Epik High

Epik High
Epik High during an autograph event at COEX, March 2019 From left: Mithra Jin, Tablo, DJ Tukutz
Epik High during an autograph event at COEX, March 2019
From left: Mithra Jin, Tablo, DJ Tukutz
Background information
OriginSeoul, South Korea
Genres
Years active2001–present
Labels
Members
Websiteepikhigh.com
Korean name
Hangul
에픽하이
Revised RomanizationEpikai
McCune–ReischauerEp'ik'ai

Epik High (Korean: 에픽하이) is a South Korean hip-hop trio formed in 2001, composed of Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz. Primarily based in Seoul, the group signed with Woollim Entertainment and released their first two studio albums, Map of the Human Soul (2003) and High Society (2004), to minor success. The trio rose to fame with the release of their follow-up studio albums, Swan Songs (2005), Remapping the Human Soul (2007), and Pieces, Part One (2008), spawning the hit singles "Fly", "Paris", "Fan", "Love Love Love", "One" and "Umbrella". Although the majority of these albums were censored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism due to themes of crimes, war, religion, and education, Epik High established themselves as one of the leading hip-hop artists in the country, gaining a cult following and critical plaudit.

Following the completion of mandatory military services[1] and their exclusive contract with Woollim Entertainment, Epik High signed with YG Entertainment in 2012. The trio's next studio albums, 99 (2012), Shoebox (2014), and We've Done Something Wonderful (2017), explored heartbreaks, personal struggles, and self-help. Supported by the successful singles "It's Cold", "Up", "Born Hater", "Spoiler", "Happen Ending", "Love Story" and "Home Is Far Away", Epik High garnered international recognition, becoming the first central South Korean act to play at Coachella.[2][3][4]

Epik High left YG Entertainment in 2018 and signed with record label Ours Co, under William Morris Endeavor, the following year. They released their second extended play Sleepless in __________ in 2019, followed by a two-part tenth studio album, Epik High Is Here (2021 & 2022). They released their third EP Strawberry in 2023.

  1. ^ "에픽하이 DJ투컷, 군대갔다 왔습니다". Newsis. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  2. ^ Bui, Hoai-Tran (April 23, 2016). "Epik High is the K-pop rap group crashing Coachella". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 13, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  3. ^ Bai, Stephanie (April 16, 2015). "Epik High Is Bringing South Korean Rap to Coachella". NBC News. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  4. ^ Herman, Tamar (April 12, 2016). "Epik High on Being First Major South Korean Act to Play Coachella: 'It Feels Like a Miracle'". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.