Epik High – the collective name of Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz – has been a formidable presence in K-hip-hop since their inception in 2001. With over 10 albums to their credit, the trio has solidified their status as pioneers in the genre, collaborating extensively with prominent figures in K-pop like Jackson Wang of GOT7 and Hwasa from MAMAMOO.
Throughout their career, Epik High has seamlessly navigated diverse musical styles while staying true to their core mission of delving into the complexities of the human condition. Their lyrics explore themes ranging from mental health and anger to self-love, resonating deeply with audiences worldwide. Their groundbreaking performance at Coachella in 2016 marked a milestone as they became the first Korean artists to grace the festival's stage, underscoring their global impact and influence.
We wanted to showcase their latest track, “ANTIHERO,” because it sits squarely in the hip-hop realm. Brash, vulgar, moody, jazzy, in your face, and full of samples, its style hearkens back to the early American days of hip hop. The flow is insane, with everyone dropping bars so mad they need to be institutionalized. The hook in the chorus is a certified earworm. You can tell it was written to make the crowd shout back at them while performing. The energy is infectious and undeniable.
Epik High continues to push boundaries and redefine expectations within the music industry, maintaining a unique voice and infectious beats. There’s a major switchup at the end of this one that solidified this in our minds as one of the best releases of 2024 so far this year.