Epik High, Crush, and Stray Kids's 3RACHA: Need We Say More?
Photo: stills from “EPIKASE” music video
Epik High needs no introduction, nor do the artists who collaborated with the legendary hip-hop trio on their latest single, "EPIKISM:" Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz joined hands with Crush on a song co-written and co-produced with Stray Kids's subunit 3RACHA (Bang Chan, Changbin, and HAN), released on September 17.
"EPIKISM," the upgraded version of "TUKUTZISM"
"EPIKISM" originated from a music competition held on Epik High's official YouTube channel, "EPIKASE.” The channel gets its name from blending the group's name and omakase, the kind of restaurant that serves dishes at its discretion. The idea conveyed is that Epik High naturally unfolds the stories and experiences they've prepared.
On the channel, the three members compete against each other with different challenges, and the winner becomes the group's temporary leader. Over the last couple of weeks, the goal was for each of them to complete their own tracks. DJ Tukutz emerged as the ultimate winner, ascending to the role of Epik High's new leader for the next six months.
His song is titled "TUKUTZISM," and features support from GroovyRoom and 3RACHA, as well as a guest appearance by Crush.
Crush lent his support once more by featuring on "EPIKISM," which builds on the appeal of the original track while introducing fresh elements through the new arrangement featuring all three members of Epik High.
Ahead of the release, Epik High drew attention by sharing childhood photos of Mithra Jin, Tablo, and DJ Tukutz, as well as featured artist Crush, on their official social media accounts. They further showcased their signature playful sense of humour by unveiling the EPIKISM artwork, which prominently features Mithra's first birthday photo.
TUKUTZ is slaying the SNS game
Since becoming the temporary leader, Tukutz has unleashed his inner social media guru into full gear, staying extremely productive on his SNS profiles at a rate of uploads that has us wondering just how he finds the time for it all. His social media fire has burned even brighter since the release of the single, for which he even came up with a dance challenge. Predictably, he enlisted his group members for it, captioning the video, "We do what the leader says."
With five more months left in Tukutz's reign as leader, fans can only wonder what other surprises he — and Epik High — have in store.