October 5, 2023
Few hip-hop projects have managed to retain their timeless quality to the same extent that Drake and Future's "What a Time to Be Alive" has. This 2015 album's release...
Read moreOctober 5, 2023
The Sonder group is a rare find in the world of modern R&B. Producer's Atu, Dpat, and lead vocalist Brent Faiyaz make up the band Sonder, which spins a captivating musical story...
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Resentment" stands out among emotional ballads and provides listeners with a musical haven in which to confront and work through their own inner issues...
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What makes Alan Walker's music so special is its ability to evoke a profound sense of nostalgia. His songs are often associated with the 2010s, a time when many people were just enjoying their youth..
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This year, we shine a spotlight on The Snotty Nose Rez Kids, a dynamic, ultra-talented, Indigenous hip-hop duo whose music and activism spreads the message of truth and reconciliation through rap.
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Madison Beer's journey began in the most modern of ways: on the internet. Born on March 5, 1999, in Jericho, New York, Madison was introduced to music at a young age...
Read moreSeptember 29, 2023
After a long two year wait since the release of her first breakout album “Sour”, Olivia Rodrigo is back with her sophomore album, “GUTS.” Olivia Rodrigo has been a revelation in the music...
Read moreSeptember 29, 2023
Throughout the show, the trainees trained rap, dance, and vocal skills through a variety of battles. On April 20, 2023, the nine members of ZEROBASEONE (ZB1) were announced....
Read moreSeptember 27, 2023
The highly awaited sophomore album from Lil Tecca, the 21-year-old hip-hop sensation, is called "TEC," and it's safe to say that it demonstrates the artist's development and professional maturity...
Read moreSeptember 27, 2023
Drake and SZA, has recently swept the globe with their most recent single, "Slime You Out." This unique and intriguing song has already attracted a lot of attention...
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What sets Laufey apart is her unique fusion of jazz, folk, and pop elements, creating a sound that resonates with both jazz enthusiasts and a younger audience...
Read moreSeptember 25, 2023
For the past few months, K-pop fans have turned to the new reality competition that is America 2 Korea (A2K). The show’s premise involves contestants earning “stones” ...
Read moreAllKpop
Show Me The Money (SMTM), a rap competition show from South Korea, has been airing on television since 2012. It has turned into one of the most popular and successful shows in the Korean music business, allowing young rappers a platform to showcase their talent and launch their careers. The program has had a significant role in influencing the Korean hip-hop scene and making the music more widely known.
Rappers battle against one another in SMTM's several rounds with the aim of taking home the grand prize of cash and the opportunity to sign with a major record label. Intense rap battles, catchy beats, and excellent production value have made the show gain a lot of attention in South Korea and globally. Rappers including Jay Park, San E, Simon D, and LOCO, among others, have appeared on the program over the years and served as judges, mentors, and producers for the competitors.
SMTM offers a platform for amateurs to the Korean music industry, which is one of its most important advantages of being in the show. Many aspiring rappers who are just getting started can find it difficult to gain attention or recognition, but SMTM presents a special chance for them to demonstrate their abilities in front of a big audience. The program also offers advice and mentoring from seasoned rappers, assisting amateurs in honing their abilities and creating their own distinctive style.
SMTM has helped the Korean hip-hop scene expand and evolve. The program significantly contributed to the genre's exposure to a larger audience and its emergence as a respectable musical style. The competition has also promoted the discovery of fresh talent and the experimentation with unique aesthetics, bringing in a more vibrant and diversified hip-hop culture in Korea other than K-pop.
Besides helping new coming rappers, SMTM has given experienced rappers the chance to advance their careers. Many former competitors went on to succeed in the Korean music industry, and some even rose to prominence in the international hip-hop scene. For instance, Gray, a well-known rapper and producer who won the fourth season of SMTM, has since produced songs for well-known performers like Lee Hi and IU in addition to producing his own successful albums.
In the most recent season aired, rapper Lee Young-ji won and became the first female winner of the show out of 30,000 applications in one season. She was able to be a part of the winning production team with Jay Park and Slom. It seems likely that SMTM will continue to play a significant role in determining the direction of Korean hip-hop as the country's music business expands fast. The success of the show has also inspired other countries like Vietnam and Thailand to create their own version of the show.