The Rap Star [EN]: Chapter 64

Verse 11. Hommie Vol.1

What distinguishes a hip-hop concert from a concert of another genre?

Sanghyun wasn’t equipped to answer that. He’d never been to any concerts besides hip-hop shows.

Sanghyun rarely had time for cultural experiences. Or, more accurately, there was a brief window after graduating and landing a job at a major company. It was fleeting.

He couldn’t stand that large company and quit after just over a year, but he had free time then. Despite the overtime, he had weekends off. With money and time to spare, he attended many rappers’ concerts, including Junhyung’s.

Since starting his own business, the distinction between weekdays and weekends vanished. ‘Leisure time’ seemed to have been erased from his vocabulary.

His fiancée especially loved singers. He’d booked concert tickets with her more than five times, but he was always too busy to actually go.

Consequently, Sanghyun’s hobby became collecting live performance DVDs. But Korean rappers rarely released them. Most were of idol groups.

This led Sanghyun to explore foreign performances, indirectly experiencing countless shows through DVDs.

Among them, was his favorite.

-The Up in Smoke Tour Live 2000

An American tour featuring West Coast rap icons like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Warren G, Nate Dogg, and Ice Cube.

Sanghyun had watched many performance DVDs up to 2005, but he believed no hip-hop performance would ever surpass the Up in Smoke Tour of 2000.

Sanghyun didn’t know the statistics: earnings, attendance, or DVD sales.

It was simply the best performance.

The best performance etched in his memory.

He was particularly shocked by the scene where Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Devin sang ‘Fuck You.’

I just wanna Fuuuuck-You.

(I just want to sleep with you)

As Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Devin sang the chorus, many women in the audience removed their clothes and danced, oblivious to the live cameras.

Sanghyun wasn’t envious of their sexual freedom. He envied the atmosphere where people could completely lose themselves in hip-hop music.

‘Do people in Korea feel that extreme excitement for hip-hop?’

Sanghyun thought not in 2005. Maybe later.

But now, at Club Hommie in Sinchon, Sanghyun’s preconceptions were being challenged.

***

Korean society often views non-mainstream culture with hostility. Those who enjoy it are sometimes labeled ‘losers’ for ‘failing’ to conform.

This leads fans of non-mainstream culture to form strong bonds. However, this can also create reverse discrimination, ultimately undermining the subculture when it goes mainstream.

In 2005, hip-hop was decidedly non-mainstream.

And the reaction of hip-hop fans, inversely proportional to its mainstream popularity, was surprisingly intense.

“Kyaaaaa!”

“Waaaaa!”

The 888 members were stunned by the shouts that echoed into the waiting room. It was as enthusiastic as a famous singer’s concert. They felt a disconnect between their hip-hop experience and what they were witnessing.

‘So, this is why you have to make music in Seoul.’

Junhyung was impressed by everything: the venue, the waiting room, and the audience’s energy.

But alongside admiration, he felt a sense of competition.

‘We’ll make everyone in Gwangju associate the word ‘hip-hop’ with the 888 Crew.’

Like in their past interview with Show Business, 888 had become a symbol of Gwangju. They couldn’t afford to be intimidated.

888 X 888, 062 X RAP

888 Crew represent 062 of RAP

The phrase on their T-shirts carried weight.

“888 Crew! You here?”

“Yes. Sorry!”

“Why are you arriving right before the show?”

“Really sorry.”

Guilty, Park Inhyuk stepped forward and bowed.

“Forget the nagging, give me the AR [all recorded backing track] first!”

The staff yelled to be heard over the music from the stage.

Sanghyun was talking to Bae Ga, so Junhyung, as leader, took charge. He handed over the AR to the staff and checked on his team, who seemed dazed.

“Everyone, gather around.”

But Junhyung’s words didn’t register.

The powerful drums and bass from the speakers shook the waiting room walls.

The 888 members stared blankly, like Alice in Wonderland, unsure what to do.

‘Ah, where’s Sanghyun?’

Junhyung wished Sanghyun would take control. He realized he was relying too much on Sanghyun, despite being the leader.

Junhyung shouted.

“We, Eight That Eight That Eight That Crew!”

His voice reached them, but they just stared back, uncomprehending.

Bae Ga, still talking to Sanghyun, glanced over and smiled.

Junhyung yelled again.

“We, Eight that Eight that Eight that Crew!”

This time, Inhyuk quietly joined in, though his voice was lost in the music. Only his lip movements were visible.

“We, Eight that Eight that Eight that-!”

“Crew!”

Hayeon and Minji added their voices, their smooth tones providing support.

“Here’s our Hollywood-style leader.”

Park Inhyuk’s joke helped their heartbeats, which had been racing with the bass, return to normal.

