Album review: mc mong miss me or diss me

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Posted on November 30, 2014 by
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Denise ColeyPosted in Article, Who Said What on Wednesday—No Comments ↓

Following a nearly five-year hiatus, MC Mong made his return November 3 with his full-length album Miss Me or Diss Me. Since its release, the title tuy nhiên earned wins on Music bộ vi xử lý Core và Inkigayo, the latter win causing a weird silence to lớn befall the hosts và fans. Even though time passed, his scandal is still a sore spot for many in Korea, và his reemergence isn’t necessarily viewed as a good thing despite how well “Miss Me or Diss Me” is doing or how good the album actually is.

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The Scandal

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In Korea, men are required to fulfill two years mandatory military service since the country is still technically at war with North Korea. The Ministry of Defense has strict omissions that citizens need to lớn meet in order lớn avoid service, but even then, some choose lớn still serve sầu in some capathành phố lượt thích in the case of rapper Swings who has battled depression but will begin serving November 25, 2014.

Military service is a source of pride in Korea, so lớn not serve sầu or to lớn dodge service brings shame, especially if that person is a celebrity.

MC Mong announced as the winner on November 16’s edition of Inkigayo./SBSRewind to 2010. MC Mong has two teeth extracted instead of having them repaired, leading to lớn an investigation. The media has claims from a dentist that he received money from Mong khổng lồ extract the teeth; Mong denied these claims.

The Seoul Central District Court filed charges against Mong on October 10, 2010 stating he was in violation of Korea’s military service laws, leading lớn four trials.

During the second trial in November 2010, his dentists provided evidence that his teeth were damaged and needed to lớn be removed. The dentist who made the claims against Mong retracted his original statement và said the teeth were damaged due to lớn poor care. This dentist also stated he did not receive money from Mong & the removal was not an evasion tactic.

Mong received a suspended six-month jail term, a year’s probation, and 1đôi mươi hours of community service but was cleared of intentionally removing teeth on April 11, 2011. Courts found he deliberately delayed enlistment on false terms, though.

Because he was viewed as an evader, KBS and MBC banned hlặng. In addition, military laws became stricter in a move sầu known as the “MC Mong Effect.” Mong disappeared from the public eye for years before reappearing with Miss Me or Diss Me.

Miss Me or Diss Me Album

Despite KNet protests, MC Mong’s album is performing well on domestic charts. While the success may be angering for many, the album is a win with the controversies aside. What helps the album are the featuring artists including Jinsil (Mad Soul Child), Hyorin (Sistar), Ailee, Minah (Girl’s Day), Lyn, Bumkey, and Gary among others. The 13-traông xã album is an emotional rollercoaster that provides a journey through happiness, anger, regret, and even ballsy-shamelessness to provide a tuy vậy for any mood.

The opening tuy nhiên “The Happiest Time of My Life” enlists the help of Huh Gak. The song has a 1990s throwbaông xã feel & a layer of bright sweetness that only Huh Gak can provide. “The Happiest Time” has a certain charm to lớn it. The piano has a wistful feel since it is slower than the rest of the song’s beat.

The one qualm I have sầu with “The Happiest Time” is the similar chords to lớn “I’ll Be Missing You,” Puff Daddy/P. Diddy’s 1997-hit “I’ll Be Missing You.” This is present in the first verse before shifting, but it is noticeable.

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“Miss Me or Diss Me” gets help from Mad Soul Child’s Jinsil. The tuy nhiên is gutsy and potentially angering since it does directly reference his time away (the MV does moreso in an abstract way). The beat suggests the tuy vậy is a dance traông chồng, but the lyrics turn it into something heavier and provides one of K-Pop’s better, most meaningful songs of 2014.

Jinsil from Mad Soul Child./KBeat.net

Adding Jinsil to lớn the chorus was genius, plain & simple. Her voice is one of the most quality in the industry which helps the tuy nhiên become a memorable hit. Her haunting melodies layer well the traông chồng và Mong’s emotional rap. If not for the controversies, this tuy nhiên had potential for heavy airplay. It’s a shame a great tuy vậy will become lost because of the court of public opinion.

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The third track, “Be Strong,” has Ailee providing her powerhouse vocals. Ailee’s power softens here to lớn aid in the song’s mellow sound. The lyrics are, by far, some of the best on the album as they describe being svào in the face of adversity. The lyrics read more lượt thích an inspirational greeting card with lines like “The hidden sunlight will shine on you again.” Mong’s rap & Ailee’s vocals complement each other well to strengthen the hopeful message. While listening, I was reminded of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” because the instrumentals for both assist in the aspiring message.

