“Don’t Stop” Masta Wu
By Shay • Jul 31st, 2007 • Category: Korea, Videos, hip-hop, musicAs a record label, YG Family has done some great things for Korean hip-hop. Granted, many of their artists’ music can be best described as “hip-pop”, YG can be credited with helping bring rap to the masses.
Masta Wu is part of what I like to call the “good half of YG Entertainment”. With roots as an underground emcee, he has risen to considerable fame.
His former status as part of the underground is Masta Wu’s best friend as well as his enemy. This has given him respect, cred, and lended to his influences and skills. Formerly known as Ginnwon, he’s a legit emcee. But when Ginnwon signed with YG and became Masta Wu, many of his underground fans felt betrayed by is “selling out”. Signing with a mainstream hip-hop label has indeed transformed Wu. The style of his music became more akin to “hip-pop” and his lyrics more watered down. Fans from his underground days have some reason to scorn him (as fans of every musician in any genre do once they “hit it big”).
But the best traits of Masta Wu as a rapper still remain. He’s a talented emcee and a good songwriter. Masta Wu is still Ginnwon. He’s gained more popularity since his signing with YG in 2003 and it seems he actually helps the record company maintain some credibility among the “non-screaming fangirl crowd” of mainstream Korean hip-hop enthusiasts.
Masta Wu’s latest album, Masta Wu Vol. 2 “Brand Wu Year” is a pretty good LP. The stylings of the tracks are rather diverse and feature collaborations with the likes of YG labelmates Teddy of 1TYM, Jinu of Jinusean, Big Mama, Ji Eun as well as Red Roc, and S-Kush.
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In it’s entirety, “Brand Wu Year” is a pretty chill listening experience. There are a few party tracks and the like but the majority of the album feels rather laid back. The biggest hit off of the album is “Don’t Stop” featuring Jinu of Jinusean.
The best way to describe “Don’t Stop” is that it picks you up off the ground but it doesn’t make you freak out. Rather you remain calm, get immersed in the beat, and just chill out. Although the song’s loops are “in your face” and catchy, Masta Wu’s typically calm style of rapping balances things out for the better. The single exhibits some traits of American hip-hop…in a good way. Did I mention the man’s English sounds perfect?
I was hooked to “Don’t Stop” the first time I listened to it.
Check out Masta Wu Vol. 2 “Brand Wu Year”
Shay is eating Yen and Won for breakfast.
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Master Wu’s style feels American-ized but it still holds that Korean feel. I always seem to have a certain level of respect when it comes to gangsters of the Korean culture. It’s the hip-hop thing now in the U.S. and we see it through the Japanese and Korean culture mainly (They are usually the first to pick up the ball and start on certain styles.) They have a good way of expressing themselves but Master Wu is a good example of it. Se7en would of put a good twist on this! Maybe a remix?
You might lose some, but they just won one.
very intesting, I am checking out the video
“I always seem to have a certain level of respect when it comes to gangsters of the Korean culture.”-Stefmax
just found that comment interesting b/c I feel the exact opposite. If ganster is a way of being then I’ve found the k/j ones to be rip offs (i apologize for lack of a better word) It’s like they try but they’re never quite there. What I will admit is that some people are getting there (that is to a legit presentation of gansta)^^Master Wu can have some props for that
i think masta wu is great for anyone enjoying hiphop, im not korean, or asian for that matter but i do have to give him props, he needs to make a english LP and keep going!