Kpop: Joosuc (주석)

 All the images is from "I Kno".

I haven't really felt anything for Joosuc's rap up until now, but the track "I Kno" is something different from the videos he has done before - instead of rougher rap he goes for laid back R&B of the kind that koreans does so well. Please stay in this zone, Joosec!

• Joosuc ft Sanchez - I Kno
• Joosuc ft Satbyeol - Property
• Joosuc ft July31 - Shoelaces (신발끈)

Kpop: Heize (헤이즈)

Heize was a semi-finalist in the latest season of korean Unpretty Rapstar, where female rappers battle it out, and it was probably just a quastion of time before she got som solo succes and I think with what the two singles so far has shown it should come true. I hope her not being part of a group shouldn't be to big a disadvantage. As many other contestants, outside the hiphop competition she sings mostly non-rap songs, Heize going for the soulful and it seems to suit her, and she and Dean really seems to have something going musically.

• Heize ft Dean, DJ Fritz - And July
• Heize ft Dean - Shut Up & Groove

Kpop: Sleepy (슬리피)

I think it may be the production by Giriboy, but the new "Body Lotion" from korean rapper Sleepy is so good that even I who seldom likes hiphop can dig it.

• Sleepy ft Bang Yong Guk - Body Lotion (바디로션)
• Sleepy & Song Jieun - Cool Night (쿨밤)
• Sleepy ft Baek Ah Yeon - Kibuntat(기분탓)

Jpop: Sloth - Bi Bi Bi / Serebro - Mi Mi Mi

To start with, Russian Serebro's original version of  "Mi Mi Mi" obviously was very much about sexiness in a very objectifying way, even though with lots of humor. So when Tokyo rapper Sloth does a cover, one shouldn't expect too much, and I have really tried to put it away, but damn the song is so addictive! As a bonus, those of you who though Japan is only about tasteful aestetics, think again. ;-)

• Sloth - Bi Bi Bi (Gossip Bitch version)
• Serebro - Mi Mi Mi

Kpop: Jay Park - Want It (원해)

OK, I can't let this go and that is just because (as some people would say) the sick beats. Jay Park is a great artist and just that intro is worth listening to the song. And then the slightly psycedelic end. This album has really been getting some love production-wise. I also like it when he taps into his crazy side with out going all cute-crazy G-Dragon "Crayon".

• Jay Park ft Genius Nochang & B-Free - Want It (원해)

Taiwanese rap: 頑童MJ116

The hip hop trio from 頑童 MJ116 Taiwan consists of E-So, Kenzy and Muta, and I thought I would write a little piece on them just to illustrate an example of chinese modern rap.

• MJ116 - Super Cool (超級酷)
• MJ116 ft. J.Sheon - Running
• MJ116 - Bad Neighbor (壞鄰居)
• MJ116 - Fried Dumplings (生煎包)
• MJ116 - Second hand car (二手車)
• MJ116 - 偷客兄
• MJ116 - Jungle
• MJ116 - Just Believe

Jpop/hip hop: Rip Slyme

The best songs of Rip Slyme has those interesting sounds and verbal twists that makes them almost quirky, but it is just that that lifts them beyond 'just' hip hop (not my cup of tea). The new Jump is just that, with singer Chay joinging them in this effort.

• Rip Slyme ft Chay - Jump
• Rip Slyme - Tropical Night (熱帯夜)
• Rip Slyme - I・N・G
• Rip Slyme - Popcorn Nancy
• Rip Slyme - Galaxy
• Rip Slyme - Blow (ブロウ)
• Rip Slyme - Sly
• Rip Slyme - Speed King
• Rip Slyme - Sun and Bikini (太陽とビキニ)
• Rip Slyme - Joint
• Rip Slyme - Twilight Surround (黄昏サラウンド)
• Rip Slyme - Funkastic
• Rip Slyme - One