Rappers Tiger JK, Yoon Mi-rae, and Bizzy are releasing their first full length album together as group, MFBTY.
March 18, M Academy Concert Hall in Sinsa Gangnam— MFBTY held a pre-listening conference to introduce their album, “Wondaland.” The album is schedule to be released today, March 19th.
MFBTY previously released a mini album in 2013 called, “Sweet Dream,” followed by “The Cure,” under the Drunken Tiger name, and then a single under Yoon MiRae’s name, “Angel.” All their title singles swept the charts, but they had never released a full length album under the MFBTY name.
“Wondaland” is not a hip-hop album, but a reinterpretation of Korean pop. It holds 16 tracks, and the group will release three title songs (“Triple Threat” Singles) at once. It includes various genres from electronic to rock, completing the spectrum of musical genres. The album features an artists from different areas of music, including legendary rock star Jeon InKwon, TV personality Yoo Hee-Yeol, BEAST’s Yong JunHyung, BTS’ Rap Monster, The Voice winner, Son Seung Yun, Illionaire’s Dok2, Windy City’s Kim Ban Jang, and electronic duo, EE. The album keeps you guessing with its outstanding 16-song track list.
# Happy Hello (Hello Happy)
This is one of the 3 triple threat singles. It reinterprets the chorus from YoonMiRae’s “Goodbye Sadness, Hello Happiness,” and is complimented by a sweet melody played by Yoo Hee Yeol, a well-known musician and TV host in Korea. Yoo did the arrangements for this song. This originally was not a title song, but they kept redoing it and Hee Yeol instantly loved it. YoonMiRae’s resonating vocals along with Yoo, Tiger, and Bizzy will stimulate the senses.
# Hey, hey, hey!
This song intro was originally supposed to be narrated by Yoo Hee Yeol. Tiger JK asked to do a provocative intro, but they could not include it due to its content. The song has a sexy feeling to it and incorporates an EDM (electronic music festival) sound. This is a genre that MFBTY has never tried.
# Bucku Bucku (“Shy Shy”)
The fun does not stop in this song. MFBTY pre-released a music video for “Shy Shy,” which features electronic duo EE, BTS’ Rap Monster, and new rapper, Dino-J. This song comes closer to MFBTY’s hip-hop origins, with every person spitting a rhyme parading their confidence. The hook is extremely catchy, and the hard hitting rhymes will leave you shaking.
# In The Eyes
This is one of the lighter, more fun, songs on the album, and the second “triple threat” single. The song is supposed to evoke getting lost in a disco ball. There is a line in YoonMiRae’s rap where she says, “I only can see my eyes.” The rhythmic beat and stomp will make you feel like you are in a real disco. This became a triple because Yoo Hee Yeol recommended it.
# Holly Who
Tiger JK asked Dok2 to help because he knows the current trend really well. There is a funny story behind this track. Dok2’s white Mercedes SUV surprised JK’s neighbors. “The Quiett” also participated in the track and gave a lot of advice
# Bang Diggy Bang Bang*
This is one of the triple title track with Windy City’s Kim Ban Jang on the drums. Mirae thought of this song while riding 방방 with her son jordan (방방 seems like a name of an amusement ride). It harkens back to the 80s and features a retro tone music video. MiRae also shows off her cool dance moves. Tiger mentioned that Tasha used to be in an idol like hip-hop/R&B group, so she knew how to dance well. I saw her dancing at home so I secretly asked her to come up with the choreography and made the track. The song leaves an impression with its foreign sound and reminds people of martial arts movies. Amongst the three singles, Yoo Hee Yeol suggested this to be the main one.
# Fart Dance
Jordan took part in this song including the song writing, performance, and producing. When jordan saw tiger jk working on a music program, he tought it was a video game and started playing with it. When MV director, Lumpens, heard this track by accident, he thought it was JK’s track and asked him to include it on the album so he could work on it. Currently, Jordan doesn’t like the title and keeps asking to change it to, “Dub Step” (a genre he likes). The dreamy and addictive electronic sound lingers around the ear. and Jordan’s voice saying ‘방귀대장 뽀로로(Fart Captain Pororo)” brings a mother-like smile to your face.
# Let It Go
This is a track with Beast’s Yong Jun Hyung. MFBTY wanted to do a song where they would break barriers, introducing an idol to the hip-hop community and a seasoned rapper to the pop audience. Yong actually hesitated for 20 days. He reinterpreted the song and did not come off as a stereotypical idol rapper. Tasha’s vocals and fast rhymes stand out. She switches back and forth, intensifying the fun almost like a roller coaster. MFBTY’s skill shined here and Yong JunHyung comes off as a brand new artist.
# Love and Peace
This track is with legendary rocker, Jeon In Kwon. Tiger JK and Jeon In Kwon continued to work on the track up until the day of the listening event. It was a reggae track with rap, but the rap was taken out per Jeon’s advice. He wanted to remove everything and only have truth, roughness, and loneliness. It is a minimalistic track with vocals, no gimmicks. Jeon’s trademark voice and MFBTY’s voices come together in this calm harmony.
*Bang Diggy Bang Bang is like an onomatopoeia for hopping/jumping as well, similar to like when you are on a trampoline. Jordan enjoys trampolines.
Source: TenAsia
Translated by Sang K.
-Drunken Tiger International