Major Vs Minor

Are there rules to be a rapper in the Korean hiphop scene?

Kpop groups even in the past have always had rappers in the group but as I've said before even Hiphop pioneers like Seo Taiji and the Boys weren't called 'hiphop artists' or 'rappers' but 'rap dance' artists. Rappers in Korea have always had prejudiced idol rappers for being 'fake rappers' and this may be due to Kpop's image of being manufactured and that idol rappers don't write their raps and don't know 'authentic hiphop'. 

Some famous Kpop idols now like RM and Suga of BTS and Zico of Block B, started out in the underground rap scene however due to their change of path some underground rappers have called them out for being 'fake rappers'. Rapper B-Free have commented on BTS' RM and Suga idol image in the past and stating how their album 'BTS' O! R U L8 2?' wasn't hiphop but is just album containing rap in it. He also further commented on some idol culture such as wearing makeup calling them yeojang (men masking themselves as women).  This resulted in BTS releasing a track 'Too Much' in response to B-Free's comments.

Some lyrics from the track:

"All I ever wanted to do was rap,

you said I'm a puppet, fuck I'm not

Theres too many of these countless, infinite thought in my head

Now I'll put myself aside and wait for the endless waves of negativity

.............................................

Even if that's the very reason why people curse me

Whether I'm an artist, or an idol,

I don't give a fuck this is my life

Whether it's porridge or gruel, this is the meal I've prepared for myself".

K-pop stigma

This shows a clear stereotype of idols rappers due to the stigma of K-pop and how their talent can be overshadowed by these stereotypes. As underground rappers often face different difficult circumstances than overground rappers these idol rappers have seen discrimination within the hiphop community in Korea as they are seen to 'have it easy'. This however, have slightly changed, due to idol rapper Bobby winning Show Me The Money 3, changing rappers and fans of the micro-genre's perception of idol rappers. In addition, it has also led to more idol rappers to participate in the show in the following seasons. Over the years the perception of idol rappers have changed within the Korean hiphop scene although, it still evident that these idol rappers have to prove themselves within the community in order to be somehow accepted and recognised e.g. Bobby and the criticism towards idols will never seem to go away as long as these Kpop stigma's stay as well. 

Differences between the community

Apart from being an idol rapper, rappers can also be seen as a Major rapper (appearing in major broadcast shows and popular in the public) and Minor (underground, mostly in Soundcloud and create Mixtapes)- this is very similar to the ones in the early era. Disses have also been made between major and minor rappers, with minor rappers stating how major rappers often don't really rap but just appear on talk shows and hiphop competitions as 'judges'.