Agust D vs. RM

Disclaimer

This is not a proposal to determine which mixtape is better than the other. I’m simply addressing similarities and contrasts between these rappers, along with analyzing the perception the music evokes to the listener. I know there will be people who perceive this post as something negative and biased, but I can tell you I am not biased nor do I favor one over the other.

•••

August 16, 2016 was the day the world set on fire with the release of Suga's first mixtape!

If you haven’t heard it yet, quickly grab your earbuds and be ready to jam and mind-boggled by one of the most personal and empirical K-pop rapper I've heard of thus far. Agust D has been out for about 6 months now. Since that times, lots of things had to be processed and take in, but now I believe this is enough time to "somewhat" grasp the anatomy of the tracks...and the mixtape as a whole.

I have noticed some very, very curious things while analyzing this mixtape. (Yes, I have done a very thorough job with analyzing this...it's actually horrifying to look at my history to see Agust D printed all over it )

Agust D being the second mixtape dropped by a member of BTS, (RM was the first, being released in 2015), it's inexorable to find those who compare these two mixtapes.

That's why I am here today to distinguish the similarities and variances between these two distinct and diligent artists.

I am going to minutely investigate 3 very imperative units of these mixtapes:

• hip-hop influence

• matters/messages illustrated

• solo vs. BTS production

I think Agust D is carefully and well produced for many reasons. For one, the style of rap Suga uses is very different from what he’s done in BTS.

Even when he repetitively uses lyrics from "Cypher" (you can’t control my shit) and "Never Mind" ("I don’t give a shit, I don’t give a fuck") the way in which he uses these lyrics are divergent in contrast from how they are portrayed in Bangtan tracks are so extreme that sometimes you can't even tell they all originated from the same motifs.

Undoubtedly, he does has a linkage to the music he makes in BTS and he builds up a character that is firm, utterly consistent, and true to himself. This tells us he doesn’t fling words around meaninglessly, mindlessly, and without consciousness.

If he is found using the same set of lyrics/phrases more than once, I believe it is a way of expressing how he truly believes what he's rapping. Thus, it really exhibits how capable Suga is at "reusing" tropes into having blossomed, novel messages.

Now, looking at Rap Monster, he has a different kind of approach when it comes to rap. It's very melodic and somewhat colloquial and conversational.

In comparison to Suga who tends to depict around rhythms, heavy wordplay, and trivvy beats, Rap Monster's production falls under melody-focused rap.

Just like Suga, I sense another resemblance of pure consistency and strong, firm style. However, Rap Monster's inclination towards similar styles in both artistic perspectives reveals that he doesn't gravitate himself away from BTS and his solo psychology.

Suga on the other hand, has a very distinct divide between his solo and group mentality. While his production within BTS is laboriously involved with pop cultures and mainstream tracks, along with slow, easy rhythms, and melodic components, in his solo production, he really characterizes fast diss tracks.

The way I think of it, Suga is wearing a mask. His style alters, but never fades away. The ability to strive in many styles which include heavy rhythms and slow, melodic textures is a talent that most artists lack.

Still don't understand?

Take Butterfly versus Agust D and Let Me Know versus So Far Away. The styles differ and change...no, they're nowhere near the same.

Now compare Rap Monster in Baepsae or Let Me Know and compare how he sounds in Monster or Voice. I'm sure you felt a surge of similarity and resonance as you listened to these tracks.

Right now, let's look at the various hip hop influences seen in both mixtapes.

I find it really interesting how different Rap Mon and Suga’s styles are. Of course, they’re two different artists, and two different people. However, their influences for the music they produce has a very strong divide. You can see this pretty clearly when looking at the song "Hip Hop Lover".

Rap Monster draws off his main influences including KRS-One, Eminem, and Jay Z. Suga seems to be influenced a ton from Kanye West. You can hear the differences in their mixtapes clearly. RM has a much more soft, yet hard, style similiar to an artist like Eminem. It feels much more modern and current.

But you can find Agust D combines more hip hop and funk styles in his tracks that are typical of earlier artists from the 90’s (“724148” and “140503 At Dawn”).

Despite those couple songs on his tracklist, they're pretty current, and something I believe Suga was playing around with...perhaps experimenting with the different styles and funk he could propose to possibly shake up the fandom.

The title song even samples a patt of James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” and uses the short snippet with a very interesting twist. This is similar to how Rap Monster draws from Major Lazer’s “Aerosol Can” for “Do You.”

Now for the most interesting thing to analyze about these mixtapes: the messages and stories that the two artists shared.

One of the main things that shocked people about Suga’s mixtape was the lyrics. He presents extremely raw and heartfelt descriptions of his mental state throughout the years, including his depression detailed in the popular track “The Last.”

Yoongi takes us through the sickness in that song, his voice rough and slight coughing echoes in the background as he talks about going to the psychiatrist with his parents, about how lost he felt, and how he killed his own personality and aspirations in order to not feel anything.

This momentous track, "The Last", as well as the raw end to the mixtape “So Far Away” really gives us a deeper look at his hardships and struggles that go beyond what most Korean rappers, or even rappers, would never think of addressing.

Rap Monster also lets us into his personal life and struggles. However, while Agust D presents us with an idea of his overcoming leading to clever diss tracks and major empowerment, Rap Monster depicts a defensive perspective.

In the first track of RM, “Voice", Rap Monster expresses in an aggravated and somewhat stressed hush because of his frustration with people’s improper criticism of his music.

It’s easy to say that he’s emotionally unhealthy due to such conflicts and feels mentally wounded by what others say, but he continues to defend himself in such a manner.

This is the biggest difference between these well-crafted mixtapes. Rap Monster’s most personal topic, which he brings up in many tracks, is how he feels because of the hate he receives for being an idol instead of a true specimen of hip hop.

Suga, on the other hand, doesn’t bother arguing or defending himself from others. In his title track, he goes straight to conclusions and refuses to pick up a fight...he gingerly bashes away others judgements with pure dissing and offense.

In all, both mixtapes show us a very vulnerable side of their producers!

It is well-crafted music that I enjoy. It's beautiful to know that these artists aren't afraid to talk about themselves or what they believe. I always knew Bangtan's rapper line was no joke. For now, I'm just waiting on J-hope...

First Written: 3/10/2017

Originally Posted Here