The Rap Star [EN]: Chapter 117

더 랩스타-117화(117/309)

< Verse 16. Ripple Effect (End) >

Junhyung broadened the spectrum of flows he could create with a low tone, and Minji was able to immerse herself in rap. Kim Hwan began to use tongue-twisting to add fun to the regular beat, and Hayeon was awakening to the boundary between melody and rap.

Inhyuk, who enjoyed using lay back [a relaxed, behind-the-beat delivery] while loitering around the beat, even started to dabble in syncopation [a rhythmic technique that emphasizes off-beat notes].

We, Eight that Eight that Eight that Crew!

We, Eight that Eight that Eight that Crew!

So, how did Sanghyun develop?

Bae Ga listened to Sanghyun’s rap, trying to catch the changes by comparing it to past 888 Crew performances. However, Bae Ga couldn’t pinpoint the answer.

Sanghyun had definitely changed somehow. In a good way, too.

But he couldn’t figure out what it was. Bae Ga began to think that perhaps the musician Lee Sanghyun had surpassed the level he could evaluate.

Sanghyun’s rap, neither too excited nor too restrained, began to fill the venue, reaching the 50 or so audience members through the speakers.

I clock in on time with the beat again today

I kill time with freestyle

When I go home, my wife nags me again

I make excuses for working overtime

My schedule is packed with Rhyme work

I take out all the copied tracks

Today, I’m on a business trip to Dirty South [a subgenre of Southern hip hop]

What should I do with Rhyme? Recognize Me

The lyrics compared hip-hop culture to a ‘company’ and realistic constraints to ‘home’.

Interestingly, critics who encountered this part through the Official Bootleg had differing opinions.

Some said that Lee Sanghyun’s lyrics implied that he had relegated rap to the category of a job, while others said that 888 Crew’s music had gone beyond the hobby stage and had a sense of ‘duty’.

Some even evaluated that home is something given, and work is something achieved.

Sanghyun was amazed that there were people who found meaning in 888 Crew’s music.

I’m Back. I’m Another. Next Level

My only interest is estrogen

I’ll make you burn with just my rap

If you don’t believe me, want to test it out here?

However, Sanghyun didn’t want to be defined solely by such attention.

Graduate from college and wear a tie,

Black is the way instead of white collar

My skin is yellow, but as you know

If you mix it with black, it all turns black

“WE BLACK-!”

Sanghyun’s rap ended in perfect sync with Junhyung’s call-and-response, who was handling the backup vocals.

He always felt a strange sense of liberation and accomplishment when the verse ended. A sense of liberation from fulfilling his responsibility and a sense of accomplishment from delivering the rap flawlessly.

In that way, the six people’s sense of liberation and accomplishment on stage exploded in the final chorus.

We, Eight that Eight that Eight that Crew!

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

We, Eight that Eight that Eight that Crew!

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

Unlike the previous choruses, the last chorus was a repetition of ‘one sentence’. But that one sentence was a magical sentence that didn’t get boring even if repeated hundreds of times.

We Eight that Eight that Eight that Crew!

We are 888 Crew.

PD [Production Director] Heo Taejin monitored the stage and had a feeling that the number 888 would soon become a brand.

The time left until the first broadcast of Hip Hop the Vibe 2 was two weeks.

Perhaps those two weeks would be the last rest that the 888 Crew would enjoy. The last rest just before facing the ripple effect through Hip Hop the Vibe.

***

The first filming of Hip Hop the Vibe 2 was successfully completed. Of course, that successful evaluation was from the perspective of 888 Crew, Stars Records, and PD Heo Taejin.

Bounce Rhyme and Code Name disappeared from the set as soon as filming ended, and only 888 Crew and Stars Records were chattering about the lingering excitement of the performance.

“Excuse me, can I get your autograph?”

Some of the staff came up and asked for autographs. They gladly signed and chatted.

“So, only Sanghyun and Junhyung are left, and the rest are going straight down to Gwangju?”

“That’s right. When else would we get to ride in a van like this?”

“Is that a van? It’s a ’97 antique.”

“Wow, I’ve heard that Bae Ga is rich, but….”

