J-HOPE (정호석) - Jack in the Box Album Thoughts(K-rap/pop)

 

   J-hope doesn't need any introduction. Most people know BTS and know that he's apart of the Kpop mega boy band. I wouldn't say that he is the most popular member, which could be the reason why he released his new solo work first. This move comes not too long after the group announced that they were going on a hiatus.  Jack in the Box is J-hope's newest album after a mixtape that was well received.

Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. Pandora’s Box
3. [권리없는 곡] MORE
4. STOP (세상에 나쁜 사람은 없다)
5. = (Equal Sign)
6. Music Box : Reflection
7. What if…
8. Safety Zone
9. Future
10. 방화 (Arson)

    This album sounds like a slightly overproduced mixtape that gives strength to the rapper's desire for a more underground rap sound. I would say that he understood that assignment in terms of BTS's fanbase while still juggling that mainstream sound. More was our first taste of what was to come out of the jack in the box. Nothing else on the album sounds like this pop punk rock number and it's kind of a waste. He does good in this style as J-hope is a better rapper due to tonality than flow. I especially love the chorus where he screams his lines in angry. Also, shout out to the person behind the scenes that helped him with his english lyrics because they sound very natural. Plus they flow with the Korean word plays in his lyrics. Back to J-hope's skills are a MC..... It's not much diversity in the tracks because he's flow doesn't change up much are the album goes on. He plays with his tone on top of singing in tracks such are Equality(EQUAL SIGN). This is one of if not my favorite track outside of "MORE". The chorus is smooth like butter as his raps are the bread for that butter. He continues that idea that BTS had in their earlier music about the state of the world or political issues. These subjects are not outside of himself either. He adds himself to the equation in track, "What if". Overall, Jack in the Box has some good moments even though it's not a solid body of work in my opinion. 

     J-Hope is an alright rapper. He's even better support for RM in BTS's songs. He and RM don't really get the chance to do the pure underground rap sound that inspired them both. Jack in the Box is a taste of that desire. It's also a body of work that confirmed my original thoughts about RM being the powerhouse rapper of the group. 

     Do I have a new found respect for J-hope? Oh yeah, defiantly.  He showed me that he could survive as a solo artist even without the fame. iIm interested to see where his career would have gone if he never was in kpop.