When I think about Korean hip-hop, one name definitely comes to mind faster than you can say "rap". OUTSIDER. The first time I heard about Outsider, I was in too deep with K-POP and I was trying to listen to every K-POP artist that I came across and every song that I could get my hands on. So, naturally, I listened to his hit song at that time "Loner" (Oetori). I was blown away. It has been almost a decade now but I can still remember the feeling that I felt back then. I was not new to rap songs and hip-hop, in general, back then. I was already obsessed with Eminem, Will Smith, OutKast and 50 Cent during my high school years. However, Outsider just took my "hip-hop experience" to a new level. His spitfire rapping skills were just freaking awesome! There were no words to describe it, really. It was just mind-blowing.
Believe it or not, Shin Ok Cheol, a.k.a. Outsider, is able to rap 21 syllables per second. I can't even rap three, one-syllable word, per second! I did a little digging, though, and apparently he's not the “Fastest Rapper in the World". It's someone who goes by the name of NoClue. The guy could rap 723 syllables in 51.27 seconds, so that's 14.1 syllables per second. That is a bit strange, right? Coz Outsider could rap 21 syllables per second but he's NOT the fastest rapper in the world. Anyway. Moving on.
Since I had recently reconnected with the "dormant" K-POP fangirl inside of me, I decided to check out the most recent album that Outsider had released. Apparently, his 4th album, "Pride and Prejudice" was released last March 12, 2015. I was pretty enthusiastic about it since I haven't heard any of his songs for almost a decade. I have to say, he does not disappoint. It had all the right ingredients and makings of a perfect, sick, and cool hip-hop album. The stupefying speed-rapping, headbang-able beats, smooth flow and melody, catchy hook and just pure awesomeness!
The first track, "Baram Gyeotae" (By the Wind), which features Lee Eun Mi, has a short a cappella part in the beginning that was quite moving. At first, it sounds like a ballad song but Outsider's sick, but smooth, quick-paced rapping suddenly cuts through it. The beautiful sound of the violin, while Outsider speed-raps like a boss was just jaw-dropping!
The next track, "Duel of the Century" caught me by surprise because of all the "sci-fi" sound effects and the robotic voice saying something like "Where is my crown? …his new challenger". I guess it was like a prelude to the next track "Star Warz", which is a rap battle between Outsider and American rapper, Twista, who claims to be the fastest rapper in the world.
"Freedom", featuring Sapo, is a very upbeat track and it is insanely fast, the beat was pretty cool and there's a hint of jazzy undertones to it. The track "Octagon" is just very addictive. I thought it was a fantastic collaboration too.
What I liked about "Tattoo of Memento", even though it was not as fast as the other songs, was that ending when Outsider continued his spitfire rapping despite the fact that the music already stopped playing. It was so natural and stripped down. The track "20" has the beautiful sound of the piano in the start, making it seem like a decent song. However, I call this Outsider’s "Go F yourself" rap style. It really sounds like Outsider was just letting out a string of profanities - like all the possible that he could muster.
The song “Red Carpet” sounds like a song that was not supposed to be included in the album... at first. The elegant and smooth sound of the piano and the strumming of the guitar make it different from the other songs. Like, “in another universe” different. For me, it sounds more like a song that is supposed to cheer you up, that is if you can actually understand what Outsider is rapping about here. Nevertheless, this is easily the most memorable song in the album for me.
“Son” is my jam! Everything about this track is perfect! From the hauntingly beautiful sound of the piano, the guitar riff, the insane quick rapping and the honeyed female voice singing towards the end of the song. While the song “그리움을 만지다 (Keurimeul Manjida)”, which features Hwayobi failed to deliver, despite Outsider's melodic and heartbreaking rap style and Hwayobi's steady and clear voice, the next track, “Mun Sin” (featuring Nabi) was astounding. It’s like a typical Korean pop song, something that I could hear playing in a Korean drama. The rich melody and the beat are both catchy and unforgettable.
The track, featuring Curious and Jo Hyun Ah, “연인과의 거리2” perfectly wraps up the album. First, Curious smoothly raps to the sound of the piano and then the guitar comes in, slowly building up towards the wonderful chorus. It’s another incredible collaboration. And I have to say, kudos to Outsider for the impressive array of female artists and underground rappers that he collaborated with in this album. If this is any indication of his future projects, then I’m definitely keeping track of him now. I’ve come to realize, thanks to Outsider, that hip-hop is still enjoyable despite the language barrier.
credit: Outsider's wikipedia
