• 목록
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 검색

• Facebook
• Twitter

Hello, everyone! This is DJ Jjobby from Jjobby’s Music Salon.

We're back with another session of 'Legendary Albums of the 90s'!

MZ Generation, do you really know hip-hop?

Korea’s hip-hop history isn’t that long, but there are a number of pioneers who are always mentioned—Seo Taiji, Deux, Drunken Tiger, and more.

But for me, the true beginning of authentic Korean hip-hop starts with Uptown.
When I first heard Uptown’s music, the raw hip energy made my heart thump. Many Korean artists who gained popularity through hip-hop at the time often blended it with Korean musical styles. But Uptown was different—aside from the Korean lyrics, they delivered the real deal, a direct import of American hip-hop culture. They were true pioneers.

Today, I’d like to introduce the debut album of Uptown—a group that could be called Korea’s Gutenberg of hip-hop.

Album Introduction

Uptown’s 1st album was released in 1996. The title track “Come Back to Me” still makes hearts race to this day. Even after all these years, the vibe is timeless.

While Uptown later went through some lineup changes, their debut members were:
Jung Yeon-jun (leader, producer, vocalist), Yoon Mi-rae, Steve Kim (Kim Sang-wook), and Carlos Lee (Lee Hyun-soo).

Many people in their 20s and 30s may know that Yoon Mi-rae was in “Tashannie,” but not everyone realizes that her official debut was actually with Uptown.

Except for Jung Yeon-jun, all the original members were from the U.S. Jung, deeply immersed in hip-hop, went to the U.S. to study real hip-hop culture and sound. After two years of production, the album was finally born.

Track List

1. Don’t Rush – Lyrics: Jung Yeon-jun / Composer: Jung Yeon-jun

2. Come Back to Me – Lyrics: Jung Yeon-jun / Composers: Jung Yeon-jun, Kim Hong-soon

3. With You – Lyrics: Jung Yeon-jun / Composers: Jung Yeon-jun, Kim Hong-soon

4. Before It’s Too Late – Lyrics: Jung Yeon-jun / Composers: Jung Yeon-jun, Kim Hong-soon

5. Even When We’re Together – Lyrics: Jung Yeon-jun / Composers: Jung Yeon-jun, Kim Hong-soon

6. Bye Bye – Lyrics: Jung Yeon-jun / Composer: Jung Yeon-jun

7. Don’t Forget Me – Lyrics: Jung Yeon-jun / Composers: Jung Yeon-jun, Kim Hong-soon

8. My Desire – Lyrics: Shim Aria / Composers: Kim Hong-soon, Shim Aria

9. Look Back – Lyrics: Jung Yeon-jun / Composers: Jung Yeon-jun, Kim Hong-soon

10. I Knew from the Start – Lyrics: Jung Yeon-jun / Composers: Jung Yeon-jun, Kim Hong-soon

11. Stay – Foreign Track

12. Come Back to Me (Remix)

13. Bye Bye (Instrumental)

Check Point

When we talk about Uptown, we can’t leave out Yoon Mi-rae. She debuted with Uptown at just 17 years old and was active through the 1st and 2nd albums. After leaving the group, she was replaced by Park Tam-hee in the 3rd album—but Yoon Mi-rae’s legacy was simply unmatched.

While most of the members were from overseas, the one who created that authentic R&B and hip-hop flavor—Jung Yeon-jun—was a local Korean. The irony is beautiful.

In 2001, Uptown disbanded due to two members, Steve and Carlos, being wrongfully accused of drug-related charges. Eventually, they were cleared of all charges, but it was too late—the group had already been dissolved. A heartbreaking end.

Hidden Gem

The hidden track to listen for on this album is the very first song, “Don’t Rush.”
While “Come Back to Me” is a high-energy, danceable beat, “Don’t Rush” delivers a slow, groovy, sticky kind of hip-hop. Jung Yeon-jun’s soulful vocals really shine in this track, while Yoon Mi-rae plays a smaller role.

It’s easy to overlook Jung because of Yoon Mi-rae’s massive talent, but his singing on this album? Totally underrated.

Final Thoughts

Doomchit! Doom-doomchit!
If you’ve been craving some classic old-school hip-hop, don’t hesitate—spin Uptown’s 1st album. It still oozes groove, soul, and hip-hop flavor.

Since Uptown disbanded, Jung Yeon-jun spent many years producing church music, and most recently, he’s become a professor at Yonsei University.

That’s amazing—but wouldn’t it be even better if he dropped another old-school hip-hop masterpiece just once more?