One cannot understate Jay Park‘s influence in the music world. Starting as a b-boy in the Seattle area, his talents transcend the typical mold of a dancer. Combining his dancing skills with exemplary vocal skills, his talents have solidified himself as a very top talent in all of Asia.
After creating a more than a successful individual career, Park and Simon D made a huge announcement in September 2013. This is where AOMG or “Above Ordinary Music Group” began, located in Seattle, Washington.
Originally signing composer Jun Goog, singer and producer Gray, and longtime AOM (Art of Movement, Jay Park’s B-Boy group) member Cha Cha Malone. The young group made their first official release with Gray’s “Call Me Gray” mini-album.
The group decided to relocate from Seattle to Seoul, South Korea. Being located in the epicenter of the scene would prove to be very beneficial for the up-and-coming label.
AOMG would later pick up numerous huge stars in South Korea, including Loco, Ugly Duck, Hoodie, DJ Pumkin, and more.
In 2016, Korean mass media company CJ E&M announced that they will be making a partnership with AOMG. The Korean mega-company would cover distribution, marketing, concerts and logistics for Park’s label. This was huge for the growth of AOMG.
With such an influential group of artists, I believe that going in-depth with each member of the group is very beneficiary to understand the reach that AOMG has in the music world.
AOMG Breakdown
Jay Park
Not much more can be said about Jay Park that we don’t already know. If you want to learn more about the Washington born superstar, you can check out the article I wrote focusing on him here.
As for something we don’t know, Jay Park revealed the reason he started AOMG in the first place on Mnet’s show 4gaji. On the show, Park stated, “I wanted to do something fun with the people I like.” He would continue, “If Simon D or I wanted to make money, we would’ve joined an agency. But right now, sharing what I like with others and making new things are more enjoyable for me. I have many mouths to feed as the co-CEO. I will be working hard on everything.”
This was before Simon Dominic would separate from AOMG in 2018. However, this illustrates the passion that Park has for the industry. Park wasn’t interested in chasing money. Instead, he would create a platform for young artists to succeed in a new and creative way.
Jay Park – Dank
Gray
Gray, Korean name 이성화, was born in Seoul, South Korea. He is the main producer of AOMG and is the mastermind of countless hits. Being one of the very first members to sign with the label, he’s been a mainstay for AOMG’s growth in the industry.
Officially debuting in 2015, the artist is not only a producer. He began writing his own raps in high school before he would enlist in South Korea’s military due to the mandatory enlistment law. He would later return to his education in University where he would realize that his true calling was music, according to kpopeurope’s Gray interview.
Gray’s 2013 album “Call Me Gray’ would feature artists the likes of Jay Park, Crush, and Dok2. With this early notoriety, Gray would continue to build his career through collaborations with some of Korea’s biggest artists.
His signature calling card on each song, the muttering of his name “Gray” on each produced track is now easily recognizable way of realizing his work.
As the talented artist continues to push the boundaries of music with a number of releases and different producing titles, Gray is here to stay.
Gray – TMI
Loco
권혁우, better known by his stage name Loco has been a force in the Korean hip-hop scene for a number of years. Originally rising to prominence in 2012 by winning Mnet’s very first Show Me The Money.
Loco would start solo with his project “See the Light,” and would join the crew “VV:D” alongside prominent artists the likes of Crush, Zion.T, and Elo. This is where he would first connect with his fellow label-mate Gray, who was also a member of the crew.
The artist has made it known that his biggest inspiration to start writing raps was listening to Kanye West in high school. This is a reoccurring theme in Korean hip-hop, where the State’s biggest artists have a lasting influence on up-and-coming artists overseas.
With a plethora of album releases including Bleached, Summer Go Loco, and 2019’s Hello, Loco seems to have captured the spotlight of the Korean music scene.
However, as of February 7th, 2019, Loco has officially enlisted in South Korea’s military to fulfill his two years of mandatory service. It seems as if we’ll need to wait two more years to see more from the esteemed artist.
Loco – It’s been a while(오랜만이야)
Cha Cha Malone
The outlier of AOMG, Cha Cha Malone was born in Seattle, Washington. The only member of the label not from Korean descent, he has a storied history in the hip-hop scene.
Cha Cha would partner up with friend, label-mate, and business partner Jay Park in 2009 as members of AOM (The Art of Movement). He would obtain notoriety through his b-boy days with Jay Park in the Seattle area. Malone also has producing ties to B-Boy Fidget.
A talented producer, Cha Cha has had his hands in numerous multi-platinum tracks throughout his time. He has made music with Korean superstars like Beenzino, Dok2, Nu’est, and mega-group Red Velvet.
He got his solo start with his EP titled Breakthrough, which was featured on iTunes at the time. Cha Cha also produced a total of nine tracks on Jay Park’s multi-platinum monster releases Take a Deeper Look and New Breed.
Malone’s presence and influence in AOMG’s growth, not to mention Jay Park’s growth, cannot be understated. He has had, and continues to have, an essential role in the growth of the Seattle born label, turned Korean mega group.
The Flavr Blue – 365 (Feat. Jay Park & Cha Cha Malone)
ELO
Seoul, South Korea born ELO released his first single in 2013. He would garner attention with the media due to his esteemed sensibility and levelheadedness.
These same attributes are what pushed AOMG to sign the artist, officially picking him up in 2014. ELO would release his first album titled 8Femmes in 2016 with great critical reviews. Although not having an extensive catalog, ELO has worked alongside some of AOMG’s biggest artists.
