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Ed Sheeran Successfully Defends Himself in Copyright Trial

May 7, 2023

Copyright infringement cases are very much on the rise in the music industry. Recently, Ed Sheeran was on the receiving end of one. Fortunately for him and the music industry as a whole, he won. Who

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How AI Technology Impacts Artists’ Rights

April 28, 2023

Artificial Intelligence (aka AI) is not a new thing. It has been used for various purposes like social media algorithms and Siri on your phone. However, for the first time, AI is being used in

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Who is Kiana Ledé?: The Story Behind the “Jealous” Singer

April 28, 2023

From Kidz Bop idol to R&B and pop singer, Kiana Ledé has fully planted herself within the music industry. The release of her latest single “Jealous” featuring Ella Mai adds to her growing achievements

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Breaking The Silence: A Look At Mental Health In The K-pop Industry

April 23, 2023

In the past few years, the K-pop culture has experienced a number of suicides, which has devastated the Korean entertainment industry. Sulli from f(x), Jonghyun from SHINee, Goo Hara from KARA, and

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Breaking Down The Genius of SZA’s Album ‘SOS’

April 20, 2023

Since SZA has released her latest album ‘SOS’, it has made a lot of buzz in the music industry. The album has received positive reviews for its combination of R&B, pop, and hip-hop and featured.....

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Korean Indie/Pop Rock Bands You Need To Know: Day6, The Rose, & HYUKOH

April 20, 2023

With K-pop bands like BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, and SEVENTEEN, Korean music has been on the rise over the past ten years. But Korea’s music culture doesn’t stop there....

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Show Me The Money: South Korea’s No. 1 Rap Competition

April 10, 2023

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WONHO: Rising Success After Departure From Monsta X

April 8, 2023

In October 2019, member of the K-pop group Monsta X, WONHO, faced allegations of drug usage, resulting in his departure from the group. Fans were disheartened by the news of him leaving and wondered..

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BMI’s Court Case Win Helps Songwriters in the Live Music Industry

April 1, 2023

Songwriters, composers, and publishers have long been underpaid when it comes to the live concert industry. However, a successful court case may be the first step to changing that.....

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How Has Social Media and Music Platforms Influenced and Evolved Music Creators?

March 28, 2023

Society has always placed a high value on music. As technology starts to become more part of our lives, social media and music platforms have become more and more prominent in the music business....

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The 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards Put The Spotlight On Songwriters

March 28, 2023

The Latin GRAMMY Awards are changing it up this year for songwriters! On March 21, 2023, The Latin Recording Academy released a press release announcing various additions and changes to the awards...

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Meet NewJeans: The K-Pop Group Taking the World by Storm

March 22, 2023

Even if you haven't heard of NewJeans yet, there's a good chance you'll soon be humming along to their infectious tunes. The Korean pop group is quickly gaining international attention and breaking..

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Show Me The Money: South Korea’s No. 1 Rap Competition

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AllKpop

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.

AllKpop

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.

Bandwagon Asia

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. 

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