School Librarian in Action: Why Kim Namjoon's Off Beat Rapping is Sexy (2 of 2)

Sunday, March 13, 2022

Why Kim Namjoon's Off Beat Rapping is Sexy (2 of 2)

The Gravity of Namjoon’s Lag Rap

Namjoon has been lag rapping since 2014. Forever Rain, a track in Mono (2018) is a slow rap that lags and appears to be syncopated (more on this in a future post). I take it that he is simply going back to how things were when he off beat raps in the PTD concert. I do not belittle this gesture. In fact, this is a nuance that reflects his philosophy, if not, his principles as an artist, poet and musician.

The Bangtan Boys are all grown up now. They have reached the apex of their career. Each of the OT7 are pursuing their own artistic inclinations but with constant reflection as evidenced in their current body of works, interviews and choice performances. It can be an exciting and frightening time. Overwhelming too. What better way to begin planning for the next chapter of their career but to go back to the very beginning. An examination of who they are and the eternal why of being Bulletproof Boy Scouts.

So, as Kim Namjoon seemingly infused a new style of rap that is fun and unique, there is more to that. It is an act that goes beyond thinking and reflection. It is taking action. It is an assertion of his role as leader and a reminder to ARMY and audiences all over the world of BTS’ artistic identity. By remaining true to oneself and one’s purpose amidst changes and developments within and in the external environment, BTS has become a formidable brand established over years of hard work and sacrifice.

BTS is very much like the idea of syncopation: different, disrupters of the status quo who blend so beautifully in the songs of our lives. ARMY is right behind them when they say so. Always.

Sources of video and photos

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