Active during his pre-debut days as an underground rapper ( Runch Randa ). 13-year-old Nam-joon was already a prodigy in rap, he'd often attended gigs in his hometown Ilcheon and earned a place for himself in the underground scene at an early age, impressing even older underground rappers. He had made a collab with the famous rapper Zico back in 2008, the track can be found on many platforms including YouTube and SoundCloud.
In early 2015, RM earned not only the approval from big names in the Korean Hip-hop scene, but he had also gained respect from the American Hip-hop figure Warren G. The two came together for the track "P.D.D", where RM asks his haters to stay alive to witness his success. The west coast rapper stated in an interview with CJ America, "I couldn’t understand all his lyrics, but I can say that it was very good because his flow, style, and rhythm are all excellent.” He then even went on to say, "When I hear Rap Monster’s songs, it sounds like Snoop Dogg or me rapping with the beats we’ve made.”
On March 4, 2015, RM released a single with Warren G entitled, "P.D.D (Please Don't Die)" ahead of his first solo mixtape RM following an offer by Warren G to collaborate. The track reflected how RM felt towards those who hated and criticized him at the time, which he used to find very upsetting.
That same March, RM collaborated with hip hop project group MFBTY, EE and Dino J on the song "Bucku Bucku". He featured in the song's music video and also had a cameo appearance in a music video for another song by MFBTY, "Bang Diggy Bang Bang".
He released his first solo mixtape in the same year, titled 'RM'. It's a work where Namjoon gives his take hip-hop's influence in his life, the hardships he'd experienced in pursuit of his career, as well as his struggle with self-love and self-acceptance. "Awakening", the third track of the mixtape, talked of his internal conflict between his two identities of "rapper" and "idol", as he had received backlash from the underground Hip-hop community prior to his debut with BTS, claiming that he'd betrayed his roots as a rapper. To this day, the mixtape is considered one of the best works inside the Korean Hip-Hop scene.
Following RM's release, he featured along with Kwon Jin-ah on Primary's "U" that April. In August, RM collaborated with Marvel for Fantastic Four's soundtrack in Korea, releasing the digital single, "Fantastic" featuring Mandy Ventrice.
In August 2016, vocal duo Homme released a single titled "Dilemma", which was co-produced by RM and Bang Si-hyuk.
In 2017 was released the track "Change", a collab between Wale and Rap Monster (RM). The song talks of global violence, the school system, social injustice, and bullying. The two conversed through lyrics, claiming that people were controlled by the higher power and voiced out their wish of a changing world.
In 2018, he came out with a second mixtape named "mono". A project containing a few collaborations (with artists such as HONNE, NELL, eAeon) where Nam-joon experimented with lofi Hip-Hop and ballad. Though different from his previous works, he was still able to showcase his soul-deep lyricism, where he often implemented his skill of using wordplay and metaphors to further reach his listeners. With this mixtape, he continued to explore his own identity and life through a microscope, touching topics like loneliness, self-doubt, longing, and even explored the concept of love and hate. 'mono' proved RM a unique artist of diversity and growth. The mixtape is available on Spotify, iTunes, and SoundCloud. During its first day of release, the mixtape reached high positions on stream platforms, giving RM a profile with verification, resulting in his becoming of a more acknowledged rapper, producer, and songwriter.
In December, RM collaborated on a remix of Fall Out Boy's song "Champion". The track reached number 18 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles and helped RM reach number 46 on the Emerging Artists Chart for the week of January 8, 2018.
In November, RM also collaborated with Tiger JK on his last and final album under the stage name Drunken Tiger, featuring on the track "Timeless". Tiger JK originally expected RM's lyrics to contain self-praise, which was the trend of rap at the time; RM instead wrote lyrics about leaving behind the historical meaning of Drunken Tiger's name.
A lot of prestigious artists, from South Korea and EUA, found interest in RM and invited him for collaborations. Famous American rappers like Wale and Lil Nas X, even the rock group Fall Out Boy and famous Korean artists like Drunken Tiger and Gaeko.
On March 25, 2019, Honne announced that RM would feature on their remake of "Crying Over You" alongside singer BEKA, which was released on March 27.
