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.
slave
Epik High Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To my good and bad habits
To my have-nots
And my I-have-to-have-its
I'm a civilized savage
I'm a slave to the system I inhabit
To my good and bad habits
And my I-have-to-have-its
I'm a civilized savage
The lyrics of Epik High's "Slave" explore the idea of being trapped in a system of one's own making. The repetition of the phrase "I'm a slave to the system I inhabit" highlights the sense of helplessness that the singer is experiencing. They are unable to break free from their own habits, desires, and needs. This is highlighted further by the contrast between their "civilized" exterior and their inner "savage" nature. The singer is trapped in a world that demands both adherence to social norms and the fulfillment of primal desires.
The repetition of "have-nots" and "I-have-to-have-its" speaks to the complicated relationship between need and desire. The singer is driven by both, unable to distinguish between the two. The phrase "I-have-to-have-its" emphasizes the all-consuming nature of desire, and the inability to resist its pull. The singer seems to be aware of their own enslavement, yet they are powerless to do anything about it.
Overall, the lyrics of "Slave" offer a complex and nuanced exploration of the tensions between societal norms and individual desire. The singer is trapped by their own inner contradictions, unable to break free and find true freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a slave to the system I inhabit
I am submissive to the rules and social constructs of the environment I exist in.
To my good and bad habits
I am captive to both my positive and negative tendencies.
To my have-nots
I am enchained to what I lack or do not possess.
And my I-have-to-have-its
I am enslaved to my desires that I feel are essential.
I'm a civilized savage
I am comfortable with modern society but have a feral aspect to myself.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DJ Tukutz, Seon Woong Lee
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miiiine
on 선곡표
Thank you for the explaination, may I ask for the link or hangul name of the song by Lee Mija singer?