Features including Jay Park, Hoody, Gray, and more are commonplace for the up-and-coming musician. The thing that stands out most about ELO is his style and sound. A stark contrast to the majority of AOMG, he’s a breath of fresh air.
ELO would also join the VV:D crew with his other label members. With his charming personality and way with the media, he continues to allude to future works on the way.
ELO – OSAKA (Feat. ZICO)
Ugly Duck
Possibly AOMG’s truest rapper, Ugly Duck brings the grit to the group. With titles such as “A Piece Of Cake” (ft. INCREDIVLE) and an appearance on the historic “117 Remix,” Ugly Duck is primed to the scene.
Originally a true underground artist, Ugly Duck signed with AOMG in 2014 alongside fellow label mate DJ Wegun. He and Wegun’s partnership would continue to grow under the AOMG label, mixing the producer and lyricist to create a cohesive sound.
His name, as described by himself, is because he “wants to rap ugly.” Originally found by Simon Dominic, Ugly Duck would rise the ranks in the hip-hop scene quick.
Releasing Scene Stealers alongside Jay Park, Ugly Duck continues to create his own path to success. Although we’ve seen no releases from him in 2019, we can expect to see Ugly Duck making moves again soon.
Ugly Duck – a piece of cake (Feat. INCREDIVLE)
DJ Wegun
DJ Wegun’s history is a storied prize in Korean hip-hop. Originally apart of the influential Soul Company, a hugely successful hip-hop record label and talent agency that was originally based in Seoul.
First performing under the label in 2008, he would travel on tour and perform in several shows. This is when he would release his first single titled “Atomic Anatomy.” The release of the single would bring more attention to the young performer, and he would kick it into another gear the following years.
The DJ’s first EP titled School for Dummies was released in 2009. This would make way for an assortment of projects for the prospective DJ. The following years would see his 2010 release Groove for Buddies and his 2011 release Soul Food Maker make huge splashes in the scene.
With a sizable list of projects, DJ Wegun’s hard work showed South Korea that he was one of the best DJ’s in the game. Following Soul Company’s closing, his reputation would earn him an invite to join Park’s AOMG.
Now working as a mainstay producer for both AOMG and part time for Illionaire Records, Wegun’s name is synonymous with the Korean hip-hop scene.
DJ Wegun (DJ 웨건) – ‘서툴러 (Feat. sogumm & 펀치넬로 punchnello)’
DJ PUMKIN
DJ PUMKIN has had a lasting impact in the Korean music scene. Originally a member of the DJ team, Unknown DJS, he would grind for many years in order to captivate audiences with his one-of-a-kind beats.
In 2011 he would create Back&Forth, joining up with both DJ Wegun and Primary. This group would prove beneficial for all parties, as the association between the group would grow stronger. PUMKIN still acts as the leader of the group today.
PUMKIN has worked alongside a number of Korea’s biggest domestic hip-hop players. These artists include the group Epik High, Deepflow, the partnership of Dynamic Duo, Dok2, and many more.
With this many connections to the music landscape in Korea, PUMKIN has identified himself as a major player in the scene. Officially apart of AOMG since 2014, the DJ now resides as the CO-CEO of AOMG alongside Jay Park.
Loco(로꼬) _ RESPECT (Feat. GRAY & DJ Pumkin)
Hoody
AOMG’s only woman member, Hoody holds down the R&B side of the team. Hoody’s original debut was in 2013 with her single “My Ride” doing numbers. Her original style put her centerfold in the industry quick.
Originally getting her start in the all woman team Amourettes, Hoody continued to create her own opportunities, building her name in the process.
She would sign with AOMG in 2015, later releasing her biggest work yet, On and On in 2016. The album would achieve great critical acclaim and yet again push her to the top of the scene. Her stylistic approach to her music and personal touch on each song is what keeps listeners coming back.
Working closely with Cha Cha Malone as her producer, Hoody is in a great place as she continues to master her craft. Thus far in 2019 the talented artist has released a total of four singles. We can look forward to an album on the rise soon as she keeps working with AOMG’s best.
Hoody (후디) – Sunshine (Feat. Crush)
Woo Won Jae (Woo)
Last but not least is the Show Me The Money 6 participant Woo Won Jae. Captivating judges including Tiger JK, who would later take him into his team, with his rap style and lyrics.
Woo would ultimately place third in the season, but not without amassing a passionate fan following. After his star-striking and surprising performance in Korea’s number one platform for rappers, the Above Ordinary Music Group would pick him up in October 2018.
The newly discovered artist would instantly top charts with his single release “We Are” with Loco and Gray. He met the two while attending Hongik University and would form the group known as Brainswords. This relationship would tie them together for the years to come.
Show Me The Money 6 gave him the platform, and he capitalized on the opportunity. 2016 would see Woo Won Jae’s first album titled Af, and would open a whole new door for his career to waltz through.
Since, you can find the rapper on a number of different releases and features. Seen on songs with Giriboy, Simon Dominic, and more; Woo Won Jae continues to push the boundaries of his capabilities in music.
우원재 (Woo) – ‘울타리 (a fence)’
When It’s All Said and Done
The Above Ordinary Music Group is a force to be reckoned with in the Korean music world. With more names connected with the AOMG group, it was a challenge gathering adequate information for each member.
Simon D may seem vacant from the article, but I plan on creating a more in-depth piece about his history and come-up in the near future.
As ties between the States and Korea grow through media presence, and with artists like Black Pink performing at Coachella, I believe that AOMG is just getting started taking their place in the global music