The same day, Big Hit Entertainment released the song "Persona" as a trailer for BTS' EP Map of the Soul: Persona, performed as a solo by RM.
In 2019 Lil Nas X called RM for one of the remixes of his hit "Old Town Road". And this collab gave Namjoon and the other BTS members a chance to perform along with Lil Nas X for the first time on the 2019 edition of the Grammy's stage.
On December 29, it was announced that RM would feature on Younha's track "Winter Flower", released on January 6, 2020.
RM also featured on "Don't", the lead single of Korean singer eAeon's second solo album released on April 30, 2021.
BTS, on June 14 2022, announced that they will be taking a break from group activities to focus more on solo projects. RM subsequently appeared as a featured artist on the single "Sexy Nukim" by alt-K-pop group Balming Tiger in September,
RM released his debut solo studio album, Indigo, led by the single "Wild Flower", on December 2. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, making him the highest-charting Korean soloist in chart history. he also has a girlfriend
U
RM Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you need me won't you say that you need me
If you want me won't you say that you want me
If you need me won't you say that you need me
You always all on the gram
You always all on the phone
You don't be checkin' for me
You always leave me at home
You ain't gonna put me through this shit again
I need a real nigga not a pretend
You does be trying to follow the trends
Yeah yeah
Baby you said I'm a vibe
You treating me like a side
What is you trying to hide
I got a lot on my mind
You been a savage
Posted up like you a bad bitch
Selfies like you wanna mingle
Got bitches thinkin' you single
You say its nothing but we know
Yeah we know
You ain't check me in a while
Feel like I'm cramping your style
I gotta know what you really want
If you want me won't you say that you want me
If you need me won't you say that you need me
If you want me won't you say that you want me
If you need me won't you say that you need me
If you want me won't you say that you want me
If you need me won't you say that you need me
If you want me won't you say that you want me
If you need me won't you say that you need me
I know I come in late
I be in the streets money have a make
But you still my babe
Bad mon I ain't no gyalis
Baby don't act so childish
We can take a trip get mileage
We can get high smoke cabbage yeah
I'm gonna love you better here through the stormy weather
Promise I leave you never my love is here forever girl
I know I take a dip in the night life
Baby that don't mean I don't act right
What I gotta do to get this back right
You crying like a baby that don't act right
Everytime outside callin' my phone
I don't chase girls like dog chase bone
I be on the block with my dogs in the zone
No bad vibes when I come back home
Why you wanna beef for ask a nigga why I'm in the streets for
Girl we like a see-saw fighting every Friday like Debo
If you want me won't you say that you want me
If you need me won't you say that you need me
If you want me won't you say that you want me
If you need me won't you say that you need me
If you want me won't you say that you want me
If you need me won't you say that you need me
If you want me won't you say that you want me
If you need me won't you say that you need me
Good to you I been good to you
In RM's song "U," the lyrics express the frustrations and uncertainties in a relationship where there is a lack of communication. The song begins with the plea for the partner to openly express their desires and needs. The repetition of the lines, "If you want me won't you say that you want me? If you need me won't you say that you need me?" highlights the longing for clear and honest communication in the relationship.
The lyrics then delve into the issues and insecurities present in the relationship. The line "You always all on the gram, You always all on the phone, You don't be checkin' for me, You always leave me at home" signifies the partner's preoccupation with social media and lack of attention towards the singer. The mention of having other friends and following trends suggests that the partner may not be fully committed or is seeking attention elsewhere.
