Epik High (에픽하이) is an alternative hip hop group from Seoul, South Korea, c… Read Full Bio ↴Epik High (에픽하이) is an alternative hip hop group from Seoul, South Korea, composed of three members—Tablo (타블로; Real name: Daniel Armand Lee, Lee Seon-woong (이선웅)), Mithra Jin (Mithra 眞, 미쓰라 진, 미쓰라 眞; Real name: Choi Jin (최진)), and DJ Tukutz (DJ 투컷; Real name: Kim Jeong-sik (김정식)). All three members of Epik High can sing, write lyrics, and compose and arrange music. Their music has been known to be a "lyrical piece of literature" and "urban poetry", lyric orientated, soulful and often witty while addressing serious social issues such as identity, discrimination, community, unity and change as a whole.

Tablo is the rapper, singer, lyricist, and composer of Epik High. Tablo has a Masters Degree from Stanford University (California, USA) where he majored in English Literature and Creative Writing. When he was 17 years old he wrote the song Rainy Christmas with the famous Korean singer Kim Gun-mo. While attending Stanford University, Tablo was part of an underground hip hop group known as 4n Objects, which caught the attention of CB Mass and Drunken Tiger, leading to them eventually offer to support Tablo in releasing a solo album in Korea.

Mithra Jin is the rapper and lyricist of Epik High. Mithra Jin had been featured on over 11 major albums in Korea even before Epik High's debut. Mithra Jin and Tablo met through the Movement Crew (a collaboration of hip hop artists who are determined to promote social and political awareness through hip hop culture and music), during a freestyle contest in Seoul. Mithra Jin was pursuing a solo career of his own, but with his artistic vision and style matching so well with Tablo's, the two decided to join together.

DJ Tukutz is Epik High's DJ, "the boy with the magic fingers". He started DJing in 1995, and has attended the Technics DJ School in South Korea. He has DJed in not only Korea, but also in Japan at raves, and in America on radio shows, live events and clubs around Boston and NYC. He had also composed many of Epik High's songs.

Epik High's debut album was Map of the Human Soul, released in 2003 and featuring some big Korean hip hop names such as CB Mass, Drunken Tiger and Yoon Mi-rae (T). This album and the following three (High Society (2004), Swan Songs (2005) and Remapping the Human Soul (2007)), have featured other well-known Korean artists such as Nell, Clazziquai Project, Loveholic, TBNY, unknownDJs, Pe2ny and more.

In 2005, Epik High won several awards including Best Hip Hop Artist at the Korean Gold Disc Awards, and a tie for Best Artist of the year. Their song Fly, from their third album Swan Songs was a huge hit, claiming the #1 place on many Korean TV music programs and online music charts. This song also appeared in the video game FIFA 07 as the signature Korean track.

Epik High, and especially Tablo, are often featured in the releases of other artists', and have formed several side-project including Blac Bakery, Blu Sunflower and A.R.K.

Their releases, Pieces, Part One and Remapping the Human Soul, featured a different style of music than their previous albums. Some songs more aggressive and controversial, and other more heartfelt.

In 2009, Epik High formed their own independent label, Map the Soul Inc., with their first release under this label being the book-album, 魂: Map the Soul. In late July, Epik High collaborated with the Korean electronic DJ team, Planet Shiver, to remix a number of Epik High's previous hits with the result being that of songs which sounded nothing like the original, yet still remained addictive. Epik High returned in September with a new two-disc album called [e], which consisted of 30 tracks, their largest yet. Altogether, the number of songs released for 2009 alone consisted of well over 50 tracks—including skits and remixes.

In 2010, despite the fact that DJ Tukutz temporarily left Epik High to enter the Korean army to perform his mandatory 2 year service, Tablo and Mithra Jin, now under Woolim Entertainment, were able to release Epilogue. This would be Epik High's last and only album under Woolim Entertainment before Mithra Jin joined the army to perform his service, and Tablo, disappearing from the spotlight as a result of harassment from Korean netizens who questioned the authenticity of his academic education at Stanford University.

With the completion of their army service in 2012 for DJ Tukutz and Mithra Jin, both members joined Tablo in signing with YG Entertainment, home to most notably, BIGBANG and 2NE1. With Tablo's release of his solo album, Fever's End under YG Entertainment in 2012, all members of Epik High are united again and are set to release their much anticipated album in September.

