Drunken Tiger

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Drunken Tiger
Origin South Korea/United States
Genres Hip Hop
Years active 1992–present
Labels Feel Ghood Music former: Jungle Entertainmentformer: Doremi Records
Associated acts Roscoe Umali, Micki Eyes, DJ JHIG, Tasha, Bizzy
Website www.dt-love.co.kr
www.drunkencamp.com
www.drunkentigerbr.com
Members Tiger JK\
Past members DJ Shine
Drunken Tiger
Hangul 드렁큰 타이거
Revised Romanization Deureongkeun taigeo
McCune–Reischauer Tŭrŏngk‘ŭn t‘aigŏ

Drunken Tiger (Hangul: 드렁큰 타이거) is a critically acclaimed Korean/American hip hop group which debuted in 1999 and has since released nine albums. They are best known to be the arguable founders of the Korean hip-hop genre.

As of 2004, Drunken Tiger's central figure has been Korean American Tiger JK. Other members affiliated with Drunken Tiger are DJ Shine (left in 2005), Micki Eyes (Mike Amiri), DJ Jhig, and Roscoe Umali.[1]

History

1990s

Tiger JK was born in Seoul, South Korea on July 29 (by lunar calendar on June 11), 1974.[2] At the age of 12, JK moved to Los Angeles with his family. While living in LA, Tiger JK witnessed the tension between Korean Americans and African Americans during the L.A. riots. JK, already an avid follower of hip-hop, was inspired to bridge the gap between the two ethnic cultures using his rhymes. At only 16 years old, he collaborated with Drunken Tiger member Micki Eyes (Mike Amiri) and a friend, Sucram, to compete at a local hip-hop festival in 1992. He hoped that his performance as a Korean-American with other non-Koreans would relieve some of the tensions between the cultures. JK saw it initially as an experiment, but his performance caught the attention of Oasis Records in Korea. As a result, JK was later signed and released his first solo album, "Call Me Tiger," in 1992. The album had some brief buzz, however, due to censorship and restrictions put on his title song "Hide and Seek," the album received limited publicity.

JK returned to the US soon after. However, he still felt that the Korea hip-hop was slowly emerging and it needed artists to bring it to the forefront. He teamed up with partner DJ Shine in 1998 and the two debuted under the name Drunken Tiger. Their first album, "Year of the Tiger," was seen as widely controversial given that the lyrics touched upon taboo topics such as sex and anti-establishment. Their debut singles, "I Want You" and "Do You Know Hip-hop" were released in 1999. Unlike their mainstream hip-hop counterparts, Drunken Tiger wrote their own lyrics, had creative freedom and did not resort to choreographed dancing. This caused much controversy in a conservative, predominantly pop driven music industry. However, their defiance of the norms was considered a major breakthrough in the Korean hip-hop movement. What was then considered an underground genre became more widely known, which many proceeding artists mark as the pivotal moment that allowed them to enter the once limited mainstream.

2000 and Drug Controversy

In March 2000, Drunken Tiger released their 2nd album, "The Great Rebirth," and introduced members, DJ Jhig, Micki Eyes, and Roscoe Umali. Produced in just 2 weeks, "The Great Rebirth" introduced The Movement, a crew of Korean hip-hop artists whose goal was to bring real hip-hop into the mainstream. At the time, the Movement Crew consisted of CB Mass, Yoon Mi Rae, Uptown, and Kim Jin Pyo and has now expanded into a large collaborative of pivotal Korean artists, including Epik High, Eun Ji Won, Bobby Kim, Leessang, Dynamic Duo, Yang Dong Gun (YDG), and Sean2Slow.[3]

Their single, "Great Rebirth," climbed the music charts quickly, but was suddenly halted from progressing due to criminal investigation of Tiger JK for possession and dealing of narcotics in Korea during 1999. Drug tests and a passport showing JK's departure from Korea were expected to prove JK's innocence, but the Korean courts found JK guilty due to false evidence given by former Movement members in Uptown. This led to the banning of Drunken Tiger from performing on public media for 2 years. However, after appealing the decision, the ban was lifted, allowing a 3rd album to be released in March 2001.

2001-2004

The 3rd album, "The Legend Of..." is hailed to be one of Drunken Tiger's most pivotal albums. Their single, "Good Life," topped the charts and won the #1 spot on multiple charts for weeks.[3] This was the first time Drunken Tiger had won the #1 spot on the mainstream pop charts. In that same year, the group won "best hip-hop music video" at the MNET Music Video Festival and "best hip-hop artist" at the Seoul Music Awards. By this time, the group had established a large fan base and following.

