Collaborations between Artist all around the world have been happening since the beginning of time but most people don't notice because they either don't know all of the artists involved or they don't really pay close attention to the music industry. They just listen to the radio or whatever is a "bop". Today I'm listing several collaborations between South Korean Artist and American Artists.
Big K.R.I.T. x Bewhy - UNO
This year the Southern Rapper Krit hooked up with one of the best rising rappers in Korea today, Bewhy. At first I was a little skeptical of what could come from the two put I was surprised with a much needed banger. UNO has a great trap beat that stick out among has it doesn't rely solely on that to progress the song as it has some nice reverb and other factors in the background. Bewhy goes all out on the beat from the start and ever slows down until the chorus which is pretty addictive. KRIT does the same when it comes to his verse. Tight raps and a good flow until the chorus hits again. I never thought these two would collaborate and on top of that, its a great song.
Code Kunst x Joey Badass x Tablo - Hood
Arguably one of the best tracks to be released back in 2015. Rising Korean Producer Code Kunst linked with Pro Era's very own Joey Badass and Korea's best rapper of the group Epik High, Tablo. Kunst's signature dark and moody production fits the Badmon and Tablo perfectly. Tablo and Joey trading verses is something the world never knew we needed. The chemistry between all 3 artists is quite amazing. It honestly makes me mad that these 3 haven't made another song since.
Bewhy x Talib Kweli - International Wave
Last year Bewhy and Talib Kweli made a great song that's a tad bit underrated. People don't praise this song as much as they should. Both had great chemistry on the Jazzy HipHop track. The song is honestly a banger.
Tablo x Gallant x Eric Nam
This is a Trio that needs to bless us with an EP. Tablo once again collaborates with Korean Singer Eric Nam and American singer Gallant to create such a beautiful song that slowly yet sensually serenades our ears. Gallant and Eric's singer is like heaven and Tablo's rapping is cotton candy to our soul. The jazzy R&B number filled with poetic nuances has been giving us life for the entire year. The song honestly speaks for itself.
Will.I.Am x 2NE1 - Gettin Dumb
In 2013 for his album WillPower, Will.I.Am recruited Korean girl group 2NE1, who at that time were in their prime. The group sadly disbanded earlier this year. The track the girls featured on was the Pop, EDM club banger Gettin Dumb. Now the track itself is pretty fun but it did nothing for 2NE1. Only members CL and Bom are featured and the song becomes repetitive really quick. Its a decent song but its nothing to go crazy over.
Rap Monster x Wale - Change
Rap Monster of the incredibly popular Boy Group BTS and Wale hooked up for a more HipHop and Pop inspired track rapping about how shitty the world is and we need change. The beat is definitely leaning towards the EDM side but regardless its a tasteful beat. The song itself surprised me as the two have different styles but they came to together and made a great song.
Rap Monster x Krizz Kaliko - Rush
For his first mixtape "RM" in 2015, Rap Monster got one of his favorite rappers to feature on the 8th track titled Rush. Krizz Kaliko came on the beat and ripped it apart. What was a strange encounter at first turned into one of the best songs on the mixtape. To this day I still listen to that song because its that damn good.
Havoc x Overclass - Royalty
Earlier this year HipHop collective Overclass, which features some of Korea's hottest Veteran rappers, released their 4th and 10 Year Anniversary album Collage 4. One of the tracks "Royalty" was produced by Havoc of Mobb Deep. The beat is slick with that classic Havoc production as San E takes over the addictive chorus and Hook and the rest of the group spit their verses. The song is amazing and its cool to see OGs in Korea and America collaborating, especially when the track it self is fire.
Dok2 x DJ Mustard - Multiillionaire
Back in 2015, South Korean Rapstar Dok2 linked with DJ Mustard for his MultiIliionaire for his album of the same name. Mustard produced a Dok2 beat that he was able to rap upon with no problems, Its almost as if they're the same person. After 2 years and listening to the album and that song almost every day, I'm still waiting for a project between the two. Below is a short clip of Dok2 putting the song together.
DJ Premier x Dynamic Duo - AEAO
This collab here between beloved DJ Premier and Legendary Korean Duo, Dynamic Duo was used in the NBA 2K'16 soundtrack. The song itself is an amazing song that all the artist clearly came together to perfect and not just make for the sake of working together. I've read dozens of comments saying that "its the best on the game", "I don't know what they're saying but its dope", "this is korean? This fire". And those comments are right. The song is gorgeous.
Honarable Mentions
Jay Park x Yultron x Bone Thugs - Thuggin For My Baby
Warren G x Rap Monster - Please Don't Die
Whatever trash American song CL is making these days