The Hip Hop the Vibe team had arranged a van to take the 888 Crew. This was partly because the 888 Crew was the only cast member living in the provinces, but more than that, it was because there were many underage cast members.

“Hayeon.”

Sanghyun called out to Hayeon, who was saying goodbye to Stars Records. Then Hayeon smiled and said.

“Don’t worry.”

“Huh? About what?”

“You’re about to ask me to stay with Sangmi, right?”

“How did you know?”

“I can tell just by looking at you.”

Sanghyun was worried about sending Sangmi alone because of the Crouching Writer shoot tomorrow, but when he saw Hayeon’s smile, he felt his worries melt away.

“Thank you. Let’s have dinner together when you come down tomorrow.”

“It’s past twelve, so it’s today.”

Sanghyun called Sangmi, told her to listen to her sister, and handed her a check card and cash. Sangmi scolded him, saying, ‘Why are you making such a fuss when I’m coming down this afternoon anyway?’

A van that arrived shortly after took the 888 Crew members except for Sanghyun and Junhyung and left the broadcasting station. Stars Records, who had seen off the 888 Crew, also left the broadcasting station soon after.

The bustling filming set was soon filled with only the sound of staff dismantling equipment.

“Lee Sanghyun and Shin Junhyung will be taken to the accommodation directly by PD Heo Taejin. We apologize, but please wait about 10 minutes.”

“Okay.”

Since it was impossible for minors Sanghyun and Junhyung to get a motel, it was decided that they would sleep in the staff’s shared accommodation.

“Ah, it was fun, but it was hectic.”

“The Stars Records hyungs [older brothers/male colleagues] are really good.”

“We weren’t bad either.”

Sanghyun smiled and nudged Junhyung’s shoulder. Then Junhyung fell backward in an exaggerated manner. Then he jumped up and headed to the bathroom.

As Junhyung disappeared, the voices of the staff began to decrease one by one. Sanghyun was dangling his legs on the stage, thinking about today’s performance.

Then someone approached Sanghyun.

“Lee Sanghyun?”

“Ah, Junhyung went to the bathroom….”

Sanghyun thought it would be PD Heo Taejin and raised his head, but what he saw was a fairly handsome man in his late 20s.

“Who are you?”

“Ah, I’m Hong Kyungsoo from the Media Content Department of Ohkyung Entertainment.”

Sanghyun received the business card that Hong Kyungsoo handed him. The business card had the title of Team Leader engraved on it. As far as Sanghyun knew, it was almost impossible to become a team leader in his 20s at a mega-group like Ohkyung Group.

‘Is this a case like Deputy Manager Oh Yeonjoo?’

Sanghyun put the business card in his pocket and said to Hong Kyungsoo.

“But what’s going on?”

“I don’t have a habit of beating around the bush, so I’ll be direct. Our Ohkyung Entertainment wants to recruit Lee Sanghyun, Shin Hayeon, and Shin Junhyung.”

Sanghyun was curious after hearing Hong Kyungsoo’s words. But that curiosity wasn’t about being recruited by Ohkyung Entertainment itself. It was curiosity about Ohkyung Entertainment’s standards.

“You mean you don’t have any intention of recruiting Inhyuk hyung [older brother/male colleague], Minji noona [older sister/female colleague], or Hwan hyung [older brother/male colleague]?”

“Unfortunately, that’s right.”

“Why?”

It’s true that Sanghyun, Junhyung, and Hayeon are good at rapping. But he was curious about why the entertainment company, which was trying to package them as commodities, was excluding Inhyuk, Minji, and Hwan.

“Well, in the case of Park Inhyuk, we also thought a lot about it, but it’s too difficult to get an estimate.”

“An estimate?”

“Yes. An estimate to optimize the music of the affiliated singer. Park Inhyuk has a unique rap style, and his speech and actions also have a unique charm. However, it is difficult to assign a position to a team member because of that. Do you understand that it seems like the charm will disappear if we are not careful, and if we highlight the charm, the team will have to revolve too much around Park Inhyuk?”

“What about Minji noona [older sister/female colleague] or Hwan hyung [older brother/male colleague]?”

“Oh Minji has charm, but there is no relative advantage compared to Shin Hayeon. Kim Hwan is the same.”

