B-Side Tracks: Unpretty Rapstar Edition
It’s no secret that I have an affinity for rappers, so it’s no surprise that I’m a fan of Unpretty Rapstar and the talent it’s brought to my attention since I began watching it. In an industry that tends to be harder on women than men, I appreciate seeing these girls in the spotlight. Let’s check out some of the best tracks the series has to offer!
“Coma ’07” - Cheetah
As winner of the first season of Unpretty Rapstar, Cheetah proved her immense talent on stage with an emotional performance of “Coma ’07,” a chronicle of her experience being in a coma. The song’s personal element really pushes it over the edge, allowing it to go from merely great to exceptional, conveying a powerful message of strength with her clean and expressive timbre. I still get goosebumps every time I listen to it.
“바꾸지 마 This Ain’t Me (Feat. Jung Ilhoon)” - Jeon Jiyoon
A former member of 4minute, Jeon Jiyoon joined the Unpretty Rapstar cast a few episodes late. I’ve always been a huge fan of Jiyoon’s deeper vocal tone, since it makes her raps sound even more intense. I’m thrilled that she followed the hard-hitting formula for her semifinal performance against KittiB, with additional powerful lyrics rounding out one of my favorite female rapper tracks to date. The addition of BTOB Ilhoon’s prowess as a rapper was an added bonus, too.
“사랑 할 때 아니야 Money (Feat. Jay Park)” - Hyolyn
Former leader of disbanded group SISTAR, Hyolyn took a lot of heat for deciding to join the cast of Unpretty Rapstar 2. I was inspired by her ability to keep going despite the setbacks she faced, and because of that she ended up featured on this Jay Park track. I’m quite a fan of both artists, so I love this collaboration. I also adore the entire concept of the song, which details focusing on achieving success rather than finding love. As your local advocate for success over relationships, “사랑 할 때 아니야 Money” is basically my anthem.
“함부로 해줘 (Feat. 한해)” - Yezi
Now, it’s no secret that I am a vocal Yezi stan, so it’s only proper that I include her semifinal song against rapper Truedy. I absolutely adore everything about Yezi: she exudes confidence and badassery on a level I could only ever hope to achieve. Yezi’s unique flavor and rap expertise really shine alongside Hanhae, as expected of a queen.
“On & On” - Yuk Jidam
During the first season of Unpretty Rapstar, I grew to have a soft spot for young aspiring rapper Yuk Jidam and found myself particularly moved by her semifinal track versus rapper Kisum. Her emotional sincerity and delivery were truly moving, complemented by the angelic vocals of Baek Yerin.