethnic origins. I don’t know that something like this has ever been done before (bringing together artists of these backgrounds) and, if it has, not on this level.

You have to applaud Rakaa for bringing together these artists and featuring them on his first solo album. He is an artist who has gained respect due to his talent, skill and what he has accomplished on his own and as a member of Dilated Peoples. For him to now be sharing the light with other artists on a global scale is truly a pleasure to see and hear and here’s hoping he continues to “build bridges.”

Obviously Tasha’s verse is of interest to us and she opens the track with this line, “The track hit the headphones, pen hit the pad, put MCs to sleep like tryptophan.” The rest of the verse is pure fire and just confirms what I’ve always thought about her ever since her days as part of the Korean hip hop group Uptown; that she is a dope rapper and one of the best in Korea (male OR female).

As usual, Rakaa’s own verse is dope. One thing I’ve noticed recently is that Rakaa has dropped a few Korean-related lyrics within his rhymes. On “Ambassador Slang” he ends a bar with, “… direct vengeance like Park Chan Wook.” Of course, Korean film fans will know that Park Chan Wook is one of the most acclaimed directors in South Korea and was the director of the “Vengeance” trilogy which consists of Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance. I don’t know about everyone else, but I think it is kind of cool that he would drop those kind of subtle Korean references in his lyrics.

I hope the track gets released as a single or, at the very least, as a B-side. I truly believe that if the rest of Crown of Thorns is anything like the three tracks I have heard so far (“C.T.D.”, “Delilah” & “Ambassador Slang”), Rakaa’s album is going to be monumental!

Rakaa’s Crown of Thorns is scheduled to be released on 7/20/2010 by Decon Records.

For more information regarding Rakaa or Crown of Thorns, please check out Decon Records or Rakaa’s Official MySpace or Official Facebook.

source: HalfKorean.com

News & Such

[LA auditions!!] Audition for JK (and stop sending me your mixtapes!)

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Kidding! (sort of)

Superstar K, which is Korea’s form of American idol, is launching its second season out in Los Angeles. Joining their line of judges is the hip-hop power couple, Tiger JK and Yoon Mi Rae.

In it’s previous season, JK signed it’s runner up, Cho Moon-Guen, a soul singer, to Jungle Entertainment. So even if you don’t win the competition, consider this a rare opportunity for you aspiring artists to be seen by JK/Tasha.

Auditions will be held in LA Koreatown, CGV LA on  June 26th. Contestants who get through the rounds 1 and 2 are then invited to Seoul to compete with onshore contestants from 16th~18th of July.
Source: Allkpop.com

News & Such

Blowin Up Your Spot – JK calls US Jungle auditions a fake

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Recently, a company by the name of Eden Entertainment, held auditions in Atlanta in the name of Jungle Entertainment (JK’s label), YG, and SM. The company charged $10/audition and is sponsored by major players in the industry: Korea Times, MBC, and the mother of kpop blogs, allkpop.com.

However, JK recently commented that no Jungle Entertainment representatives were sent to Atlanta to scout talent.

Eden Entertainment was authorized to submit videos and information on local talent, which any person is allowed to do and can actually do via SM’s, YG’s, and Jungle Entertainment’s websites.

Many have raised flags over the audition fee (which is a rarity) and the fact that the company is scouting for 3 different companies (another rarity since they technically compete for talent).

The company responded with this statement:

AUDITION NOTICE
Ladies and Gentlemen, There seems to be some confusion or misunderstanding regarding the open auditions we held on 3.13 and 3.14 in Atlanta. Eden Entertainment was created to help promote and showcase local Korean and Korean-American talent in the Atlanta area. We wanted to host an open audition to expose hopeful talents to the audition experience. As you know, Atlanta hardly offers talented people any opportunities to pursue their dreams especially for Korean-Americans. Our main goal was to offer a real and honest experience to those who truly want to pursue a career in music. We simply offered our services to help them achieve their goals. We prepared professionally edited videos, a sound studio to hold the audition, hired experts in the industry to critic and give advice to those who auditioned, and finally, provided professional stylists to make those who made the finals look their best. By preparing a professional audition video, we hope that these young talents will be given an opportunity to work with some of the best entertainment groups in Korea. However, even if they are not chosen, Eden Entertainment believes their talents shouldn’t be dismissed and we will help develop them to meet their full potential. Eden Entertainment has never implied nor made any guarantees to anyone who auditioned or in any publications. We also never implied nor said that representatives from YG Entertainment, SM Town, Jungle Entertainment, DSP Media, and Nega Network would appear or host the auditions. This was an Eden Entertainment audition with the sole purpose to send carefully chosen and professionally edited audition videos to these entertainment groups. Now, many people also mentioned the fact that there was a ten dollar application fee and how it was wrong to do so and that a fee implied that the auditions were fraudulent. The application fee was collected in order to pay for the judges who were, Marvin McIntyre (Artist Developer and Coach) who developed New Edition, Jeremy ¡°Unique¡± Davis (Professional Choreographer and Dancer) who worked with artists like Jazze Pha and Bobby Valentino, and finally Miss Rha Rha (Professional Dancer) who has worked with TLC and many other artists. The application fee was carefully calculated from the number of registrations to also pay for the space rental (waiting area), renting a dance floor, and hiring staff members and security, there were no profits collected from this audition. We would also like to mention that this event was sponsored by highly reputable companies such as the Korean Times Atlanta and MBC America in Atlanta. Eden Entertainment has never or will ever take advantage of someone who is trying to pursue a dream, whatever that dream maybe. The audition was an exciting and amazing experience for everyone and hopefully after the final audition videos are released someone¡¯s dream may come true and that is the only reason why Eden Entertainment hosted these open auditions. Thank you for understanding and we hope you support our future events and endeavors.

So are the auditions legitimate? It’s still unclear, but clearly Jungle has no affiliation with it and aspiring artists looking to sign with JK should look elsewhere.

source: seoulbeats.com

-Miss DrunkenCamp