Epik High

South Korea, 2001–now

South Korean hip-hop trio led by Tablo, formed in 2001. Literate, melancholy and musically restless, they made hip-hop respectable in Korea and became the group later idols point to as their reason for starting.

MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced Epik High and 1 artist Epik High influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Epik High?

• A Tribe Called Quest — The group's own answer to what shaped them — jazz-sampled, conversational, built on a crew rather than a star.
• Nirvana — Tablo's other half — the alternative rock he was listening to alongside the rap, and where the group's louder, unpolished records come from.
• The Smashing Pumpkins — Named in the same breath as Nirvana, and the closer match: the melodic, self-dramatising side of Epik High is Corgan's.

Which artists did Epik High influence?

• BTS — RM has said BTS would not exist without Epik High - the group that proved Korean hip-hop could be literate, personal and successful.