EARMILK EARMILK
  • NEW MUSIC
    • DANCE
    • ELECTRONIC
    • EXPERIMENTAL
    • HIP-HOP
    • INDIE
    • POP
    • ROCK
  • INDUSTRY NEWS
    • DOCUMENTARIES
    • EVENTS
    • FASHION
    • LIFESTYLE
    • MUSIC GEAR
    • MUSIC INDUSTRY
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • OPINION
  • ALBUM REVIEWS
  • GEAR REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • FEATURES
    • FESTIVALS
    • EXCLUSIVES
    • LISTS
    • CONTESTS
    • Photo Journals
  • SERIES
    • Artist to Watch
    • Under The Crust
    • Flashback Friday
    • Suicide Sundaes
    • Daily 2%
    • The Club
    • Weekend Selector
    • Mashup Mondays
    • Artist Remixed
    • Wobble Wednesday
    • Night Rumours
    • Indie Sabbath
    • Straight No Chase
    • Straight From the Teet
  • Jobs
  • About EARMILK
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Music
EARMILK EARMILK
EARMILK EARMILK
  • NEW MUSIC
    • DANCE
    • ELECTRONIC
    • EXPERIMENTAL
    • HIP-HOP
    • INDIE
    • POP
    • ROCK
  • INDUSTRY NEWS
    • DOCUMENTARIES
    • EVENTS
    • FASHION
    • LIFESTYLE
    • MUSIC GEAR
    • MUSIC INDUSTRY
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • OPINION
  • ALBUM REVIEWS
  • GEAR REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • FEATURES
    • FESTIVALS
    • EXCLUSIVES
    • LISTS
    • CONTESTS
    • Photo Journals
  • SERIES
    • Artist to Watch
    • Under The Crust
    • Flashback Friday
    • Suicide Sundaes
    • Daily 2%
    • The Club
    • Weekend Selector
    • Mashup Mondays
    • Artist Remixed
    • Wobble Wednesday
    • Night Rumours
    • Indie Sabbath
    • Straight No Chase
    • Straight From the Teet
  • K-pop
  • Rap

Monsta X Jooheon’s mixtape ‘DWTD’ is powerful in its duality

  • September 6, 2018
  • Natalie Morin
Total
0
Shares
0
0

They say there’s power in numbers, but the strength in Monsta X member Jooheon's newest solo work certainly challenges that notion. The rapper released his self-penned debut mixtape DWTD on Friday (August 31), along with the music video for the title track, “Red Carpet.”

Anyone who’s heard the Monsta X canon can instantly pick out Jooheon’s distinctive voice. It’s a confident tone that has both nasality and a more grounded grit. These poles balance each other out in a way that makes his raps sonically interesting as he modulates his voice through rapid-fire lyrics. It’s precisely this unique character in his voice that makes the story of DWTD come to life — a tale of a man falling in love.

Opening with the 9F-produced “Should I Do,” we jump instantly into Jooheon’s world. The dark track is supported by a hard bassline that's peppered with what almost sound like tongue clicks. Jooheon’s signature sound effects, from birdcalls to growls, are interspersed into his telling of how far he has come from his debut, despite all the naysayers who attempted to block his way. But what seems like a familiar rapper’s diss evolves into something more heartfelt — a peek into the pressure and difficulties of being an idol. In Korea, this term that is frequently associated with K-pop groups like Monsta X is often derogatory, as many say that idols aren’t true artists. Jooheon argues that idols work just as hard as other musicians, and shouldn’t be judged unfairly.

Standout track “Red Carpet” is an instant mood-lifter — a groovy ballad peppered with guitar strums and jazzy trumpeting. The R&B sensibilities of the song support the lyrics, in which the rapper praises the beauty and grace of a woman with whom he can’t help but fall in love with. The visual for “Red Carpet” is a perfect representation of Jooheon’s duality: playful and charming one minute, yet sultry and edgy the next.

