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.
Over
Epik High Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hoping they approve
The only thing that's true is all you ever do is do
You're moving shoe to shoe but you're not going
You stop growing, the moment that you stay at the top
The only way is to drop
Freefalling down the stairs that you climbed up
Lined up to freely mount the air
Tied up like a hair knot
Hiking down without a chance of stepping on a fair rock
And so, you stand still in a stand-still
Hands still building castles on a sand hill
"Man chill," is what your friends say
But you're not hearing what little men say
Anyway, keep on going, and taste the stars
Keep on growing, and raise the bar
You're living life for the As down to the Zs
After the hill you got a mountain to seize
You are an overachiever
Do what it takes 'til it takes everything you are
You are an overachiever
Do what it takes 'til it takes everything you are
Who can tell?
Your living is an organized hell
The mansion of your mind just an oversized cell
The pressure, everything is done to a measure
In the sea of competition sunk like a treasure
Like a feather falling slow spiraling to the floor
Strung up like a broken violin to your course
Opportunity is knocking at your door
But you never left a welcome mat (it doesn't matter anymore)
Or anyhow, but you're too late to turn back
Fate pushing you into the wall like a thumbtack
Ain't no comebacks in this game of life
Roll the dice again
Roll it once, never twice
Keep on going, and taste the stars
Keep on growing, and raise the bar
You're living life for the As down to the Zs
After one drop you got a fountain to seize
You are an overachiever
Do what it takes 'til it takes everything you are
You are an overachiever
Do what it takes 'til it takes everything you are
You are an overachiever
Do what it takes 'til it takes everything you are
Wanna break from the world, but the world wanna break you
The weight makes your backbone curl up and make you
You are an overachiever
Do what it takes 'til it takes everything you are
Wanna break from the world, but the world wanna break you
The weight makes your backbone curl up and make you
The song "Over" by Epik High speaks to the concept of overachieving in life despite the challenges that come with it. It starts by describing the desire of individuals to prove themselves and seek approval from others. While these are commendable, the song points out that it is important to understand one's limits and the danger of trying to do too much to please others. The song talks about how people often find themselves at the top and stop growing there. However, the only way is down, and it is essential for individuals to keep pushing themselves to grow and improve. The song asserts the need to keep going, taste the stars, and raise the bar.
The song further talks about how society functions in structure and hierarchy. It states how we are often trapped in the big mansion of our minds that is just an oversized cell. We face competition in life, which can make life feel like being sunk like treasure. The song compares this feeling to the slow spiraling of a feather falling to the floor or the broken violin that can no longer reach its potential, which can cause individuals to lose their sense of direction. The song asserts the need to keep pushing, even when opportunity knocks at your door, and you feel like it's too late to turn back.
Finally, the song talks about the weight of the world, which can cause individuals to want to break away from it. It describes how difficult it can be to handle everything and remain focused. Nonetheless, the song praises individuals who persist, despite the odds, and become overachievers in their own right.
Line by Line Meaning
You got so much to prove
Feeling the need to demonstrate your abilities to others
Hoping they approve
Seeking validation and acceptance from others
The only thing that's true is all you ever do is do
Your actions define who you are, more than any words or intentions
You're moving shoe to shoe but you're not going
Frequently changing directions, but without making much progress
You stop growing, the moment that you stay at the top
Stagnation is inevitable if you stop striving and challenging yourself
The only way is to drop
Taking risks and embracing uncertainty is necessary for growth
Freefalling down the stairs that you climbed up
Suffering setbacks and failures despite previous successes
Lined up to freely mount the air
Opportunities for success are abundant, but require effort and risk-taking
But you dare not air drop
Fear of failure or the unknown prevents you from capitalizing on opportunities
Tied up like a hair knot
Feeling restricted or trapped by outside forces
Hiking down without a chance of stepping on a fair rock
Feeling like every option or path forward is fraught with challenges or obstacles
And so, you stand still in a stand-still
Feeling stuck or paralyzed by indecision or fear
Hands still building castles on a sand hill
Focusing on goals or dreams that may not be realistic or sustainable
"Man chill," is what your friends say
Others may advise you to relax or take a break, but you may not heed their advice
But you're not hearing what little men say
Ignoring advice or feedback from those who you perceive as less successful or experienced
Anyway, keep on going, and taste the stars
Persevering through challenges is necessary to experience success and fulfillment
Keep on growing, and raise the bar
Continuously challenging yourself and setting higher standards can lead to personal growth
You're living life for the As down to the Zs
Striving for excellence and success in all aspects of life
After the hill you got a mountain to seize
Success or achievement in one area only leads to more challenges and opportunities in others
Who can tell?
Uncertainty is a constant part of life and success
Your living is an organized hell
The demands of success and achievement can outweigh the benefits
The mansion of your mind just an oversized cell
Your own thoughts and mindset can become limiting or restrictive
The pressure, everything is done to a measure
Success or failure is often determined by external metrics or standards
In the sea of competition sunk like a treasure
Competition and comparison can be overwhelming and demotivating
Like a feather falling slow spiraling to the floor
Facing setbacks or failure can be a slow and painful process
Strung up like a broken violin to your course
Feeling controlled or trapped by circumstances or expectations
Opportunity is knocking at your door
Opportunities for success or growth may present themselves unexpectedly
But you never left a welcome mat (it doesn't matter anymore)
You may have missed opportunities or burned bridges that cannot be salvaged
Or anyhow, but you're too late to turn back
Regret or second-guessing is pointless when facing a difficult or uncertain path
Fate pushing you into the wall like a thumbtack
Feeling trapped or constrained by circumstances outside of your control
Ain't no comebacks in this game of life
There are no second chances or do-overs in the pursuit of success or fulfillment
Roll the dice again
Taking risks and embracing uncertainty can lead to new opportunities and successes
Roll it once, never twice
Opportunities are fleeting and may not present themselves again
Wanna break from the world, but the world wanna break you
The pursuit of success can be exhausting and draining
The weight makes your backbone curl up and make you
The pressure and demands of success can physically and mentally impact you
You are an overachiever
You have a drive and determination to achieve success at all costs
Do what it takes 'til it takes everything you are
Success requires sacrifice and dedication, sometimes at the expense of other aspects of life
Contributed by Adrian A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Miiiine
on 선곡표
Thank you for the explaination, may I ask for the link or hangul name of the song by Lee Mija singer?