“New York” feels lượt thích it should be included on a drama OST. Baek Ji Young’s vocals feel very OST-ish. The 1970s US-TV-inspired instrumentals paint images of cheesy graphics, cool police cars, and the cast of Miamày Vice coming forth for some action. Okay, that’s going a bit far, but that’s the image that comes to mind. Baek Ji-Young’s vocals add a sweet & savory sensation despite the song’s cheese-factor.

“Runaway” features Lyn, và lượt thích Jinsil, her voice provides a haunting quality. The tuy nhiên is one of many on the album that has a double meaning: It could reference running away from personal struggles or running away with a lover. Either way, the song can touch a listener’s heart.

The instrumentals stand out the most due to lớn Lyn’s vocals. The subtle violins provide emotion and beauty. When combined, Mong seems khổng lồ disappear because the rest of the song’s composition can carry a listener away.

Hyorin and LeesSang’s Gary help in “Faulty Fan.” The tuy vậy is another inspiration-laced number of which Hyorin’s voice is well-suited. Gary’s rap carries the song well also. He has the right amount of magic to lớn make the song st& out, & Hyorin’s high notes give “Faulty Fan” extra oomph. Mong is relegated to background, so he’s useless in his own tuy nhiên. If the tuy vậy was just a Gary-Hyorin collaboration, it has hit-potential & is a perfect addition the K-Pop’s winter season.

“What Could I Do’s” R&B vibe is smooth & rich thanks khổng lồ Bumkey. It has a smoky club-feel to it that adds some chill to lớn the chorus & catchy beat. While Bumkey is a plus, “What Can I Do” is almost too simplistic. The tuy nhiên is nice khổng lồ listen to, but it’s far from memorable.

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Featuring The Channels, “Scandal” continues the smooth, retro theme introduced in “What Can I Do” & “Thủ đô New York.” The 1970s are alive và well as Mong covers his laông chồng of privacy. The disco-esque sound provides some fun, but The Channels (who I am convinced should collaborate with Phantom due to lớn similar vocals) shines bright. The Channels makes Mong fade into lớn the background. Given how people feel about him, this might not be a bad thing.

The doll girl from Sound Horizon’s “?????”: What I think the “0904” girls sounds lượt thích./YouTube“0904” is just a weird inclusion. The tuy vậy features a child singer which makes the tuy vậy unnerving. The strange chatter, music box instrumentals, and soft percussion just add khổng lồ the creepy factor. I was reminded of when Aramary was still with Sound Horizon and the tuy nhiên “?????” which features a creepy child doll. Some find children adorable, and this little girl might be a darling soul, but with the instrumentals, the tuy nhiên felt more suited for a horror film OST.

In any case, “0904” serves as a transition in “Siông chồng to lớn Death Pt. 2” featuring Sweden Laundry. Sweden Laundry’s vocals continue the chilly feel from “0904” since it’s clear she is supposed to be the adult version of the child. Mong’s presence returns; his rap sounds great with the traông xã. The upbeat instrumentals help carry the tuy vậy also, và it’s hard not to lớn move the music.

Girl’s Day’s Minah lends her voice to lớn the upbeat love sầu song “Whatever.” Minah’s bright, bubbly personality sparkles as she và Mong shrug off haters. The tuy nhiên also has a summery vibe, so it’s perfect for being on the beach. It’s just a dễ thương and enjoyable tune.

The joy shifts khổng lồ a darker tone with “My Love.” An ode khổng lồ an ex-lover, Mong and Sung Yoo Jin sing about moving on even if love still exists. The classical undertones in the instrumentals add twinges of regret & sadness. Mong’s rap carries a biting tone while Sung’s voice feels more hopeful. The differences help create a story full of desperation. Everything just falls into lớn place nicely.

Finally, “E.R.” brings The Channels baông xã khổng lồ cđại bại the album. While listening, the tuy vậy felt like One Republic let Mong sample part of “Apologize.” Mong’s rap is svào, but The Channels steals the show. The vocals just wash over và consume the listener like an emotional tidal wave. This tuy nhiên along with “Miss Me or Diss Me” earned the most playtime during this đánh giá. “E.R.” is just perfection and one of the top songs on the album.

Overall

Love hyên or hate hlặng, MC Mong delivered one of 2014’s better albums. Miss Me or Diss Me provides many tracks that suit any mood or listener. There is a reason why the album is performing well on the charts: It’s a legit, solid album. It may not get the love sầu the music deserves because of the hate the artist receives. If a listener can separate the two, Miss Me or Diss Me is a hit.