Rapper Woo Wonjae began his music career and skyrocketed to popularity following his stint on Show Me The Money 6 back in 2017, signing with Jay Park’s label AOMG later in the year after being eliminated during the final round. During his time on the show, the soloist managed to grab public attention and top music charts with his official debut single “We Are,” a feat not easily accomplished by any artist. It had been two years since he released music, and the anticipation for his first full album was high. 

The Title: “USED TO”

“USED TO” is a very raw, open track where we see Woo open up about his past struggles and those including his family during his youth. For the majority of the song, the beat is consistent and repetitive; it leaves a void that is filled by his rap flow and the lyrics themselves. Two-thirds of the way through the track, everything switches up completely—the tempo slows down and takes on an almost broken-like quality, as if the track is barely holding on and being dragged along for the ride as Woo continues his rap. It has a very strong melancholic tone, even though the lyrics speak of having an indifferent attitude toward haters, and that is further driven by the simplicity of the music video. Woo is seen in the middle of what appears to be a school portrait, though the members next to him are all of varying ages. There are very few cuts to different scenes, with a grand total of three sets and almost all jump cuts taking place at the song’s melodic shift. Woo’s face is obstructed by a rather disturbing mask as the shift takes place, and it’s difficult to decipher if there is symbolism within the mask itself or not as its shape is unclear. “USED TO” definitely has some strong sentiments behind it, particularly for the rapper himself, but it may not be everyone’s cup of tea since it is rather eccentric both visually and musically.

The Album

Nine-track album BLACK OUT contains a number of collaborations with familiar names in the industry, including legendary Tiger JK and labelmate sogumm. The album kicks off with a track of the same name as the album, slowly building up the melody. The hip-hop driven beat is initially overshadowed, but builds in anticipation as the track carries on, like an extended bolero. Woo’s voice is muffled as he comes in, though it fades back out and the song tapers off just like in the beginning.

“R.I.P” opens with the same melody of the previous track, providing a seamless transition. This classic hip-hop track has Woo rapping in a deeper tone, which helps further the intensity of the song while showcasing another side to the rapper’s talent. Many rappers have one distinctive range, but this shows that Woo is capable of more than that.

After the title comes “Do Not Disturb,” a track featuring the sweet indie vocals of So!YoON!. Woo once again features his lower register during the rap, helping to highlight the contrast between himself and the higher pitched vocals of So!YoON!. Her tone is a refreshing addition to the rap-heavy opening tracks. “Chik Chik Pok Pok Freestyle” fills the void of lighter hip-hop, introducing a cypher-like melody that is less heavy and melancholic than the previous tracks. The song also features Jvcki Wai and SIMO for some new rap flavor. It’s a banger that was needed after the more intense stuff.

“JOB” brings in the veteran Tiger JK along with Qim Isle and is reminiscent of the type of hip-hop that older rappers like Verbal Jint may release. The sound of clanging metal is a prominent feature in the melody, helping it stand out as a unique composition. The hard-hitting rap continues moving into “Chingiz Khan,” though this one is a solo Woo venture. It definitely has the type of melody that popular rap tracks in the U.S. have, and with banger status, it has the potential to be the most popular track on the whole album if ever promoted. 

As the album closes out, we are presented with “CANADA,” a surprisingly relaxing track that takes soft jazz influences in the melody and subdues the listener after the back-to-back cypher tracks. The softer side is especially refreshing, but whether Woo’s raspy tone fits well with it is up to the individual listener. It’s a bit rough in comparison to similar tracks from other rappers. 

Finally we have “Fever,” sogumm’s featured track and a slower tempo song that fits along the same vein as title “USED TO.” Woo raps in double time against a slow tempo, which signifies a certain amount of emotional intensity without even looking at the lyrics. sogumm is primarily featured in the chorus as a complement to Woo’s vocals, though it would be nice to hear just a bit more from her.

Overall BLACK OUT is a decently composed album, and successfully shows a number of different sides to the budding rapper. If you’re unfamiliar with Woo’s work, this album is a great introduction to him as an artist and is hopefully a stepping stone to a flourishing career.