Hyun-suk Yang is a singer, song writer turned multi-million
dollar music executive and owner of the most profitable entertainment agency in
his home country, South Korea. To put him in a familiar present day context, he
is the founder and CEO of the record label behind the wildly popular Gangnam
Style artist Psy. Hyun-suk Yang stands today as one of the most influential men
in the Asian music market, but every man has his humble beginnings.
Aside from his birth date (2nd, December 1969)
there is very little known about Hyun-suk Yang’s early life. That is until he
burst on the entertainment scene in 1991 as part of the three-man boy band Seo
Taiji and Boys with the overnight sensation of their first single ‘I Know’ (Nan
Arao).
The group was comprised of former heavy metal rock vocalist
Seo Taiji and two backup singers/dancers Lee Joono and Hyun-suk Yang. The grup,
now widely acknowledged as pioneers of the modern Korean Pop and Rap music
movement, introduced the public to an entirely new sound profile. An assortment
of rough raps alongside smooth vocals over midi system mixes with heavy metal
undertones. The blend quickly became addictive, launching the boys into super
stardom.
After five years together the group disbanded, each member
going on to pursue a solo career. The band left behind a legacy of musical
experimentation and diversity; a contribution that largely affected emerging
acts and the face of Korean Pop and Rap music thereafter.
Hyun-suk Yang waited two years after the disbanding to
establish his own entertainment agency: YG Entertainment. YG comes from
Hyun-suk Yang’s alias Yang Goon. The agency started with a few artists, Hyun-suk
Yang himself included, but grew to facilitate a slew of young, talented persons
all with a distinct impact on their nation today.
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