Leessang
South Korean hip hop duo known for self-produced albums.
Leessang was a South Korean hip hop duo formed in 2002, consisting of Kang Hee-gun (Gary) and Gil Seong-joon (Gil). The group released eight albums, with their final three records breaking numerous records and bringing them into the mainstream Korean music industry.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Seoul, South Korea
- Genre
- Hip hop, jazz rap
- Years active
- 2002–2017
- Label
- Jungle Entertainment; Leessang Company
- Past members
- Gary; Gil
Facts from the source article.
Career
Gary and Gil first met in 1997 as members of the hip hop group X-Teen, with which they released two albums. Gary later stated that he had neither the looks nor the talent, so they left. The two then joined Honey Family, releasing two successful albums in 1999 and 2000 alongside members Digitty, Miryo, Park Myung Hou, Jura, Young Poon, and Su-Jung. Gary, Gil, and Diggity formed a trio called Leessam and released a compilation album titled 2000 Korea in 2000. Diggity eventually left, and Gil and Gary renamed the group Leessang. Diggity later said in an interview that part of his reason for leaving was that success went to his head and he felt like a celebrity. Gil borrowed 2 billion won to fund the duo's first album. With no formal musical training, they spent 400 hours straight in the studio and produced 60 songs. On June 27, 2002, Leessang released their first album, Leessang of Honey Family. The title track, featuring Jung-in, became their breakaway hit. The song "Rush" used an identical baseline to "You Are Everything" by the Stylistics and was released one day after Nelly's Grammy-winning song "Dilemma"; it won the hip-hop music awards from the Mnet KM Music Video Festival. The success was credited to the blend of Jung-in, Gil, and Gary's voices, beginning a long partnership with Jung-in. Their second album, Jae,Gyebal, came out on May 22, 2003, with Jung-in again providing female vocals on the hit "Leessang Blues", written and composed by Gary. For their "best of" album Leessang Special, a workflow developed: Gary writes most lyrics, Gil does the music, and they both produce. Despite their success, they remained largely underground; Gary said on Strong Heart that they were so unknown that security blocked them when they came to receive their first major award.
Reputation and critical response
Leessang earned respect before their mainstream success despite signing with a non-mainstream label rather than a large K-pop company. They wrote and produced their own songs, directed their music videos, and kept their private lives separate from their work. They are credited with helping non-idol singers gain public attention. Often regarded as physically unappealing on variety shows, they supported themselves after the success of Hexagonal, Asura Balbalta, and Unplugged without relying on media attention for their looks. Gary is known for off-tempo rapping, while Gil's huskier voice is nationally recognized. Their live performances receive constant favorable reviews and often tell personal stories of their upbringing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Leessang from?
Leessang originated in Seoul, South Korea.
When was Leessang active?
Leessang was active from 2002 to 2017.
Which record labels has Leessang released music on?
Leessang has released music on Jungle Entertainment and Leessang Company.
More in South Korean Hip-hop Groups
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