B.I (rapper)

In this Korean name, the family name is Kim.

B.I
B.I holding a microphone and smiling at his first solo concert on December 10, 2022
B.I performs in December 2022
Born
Kim Han-bin

(1996-10-22) October 22, 1996 (age 27)
Cheonan, South Chungcheong, South Korea
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • dancer
  • executive producer
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active
  • 2009
  • 2013–present
Labels
Formerly ofiKon
Websitewww.131online.net/bi
Korean name
Hangul
김한빈
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGim Han-bin
McCune–ReischauerKim Hanbin
Signature

Kim Han-bin (Korean: 김한빈; born October 22, 1996), known professionally as B.I (Korean: 비아이) is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and dancer. He debuted in the South Korean boy band IKon under YG Entertainment in September 2015. On June 12, 2019, he departed from the group due to drug allegations. During his time with the group, he played a significant role in the production and songwriting of their music, and is credited as the sole record producer for all of the group's releases.[3][4] His contributions to iKon's second studio album, Return, for the lead single "Love Scenario", earned him the prestigious "Songwriter of the Year" award at the 2018 Melon Music Awards.[5]

In 2021, he debuted as a solo artist under his self-founded label, 131, with the charity single album Midnight Blue (Love Streaming) and full-length charity studio album Waterfall.[6][7] Cosmos, the first half of his second studio album was released in November 2021.[8] In 2022, he launched his global album project Love or Loved, starting with the single "BTBT" in May,[9] followed by the EP Love or Loved Part.1 in November.[10] B.I released his second studio album To Die For on June 1, 2023.[11]

  1. ^ Chin, Carmen; et al. (9 pop culture writers) (December 20, 2022). "The 25 best K-pop songs of 2022". NME. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference elite202211 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference bb2019ikonproducer was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Songs Registered Under B.I (10006031)" (in Korean). Korea Music Copyright Association. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference MMA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Son, Jin-ah (March 19, 2021). "비아이 "면죄부 아닌 자숙의 방향성"…오늘(19일) 기부 앨범 발매". MK Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2023 – via Naver.
  7. ^ Chakraborty, Riddhi (June 1, 2021). "B.I Takes A Confident Step Forward With 'Illa Illa'". Rolling Stone India. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  8. ^ Chin, Carmen (November 11, 2021). "B.I is lovesick in dreamy music video for 'Cosmos'". NME. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  9. ^ Yong, Won-joong (May 13, 2022). "비아이, 선공개 싱글 'BTBT' 발매→글로벌 앨범 프로젝트 'L.O.L' 시작". Single List (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  10. ^ Yeo, Gladys (November 18, 2022). "Watch the enthralling music video for B.I's newest single, 'Keep Me Up'". NME. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  11. ^ Yoon, So-yeon (June 1, 2023). "B.I's latest album 'To Die For' is ode to his passion and repentance". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.