Second Quarter Report 2018: Rap

Second Quarter Report 2018: Rap

With yet another chapter of 2018 seemingly resolved, we’ve seen numerous developments in rap continue to unfold. Whether from the various pockets of the West Coast, mini-scenes of the once-destitute NYC, parts of the country with little national rap history, or even ‘across the pond,’ changes are still underway. Once again we have a number of selections here at Tone Glow to provide you with just a brief hint at the endless possibilities that rap has to offer, and a showcase for why this year has been endlessly intriguing. With only half the year concluded after all, one must wonder just what will stand out among the pack and will continue to linger in our memories for years to come. But for now, here’s just a few choice cuts to illustrate the infinite supply of gems.

First Quarter Report 2018: J-Pop

First Quarter Report 2018: J-Pop

Graduations of idols happen all the time from the top to bottom of the chain yet the first quarter of this year saw a few that shook up respective areas of the scene. Momoka Ariyasu left Momoiro Clover Z in January, and it’s still sort of odd to see the group as a four-piece on TV; Pour Lui exited BiS in March (she returned but as a member of Billie Idle in May), closing the bridge to the Society’s past legacies in the underground. After such big departures, it amazes how Morning Musume has lasted so long after many cycles — 20 years to be exact, an anniversary which the franchise celebrated this February. Such a benchmark raises a question: is it better for a group to try its best to persist or fold while it’s hot? Momo Clo also hit year 10 this year, and it takes up too much space to stop now, but look at Idol Street groups GEM and Cheeky Parade, both set to disband this summer: lasting a decade into this business is a very rare thing.

Despite the departures, the idol scene in Japan in 2018 is already off to good start from rich pop singles by groups old and new. Here are some of them.

First Quarter Report 2018: Rap

First Quarter Report 2018: Rap

Ever since its inception, rap has benefited from being one of the most unique genres of its time, and the last few years have proven such is still the case. Despite how accessible various forms of rap have been made thanks to the internet, the narratives and attention more often become dominated by market forces. Rarely do we get to sit back and study the genre in an overall view gauged not by success or recognition but for resonance. So, here are at least a few examples of developments in rap that are most certainly worth keeping an eye on...

First Quarter Report 2018: Korean Music

First Quarter Report 2018: Korean Music

It was a busy three months for South Korea: steps towards reunification, the PyeongChang Olympics, the continued rise of the #MeToo movement. On top of that, we saw the passing of gayageum legend Hwang Byungki and K-pop star Seo Minwoo, and a posthumous album release from Jonghyun. Further into the world of K-pop: Momoland saved their career with "Bboom Bboom," LOONA finished their 18-month pre-debut cycle, and TVXQ finally returned. None of those artists appear in the following list, however. It's a testament to the amount of great music happening elsewhere in the country.

So why a list focused on Korean music? Scenes outside of K-pop are thriving more than ever (see: Tobias Burgers's coverage on the burgeoning dance music scene for Resident Advisor), and it's as good a time as any to provide a recap of the country's highlights. But even then, such a list begs the question, "What is Korean music?" To keep the definition as broad as possible, this quarterly feature will include artists—Korean or not—who are contributing to the country's various music scenes and Korean artists based elsewhere in the world. All genres are fair game. Everything below is listed in chronological order.

The 50 Best K-Pop Songs of 2017

The 50 Best K-Pop Songs of 2017

Music coming out of Korea is better than it's ever been. From K-pop to the country's burgeoning hip-hop and dance music scenes to niche experimental music, there's a lot to take in. This list focuses specifically on pop music, including those outside of the massive K-pop industry.

As you'll see, there are far more than fifty songs represented on this list. On a handful of slots, you'll see numerous songs mentioned, and this is for various reasons. One such reason is that I felt it was necessary to include more than one song if I valued what an artist or scene was doing throughout the entirety of 2017. I also chose multiple tracks for a single entry because I simply couldn't decide on my favorite single from a given artist (aside from those cases, there is a strict "one song per artist" rule that I followed). But more than anything else, I felt compelled to give credit to as many deserving artists, songwriters, producers, and music video directors as possible.

You'll notice that each entry also includes other songs I recommend. These songs didn't make the cut, but I think they're all worth checking out. And as a note, some of the blurbs here were previously written for The Singles Jukebox. Thanks for reading.