Junhyung spoke again, louder this time. It was drowned out by the 888 Crew shouting together.

We, Eight that Eight that Eight that Crew!

Sanghyun had quietly moved next to Junhyung and put his arm around his shoulder.

They ignored the pounding drums and sang the hook of ‘Eight, Eight, Eight’ in ‘their own beat’.

Sangmi and Woominho, not performing, joined the circle.

We, Eight that Eight that Eight that Crew-!

All eyes were on Junhyung.

Junhyung smiled.

“You know the performers today are the best rappers in Seoul, right?”

“There were also rappers from Busan and Daegu?”

“Then they must be the best in Busan and Daegu.”

-Waaaaa

A huge cheer erupted. A staff member ran in, announcing the 888 Crew’s performance was three minutes away.

“So, where are we the best?”

“Gwangju!”

“It’s on our T-shirts. 888 Crew represents Gwangju hip-hop.”

“What? That’s what it meant?”

Laughter followed Park Inhyuk’s joke.

“No need to be intimidated. We’re on the same level. The Gwangju representative is rapping in front of the representatives from Seoul, Busan, and Daegu. So, show them what we’ve got.”

We-!

Eight that Eight that Eight Crew!

Everyone shouted at Junhyung’s lead.

“Let’s go.”

Junhyung headed backstage, Park Inhyuk grinning behind him.

“Ugh, I love Junhyung’s Hollywood vibe.”

“Isn’t it a bit cheesy?”

“You’re supposed to watch things like this while complaining. Like a soap opera.”

The relaxed members joked around. The last song of Playline, the act before 888 Crew, began.

“Oppa [term for older brother/male friend used by females]-! I’m going to watch from over there!”

Sangmi shouted to Sanghyun. Backstage, it was hard to hear even shouting.

“Stay with Minho hyung [term for older brother/male friend used by males]! Be careful!”

“Don’t worry!”

“Minho hyung!”

Minho, filming, turned at Sanghyun’s call. Sanghyun smiled and gave a thumbs-up. Minho nodded and moved to the spot he’d been looking at.

Sangmi and Minho disappeared into the crowd.

“Hoo…….”

Sanghyun took a deep breath.

His heart pounded like thunder.

He’d never felt this nervous, not at Sejong Instrument Store, Soft Linear, or Jeonju Gymnasium.

Especially since the first song, Gwangju UP, was a solo performance.

Junhyung and Hayeon massaged his shoulders, wishing him luck, but Sanghyun was too nervous to hear them.

His heart felt like it would break his ribs.

Why am I so nervous?

‘Ah……!’

Sanghyun realized the cause.

In the past, he always had a sense of superiority, pride in his hip-hop knowledge from the future, a desire to spread the culture to non-fans.

But this was different.

The audience at Club Hommie were hardcore hip-hop fans with deep knowledge, far surpassing Sanghyun’s.

All the rising stars of Korean hip-hop since 1999 were here.

The stage felt bare.

It was a real evaluation.

‘It’s okay to fail. Just keep going.’

He’d achieved much despite his short time in music. The biggest achievement was the 888 Crew.

Show and Prove. Show and prove.

He’d shown it so far, now it was time to show it together. And he was leading the way.

“888 Crew! Go on when the lights go out! Mic check is standard, no rehearsal!”

The staff handed Sanghyun a wireless microphone. He nodded and gripped it tightly.

‘Show and prove it.’

If his work was poor, the criticism was justified.

Sanghyun was angry with Cha Inhyun because he hadn’t shown anything but coveted others’ achievements.

Now Sanghyun had another responsibility.

To give Caliph, whose future was stolen by his carelessness, a chance. To do that, he had to prove himself, step by step, towards a higher place.

-Waaaaaaaa!

-Playline! Playline!

With the enthusiastic shouts for Playline, the stage lights went out.

The staff gestured to Sanghyun.

“Hoo…….”

Sanghyun took a deep breath and walked onto the stage. His footsteps echoed like thunder.

I’m nervous. But I don’t tremble.

Sanghyun felt excitement filling his chest.

The stage was dark.

But the audience was bright.

He could see a thousand people watching his silhouette in the dark.

He heard whispers: ‘Who is it?’

-Pot!

The spotlight hit, piercing the darkness at center stage.

The audience focused on the stage.

They saw a man.

A banner spread wide.

The banner, covering his face, bore a simple, sophisticated symbol.

It represented the rapper’s affiliation.

-Waaaaaaaa!

A huge cheer erupted.

-Eight Eight Eight! Eight Eight Eight!

The audience shouted. The rapper didn’t move until the shouts subsided.

Finally, as the shouts faded,

The speaker vibrated.

End

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