The Secret to Alt Hip-Hop Icons Epik High's Enduring Legacy

16 years strong, it's safe to say that EPIK HIGH are legends in the game. The three-piece Korean hip-hop outfit has paved the way for many modern artists in the flourishing alt-rap and K-Pop scene and after more than a decade of creating from a spectrum of styles and sounds, Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz are still at the forefront.

Listeners of Korean music would know Epik High one way or another, with numerous musicians citing them as a huge influence to their craft. The group has undoubtedly gone where no one has in their artistry—diving deep into themes of mental health, capitalistic authority, breaking traditional norms, and sentiments of anger & sadness dissected—a route that isn't commonly treaded in the country's music scene or even discussed within the region. This kind of raw honesty has served them to be a consistently impactful figure and has long cemented the Epik High name adjacent to iconic. 

Three years have passed since their milestone of becoming the first Korean group to play Coachella and two years since their last record, the experimental WE'VE DONE SOMETHING WONDERFUL. Not much has changed since then—other than the natural fact that they've matured—the only major change is going independent following their parting with former label, YG Entertainment after seven years of their life. Tablo remarks that it was a natural change—a seven-year-long chapter closing organically to accommodate growth and progress. "Artistically speaking, we’ve always been very independent, even within labels. And since “artistically speaking” is all we really care about, the recent change wasn’t that a big of a deal to us." What was a big deal, however, was coming back into the spotlight with their new record sleepless in __________, releasing independently. "We were nervous about this new album, of course," says DJ Tukutz. "It would become the very first release of our independent label [and] we never expected that it would top the charts in such a big way like it did. A big thank you to the fans."

“Artistically speaking, we’ve always been very independent, even within labels. And since “artistically speaking” is all we really care about, the recent change [of going independent] wasn’t that a big of a deal to us.”

Something that's so fascinating with Epik High is that they've been in the business for a while with a solid fanbase but still expect nothing with every show or every release. While plenty would ask them about the secret to their enduring success, there's only one element they credit as their elevator. "Gratitude is our superpower," states Tablo and continues, "Any musician will become more skillful with experience, with each year that passes; but with a group as long-lasting as us, what keeps us growing is that we become more and more grateful with each year. We are grateful for every show, every moment of the music, and for every face in the audience." Another attribute of Epik High's that has remained all throughout is their penchant for collaborating with artists who are starkly contrasting to their style. 

“Gratitude is our superpower—any musician will become more skillful with experience, with each year that passes, but with a group as long-lasting as us, what keeps us growing is that we become more and more grateful with each year. We are grateful for every show, every moment of the music, and for every face in the audience.”

As purveyors in the K-Hip-hop scene, the trio has never failed to showcase every artistic color in their collaborations; a quality that Tablo tells adds flavor to every project, "It always yields unexpected results, which is what makes art fun." DJ Tukutz cites "Born Hater" as an example—a song that brought veteran rappers and newer YG hip-hop recruits at the time including Mino of WINNER, B.I and Bobby of iKON and seasoned bar maestros Beenzino and Verbal Jint. "Born Hater, which put veteran rappers and so-called idol rappers on the same track; some people look down on idols but that song proved them wrong and worked out beautifully."

As far as compelling combinations go, they've recruited a bevy of sonic virtuosos for the melodic new album—Crush, Yuna, and BTS' rapper Suga co-producing for "Eternal Sunshine"—it was just as beautifully unexpected as it sounds and Epik High had definitely more to spill. Taking a pit stop from jet-setting on tour, Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz sound off about their sleepless route, progressing in the digital age, and why they don't care about the legacy they leave.

Your EP, sleepless in____ decidedly took a more subdued and mellow sound compared to your last few albums. Having written about love for so long and with so many pieces of media around that concept, did creating this record—seemingly more existential than about other people—feel different? What fascinates you about being alone with your thoughts at night; so much that it became your muse?

Tablo: Sleeplessness is a lot like love. It can drive you mad, and also lift you out of madness, depending on why it is you’re sleepless. Some people are sleepless because they have a dream and are burning the candle at both ends to achieve it. Some are sleepless because of literal nightmares. We made this album hoping that our listeners’ sleeplessness leads to something beautiful; and when it doesn’t, as it so often does not, we are hoping that our music can be a shoulder to rest on.

More than a decade in the game, it’s no question that you guys have tried so many concepts and styles over the years. How do you progress and make sure that your music is evolving? How do you begin with that next step?

Tukutz: The trick is that we are not obsessed with keeping up with trends. We just do us.

Tablo: Yeah. We focus on evolving as people. Fortunately, since our music is so personal, it evolves with us as a result.

You've mentioned that you probably have written at least a few hundred songs in your life. How do you get over writer's block? What do you do to gain that inspiration and creativity back to make something?

Tablo: I’ve always put it this way—you know how people romanticize the weight of the creative process by saying things like “the burden of creativity” and “the pain of creating”? I understand. I feel it too. But for me, the burden and pain of not creating will always be greater than that of creating. So writer’s block is a non-issue for me

Tell us about the creation process of the EP. Did your composition methods change since you began 16 years ago? Or are you the type who has always stuck to a trusted approach?

Tukutz: Same process—good old hard work.

Mithra: Pen and pad as always.

Tablo: Yep.

Tell us about working with Suga from BTS. How did you guys team up and what was your working relationship creating “Eternal Sunshine?”

Tukutz: BTS’ Suga and RM have always voiced that our music inspired them, and we’ve been proud watching their amazing growth. So we naturally became friends.

Tablo: Yeah, it was natural for us to collab.

Mithra: But no one knew what to expect from a Tablo x Suga co-production and I don’t think they knew either.

Tablo: Which is why the process was so fun.

K-Pop has flourished exponentially over the past few years. As people who have grown up seeing it develop, why do you think it has boomed as it has now? What do you think was the change in modern K-Pop that took the world's attention?

Tukutz: I think it’s always been awesome and it just took a while for everyone to notice.

Tablo: All fandoms deserve credit.

At this time where everything is accessible now because of the internet, do you think it’s easier now for artists to gain recognition? Is it a simpler time now in the digital age?

Mithra: Of course. There are so many tools to get music to listeners. But at the end of the day, the craft will always come first.

Tablo: If the substance is not there and you’re broadcasting it to a thousand people, you might get some attention but you’ll likely just end up with a thousand people who know you’re not substantial.

The rise of streaming platforms has also lead to an abundance of rappers and a lot has definitely changed since its genesis. Where do you think is the future of modern hip-hop headed?

Tablo: No one knows! But that’s what hip-hop is and should always be. Perplexing and something no one can agree on. That’s what makes it such a powerful genre.

What have you learned in these 16 years of being an artist?

Tablo: Life is as beautiful as it is fragile.

A lot of other artists have expressed that your music has inspired them to dream and pursue music. What kind of legacy do you hope Epik High leaves?

Tablo: We don’t care too much about the legacy we leave. We are focused on now and on each song and each show, and if we can make you happy in the moment you are with us, it’s a greater payoff than any legacy can ever be.

Finally, what is next for Epik High?

We have shows in Hong Kong, Taipei, Australia, and Seoul coming up. We hope to tour in Manila and in other cities in Asia as well. Follow us on Instagram (@blobyblo, @realtukutz, @realmithrajin) and EN Management (@enmgmt) for future tour updates! We love ya! Thank u!!!