About EPIK HIGH
Epik High is a South Korean hip-hop trio formed in 2001, composed of Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz. Primarily based in Seoul, the group signed with Woollim Entertainment and released their first two studio albums, Map of the Human Soul and High Society , to minor success. The trio rose to fame with the release of their follow-up studio albums, Swan Songs , Remapping the Human Soul , and Pieces, Part One , spawning the hit singles "Fly", "Paris", "Fan", "Love Love Love", "One" and "Umbrella". Although the majority of these albums were censored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism due to themes of crimes, war, religion, and education, Epik High established themselves as one of the leading hip-hop artists in the country, gaining a cult following and critical plaudit.
Following the completion of mandatory military services and their exclusive contract with Woollim Entertainment, Epik High signed with YG Entertainment in 2012. The trio's next studio albums, 99 , Shoebox , and We've Done Something Wonderful , explored heartbreaks, personal struggles, and self-help. Supported by the successful singles "It's Cold", "Up", "Born Hater", "Spoiler", "Happen Ending", "Love Story" and "Home Is Far Away", Epik High garnered international recognition, becoming the first central South Korean act to play at Coachella.
Epik High left YG Entertainment in 2018 and signed with record label Ours Co, under William Morris Endeavor, the following year. They released their second extended play Sleepless in __________ in 2019, followed by a two-part tenth studio album, Epik High Is Here . They released their third EP Strawberry in 2023.
Epik High was formed in 2001 upon frontman Tablo's return to South Korea after being educated in Vancouver and Stanford. With the addition of Mithra Jin and DJ Tukutz, the group made their beginnings in the underground hip hop scene in Seoul, performing with other Korean hip hop groups such as CB Mass and as part of the "Movement Crew," one of the most prominent hip-hop crews of the time in South Korea.
As the genre was unpopular among mainstream audiences, the group was relatively unknown early on in their career, with critics seeing the little market for "lyrically complex music" that did not match the K-pop scene of the time. Their first performance was to a small audience at the amusement park Everland in 2002. They released their debut album, Map of the Human Soul, under Woollim Entertainment in 2003, and began to gain success with the release of their second album, High Society .
Swan Songs was intended to be Epik High's final album, following the poor performance of their previous two releases; however, it became a mainstream hit and made them one of the most popular hip-hop groups in Korea. The album was a chart success with the title track, "Fly," reaching number one on domestic charts. "Fly" also featured on the soundtracks for FIFA 07 and Pump It Up. Another of the album tracks, "Paris" featuring Loveholics' Jisun, was also a hit in Japan and Korea. The album was repackaged the following year as Black Swan Songs, which included remixes of several tracks.
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