Artist Highlight: The Ongoing Journey of RM
Photo: BigHit Entertainment
RM’s journey from underground rapper to global icon feels less like a straight climb and more like a thoughtful, winding path. As both the leader of BTS and a solo artist, he’s constantly experimenting, sometimes loud and raw, other times quiet and reflective. His music is deeply personal, and he is always chasing meaning, identity, and connection in a world that rarely slows down.
Early Days
RM’s music journey started in 2009 when he auditioned for Big Deal Records but forgot his lyrics mid-rap. Even so, rapper Sleepy saw something in him and connected him with producer Pdogg at BigHit Entertainment. By sixteen, RM was BigHit’s first male trainee, already writing for other artists and showing up on early BTS tracks. His early style was raw and reflective, shaped by Korea’s underground hip-hop scene.
RM Debuts as the Leader of BTS
On June 13, 2013, RM debuted as the leader and main rapper of BTS with 2 Cool 4 Skool, a hip-hop record. Songs like “No More Dream” mixed old-school rap with raw energy, showing off RM’s bold delivery and intricate lyrics. From the start, he stood out for rapping about pressure, education, and ambition with a level of passion that could not go ignored.
As BTS’s music began to evolve, so did RM. He has always been able to shape shift by bringing sharp and confident verses to tracks like “Hip Hop Phile” and the Cypher series, then leaning into the bright, catchy and legendary feel of songs like “DNA” and “ON.”
On more atmospheric tracks like “Black Swan” and “134340,” his voice feels almost weightless and reflective. More than just the leader, he is the group’s lyrical soul, finding ways to talk about self-worth, doubt, and the world around them in a way that always feels honest.
Solo Career
RM’s first solo mixtape, RM (2015), was a gritty showcase of youthful defiance and intellectual inquiry. It leaned heavily into hard-edged hip-hop, channeling influences from artists like Nas, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar. Tracks like “Do You” and “Awakening” combined brash confidence with moments of self-doubt as RM wrestled openly with fame, identity, and authenticity. Though not entirely polished, the project displayed his ability to tackle dense philosophical themes while still holding his own and establishing himself as an MC in a competitive global hip-hop scene.
In 2018, RM released mono, a quiet and personal project that felt more like a journal than an album. The soft, lo-fi production let his emotions take the spotlight, swapping confidence for something more vulnerable. Songs like “Seoul,” “moonchild,” and “forever rain” captured feelings of loneliness and longing with gentle synths and rainy soundscapes that stuck with listeners. mono marked a turning point in his solo work and became a comfort to fans who saw their own struggles reflected in it. It felt like RM was letting us in, showing a softer, more human side of himself.
With Indigo in 2022, RM stepped into a new level of confidence as a solo artist. The album blends sounds from R&B, funk, indie rock, and spoken word, all grounded in lyrics that feel genuine and carefully considered. “Wild Flower” with youjeen mixes emotional rock with grand instrumentals. This showcased his quiet wish for peace away from the spotlight. “Yun” with Erykah Badu feels smooth and reflective, paying tribute to artist Yun Hyongkeun while asking what it means to make meaningful art. “Still Life” with Anderson .Paak brings in a bright, retro energy that’s all about embracing change and moving forward. Indigo feels like walking through a gallery of RM’s thoughts and emotions, and each song offers something real and deeply personal.
RM’s latest album, Right Place, Wrong Person, dropped on May 24, 2024, after he began his military service, and it’s easily his boldest and most complex project so far. Instead of the softer, more soulful sound of Indigo, this album leans into sharp guitar riffs and glitchy, textured production. It digs deep into feelings of being out of sync with the world. He focuses on identity, isolation, and inner conflict. The overall sound leans more alternative, with flashes of industrial rock and experimental edge.
“Nuts” opens with warped synths and heavy percussion and gives the listener the feeling of a mind coming undone. “Groin” is one of the album’s most experimental moments, pulsing with nervous energy and echoing what it feels like to not quite fit in. On the flip side, “Heaven’s Door” offers a quiet, dreamy pause that lets you breathe between all the chaos. The album doesn’t try to be perfect; it’s messy, emotional, and honest. Critics praised how raw and fearless it felt, helping it debut at number five on the Billboard 200 and earn spots on several top album lists of 2024.
RM’s music feels less like a finished product and more like an ongoing journey, one that invites listeners to grow alongside him. He’s always exploring, always shifting, and that honesty makes it easy to connect with him. Each era builds on the last, offering not just a new sound but a clearer glimpse into who he is and who he’s still becoming.
Check Out These Tracks
“LOST!”
“tokyo”
“Lonely”
“Groin”
“Around the world in a day (feat. Moses Sumney)”
Edited by Lacey Diluvio