MFBTY | |
---|---|
Origin | South Korea |
Genres | K-pop, hip hop |
Years active | 2013-present |
Labels | Feel Ghood Music |
Website | www.dt-love.co.kr |
MFBTY, an acronym that stands for "My Fans [Are] Better Than Yours," is a Korean hip-hop group under Feel Ghood Music consisting of Tiger JK, Yoon Mi-rae, and Bizzy. They debuted in 2013 with the single, "Sweet Dream." MFBTY was meant to be only a temporary name, and the trio released an album later that year as Drunken Tiger, Tiger JK's legendary hip hop group. However, they later returned to the name MFBTY and released their first full-length album under that name in 2015.[1][2][3]
History
2011–2012
MFBTY started as a joke mentioned by Drunken Tiger/Tiger JK on his Twitter account.[4] In 2011, he revealed that the pseudonym stood for “My Fans (are) Better Than Yours.” JK made a reference that his fans lived in a special type of blissful Wonderland, a reference to the book, Alice In Wonderland. The joke ringed popular with his English speaking fans, which spurred a number of cult following Twitter accounts. Up until this time, the acts had recorded multiple songs for solo albums that they never released. However, they had performed as a trio for six years. They realized that they felt most comfortable performing as a group, so decided to rebrand themselves as a 3-person project group known as MFBTY.
2013
In January 2013, MFBTY debuted with their digital mini album, “Sweet Dream.” While the video is known for its visuals, it is also filled with Easter eggs referring to Tiger JK’s jokes with his MFBTY and DT fanbase.[4] For example, Tiger JK is dressed as the Mad Hatter from Alice In Wonderland. The word, “Jaguatirica (meaning Ocelot, a type of wild cat),” appears in the background of one scene. This word refers to Drunken Tiger’s Brazilian following, who gave him the name. “Sweet Dream” also marked the debut of their new DJ, DJ Smells, and their visual effects director, Lumpens. Thanks to the strengthened combination of Tiger JK’s, Yoon MiRae’s, and Bizzy’s fanbases, "Sweet Dream" rose to #1 on Korean music charts, Naver, Soribada, and others within days.[5] The group was invited to perform at the Cannes MIDEM music festival to represent South Korea.[6]
Creation of Feel Ghood Music/Rebranding as Drunken Tiger
In July 2013, MFBTY left their Jungle Entertainment and formed their own label, Feel Ghood Music (FGM). Their official reasons for leaving have never been disclosed. However, the members stated they favored a less conventional business set up, hiring a small team consisting of trusted friends and family for their new label.[7]
During this time, Tiger JK’s father, Suh Byung Hoo, was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. Given his condition and the label’s start up costs, the trio quickly released an album in September 2013 under Tiger’s formal stage name, Drunken Tiger. The album titled, “The Cure,” took a softer tone than previous Drunken Tiger albums. Though its hopeful message was inspired by his father and Tiger’s personal struggles, the album was dedicated to all those enduring emotional and physical hardships.[8] The album claimed 6/10 top spots on Korea's leading digital download site, Bugs.[9]
In November 2013, the group did their first official international concert as part of renowned Asian-American talent showcase, Kollaboration Star. They delivered a full 2-hour set, featuring songs from their solo albums and songs as MFBTY.[10] Their Kollaboration performance caught the attention of international news media, including a booked interview with American music channel, FuseTV.[11]
The group collaborated with Korean beauty icon, Lee Hyori, for the 2013 MBC Gayo Daejejeon, doing a melody of Lee's "Miss Korea" and MFBTY's/Drunken Tiger's single, "The Cure." This was, however, the last performance before the group went on hiatus for 2014.[12]
2014
The group went on performance hiatus for most of 2014, primarily after the death of Tiger JK’s father on February 1, 2014.[13] They released a single in May 2014 with a new artist, Yuna Kim, called “Without You Now.”[14][15] The three members also released individual features and singles for soundtracks, but remained off stage until August 2014 for the Crazy Korea Concert.
