Music / Idols
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Ludacris Credits YG For the Hallyu Wave

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Written by On September 6, 2011

First Flo.Rida, then Will.i.am, now Ludacris are voicing their support for YG.  One thing I will say about YG is he is a sneaky snake, but in a good way- he sees a ripe opportunity and he’s ready to strike. Ludacris makes a rare trip to South Korea to hawk some goods and suddenly YG has a new American rapper for a potential collaboration.

He arrived for the first time in Korea to promote his new line of headphones, “Soul By Ludacris“. At some point he was questioned by the media about K-pop’s “rising global influence.”

The reason for K-Pop’s rising global popularity may be because of the singers’ outgoing appearances and performances, but what’s more important is the music they produce. In that regard, I feel YG’s hip hop music is the best. YG’s crossover hip hop genre has more than enough competitive edge for the worldwide market. If the opportunity comes, I’d definitely like to exchange music with them.

I hesitate to guess that Ludacris had little knowledge of the hip-hop genre in South Korea, however, as a prolific rapper it’s no surprise that he was familiar with one of Korea’s most successful music companies.  There’s a little thing nagging at me however; YG is really more than a hip-hop label now, and there is nothing wrong with that. YGE artists grow and experiment with different types of music and unfortunately that’s a lot more than you can say about some of the other K-pop companies at the moment.

Yet, it’s that exact trait that makes me wary of this increasingly “YG=hip hop” sentiment foreigners are being met with.  I want people like Ludacris to be exposed to artists like LeeSsang, Outsider, GilMe, Tasha, Tiger JK, and E.Via. It’s not YG’s responsibility for this to happen or his fault for it not happening, but having money, reputation, and influence causes a notable difference. However focusing on those things could cause Western artists to only see someone as a test project with financial potential- then you end with something similar to well, Se7en.

I hope that there is an opportunity for South Korean hip hop indie artists to reach out to people like Ludacris so that legitimate hip hop community relationships can be made.  And while I question the whole “YG= hip hop” scenario, YG was essential in moving hip hop into the mainstream South Korean music industry, so it’s only fair that they have a place in the fold, too. It’s difficult to come up with a plausible answer, however more Western interest can lead to more opportunities, so perhaps K-pop/hip-hop can still get its big break on the world wide stage.

What do you think?

(Sports Chosun)

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  • Anonymous

    I am pretty sure that quite a few of western rappers are familiar with Tiger jk since I think he is pretty respected in the rapping community as a whole and like you I wish they were more familiar with the likes of gilme, Outsider, E.Via (have you heard her recent collab, love it!), and LeeSsang but when we are talking about hallyu you can’t really stay away from the big three. 

  • Mer

    Ugh.  Lil’Kim

  • http://twitter.com/AuNaturale_Yau MzChungai

    From my understanding of Ludacris’ comments and all other american artistes who have praised YGE, they do not necessary think that YG= Hip-Hop in Korea. Like Luda said “YG’s crossover hip-hop genre”. Which to me means YG’s music transcends beyond just hip-hop as they try different genres but still have the hip-hop feel. Plus its  necessary to note these american artistes have similar taste in music with YGE and also experiment with their music just like YGE does. So it makes sense that they’ll be more interested with music similar to theirs.

  • Jackie

    Seven’s worse career move was that song girls with Lil Kim LMAO….the lyrics come off as trying too hard but anyways lets get back on topic. Although I do give YG credit for bringing hip hop to the mainstream in Korea I think acts such as Tasha, Epik High, Drunken Tiger should be the forefront when it comes to exposing Korean Hip Hop in the western states lets face it no matter how you look at it Big Bang and 2ne1 are teen pop groups and can be seen as cookie cutter especially the fact that they were put together by the label themselves. Critics here will eat them alive.

  • http://twitter.com/PhanTheHotness Jenny

    i laugh everytime people say YG = Hip Hop
    that is ridiculous. im sure someone just paid him to say that

    • lay

      yeah right. it’s always YG paying others to say good things about them. i bet if it’s SM, you wouldn’t be saying that rite?

  • http://twitter.com/SouthPawSeoul 이정남

    I’m sure Ludacris doesn’t actually believe YG is Hip Hop I mean let’s be honest no matter how much you like G Dragon or CL or whoever else in YG who tries to rap, it’s fine in Korea in the U.S. it’s laughable.  Show him some actual rappers and I would like to see what he really thinks.  I can promise you G Dragon and Biggie aren’t going to be kicking it in heaven later on.

  • Pg13247

    It’s nice to see people on SB remembering that YG has other artists aside from 2NE1 and Big Bang. I would not pick those two groups to represent K-hiphop internationally.

    I can imagine that this statement will inflate SOME (not all) of the fan’s egos about YGE. Probably at AKP, the comments will be: “This is why YGE is the BEST!” “Of course they would get recognized unlike SME, JYP, etc… who don’t make good music” “2NE1 and Big Bang will definitely make it big in America”

  • http://twitter.com/Chewywonbin Honey

    That’s just “Ludacris”.

  • Maggs

    Uh well, ludacris IS trying to sell HIS product in S. Korea lol. I would guess he has to pick someone to compliment so fans buys his stuff. So, on the plane ride to Korea he is handed the ‘big3′ as far as music companies go in Korea, and does a quick research lol. And YG won out HA!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1454993355 Kokonoe Stein

    ugh, i love Se7en and was all supportive of him when he tried as i am with all kpop crossovers but when this video popped up as a ‘spoof’ on BET i cringed. hopefully YG can pace themselves and play to their strong points because as you said they are a versitile company. 

  • Anonymous

    I would take anything Ludacris says about Korean music with a grain of salt. Chances are that the only Korean hip-hop or rap that he heard comes from YG because he’s trying to advertise his new product through them (which I find strange seeing as most YG artists wear their Beats proudly). I doubt he as any intention of showing his friends in the industry YG’s hip hop or actually working with them. And even if he did, like the author said, we may end up with another Se7en fiasco.

    To go off topic, that song is ridiculous. Even my ear, well-trained in English poorly pronounced by Koreans, has trouble understanding what in the hell he is saying. And Lil’ Kim looks like a monster.

  • Anonymous

    although i think a lot more of the lesser known hip hop artists of kpop are a better representative of the talent and skill in that particular segment of kpop as apposed to YG, i think YG is very smart in the gains he is trying to make in the global market. the company learned their lesson with Se7en’s utter failure of a debut in the states. They’re pacing themselves with that 2NE1/Will.I.am collaboration, as well as laying stones with american rap artists support, & working with Diplo who is very popular right now. I’m really interested to see what YG does next, and to eventually see his artists’ foray into western media.

  • Anonymous

    Well Ludacris is a commercial top forty rapper so it makes sense that he would be interested in YG. I’m sure there are some more indie Hip-Hop artists who are more familiar with South Korea’s K-Indie rap scene.