연필깎이
Epik High Lyrics

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펜과 종이 uh, 무한한 소리
난 절대 포기 할 수 없는, 끊을 수 없는 고리
수 많은 고민, 그 중심에 놓인 uh
To all the troubled MCs out there (come on), listen

Reality 부러진 날개의 새 같이
(그댈) 족쇄에 매달지 ain't no 선택의 guarantee
But when you check the M-I-C

그 서사시는 성서와 역사의 사이에 있어 like 성경책의 책갈피
You gotta know that, go back, like Double D
낡은 공책의 공백, no trouble, see?
다 쫓는 현실적 미래속에 꿈은 비현실적이래
그래서 꿈에 짙은 먼지 덥히네
But remember the first time you touched the mic
열정으로 배를 채우고 겁 먹지는 마
모두 손가락질하고
돈 따라기라고 말해도 못다한 시라도 날개가 되어 줄 테니까 fly, sky high
당신은 beautiful mind 흑백 세상을 색칠해
With your beautiful rhyme
In this heartless city, oh this Godless city
당신은 artist 이미 자신을 불신하지만

One day (one day), soon it will be my time to shine
한 없이 돌아가는 연필깎이
세상은 아직도 내겐 하얀 벽지 같지

One day (one day), soon it will be my time to shine
한 없이 돌아가는 연필깎이
세상 속에 점점 사라지네 먼지같이 (yeah)

그래 넌 뜨거운 불에 넣은 쇳덩이처럼 녹아내렸지
세상 그 무엇보다 더 날카로워지네
넌 꿈 꾸는 만큼 이뤄낼 수 있어
또 넌 이 세상의 경계선도 벨 수 있어
That's the mission
니 선택은 양날의 검
거듭 고민하게 되는 먼 앞날의 걱정
누구도 대답해주지는 않았지
손에 쥐고 있는 M-I-C의 무게가 얼마나 나갈지
Studio to stage 모든 번민의 끝
어제 꾼 악몽은 다가오지 않을 먼 미래일 뿐
공들인 가사 조각위를 더듬더듬 걸어가다 보면
느낄 수 있어 니가 내린 결심의 뜻
그러니 어둠 한 가운데 빛을 비춰주길
열정이 찢겨지기 전에 너를 지켜주길
당신이 치켜든 M-I-C는 길 잃은 자의 표지판
오직 한 길을 향해서 let, let's try

One day (one day), soon it will be my time to shine
한 없이 돌아가는 연필깎이
세상은 아직도 내겐 하얀 벽지 같지

One day (one day), soon it will be my time to shine
한 없이 돌아가는 연필깎이
세상속에 점점 사라지네 먼지같이
한 없이 돌아가는 연필깎이
세상은 아직도 내겐 하얀 벽지 같지
한 없이 돌아가는 연필깎이
세상 속에 점점 사라지네 먼지같이 uh
한 없이 돌아가는 연필깎이
세상은 아직도 내겐 하얀 벽지 같지
한 없이 돌아가는 연필깎이
On the M-I-C (listen)

모두가 똑같애 이 삶의 끝은 어디에 있을까?
속박에 수갑을 찬 채 갇힌 독방의
나만의 죄인이 돼버린 삶이 독 같애
머리는 복잡해, 시간이 촉박해
리듬과 단어 그 틈 사이에서 갇혀 본 사람들만이 아는
고통안에 닥쳐 온 크나 큰 이상과 빈약한 현실의 거리감
어쩔 수 없이 베개 위 눈물로 번지는 머리 맡

하지만 어쩌겠어? 달리는 것 만이
우리 가진게 없으니 음악을 살리는 것 만이
그대와 나의 역할
Beat 위에 rhyme의 설계사
운율을 갖춰 전달 할 감동에 맘이 설랜다
시작을 잊지마 이 길이 쉽지 않은 걸
그댄 알고 있었잖아, 땀을 씻지마
그대의 밤이, 틈을 잃어버린 삶이
사람들의 태양이 된다는 사실을 절대 잊지마

One day (one day), soon it will be my time to shine
한 없이 돌아가는 연필깎이
세상은 아직도 내겐 하얀 벽지 같지

One day (one day), soon it will be my time to shine
한 없이 돌아가는 연필깎이
세상속에 점점 사라지네 먼지같이

One day (one day), soon it will be my time to shine
Uh this goes out to all the polics out there, keep spit!
One day (one day), soon it will be my time to shine

Yeah, may the pen never dry

Keep your head high
Epik High

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Epik High's song "연필깎이" (Pencil Sharpener) convey a message of perseverance and determination in the face of hardships. The lyrics begin by emphasizing the importance of pen and paper, symbolizing the power of words and expression. The artist expresses a deep connection to music, stating that it is an unbreakable bond they can never give up on. They acknowledge the struggles and doubts that many other artists face and encourage them to listen and find comfort in their shared experiences.

The lyrics then highlight the harsh reality of broken wings, symbolizing the feeling of being held back or constrained. The artist compares themselves to a bird caged by chains and implies that there are no guarantees in life. However, they assert the significance of their art and its place in between scripture and history, akin to a bookmark in a sacred book. They encourage MCs (emcees) to look back and reflect, like flipping through the pages of an old notebook without any trouble.

The song goes on to address the challenges of pursuing dreams in a realistic world, where dreams are often seen as unrealistic. Despite the doubts and the weight of responsibilities, the artist urges others to remember the passion they felt when they first touched the mic and to never lose sight of their dreams. They affirm that everyone may criticize and dismiss their aspirations as mere chasing after money, but they promise to soar like wings and become a voice for the unsaid and unfinished poetry.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Mithra, Tablo, I Sac Bae

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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