Rebranding as YoonMiRae ft. Tiger JK & Bizzy
In December 2014, the group reformed under YoonMiRae's name, and will continue to play with the name orders going forward (i.e. Bizzy ft. Tiger JK & YoonMiRae, Drunken Tiger ft. Bizzy & YoonMiRae, etc.).[16] Their digital single, "Angel," hit number 1 on 4 major Korean music charts in under 24 hours.[17]
Full Length Album Release
MFBTY released their own album on March 19, 2015. Prior to the release, they released a full-length music video for song, "Bucku Bucku/ShyShy," as an album teaser. It featured BTS’ RM (credited as Rap Monster). On March 19, 2015 MFBTY released the album, "Wondaland," with 3 lead singles, "Bang Diggy Bang Bang," "Make It Last," and "Hello Happy." "Bang Diggy Bang Bang" currently is the only one with a music video out of the three.[18]
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
---|---|---|---|
KOR [19] | |||
Wondaland |
|
10 |
|
Extended plays
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
---|---|---|---|
KOR [19] | |||
Dream Catcher |
|
— | — |
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|
KOR [21] | ||||
"Sweet Dream" | 2013 | 14 |
|
Sweet Dream single album |
"Hello Happy" feat. You Hee-yeol |
2015 | 32 |
|
Wondaland |
"Bang Diggy Bang Bang" (방뛰기방방) | 49 |
| ||
"Dream Catcher" (안된다고 해도 될때까지해) | 2019 | — | — | Dream Catcher |
References
- ^ "Korean Hip-Hop Supergroup MFBTY Made an Album Just for Their Twitter Followers". Vice NOISEY. 2015-06-25. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
- ^ "[Interview] MFBTY creates a Wondaland of Feel Ghood Music". Hello Kpop. 2015-04-24. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
- ^ "Drunken Tiger, Yoon Mi Rae & Bizzy Find 'The Cure': Exclusive Video Interview". Billboard. 2013-10-07. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
- ^ a b "DFLA - Sweet Dreams with MFBTY". YouTube. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ "MFBTY's "Sweet Dream" ranks #1 on music charts".
- ^ "MFBTY conducts interview & panel discussion at MIDEM". Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ "[news] MFBTY leaves Jungle Entertainment; Tiger JK starts new label "FeelGhood Music"". DRUNKEN TIGER MFBTY INTERNATIONAL. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ "Drunken Tiger, Yoon Mi Rae & Bizzy Find 'The Cure': Exclusive Video Interview". Billboard. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ "Drunken Tiger's EP 'The Cure' garners support of other artists as it tops various music charts".
- ^ "[photos/video] Drunken Tiger, Yoon MiRae, Bizzy at Kollaboration Star". DRUNKEN TIGER MFBTY INTERNATIONAL. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ "Drunken Tiger Talk Hip Hop's Early Days in South Korea: "It Was a Secret Society"". Fuse. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ MBCkpop (31 December 2013). "[가요대제전] Lee Hyo Ri + MFBTY - Miss Korea + The Cure + U Go Girl + Monster, KMF 20131231" – via YouTube.
- ^ "Tiger JK's Father Passes Away Due to Cancer". Soompi.
- ^ napthesoul. "Yuna Kim and MFBTY reveal music video for 'Without You Now'". hellokpop. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ "[Video] Yuna Kim Gets Support from MFBTY for 'Without You Now' - Yahoo Entertainment Singapore". Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2014-11-23.
- ^ "[Video] YoonMiRae ft. Tiger JK & Bizzy – "Angel" MV finally released". 8 December 2014.
- ^ "[news] YoonMiRae's "Angel" Hits #1 In Less Than 12 Hours". 8 December 2014.
- ^ "MFBTY (Yoon Mi Rae, Tiger JK, Bizzy) take you to their 'Wondaland' with 'Bang Diggy Bang Bang' MV".
- ^ a b "Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-02-12.
- "Wondaland charting". Retrieved 2020-02-12.
- ^ "2015년 04월 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-02-12.
- ^ "Gaon Digital Chart - "MFBTY" search". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-02-12.
- ^ Cumulative sales of "Sweet Dream":
- "2013년 01월 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-02-12.
- "2013년 02월 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-02-12.
- ^ a b "2015년 03월 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-02-12.
External links
- MFBTY and Drunken Tiger official website (in Korean)
- MFBTY and Drunken Tiger official website (in English)
- MFBTY and Drunken Tiger official website (in Portuguese)
- Feel Ghood Music