Sanghyun nodded after hearing Hong Kyungsoo’s words.

It wasn’t because he agreed with Hong Kyungsoo’s words, but because he could see the perspective of looking at the 888 Crew from a completely show business perspective.

Of course, Sanghyun didn’t agree with Hong Kyungsoo’s assessment at all.

“I see. But we have no intention of being affiliated with a company.”

“Sanghyun. As a fan who has watched the 888 Crew’s moves from the beginning, can I say something?”

Sanghyun didn’t know, but Hong Kyungsoo was also the person who watched the 888 Crew’s performance at Club Homi with Oh Yeonjoo.

“Yes, please speak.”

“The 888 Crew is a very clever team. They know too well how to raise their value. In fact, the 888 Crew’s marketing methods, which have continued since Puck the Show Biz, have given great inspiration to entertainment A&R [Artists and Repertoire] officials.”

From Puck the Show Biz to Han Gwangsoo’s cheering song Gwangju Up, the beef with Code Name, the domestic brand Triple Eight, and the bootleg series.

The 888 Crew has raised their value with innovative and unique methods. Of course, the biggest advantage was that they were excellent at rapping.

“The industry’s judgment is that the 888 Crew’s value has reached its peak. Of course, I’m predicting what will happen after the Hip Hop the Vibe broadcast is aired. So, rather than using a strategy to increase your value any further, you can comfortably make music at Ohkyung Entertainment. We will give you the first and best treatment.”

“We have no intention of being affiliated with a company.”

“There will be no company in Korea that will call a higher price than Ohkyung Entertainment. We believe that hip-hop will play a big role in culture in the future. And we are thinking of the 888 Crew as the vanguard and pillar of that.”

Sanghyun didn’t have much to say to Hong Kyungsoo’s passionate speech.

“Team Leader Hong. I’m really sorry, but we really don’t have any intention of being affiliated with any company. If we have to join a company, we will definitely knock on Ohkyung Entertainment’s door first. Thank you for the offer.”

Sanghyun bowed. But Hong Kyungsoo had an ambiguous expression and asked again rather than accepting the greeting.

“Isn’t the 888 Crew making music as a job?”

“That’s right. Not all members have decided to make music as a career, but it is a job now.”

“Then you will eventually have to be affiliated with an entertainment company.”

“No. We may be affiliated in the future, but I don’t think it will hinder us from making music even if we are not affiliated.”

Sanghyun knew many hip-hop labels that had grown on their own without going through a company. Not going abroad, just looking at Korea.

Illionaire Records, Hi-Lite, VMC, etc.

“Hmm….”

Hong Kyungsoo stroked his chin. Good things are good, but in the end, it didn’t turn out well.

Hong Kyungsoo smiled. Sanghyun thought that the smile was somehow different from the first smile.

“Oh, do you know Deputy Manager Oh Yeonjoo?”

“Yes? Yes. I know her.”

“You seem to have a close relationship.”

“I became acquainted with her while participating in the audition program that Deputy Manager Oh Yeonjoo was in charge of at the end of last year. She’s a good person.”

“That’s right. She’s a good person.”

Hong Kyungsoo made a hmm sound and got up from his seat.

“I enjoyed today’s performance. It was very good. I hope we can meet again with better news next time.”

Hong Kyungsoo got up from his seat and politely greeted Sanghyun. Sanghyun also greeted him back.

Sanghyun watched Hong Kyungsoo’s disappearing back for a while. He felt a strange sense of discomfort for some reason.

“What are you doing?”

At that time, Junhyung, who had returned from the bathroom, nudged Sanghyun’s shoulder.

It’s cold, there’s no moisture.

“Did you wash your hands?”

Then Junhyung smiled and began to mess up Sanghyun’s hair. While Sanghyun was struggling to get away from Junhyung, a business card fell out of his pocket.

Sanghyun was playing with Junhyung without knowing that he was trampling on the business card he had dropped.

“Did you wait long? Shall we go?”

Shortly after, PD Heo Taejin arrived and took Sanghyun and Junhyung away. In the quiet filming set where all the staff had left, only a crumpled business card was left alone.

< Verse 16. Ripple Effect (End) > End

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