The following “Kang Baek-ho,” produced by both Jooheon and Ye-Yo!, as well as “RUNWAY” produced by DAKSHOOD and featuring KillaGramz showcase the rapper’s signature spit, ablaze with passion and heavy, punchy beats. The EP rounds out with Ye-Yo!-produced “Manito,” slowing down the pace and flowing with a mix of original sounds, haunting double bass and dramatic wails of an electric guitar. In this ending button, Jooheon underscores his love for his craft, calling rapping, dancing and working in the studio his “manito,” or the supernatural power that he possesses within his spirit.

Connect with Monsta X: Instagram | Twitter | |Facebook

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Share 0
Related Topics
  • jooheon
  • K-POP
  • Mixtape
  • monstax
  • Rap
Natalie Morin

Karaoke is my cardio.

Previous Article
  • Electronic
  • Indie
  • R&B

Emmit Fenn is doing fine "Without You" featuring Drew Love

  • September 6, 2018
  • Vivian Lin
View Article
Next Article
  • Nu-Jazz
  • Soul

GeeJay's love-filled "Flowers" knows no bounds

  • September 6, 2018
  • Tayo Odutola
View Article
You May Also Like
View Article
  • Hip-Hop
  • Music Videos
  • Rap

Ovrkast. releases fresh video for "Strange Ways" (ft. Vince Staples), from 'While The Iron Is Hot' album

  • June 2, 2025
View Article
  • Alt-Pop
  • Electro Pop
  • Electronic
  • Hip-Hop
  • Indie
  • Music Videos
  • Pop
  • R&B
  • Rap
  • Rock

Artists to put on your playlist for Summer 2025

  • May 30, 2025
View Article
  • Hip-Hop
  • Music Videos
  • Rap

Hoodtrophy Bino and Lefty Gunplay prove you should never underestimate them on “123” [Video]

  • May 30, 2025
View Article
  • Hip-Hop
  • Rap

Amadeus360 and Devine Carama share raw new single "Respect Due" (ft. Sadat X)

  • May 29, 2025
View Article
  • Hip-Hop
  • Music Videos
  • Rap

Lil MC shares fresh new visual for "They Don't Need Me"

  • May 29, 2025
View Article
  • Hip-Hop
  • Music Videos
  • Rap

MAVI and Earl Sweatshirt join forces for refreshing new offering "Landgrab" [Video]

  • May 28, 2025
Amari Mar
View Article
  • Indie
  • Mainstage
  • Pop
  • Rap

Amari Mar releases conscious rap with transformative new album "Healers Of The Lost Art"

  • May 27, 2025
View Article
  • Music Videos
  • Rap

WHYDEE encapsulates ambition on "PRONTO"

  • May 22, 2025
Popular Music
  • Gabriella Zauna
    Gabriella Zauna dares you to rise in hypnotic new single, “PINUP”
    • June 3, 2025
  • tesh
    tesh breaks the loop with debut EP "CYCLES + REPETITIONS" on bitbird
    • June 3, 2025
  • BARDZ
    bardz finds light in the darkness on hauntingly honest new EP "the only way out is through"
    • June 3, 2025
  • Kizz Daniel
    Kizz Daniel drops his new EP, “UNCLE K: LEMON CHASE”
    • June 2, 2025
  • Fraser Morgan delivers vibrant and playful EP 'Songs About Girls'
    • June 2, 2025
Recent Scoops
  • Matt Oakley is redefining country music with heart, soul and modernity
    • May 5, 2025
  • Texas’ Blacktop Mojo does rock music the way it should be done
    • April 29, 2025
  • Tha Rapper Haiti blends authentic style with musical passion
    • April 28, 2025
  • Glorybots redefines rock with latest album 'mad.end'
    • April 10, 2025
Community Voices
  • From Machismo To Mujeres: Women As The Face Of Reggaeton
    • July 14, 2022
  • Tyler the creator
    4 things I learned on the 'Call Me If You Get Lost' tour
    • March 31, 2022
  • 4 things every artist needs to think about in 2022
    • January 27, 2022
  • The TikTok Takeover of Hip-Hop
    • January 11, 2022

EARMILK EARMILK
  • Jobs
  • About EARMILK
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Music
All Milk. No Duds.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.