The Rap Star [EN]: Chapter 132

Verse 19. Fame

***

Saturday, November 26th. The 888 Crew members headed to Seoul for the fourth filming of *Hip Hop the Vibe*.

*Hip Hop the Vibe*, which began filming on November 5th, was already entering its fourth week of shooting. The broadcasting station scenery, which was once fascinating, was now quite familiar.

Like the second round, the preparation time for the third round’s performance was also two weeks. This meant that the footage shot on November 26th and December 3rd would be broadcast on December 9th.

“Hello.”

“Good work.”

The 888 Crew members presented their entry passes to the security personnel and entered the broadcasting station. Just then, Junhyung, who seemed to be thinking about something, spoke up.

“Come to think of it, why isn’t there a broadcast on December 2nd? If we record like this, aren’t we skipping a week? Is it because this week’s footage alone isn’t enough to make the next broadcast?”

The crew members frowned at Junhyung’s question. It was something Producer Heo Tae-jin had mentioned several times since the beginning of the show.

Oh Min-ji explained with a look of exasperation.

“*Hip Hop the Vibe* is canceled on December 2nd because there’s a cable channel awards ceremony. Our wise leader always guides us on the right path.”

“Really? Why didn’t I know that?”

“You must have forgotten such trivial matters because you’re always worried about the future of the 888 Crew day and night.”

“Why the sudden praise…”

Junhyung waved his hand as if embarrassed, and Min-ji let out a dumbfounded laugh.

Sangmi, who had been listening quietly, said,

“But whenever Junhyung *oppa* [older brother or male friend] says something stupid, something unlucky always happens. Like being late for Homi’s performance.”

“Sangmi, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to unleash your Ronaldo-level aggression only on your older brother, Sanghyun?”

Junhyung gently stroked Sangmi’s hair.

However, a little later, the 888 Crew members, after meeting Producer Heo Tae-jin, realized that Sangmi’s prediction was accurate.

“I’m sorry to ask, but what are everyone’s schedules like tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow? It’s Sunday, so there shouldn’t be anything special, right?”

“Well… we’re planning to extend the filming until tomorrow. Would that be okay? We’ll double the appearance fee and add a little more. I’m really sorry.”

The 888 Crew members exchanged glances. Except for Park In-hyuk, who had his final exams coming up, there was nothing else going on.

“It’s okay, but what happened?”

“The Korea Integrated Cable Channel Awards Ceremony, which was scheduled for December 2nd, has been postponed due to internal issues. So, we need to create the third episode’s broadcast for December 2nd with just today’s and tomorrow’s footage.”

“What? Can that be changed so easily? Aren’t other broadcasts protesting?”

Producer Heo Tae-jin explained with a troubled expression.

“Most programs have about 3-4 weeks of saved footage. Our program has a very short gap between filming and broadcasting because the competition format is highly sensitive to spoilers. I really didn’t expect something like this to happen.”

“But the results of the second episode have already been spoiled…”

“There will be absolutely no spoilers for the third episode. Legal action will be taken against the audience members who spoiled the second episode. We’re also planning to release a lot of internet articles about it.”

According to Producer Heo Tae-jin, Stars Records had already agreed to the extended filming, and Bounce Rhyme was coordinating with their agency. However, he said that *Hip Hop the Vibe* was so popular that they would likely agree.

In the end, the 888 Crew members also accepted Producer Heo Tae-jin’s request. In-hyuk, who was the only one with something to do, readily agreed.

“But our competition song isn’t finished yet. What should we do about that?”

“Ah, I’ll talk about that once all the cast members are gathered. I’ll see you in a bit.”

Producer Heo Tae-jin hurriedly disappeared as if he had a lot to do.

“See, bad things happen when Junhyung *oppa* says nonsense.”

“We don’t know if it’s a bad thing yet.”

“More variables mean it’s probably bad.”

While sharing these kinds of stories, they entered the set, where the Bounce Rhyme members and Stars Records members had already arrived.

Just then, Bae Ga saw Junhyung and quickly ran over to put him in a headlock.

“What’s wrong, *hyung* [older brother or male friend]? Why are you suddenly doing this?”

“*Hyung* saw the interview! ‘Tenacious’? ‘Clingy’?”

“Ah, *hyung*. You’re turning thirty next year. Shouldn’t you refrain from such undignified behavior?”

“What? ‘Undignified’?”

Junhyung coughed but didn’t stop talking. Bae Ga’s attack stopped thanks to Junhyung’s tattling, ‘Sanghyun said the clingy thing!’

However, Sanghyun was already clinging tightly to Sangmi, with his arm around her. To attack Sanghyun, Bae Ga would have to forcibly separate him from Sangmi, so he decided to give up.

“But *hyung*, you’re being too harsh. We even said ‘respected Stars Records *hyungs*’ in the middle of the interview.”

“Ah, that’s right. *Hyung* is someone who is clear about rewards and punishments.”

Bae Ga kissed Junhyung on the cheek. Then Junhyung started begging for forgiveness. Sanghyun saw that and clung even closer to Sangmi’s side.

After a flurry of commotion, the atmosphere calmed down, and the Stars Records members and 888 Crew members sat down on the set and began to chat.

“Hey, aren’t you guys filming *Triple Eight* anymore? Is it still sold out?”

“We just placed an order a while ago. The stock will probably arrive in about two weeks.”

“Two weeks? How much did you print that it takes so long?”

“Eight thousand copies.”

Bae Ga let out a ‘wow’ of admiration at Sanghyun’s words.

“If you sell them all, that’s 20,000 copies? Double platinum? Can you sell that many?”

“I don’t know. We’re just printing a lot because we don’t want to worry about *Triple Eight* anymore. There are too many other things to focus our energy on.”

