Epik High

Infobox musical artist
Name = Epik High


Img_capt = Epik High
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Origin = Seoul, South Korea
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Genre = Alternative hip hop, hip hop, rap, pop rap
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Years_active = 2003-present
Label = CJ Music, Woollim Entertainment
Associated_acts = Pe2ny, TBNY, J-Win, Clazziquai, Dynamic Duo, Jisun, Jinbo, DJ Friz, Kebee, Nell, UnknownDJs
URL = [http://www.epikhigh.com/ www.epikhigh.com]
Current_members = Tablo
Mithra Jin
DJ Tukutz
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

Epik High (Hangul: 에픽 하이) is a South Korean hip hop group from Seoul, South Korea. The group is composed of Tablo, Mithra Jin and DJ Tukutz.

History

Epik High was relatively unknown to Koreans in the beginning of its career due to hip-hop music's lack of popularity in Korea. Their success began with the release of their second album, titled "High Society". Upon the success of their third album, "Swan Songs", released in late 2005, Epik High has become one of the most popular hip-hop figures in Korea. "Fly", the title song, and "Paris" (feat. Jisun from Loveholic) from their third album became hits in Korea, reaching number one on many Korean music channels as well as on online music charts. [cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=106&oid=111&aid=0000021553|accessdate=2008-05-04|title=ko icon Epik High 1st on online chart] "Fly" was also chosen for the video game FIFA 07. Epik High's fourth album, "Remapping the Human Soul", released in January 23, 2007 has shown a very different music style from their previous albums. "Fan", the fourth album's title song, and "Love Love Love" have been big hits in 2007.

2006: Swan Songs

Epik High's album, Swan Songs, made a big hit in the Korean music industry. Notable songs were Fly and Paris. This albums was repackaged as "Black Swan Songs" later, which included remixes from previous hit songs.

2007: Success of fourth album

Their fourth album, "Remapping the Human Soul", was released on January 23, 2007. The album was supposed to come out in October 2006, but the date was postponed. [ [http://hiphopplaya.com/magazine/article/view.html?category=&category2=&page=1&sort=&num=2383&keyfield=title&key=epik+high ko icon Tablo's hip hop magazine interview] ] The album sold almost 90,000 copies in its first month and pushed Epik High to the number one spot for best upcoming artist. It went on to sell a total of 130,000 copies. The group was chosen as the best artist of the month.Fact|date=February 2007 The group decided to head towards a 'no genre, just music' style for their fourth album. Some songs in the fourth album have been banned from several channels due to issues dealing sexual crimes, war, education and religion; the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is trying to stop air play as stated by Tablo in an interview with The Korea Times. [ [http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/culture/200702/kt2007021918150011690.htm Epik High Soars to New Heights] ] With the title song "Fan", the album became their number one selling music album. In addition, Epik High's fame has risen in Japan with the song "Flow", which features Emi Hinouchi. They will release a CD sample in Japan. There have been offers to remake "Fly" as well as "Paris". [ [http://www.arirang.co.kr/Tv/Pops_News.asp?PAGE_ACT=View&PROG_CODE=TVCR0102&view_pSeq=3286 Epik High to expand into Japan with sample CD] ] The album sold 120,301 copies during the year, making it the third best-selling album of 2007 in South Korea. [cite web|url=http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_2007_2.htm|accessdate=2008-05-04|title=ko icon January - Total sales level]

2008: Early Success of Fifth Album

Over 50,000 copies of the fifth studio album entitled "Pieces, Part One" were pre-ordered. The first single off the new album and released music video is "One," which features Jisun from Loveholic and Korean actress Jung Ryu-won. Shortly after "One", music videos for "Breakdown" and "Umbrella" were created. After the success of "Pieces, Part One,"
Epik High released a mini-album, titled Lovescream. This is their first mini-album since their debut in 2003. It came out September 30, 2008.Teasers were put up on the Epik High website, which gained attention because it was made of abstract, animated graphics instead of actual actors. [cite web|url=http://www.epikhigh.com=ko icon Epik High Website]

Members

* Tablo – rapping, vocals, songwriting, programming
* Mithra Jin – rapping, vocals, songwriting
* DJ Tukutz – turntables, programming, samples, songwriting,vocals

Discography

tudio albums

* 2003: "Map of the Human Soul"
* 2004: "High Society"
* 2005: "Swan Songs"
* 2006: "Black Swan Songs" (Repackaged)
* 2007: "Remapping the Human Soul"
* 2008: "Pieces, Part One"

EPs

* 2008: "Lovescream"

Awards

References

External links

* [http://www.epikhigh.com/ Epik High's Official Site]
* [http://minihp.cyworld.nate.com/pims/main/pims_main.asp?tid=21709050 Tablo's Cyworld homepage]
* [http://minihp.cyworld.nate.com/pims/main/pims_main.asp?tid=22651659 DJ Tukutz's Cyworld homepage]
* [http://minihp.cyworld.com/pims/main/pims_main.asp?tid=50346548 Mithra Jin's Cyworld homepage]
* [http://www.woolliment.com/main.asp WOOLLIM Entertainment's Official Site]