Success continued for their 4th album "Foundation" throughout their 5th album, "One Is Not A Lonely Word." The group continued to win awards and receive international invites to perform. In 2004, Drunken Tiger had already performed at near sell out venues of 5000+ in places such as Tokyo, Taipei, Beijing, Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, and Chicago.[4]

2005-2012

In 2005, during the debut of the 6th album "1945 Liberation," DJ Shine announced he would leave Drunken Tiger, citing family reasons as a factor. Some wondered how this would affect the legacy Drunken Tiger built, however, the success of the 6th album title song "Isolated Ones! Left Foot Forward!" led to endorsements from Hite Beer and Reebok.

By 2006, Drunken Tiger established his own record label, Jungle Entertainment, as well as LUNGTA, a clothing line.[5]

The release of Drunken Tiger's 7th album, "Sky Is The Limit," marked another pivotal point in Drunken Tiger's career. Although JK's ability to perform was inhibited by his myelitis, the artist debuted with his hit single "8:45 Heaven," a tribute to his late grandmother whom he had been close to for years. With its thought provoking lyrics, the song was praised by many people who had experienced the death of close ones. It was the first time that a Drunken Tiger song resulted in an official "Best Song Lyric" award.

The 8th album, "Feel gHood Muzik," was released on June 29, 2009. The double disc CD sold a total of 50,000 copies in 3 weeks. The album features hip-hop legend, Rakim, and welcomes back Drunken Tiger member, Roscoe Umali, who had not partaken in a Drunken Tiger album since 2003. It combines a unique combination of what many call the older Drunken Tiger style (raw, rugged, and uncensored) and the lighter sider of JK that has dedicated his life to his new family.[6]

As of September 2009, all 27 digital tracks from "Feel gHood Muzik,", have debuted on the Top 100 K-Pop Singles chart.[7]

On November 11, 2009, Drunken Tiger won the MAMA (MNet Asian Music Awards) Best Male Artist of the Year award.[8]

2012-Present Formation of MFBTY, Leaving Jungle Entertainment

A spinoff of a Twitter joke, Tiger JK joined fellow label mates, Yoon MiRae and Bizzy, to form the group "MFBTY (My Fans [are] Better Than Yours," in 2013. The inspiration for the group came from a number of factors, including fans demanding a full length solo album of all three artists and the fact the three always performed together. They dropped an EP on ITunes called, "Sweet Dream," with a single of the same name.

Later in the year, the three artists left label, Jungle Entertainment, to form their own label, Feel Ghood Music. Although the MFBTY name was initially temporarily, the three are still unofficially known as a trio act. In September 2013, they released the album "The Cure," under the name Drunken Tiger ft. Yoon MiRae and Bizzy. Future albums will have the name orders switched, i.e. Yoon MiRae ft. Drunken Tiger and Bizzy, but are still known amongst fans as MFBTY.

"The Cure" topped the online music sales charts. The lead single that holds the same name, is a soft melodic song that differs from Tiger JK's past releases. The lyrics were dedicated to Tiger JK's father who was diagnosed with lung cancer a few months before the album was released. However, it was also made with the thought of inspiring others to stay strong through their physical and emotional struggles.

DJs

Throughout Drunken Tiger's legacy, there have been four DJs. DJ Jhig (2000-2003, 2011), DJ Mongo Fresh (2004-2005), DJ Juice One (2006-2012), DJ Smells (2013 - current).

Discography

  • Enter the Tiger(1995)
    • Notable Songs: "Hide and Seek"
  • Year of the Tiger (1999)
    • Notable Songs: "I Want You" (난 널 원해) "Do You Know Hiphop?"
  • The Great Rebirth (2000)
    • Notable Songs: "Great Rebirth",
  • The Legend Of... (2001)
    • Notable Songs: "Good Life", "Is Ack Hizay?"
  • Foundation (2003)
    • Notable Songs: "Because I'm A Man (남자기 때문에)", "Thumb (엄지 손가락)"
  • One is not a Lonely Word (하나하면 너와나) (2004)
    • Notable Songs: "Convenient Store (편의점)," "Liquor Shots (술병에 숟가락)"
  • 1945 Liberation (1945해방) (2005)
    • Notable Songs: Isolated Ones, Left Foot Forward! (소외된 모두, 왼발을 한 보 앞으로!)", Love Song That Won't Get Banned (심의에 안 걸리는 사랑노래)
  • Sky's the Limit (2007)
    • Notable Songs: "8:45 Heaven", "I Hate Myself (내가 싫다) Feat. T" "주정"
  • Feel gHood Muzik : The 8th Wonder (2009)
    • Notable Song: "Monster", "True Romance (Feat. T)
  • The Cure (2013)
    • Notable Song: "The Cure," "Beautiful Life"

Awards & Honors

2012 Commended by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare for their campaigns against child abuse

2011 Men's Health Magazine (Best Cover Model)

2010 Style Icon Awards (Most Envied Couple - With Yoon MiRae)

2009 MAMA 남자가수상 (Best Male Artist of the Year)

2009 Golden Disk 디스크 본상(Best Disk of the Year)

2008 한국대중음악상 Korean Music Awards (Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year - Artist)

