K-Rap: San E

Seoul, or the 120 Days of Sodom, the latest single from San E, is a song that describes the vices associated with fame; alcohol, drugs and sex. It stands in stark contrast to the poppy start of the rapper.

Back in 2010 Korean born, but US raised rapper San E signed a record deal with JYP Entertainment, one of the three biggest record labels in Korea. As you might know the Korean record industry tightly controls every aspect of their artists, from their music to their image. In the case of San E this resulted in his debut single Tasty San, a song that's mostly just comical and meant to reach a large audience. Even though he had some minor success San E's ambition and style however made him decide to leave JYP Entertainment in 2013 and join Brand New Music, a label focusing on hip hop and R&B. This change was accentuated by the release of Rap Circus, a hardcore hip hop song in which he criticizes his previous image. This was quickly followed by his first #1 charting song Story of Someone I Know, a serious but more accessible song.

San E's career took off,  he collaborated with many Korean rappers and singers to create hit after hit, including: Where Did You Sleep (with label mates Verbal Jint and Swings), A Midsummer Night's Sweetness (a sugar sweet duet with singer Raina) and the sexy Body Language.

Everything seemed to go well for the rapper. He released an album in 2015 and was a judge and host on TV shows like 'Show Me The Money' and 'Unpretty Rapstar'. By the end of 2016 however all the fame and money started to go to his head. He became arrogant, depressed and addicted to alcohol and drugs. This process and how he overcame it was conceptualised in his latest EP 'Season of Suffering'. In the song Seoul, or the 120 Days of Sodom he describes the first stage, as mentioned earlier. In Counselor he acknowledges that he has a problem and discusses his condition, playing both the patient and the counsellor. Finally in I Am Me he accepts himself and overcomes his depression.

The 'Season of Suffering' EP is probably one of my all time favourite K-Rap releases. I'm glad to see San E is recovered and can't wait to find out which hits he has in store for 2017.

Other favourite songs: Coach Me, Do It For Fun & What If

For more videos check out San E's official YouTube channel or his playlist at the BRANDNEW MUSIC channel.