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Tiger JK

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Tiger JK
Tiger JK performing at the Lolipop Concert, in May 2010
Background information
Birth nameSeo Jung-kwon (서정권, 徐廷權)
Also known asJK
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, producer, singer-songwriter, musician, model
Instrument(s)Piano, guitar, bass, sampler, synthesizer
Years active1995-present
LabelsOasis Records (1990s-2000s)
Jungle Entertainment (2006-present)
Stage name
Hangul
타이거 JK
Revised RomanizationTaigeo JK
McCune–ReischauerT'aigŏ JK
Birth name
Hangul
서정권
Hanja
徐廷權
Revised RomanizationSeo Jeong-gwon
McCune–ReischauerSŏ Chŏng-kwŏn

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Seo Jung-kwon (Hangul: 서정권, Hanja: 徐廷權) (born July 29, 1978) better known by his stage name Tiger JK (Hangul: 타이거 JK) is an American rapper. Best known as one the founding members of hip hop group Drunken Tiger. He is the founder and former CEO of Jungle Entertainment an imprint distributed by CJ E&M. JK and Drunken Tiger are also noted collaborators of various South Korean hip hop artists, and are the basis of the South Korean hip hop joint movement known as simply "Movement" or "The Movement".

He has released nine studio albums under Drunken Tiger, and continues to collaborate with that said group today. In addition to his musical career he has most recently started entrepreneurship releasing his own brand of "Beats", headphones titled "Tigerbeats", and has even started his own clothing brand.

His legendary status extends beyond that of South Korea, and is often compared with famed American rappers in terms of style and lyrical content. He and Drunken Tiger are also considered the true pioneers of the Hip hop scene in South Korea (the other said pioneers being Yang Hyun Seuk, and Seo-Tai-ji).

Early life

Seo was born in Seoul, South Korea on July 29 (corresponding to the 11th day of the 6th month in the lunar calendar) 1974[1] the first of three siblings born to South Korean parents . At age twelve he and his family immigrated to the United States where the family briefly lived Miami, Florida (a prominently non-Korean area) where he practiced Taekwondo and earned his 5th rank black belt in 1990. The family later moved to California and was raised in Los Angeles, California where he attended and graduated from Beverly Hills High School where he was partially racially discriminated. As a teen living in Los Angeles he witnessed the violence between Korean Americans and African Americans during the 1992 Los Angeles Riots; JK was determined to close the gap between the two races within his community with his rhymes. He later attended and graduated from UCLA, with a major in English.[2]

Musical career

1990s - 1998: Beginning of Drunken Tiger and success

At age sixteen he met Micki Eyes, later to be a member of Drunken Tiger, and performed in a rap festival in Los Angeles. He later caught the eye of Oasis Entertainment of South Korea, got signed, and released his first solo album, Enter The Tiger. The album achieved major success, but due to censorship, the songs were banned from being played on radio stations.[3] Soon after the release of American rapper Ice Cube's highly controversial song Black Korea, Tiger JK teamed up with east coast rapper DJ Shine, to form the duo Drunken Tiger in 1998. Although the group was formed in the U.S., the group debuted in South Korea as well. The group immediately gained major popularity with songs such as I Want You and Do You Know Hip hop?.

1998 - present: Criticism, withdrawal of DJ Shine, Legendary status, and further activities

Initially, Drunken Tiger was criticized for generating controversy due to their lyrics' explicit content and rebellious attitude towards mainstream music trends. Nevertheless, they continued to write their own music, perform in local shows, and gather a large following. The group would go on to release five albums, before DJ Shine would leave for personal reasons in early 2005.[4]

Throughout Tiger JK's career, he has also written and composed many hip-hop songs in South Korea for many well known hip-hop artists in the country. In mid-2006, Drunken Tiger established a hip-hop record label named Jungle Entertainment, whose roster includes many well known hip-hop artists.[5]

Today, Tiger JK continues to perform under the Drunken Tiger stage name, and is still considered one of South Korea's most respected Hip hop artists. He and DJ Shine are considered the true pioneers of the hip-hop scene in South Korea.[6] His eighth album, entitled Feel gHood Muzik : The 8th Wonder was released on June 29, 2009.[7]

