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.
Change pt.2
Rm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything change, yeah
Things change, people change
Everything change, hmm
Love change, friends change
Everyone change, yeah
It is not strange, hmm
That's the world's shape
I can't believe I loved you once
Fool me once, then fool me twice
Shame on you, yeah, shame on me
Think I lost my sanity
Chemistry we had for sure
Gradually we wanted more
They say you can't fix someone
Seems you got one fit you right
Fuck my interviews from years ago
I'm whole different, not that anymore
Fuck that wiki, fuck all those infos
What a stranger, I don't know this fool
Things change, people change
Everything change, hmm
Things change, people change
Everything change, yeah
Love change, friends change
Everyone change, no
It is not strange, hmm
That's the world's shape
Yeah
You gotta admit it
Don't you get it still?
Someday a great grief will do come for you
Hmm, yeah
And then you'll know it too
You can't love someone like I do
That's all I can say to you
The song 'Change pt.2' by RM delves into the inevitability of change in life and relationships. The lyrics repeat the phrase 'Things change, people change, everything change' to emphasize that everything around us is in a constant state of flux. Love and friendship are not immune to change either, and the song suggests that it is natural for people to change and grow apart over time.
RM reflects on his past relationship and acknowledges that the chemistry they once had is now gone. He sees himself as a different person from who he was in the past, and he no longer recognizes the 'fool' he used to be. The lines 'Shame on you, shame on me' suggest that he's accepted responsibility for his part in the failed relationship.
The song's final verse has a warning about the fleeting nature of love. RM suggests that no one can love someone else the way he does, but eventually, a great grief will come to everyone, and they'll know what it feels like to lose love too. The song portrays a mature understanding of the inevitability of change and suggests that people should accept and embrace change in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Things change, people change
As time moves on, people and circumstances in life change. Nothing stays the same forever.
Everything change, yeah
Every aspect of life, whether personal or professional, undergoes change at some stage, and it is inevitable.
Things change, people change
Repeating the chorus emphasizes the transitory nature of life where everything is susceptible to change.
Everything change, hmm
The artist is acknowledging the reality of constant and unpredictable changes in life, which is a reminder to adapt and be flexible.
Love change, friends change
Romantic feelings and friendships are not immune to change, which can result in the loss of relationships and people who were once close to us.
Everyone change, yeah
Regardless of age, gender, or social status, everyone undergoes changes and transformations in their lives that make them different from their previous selves.
It is no strange, hmm
The unpredictable nature of life and the constant state of flux it is in is not surprising given the world's history and past events.
That's the world's shape
The cyclical nature of life is a reminder that change is necessary for growth and progress, and we must embrace it.
I can't believe I loved you once
The artist is reminiscing how things have changed over time, including a previous romantic relationship that is now over, and reflecting on how different they feel.
Fool me once, then fool me twice
The artist acknowledges being deceived or hurt before, but staying committed to someone who doesn't share your values or who is not good for you is a bigger mistake.
Shame on you, yeah, shame on me
Blaming others or oneself for past mistakes and wrong choices is counterproductive and prevents moving on.
Think I lost my sanity
The artist recognizes that dwelling on a past that is over and cannot be changed borders on obsession and can contribute to mental health issues over time.
Chemistry we had for sure
There was a mutual attraction and connection that existed in the past, which is no longer present or viable.
Gradually we wanted more
There comes a point when the intensity of the relationship fades, and both parties realize they need more than what each other can offer.
They say you can't fix someone
Believing that a person can change or be changed by someone else is a fallacy, and individuals must want to better themselves on their own terms.
Seems you got one fit you right
It appears that the artist has found someone who is a good fit for the kind of person they are now, instead of relationships based on who they were previously.
Fuck my interviews in years ago
The artist is no longer the same person they were when they conducted past interviews, and their remarks or opinions from that time are not reflective of who they are now.
I'm whole different, not that anymore
The artist has grown and changed in various ways, perhaps due to life experiences that have broadened their perspective on different issues.
Fuck that wiki, fuck all those infos
The artist is rejecting the idea of being defined by outside sources such as online biographies and interview transcripts, as they do not represent the totality of who they are currently.
What a stranger, I don't know this fool
The memories of the artist's past self feel unfamiliar, and they are grappling with the idea of who they were versus who they are today.
Everyone change, no
The fourth chorus emphasizes that not every person changes, and some people remain the same or stuck in their ways.
You gotta admit it
The artist is imploring the listener to recognize and acknowledge the inevitability of changes that happen in life and in people.
Don't you get it still?
Questioning whether the listener benefits from remaining stagnant and unchanging amidst all the progress and innovation happening around them.
Someday a great grief will do come for you
The artist is cautioning the listener that unexpected challenges or losses will happen in life, and their fixed mindsets might make it difficult to overcome those situations.
And then you'll know it too
Experiencing those great losses or hardships will teach the listener the same lesson that the artist is trying to impart, but the cost of the lesson might be too high.
You can't love someone like I do
The artist's love is unique to themselves, and others cannot appreciate or reciprocate it in the same way. It's a reminder that everyone has their own definitions of love and value.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nam Jun Kim, Yong Hyun Lee
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind