Throwback Thursday: K-Pop and K-Hip-Hop/K-R&B From A to Z (Letter “B” Edition)

Photo: Kakao M

Something that is so exciting about the K-Pop and K-Hip-Hop/K-R&B scene is how broad the genres are. The fact that there are so many different artists out there, each with their own identity and sound, makes it even more fun to find an artist. We already covered the letter “A,” and today, we are going to cover the letter “B.”

IU - “Blueming” 

On November 18, 2019, the iconic singer and actor IU released her beautiful mini-album Love Poem - EP. IU is a legend in the K-Pop scene, and her lighthearted EP features one of her well-known tracks. “Blueming” is a beautiful song that showcases IU’s soft but powerful vocals. “Blueming” is a track with a prominent guitar instrumental, but once the chorus comes in, you are transported into a poppy, groovy track that will bring a smile to your face. This is my favorite IU song, and it’s because of how cheerful and jolly the song is. As spring approaches for some of us, this would be the best song to play. 

GSoul - “Broken Record” 

On December 11, 2019, K-R&B/Soul singer GSoul released his soulful EP Hate Everything, a striking EP with five songs that will hit every emotion. With songs like “Hate Everything,” you feel such a strong emotion as you hear him sing with so much passion, but when you get to his track “Broken Record,” you are filled with glee. “Broken Record” is an upbeat song that talks about missing that special someone. This song is groovy and will have you moving your head and body along to the beat. The lyrics are also so addictive that after one listen, you are singing along: “Can’t seem to forget about you. Every little thing makes me think of you. Can’t seem to forget about you. All the things that we used to do.” It’s a really good song that showcases GSoul's range. 

ZICO - “BERMUDA TRIANGLE (feat. Crush & DEAN) 

On November 28, 2016, three iconic K-Hip-Hop and K-R&B artists came together and made a certified hit. On that day, ZICO’s iconic track “BERMUDA TRIANGLE (feat. Crush & DEAN)” was released, and the world lost it. This track is hard-hitting, strong, and will have you on your feet rapping your heart out. Three artists with three distinct sounds came together for this track, and the result was a beautiful mixture. ZICO’s flow is striking, while Crush’s vocals are powerful, and DEAN’s voice is soulful. It was a cool mixture overall. This wouldn’t be the last time these three artists have come together for a track, and each time it's a hit.

Edited by Bryn Claybourne