2008 한국대중음악상 Korean Music Awards (Best R&B/Soul Record of the Year - Producer)

2008 한국대중음악상 Korean Music Awards (Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year - Producer)

2007 MNET/KM Music Video Festival (Best Lyrics Award)

2007 MNET/KM Music Video Festival (Song of the Year - Nominee)

2007 MNET/KM Music Video Festival (Hip-Hop Artist of the Year - Nominee)

2007 MTV Kountdown (#1 Korean Hip-Hop Artist of All-Time)

2005 Golden Disc Awards (Best Music Video)

2005 MNET Music Video Festival (Music Video Of The Year)

2003 Golden Disc Awards (Best Hip-Hop Song)

2003 서울가요대상 Seoul Music Awards (Best Hip-Hop Artist)

2001 서울가요대상 Seoul Music Awards (Best Hip-Hop Artist)

2001 MNET Music Video Festival (Best Hip-Hop Video)

Special Performances

2012 Far East Movement + Drunken Tiger (Seoul)

2011 Jungle Family Concert (Los Angeles, Wiltern Theater)

2010 Rakaa Korea Album Release Party + Roscoe Umali + Stylizstik Jones + Bizzy + Yoon MiRae (Seoul)

2009 R16 HIP-HOP CONCERT: Rakka (Dilated Peoples) + Roscoe Umali + Epik High + Dumbfoundead

2008 DJ Numark of Jurassic 5 + Coldcut (Seoul)

2007 Linkin Park (Seoul)

2006 Jay-Z (Seoul)


International Concerts

2013 Kollaboration Star (Los Angeles, CA)

2013 MIDEM Festival (Cannes, France)

2012 Music Matters Conference (Singapore)

2011 Los Angeles USA, Jungle Entertainment Family Concert

2006 Los Angeles USA

2004 Boston USA

2003 Chicago USA

2003 Tokyo Japan

2003 Taipei Taiwan

2002 Beijing China

2001 Washington DC USA

2001 Los Angeles, USA

2000 Tokyo Japan

1999 New York / Washington DC / Chicago USA

Model/Spokesperson

2013 Guinness Beer

2012 Samsung Card

2011 The Body Shop

2010 CJ One Card

2010 Giordano

2010 Yahoo Korea

2010 Monueal Electronics

2009 Kia Motors (Korea)

2009 Buckaroo Jeans (Korea)

2007 MTV/Body Shop AIDS campaign ambassador (Korea)

2006 Reebok (Asia)

2004 Hite Prime Beer (Korea)

2001 Karl Kani (Korea)

Collaborations

Unofficially, Drunken Tiger is seen as the leader of The Movement Crew, a Korean hip-hop crew which includes several other well-known hip-hop artists:

See also

  • List of Korea-related topics
  • Korean hip hop
  • Korean music
  • K-pop
  • Contemporary culture of South Korea

External links

References

  1. ↑ "drunken tiger official website". Drunken Tiger. Retrieved November 27, 2009. 
  2. ↑ "drunken tiger official website". Drunken T)iger. Retrieved November 27, 2009. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Rap-fueled takeover of Lotte World, Seoul", Korea Herald, 30 March 2010.
  4. ↑ http://hiphopplaya.com/playa/view.html?pid=10&mode=profile#profile
  5. ↑ http://www.mtviggy.com/article/artists-drunken-tiger
  6. ↑ "drunken tiger blog". drunken tiger. Retrieved November 27, 2009. 
  7. ↑ http://www.dfsb.kr/projects/$blog/2009/09/22/welcome_to_the_digital_jungle__drunken_tiger_unleashes_new_album_new_app_and_new_website_worldwid
  8. ↑ http://newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=200911211711521002&search=title&searchstring=MAMA%20GD
Drunken Tiger
Studio Albums
  • Call Me Tiger
  • Year of the Tiger
  • The Great Rebirth
  • The Legend Of...
  • Foundation
  • One is not a Lonely Word
  • 1945 Liberation
  • Sky is the Limit
  • Feel gHood Muzik : the 8th wonder
Main songs/singles
  • Notable Songs: "Hide and Seek""
  • "I Want You"
  • "Great Rebirth"
  • "Because I'm A Man"
  • "Convenient Store"
  • " Isolated Ones"
  • "I Hate Myself"
  • "8:45 Heaven"
  • "Monster english ver."
  • "True Romance "
  • "Thumb"
  • "Do You Know Hip hop" ?
  • "Is Ack Izy?"
  • "Love Song that won't get banned"
Related
  • The Movement
Executives
Current Roster
Solo
Group
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