EL CAPITXN: From Hitmaker to Headliner
Photo: @elcapitxn_official/Instagram
He’s one of the most famous producers in K-Pop, but he’s now stepping into the limelight. EL CAPITXN released his solo single in the midst of his world tour WHO KILLED EL?. The song is called “Breaking Through,” and it features TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT)’s TAEHYUN and American singer-songwriter Jeremy Zucker.
The single was released on March 26, and within a few hours, it was already climbing the charts worldwide, as EL CAPITXN himself informed his followers with a post on his Instagram feed.
EL CAPITXN (born Jang Yijeong, 장이정) has penned a number of hit songs for some of the biggest names in K-Pop. His credits include: BTS’s “Take Two,” Agust D’s “Daechwita,” IU’s “Eight,” tripleS’s “Girls Never Die,” Jungkook’s “Stay Alive,” PLAVE’s “(DASH),” and TXT’s “Leaving Neverland,” to name just a few.
He leads the production team VENDORS, though he was not always a producer. He trained and debuted as part of the boy band HISTORY in 2013, but his career really took off when he began working for other artists. This return to the spotlight as a solo artist feels like a new beginning, and the title of the song is surely not a coincidence.
“Breaking Through” is an atmospheric track that describes the moment when emotional barriers come down, and pent-up feelings pour out, reaching the other person. The track is built around a story-driven concept in which the emotions of a voiceless narrator are expressed through the voices of the two featured artists. EL CAPITXN has previously stated that he worked with TAEHYUN both before and after the TXT member’s debut, underscoring the special bond they share.
The release also signals EL CAPITXN’s intent to establish a distinct artistic identity, blending his production expertise with his own creative vision. According to his production team VENDORS, he has partnered with the U.S.-based independent label Empire as part of his efforts to expand his global reach as a solo artist. Founded in 2010, the label is known for working with a diverse roster of international artists and for providing global distribution and marketing support.
VENDORS added that the partnership will involve close collaboration across music production and global distribution, with plans to pursue a range of projects in the future.
At the time of writing, there is no official video to accompany the release, but EL CAPITXN’s social feeds are quite active in these hours (and some of the content is hilarious), and more material, including behind-the-scenes footage documenting the creative process, will be unveiled sequentially. Keep your eyes peeled on the artist’s SNS, then!