The lyrics also express the singer's inner turmoil and their desire for a genuine and loyal partner. With lines like "Baby you said I'm a vibe, You treating me like a side, What is you trying to hide" and "I gotta know what you really want," it shows their frustration at being treated as an afterthought or being kept in the dark about the true intentions of the relationship. Overall, "U" portrays the emotional rollercoaster of wanting love and connection while facing moments of doubt, suspicion, and neglect.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want me won't you say that you want me
If you desire my presence in your life, kindly express your desire
If you need me won't you say that you need me
If you require my support or assistance, please convey your needs
You always all on the gram
You frequently spend time on social media platforms
You always all on the phone
You consistently engage in lengthy phone conversations
You don't be checkin' for me
You seem disinterested in paying attention to me
You always leave me at home
You often neglect spending time with me and prefer being away from home
You got some hoes, say they your friends
You have female acquaintances whom you refer to as friends
You ain't gonna put me through this shit again
You will not subject me to the same unpleasant experiences as in the past
I need a real nigga not a pretend
I require a genuine person, not someone who pretends to be something they're not
You does be trying to follow the trends
You often attempt to conform to current popular fashions or behaviors
Baby you said I'm a vibe
Darling, you claimed that I bring positive energy or create a particular atmosphere
You treating me like a side
You are treating me as someone less important or valuable
What is you trying to hide
What are you attempting to conceal or keep secret
I got a lot on my mind
I have many thoughts and concerns occupying my thoughts
You been a savage
You have been behaving ruthlessly or without empathy
Posted up like you a bad bitch
You present yourself confidently and assertively, often with a sense of superiority
Selfies like you wanna mingle
Taking self-portraits as if you are seeking attention or trying to meet new people
Got bitches thinkin' you single
You lead other women to believe that you are not in a committed relationship
You say its nothing but we know
You claim that there is no issue, but we are aware of the truth
You ain't check me in a while
You have not inquired about my well-being or shown concern about me recently
Feel like I'm cramping your style
I perceive that I am hindering or restricting your preferred way of behaving or expressing yourself
I gotta know what you really want
I must understand your true desires or intentions
I know I come in late
I am aware that I arrive home at a tardy hour
I be in the streets money have a make
I spend time outdoors to earn money
But you still my babe
Nevertheless, you are still affectionately regarded as my significant other
Bad mon I ain't no gyalis
I am not a player or womanizer
Baby don't act so childish
Darling, please avoid behaving immaturely or with a lack of emotional maturity
We can take a trip get mileage
We have the opportunity to travel and accumulate experiences
We can get high smoke cabbage yeah
We can consume marijuana and experience its effects
I'm gonna love you better here through the stormy weather
I will provide you with improved love and support, even during challenging times
Promise I leave you never my love is here forever girl
I pledge that I will never abandon you, and my love for you will persist indefinitely
I know I take a dip in the night life
I am aware that I indulge in the nightlife scene
Baby that don't mean I don't act right
However, that does not imply that I do not behave appropriately
What I gotta do to get this back right
What actions must I undertake to restore the situation to its previous positive state
You crying like a baby that don't act right
You are weeping or displaying emotional distress like an immature person who is not behaving properly
Everytime outside callin' my phone
Each time I am away from home, you incessantly call my phone
I don't chase girls like dog chase bone
I do not pursue women desperately or eagerly, like a dog chasing a bone
I be on the block with my dogs in the zone
I spend time in the neighborhood with my trusted friends focused on our activities
No bad vibes when I come back home
There are no negative or hostile energies when I return to my place of residence
Why you wanna beef for ask a nigga why I'm in the streets for
Why do you want to argue or create conflict? Inquire about the reasons I spend time in the streets
Girl we like a see-saw fighting every Friday like Debo
We resemble a see-saw, constantly arguing or engaging in conflict, similar to the character Debo from the movie Friday
Good to you I been good to you
I have treated you well and been kind to you
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Derek Arden, Shanice Coombs, Westley Brumfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@camilar.369
I CANT BELIEVE I JUST FOUND THIS SONG 😭😭😭 IM SO ANGRY THIS IS ONE OF HIS BEST COLLABS AND NO ONE KNOWS IT???? I LOVE HIM GOD
@rhbellspalsy
Same😭. I didn’t know about this song either.
@carlyseirby8975
Same so beautiful
@namjoonvsonion333
Same
@danielaquintero3545
At least you found it last year!? I JUST FOUND IT! 😭 While streaming a Proof playlists got to find this gem💜
@camilar.369
@Daniela Quintero i can’t believe it’s been a year since this comment
@dreatape
wish more people could find out about this song it's so beautiful🥺
@rhoarforbangtan2567
Why did I only discover this today?
@Veronika-vy5ou
Rhoar for Bangtan same
@BangtanBangtan-pm4kb
Same TT