“It’ll probably sell out. The sales of our second album, *Stars*, which had stopped, are slowly increasing.”

The 888 Crew’s *Triple Eight* had recorded 12,000 copies sold to date. Interestingly, Stars Records’ second album, *Stars*, had also recorded 12,000 copies sold.

In other words, the records that the two teams were starting to set were a new history for Korean underground hip hop. The highest sales of an underground hip hop album recorded to date were 12,000 copies.

Of course, these records were for ‘underground hip hop,’ not for ‘hip hop’ as a whole.

Dynamic Duo’s first album had already surpassed 100,000 copies, and Leessang’s first album had also recorded sales of over 50,000 copies.

While they were talking about albums, Bae Ga suddenly brought up something unexpected.

“But when I think about it, we’re a bit wronged.”

“*Hyung-nim* [term of respect], what is it that’s bothering your mind again? If you tell me, I’ll try to improve it.”

Junhyung, who had become unnecessarily polite, said to Bae Ga.

“*Triple Eight* is getting a lot of popularity this time, right? *Wycoming, Lonely Road, Crouching Writer, Changing Room, Standard Remix*… Most of the songs are popular.”

“That’s right.”

“Even the 888 X 888 T-shirts that you guys wear on the show are popular. Sales have jumped five times, right?”

“That’s right. Most of the domestic brand products are sold out. We placed an additional order with the album this time.”

“But why isn’t there any reaction to *Forecast*? Or *Mix Up*? We even filmed music videos for those two songs.”

888 Crew Official Bootleg – *Triple Eight*

9. *Mix Up* – 888 Crew With Cheese Flow

10. *Forecast* – 888 Crew With Stars Record

Listening to Bae Ga’s words, Sanghyun remembered that he had the same question a while ago.

The collaboration tracks with the two crews were tracks that Sanghyun had high expectations for.

032 X 888 representing Cheese Flow from Incheon.

02 X 888 representing Stars Records from Hongdae.

However, the two tracks did not cause a big stir.

Of course, the reaction was not bad at all. The two music video clips uploaded to Hip Hop LE were receiving a lot of recommendations and comments, and were being well-received musically.

However, it was also true that the reaction was not as enthusiastic as *Lonely Road, Changing Room, Wycoming, Crouching Writer,* and *Standard Remix*.

“Maybe it’s because the songs that are featured on *Hip Hop the Vibe* are getting more attention right now? Producer Heo Tae-jin pushed songs like *Crouching Writer*.”

Everyone nodded at Hayeon’s answer. In fact, Bae Ga was thinking the same thing.

“*Hyung* is really wronged. I’m not wronged because it’s not an issue, but because we did much better than 888 in *Forecast*, and it’s a pity that it’s not widely known to the world.”

“Hey, *hyung*, that’s not true. Honestly, we were a little better. Well, not much, but a little?”

Woo Yeon-woo joined Junhyung’s provocation against Bae Ga’s provocation.

“Honestly, isn’t I the best verse in *Forecast*? I got goosebumps rapping that, because I was so good.”

“I don’t rap, so I’ll give an objective evaluation. In my opinion, the last verse was the best.”

“Sangmi, you can’t just blindly take sides with your older brother like that. Objectivity is very important in music.”

“But I also think the same as Sangmi. Wasn’t Sanghyun the best?”

When Kim Yu-hwa, the female vocalist of Stars Records, took Sanghyun’s side, Bae Ga and Woo Yeon-woo looked hurt.

“If you’re just young and handsome, everything is good? You think he’s good at rapping too? Huh?”

“Hey, if we’re talking about being handsome, I’m the best verse.”

Inhyuk’s words were ignored as always.

The controversy was heating up. Everyone who participated in *Forecast* began to claim that their verse was the best verse.

And that thought was not a joke but sincere. Both Stars Records and 888 Crew had pride in their music.

“Ah, we can’t even vote on this.”

Someone threw out the words casually. But those words soon became a reality.

Producer Heo Tae-jin, who rushed into the filming set, called together the cast members who were being interviewed about their impressions of the last performance.

Finally, the filming concept had been decided.

“After an internal meeting, it seems we’ll have to change the battle format due to lack of time.”

“What do you mean?”

“Instead of battling song for song like in the second round, we’re thinking of having a battle by sharing verses within one song. What do you think?”

At that moment, six musicians raised their hands.

“I’m in favor!”

“I’m totally in favor!”

Bounce Rhyme looked at them with a ‘what’s wrong with them?’ expression, but the six musicians didn’t care.

The six were Bae Sang-wook, Yeom Hyun-pil, and Woo Yeon-woo of Stars Records, and Shin Jun-hyung, Park In-hyuk, and Lee Sang-hyun of 888 Crew, who participated in *Forecast*.

Producer Heo Tae-jin was deeply moved by the sight. He was really sorry for suddenly changing the performance concept, but what enthusiastic support.

“If we follow the method we have prepared, you can also use the verses you have been preparing for a week.”

Originally, the third round of the competition was a three-way diss battle of 1 vs 1 vs 1.

The diss battle was a battle without rules. The only rule was to make the most of the given 15 minutes to elevate your team and attack other teams.

The format of the song was also free.

You could sing four songs with all members participating, or you could sing only two solo songs. As long as it didn’t exceed 15 minutes.

“I asked everyone, and there are quite a few people who have finished verses even though they haven’t finished the song. Right?”

“Well, rap is made up of verses, so that’s bound to happen.”

“So, here’s what I’m thinking.”

Producer Heo Tae-jin’s suggestion was simple.

Gather the verses with similar themes from the completed verses and have them battle within the song.

End

ⓒ