RAP STAR

Chapter 45 [verse 6. Fuck Tha Show Biz]

"Ah, the problem is with the Show Business interview of the 888 Crew guys. I saw it too, and those youngsters really had no manners."

"But does their lack of manners have anything to do with us? We probably won't have anything to do with them if they're in Gwangju, right?"

"It's irritating because it became a big issue among band players first. If you watch the interview, it's not that the 888 Crew is ignoring the bands, but the rappers are giving off a vibe of ignoring the bands."

"So the interview with the 888 Crew seems like they're representing the rappers?"

"Yeah."

Baesangwook clicked his tongue. He always found those who claimed to be rappers and acted like gangsta hip-hop artists detestable. Especially from the perspective of someone who truly loved the scene and dedicated their life to it.

"Is there an interview on the community?"

"Someone typed up a summary."

"Hmm, I'll have to check it out when I get home. But aren't you practicing?"

"I came here to practice. And besides, practice time starts at eight, right? It's only seven now."

His colleague shook his head.

Baesangwook, who was often perceived as being born with a silver spoon due to his wealthy family background, but his diligence made him seem anything but privileged.

Members of Stars Record, led by Baesangwook, gathered in the practice room, and soon, rehearsal began.

Baesangwook forgot all about the issue with the 888 Crew until he finished rehearsal, had a drink with the club Homie staff, and arrived at his studio apartment.

What reminded him of the 888 Crew was the '88 Cigarettes' left on his desk.

Baesangwook, a non-smoker, occasionally saw cigarettes left behind as his colleagues came and went from his apartment.

"Oh, right, it was the 888 Crew, wasn't it?"

Tired but suddenly curious, he turned on his computer.

The telecommunications club boards like HighTell and NowNuri were fading away, and now the community representing Korean hip-hop was 'Hip-hopLE'. It was where almost all Korean hip-hop musicians and fans frequented.

As soon as he entered the hip-hop board, the word '888' caught his eye.

Even the posts that were featured for a week with a certain number of recommendations were all about the 888 Crew.

"Wow, it's really blowing up, isn't it?"

Amidst the much hotter response than he anticipated, Baesangwook clicked on the most recommended post.

-What Korean hip-hop must not forget in embracing American hip-hop.

It was a post with a grandiose title. The paragraphs were neatly divided, giving off a scent of a meticulously crafted piece.

Sure enough, when Baesangwook checked the author's name, it was written by a rare Korean hip-hop critic.

Title: What Korean Hip-hop Must Not Forget in Embracing American Hip-hop

The author encountered the interview of the 888 Crew, which was gaining significant attention, only this morning.

Before discussing the contents of the interview, it's worth applauding the fact that even in Gwangju, which has been considered a barren land for hip-hop culture, a hip-hop crew has emerged (although it's possible that there were crews we didn't know about in the past).