Tiger JK; Rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur
In the age of social distancing, music continues to prove its vital role in connecting people, cultures, and histories. We invite you to join us in an exciting conversation with Tiger JK. In 1999, Drunken Tiger—a duo consisting of Tiger JK and DJ Shine—debuted in South Korea with their album, Year of the Tiger. In 2005, DJ Shine left the group and Tiger JK would continue alone as Drunken Tiger until 2018. Creating ten full-length albums under the name Drunken Tiger, Tiger JK has led a trailblazing career as one of the most influential and important figures in Korean popular music. Often credited as the “Godfather of Korean hip hop,” he continues to expand and transcend artistic horizons not only with his solo work but also as a member of MFBTY (a trio with Yoon Mirae and Bizzy). In an engaging discussion moderated by Professor Myoung-Sun Song (East Asian Languages and Cultures), Tiger JK will share his experiences and thoughts on various themes including the travel of hip hop from America to Korea, hip hop as a global culture and art form, the transnational power of Korean popular culture, and many more.
Tiger JK (Birth name: Seo Jung-Kwon) is a South Korean-American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur best known as a founding member of the Korean hip hop group Drunken Tiger. He has also founded two record labels, Jungle Entertainment and Feel Ghood Music. He is currently a member of hip hop trio MFBTY. He is considered a highly influential figure in the development of Korean hip-hop and is credited with helping bring the genre into the Korean mainstream. The Los Angeles Times referred to him in 2011 as "perhaps the most popular Korean rapper in America, Asia, and the world."