Influences and rapping style

Tiger JK has credited Jamaican singer Bob Marley for his musical style and numerous American rappers as well. He has demonstrated his Reggae style, gangsta rap style and West Coast hip hop in Drunken Tiger songs, Tiger JK is praised for various aspects of his rapping technique by numerous other rappers – these techniques include: his varied and humorous subject matter, connecting with his audience, carrying a concept over a series of albums, unique rhyme schemes, his ability to bend words so that they rhyme, his use of syllabic rhymes fitting many rhymes in each bar, complex rhythms, use of melody, and syncopation.

Equipment and musical instruments

Tiger JK often uses common samplers and typical synthesizers and can play the electric guitar and electronic keyboards[8] coaching his artists. Although he rarely is seen playing instruments on stage he is an exceptional pianist as demonstrated in the song 8:45 Heaven piano intro.

Personal life

Family

Tiger JK and singer/rapper Yoon Mirae secretly wed in 2007. The couple have one son named Jordan Seo who was born in mid-2008.[9]

Health problems

Tiger JK was diagnosed with transverse myelitis in 2006,[10] which led to a two-year hiatus from performing.

Drug possession trial

Tiger JK was arrested for possession of methamphetamine in 2000, even though some say there was strong evidence that Tiger JK did not use drugs. He served community service as a penalty, and the band received a two year promotion ban.[11]

Clothing line

LUNGTA

Shortly after discovering having Transverse Myelitis, Tiger JK began his clothing line named LUNGTA in 2006.[12]

Entrepreneurship

After ex-NWA rapper and famed hip hop producer Dr. Dre released his signature high performance "Beats" headphones, Tiger JK released his own kind of the same headphones titled "Tigerbeats", on May 20, 2011, for 690,000 won (630.00 USD).Tiger JK amongst the select few and the first Korean artist to release his own collection of headphones under the Dre brand.[13]

Record releases

Television appearances

Though neither him nor Drunken Tiger have had many appearances outside of music programmes, he along with his wife has made special appearances on the popular South Korean variety shows Infinity Challenge, High Kick, and Running Man.

Awards

  • 2010: Mnet Most Influential Couple (with Tasha Reid)
  • 2010: Style Icon Awards Sky Beautiful Sharing Award (with Tasha Reid)

Endorsements

  • Hite w/Drunken Tiger
  • Kia w/Drunken Tiger
  • Reebok w/Drunken Tiger
  • Yahoo w/Drunken Tiger
  • CJ One Card w/Drunken Tiger
  • Girodono w/Drunken Tiger

References

  1. ^ "Drunken Tiger - bio". Drunkentiger.kr. Retrieved 2010-03-28.
  2. ^ "Drunken Tiger - bio". Drunkentiger.kr. Retrieved 2010-03-28.
  3. ^ [1][dead link‍]
  4. ^ "Profile from Drunken Tiger". bebo.com. Retrieved 2010-03-28.
  5. ^ "Jungle Entertainment". Jungleent.com. Retrieved 2010-03-28.
  6. ^ "Artist Profile: Drunken Tiger > Korea > MTV Iggy - Global Pop Culture, Latest Trends and New Music". MTV Iggy. Retrieved 2010-03-28.
  7. ^ (작사:Tiger J.K 작곡:Tiger J.K) (2009-06-29). "드렁큰 타이거 8집 - Feel Ghood Muzik: The 8th Wonder". maniadb.com. Retrieved 2010-03-28.
  8. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdbsPQ-OvTI
  9. ^ "Tiger JK, T Wed With Baby". The Korea Times. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  10. ^ "Tiger JK Slams Racism Here". The Korea Times. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  11. ^ http://www.koreanmovie.com/Drunken_Tiger_ka3262/
  12. ^ http://www.lungta.co.kr/board/board.html
  13. ^ "JK to release his own Beats by Dr. Dre series: TIGER BEATS". Retrieved 2011-08-23.

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