K-Pop and rapping go hand in hand. Be it a girl or a boy group, rapping is definitely a must and plays an equal role as the singing and dancing does. Rapping is the art of singing the lyrics as fast as you can.
A rapper needs to use the right breathing technique for projection, resonance, and sustenance. They need to keep their focus on the rhyming. Rapping is measured in terms of syllables per second.
Over the years the groups have increased and so has the quality of their talents. The groups are now more focused on making their styles stand out. You can see the lyrics as well.
For example, ‘God’s Menu’ by Stray Kids. Here’s Bang Chan’s part:
“Geujeo gyesok mandeureoga saeropge (We just keep on making new things)
Because we’re one of a kind,
Nugudo ttara hal su eomneun (No one can copy us), our own game.”
Another example is ATEEZ‘s song ‘Bouncy’ lyrics:
“One, two 열중쉬어 (One, two, at ease)
Three, four 하면 후 (Three, four, then hoo)
리듬에 맞춰 (to the rhythm)
흔들어라 머리 (Shake your head)
거칠 것 없지 (Nothing stands in our way)
우릴 막아 봐 (Try to stop us)
모든 건 Unlock (Unlock everything)
Now it’s time for the party
아직 배고파 (We’re still hungry)
우린 젊기에 (Because we are hungry)
비켜봐 (Move aside)
Cause we need some air
묶여 있었던 모든 걸 풀어내 (Untie everything that’s been tangled up)
멈춘 채 살 순 없어 (Can’t live life standing still)”
Likewise, each member is making his presence felt, and the rappers are no less. Rappers also use their rapping to express their views, like BTS did in their “Cypher series”. In the lyrics, BTS rappers RM, Suga and j-hope talk about the protagonist who was a normal boy who honed his skills and made it successfully in the music industry, and how today, that ordinary kid is leading a new generation. The lyrics are aimed at the haters who always keep targeting BTS.
In today’s article I am going to tell you about those K-Pop rappers who are the fastest rappers.
Without further ado, let’s begin.
1. Outsider (Shin OkCheol) at 24 SPS (Syllables Per Second)
Outsider is the fastest K-Pop rapper. He ranks first in K-Pop and second in the world, after he attempted a world rapping speed of 24 SPS in ‘Loner’. He remained underground till his EP debut “Come Outside”. MC Sniper was so impressed, he signed Outsider on his label Sniper Sound. Outsider released his full length debutant album “Soliloquist” on October 2, 2007. He also appeared as a contestant on the “King of Mask Singer” in 2020.
2. Stray Kids’ ChangBin at 11.13 SPS
If you are asking who’s the second fastest rapper, it’s definitely ChangBin from Stray Kids. His rapping speed is at 11.13 SPS. It was during Stray Kids’ guesting on Weekly Idol in 2017.
3. Block B’s ZICO at 10.13 SPS
In 2011, when ZICO was singing ‘Co*cks’, he rapped at 10.13 SPS. He’s the famous leader of the boy group Block B that debuted in 2011. ZICO began his solo career in 2014 and released his first solo full length album “Thinking” in 2019. He released his fourth EP “Grown Ass Kid” on July 27, 2022. GQ Korea named ZICO “Man of the Year” in November 2022. Boy group BOYNEXTDOOR, who was trained by ZICO, debuted on May 30, 2023 under ZICO’s label KOZ Entertainment.
3. Former B.A.P’s Zelo at 10.12 SPS
Zelo from the formerly from B.A.P is the third fastest rapper with a speed of 10.12 SPS. Zelo’s impressive rapping speed was first noticed during his B.A.P’s debut song ‘Warrior’ (2012). In August 2022, Zelo signed with Uzurocks.
4. BTS’ Suga at 9.83 SPS
Suga is also one of the fastest rappers in K-Pop. During ‘Cypher Pt. 2 Triptych’, Suga’s rapping speed was recorded at 9.83 SPS. Currently, Suga is on hiatus from the group, as the septet are focusing on their solo careers.
5. Former BIGBANG’s TOP at 9.40 SPS
TOP began his career as an underground rapper until he joined YG Entertainment label. TOP’s impressive speed can be seen in his solo song titled ‘DOOM DADA’. On May 31, 2023 TOP announced he has left the group and will focus on his solo career.
6. BTS’ RM at 9.24 SPS
RM is the leader of internationally acclaimed K-Pop boy group BTS. His impressive rapping speed can be heard in solo hit ‘Joke’. He got his stage nickname “RM” for Rap Monster during the 2014 “4 Things Show” that featured Rap Monster. Currently, RM is on a hiatus from BTS, as his military service is approaching. Hence, RM is focusing on his solo career.
7.1. BIGBANG’s G-Dragon at 9.03 SPS
G-Dragon had displayed his fast rapping skills a decade ago in ‘She’s Gone’ ft Kush. After completing his mandatory military services, G-Dragon made his comeback with BIGBANG, when the boy group released their first song in four years ‘Still Life’.
7.2. iKON’s Bobby at 9.03 SPS
Bobby debuted as a member of iKON in 2015 and his impressive rapping skills were witnessed during the Mnet show “Show Me The Money” when he performed ‘YGGR#HIPHOP’. On March 21, 2023, Bobby released his first solo single album “S.i.R.”
7.3. Stray Kid’s Han at 9.03 SPS
Han from the boy group Stray Kids rapped at a speed of 9.03 during their song ‘TMT’ performance.
8. WINNER’s MiNo at 8.50 SPS
MiNo showed his impressive rapping skills during the Mnet show “Show Me The Money” when he rapped the song ‘Machine Gun’ in an impressive 8.50 SPS. He joined YG Entertainment and joined the boy group WINNER in 2014. MiNo made his official debut in 2018 with his first audio album “XX” and the lead single ‘Fiance’. In August 2022, MiNo made his acting debut with Netflix’s “Seoul Vibe”, which was also his biggest big screen project.
9. ATEEZ’s SeongHwa at 6.0 SPS
Another worth mentioning K-Pop rapper is SeongHwa. His latest rapping in ‘Bouncy’ was recorded at 6.0 SPS.
Till the next post, stay safe, stay healthy. Bye-bye.