“I always keep two masks ready, I show the defensive side, hiding my true self. I hide myself completely, as if I’ve become a criminal; I could not take one step out of the dorm that seemed like a prison.”
Although these words are said in Korean, the meaning in English is the same. There are more lines like this in Min Yoongi’s very first, powerful mixtape, Agust D.
Min Yoongi, stage name Suga, is a 23-year-old South Korean rapper. He is one of the rappers for the popular seven-member boy group Bangtan Boys (BTS). The group’s genre is K-pop, otherwise known as Korean pop music. Their good looks, strong vocals and unique musical style have reached the hearts of people worldwide.
After the release of his fellow member Rap Monster’s mixtape, RM, in March last year, Suga released one of his own this past August. Its tracks contain Suga’s best rapping yet.
The name of the mixtape is also its title track, and it opens Suga’s story with a strong drum beat. The chorus incorporates a catchy repetition of the title. Suga also shows his creativeness in that the title of the track is a rearrangement of his stage name.
As a whole, the mixtape represents Suga’s unique artistry, compared to the youthful songs he performs with his group. His personality shines through the tracks, with the fast-paced, dark and almost angry way he raps. For example, his song “The Last” is his most aggressive and personal piece, where he talks about how he has struggled with the price of success and defining himself. “On the dark side of a successful idol rapper, my frail self stands, a bit dangerous; depression, compulsion, at times relapse.” His lyrics often shift in emotion from depressed, to hateful, to brazen. The flow of music from the keyboard, electric guitar, synthesizer and other effects connects to the lyrics as well.
Another important track is “140503 at Dawn,” which is a sort of prologue to “The Last” in which he attacks the idea of having a true self and a fake self, something most people can relate to. The rawness of his rapping touches the hearts of many, even people who do not speak Korean. His unique, soulful melodies break through the language barrier between Korean and other languages.
When most of Suga’s songs are this hard-hitting, it is easy to be surprised at his last two tracks. “Interlude; Dream, Reality” is a piano tune with a water drop effect, followed by soft drums. This is a calming song, and Suga only says the word “dream” in this minute-long song. This signifies that being able to dream and have hope is important to him.
His final track, “So Far Away,” is accompanied by female Korean singer Suran. The piano, with the electric guitar accompaniment, gives the song a desolate and desperate feel, but also somewhat hopeful. Suga’s rapping is mellow, and it matches well with Suran’s airy falsetto.
The song is about how Suga longs to dream and believes that something good will happen. Although he expresses loneliness and believes he has no one to go to when he feels anger or sadness, he includes lyrics of optimism and hope.
This choice makes the song a fitting ending to a deeply emotional mixtape, especially with the lines, “You will fully bloom after all the hardships, your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” With these words, along with his skillful rapping and musical rhythm, Suga has created an emotional and impactful mixtape.
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