Playlist 8. Pretty Rapstars

Theme: Unpretty Rapstar

Songs with a [♥] are my preference/a personal favorite.

Songs by contestants from the rap survivor show Unpretty Rapstar, seasons 1 and 2. I included a link to the English translation of the lyrics if the video has none. (The song's lyrics are clean.) Enjoy!

1. Gilme - Success (Don't Kill My Vibe)

Korean ♥

Gilme gives us a hip-hop heavy track that's better called K-rap than K-pop. In her lyrics, she expresses herself as misunderstood and tells how people try to control her. "Don't kill my vibe!" Lyrics

2. Kitti B - Doin' Good (Feat. Verbal Jint)
Korean ♥

'Doin' Good' is about how a girl is successful after breaking up with an abusive boyfriend. This quality track deserves more attention as it empowers girls' self-reliance. The MV shows some domestic violence, so here's the audio if you prefer not to watch. Lyrics

3. Cheetah - My Number

Korean

Groovy and hip-hop-y at the same time. Cheetah gives us a more commercial rap song rather than her signature flow. The lyrics are somewhat lazy, which reflect Cheetah's annoyance at boys asking for her number.

4. Yezi - Sse Sse Sse 

Korean ♥

Yezi collaborated with Kittib, Ahn Soomin and Gilme - and the result is fire! Somehow their verses contrast nicely instead of clashing. The "clap clap clap" matches the heavy-hitting lyrics!

5. Jessi - Sssenunni

Korean ♥

"You think you flowsik, but my flow more sicker!" Like I mentioned here, this isn't a lyrical masterpiece, but good nonetheless!

6. Yezi - Cider

Korean ♥

By 'Cider', I think Yezi means tough and gritty-which could definitely describe her. She delivered the song well and the MV seems to be a reference to her time on Unpretty Rapstar.

7. Tymee - Super Flower

Korean

The rap starts off chill, intensifies then breaks into a nice chorus. Supposedly, Tymee wrote "Super Flower" after forgetting her lyrics on Show Me The Money 3. This is empowerment after facing an obstacle. Lyrics

8. Adoonga - Feedback 
Korean

A lot of rappers were squeezed into this song; Jace, Kisum, Lil Cham and Bora. I don't know who Adoonga is, or how this collab came about, but it gives each rapper a time to shine.

9. Kisum - You And Me (Feat Jooyoung)
Korean ♥

Kisum is the queen of cutesy swag. The song is about a girl hopelessly stuck on a boy. The video has a high-school-girl-innocence that isn't forced. The MV is dreamy and charming, I like it.

10. Jace - Not Enough (Feat. Kisum)

Korean

Jace is on this list for the second time and Kisum for a third. The lyrics criticize gold-diggers who are never satisfied. Lyrics

Artist Profiles~Jessi

Jessi was a contestent on rap survival show "Unpretty Rapstar". She is a vocalist, rapper and member of co-ed group Lucky J. Jessi has been featured in songs with artists such as J.Y.P., Wheesung and Kangnam.

Female Soloist/Group Member

Jessi (Jessica Ho)

K-pop/Korean

1. Ssenunni

The lyrics of this song perfectly describe her career and appearance on 'Unpretty Rapstar' - no matter how strong her personality is, people still love her! 'Ssenunni' means 'strong sister' or 'tough sister'. Perhaps it doesn't show her greatest rap skills, but it's still a bop.

2. Excessive Love

I wasn't expecting this one - all vocals and no rap. It's a pleasant surprise though. 'Excessive Love' has traces of hip-hop and hints of piano. The MV is as elegant as the song and mournful.

3. I Want to Be Me

As a vocalist and rapper, Jessi is very versatile. The song begins with powerful vocals then cuts into a rap verse. I think she composed and wrote this herself which explains the raw honesty!

Other Songs:

4. Unpretty Dreams

5. No Love (Lucky J)

6. Can You Hear Me? (Lucky J)