Outsider (rapper)

Outsider (아웃사이더)
Birth name	Shin Ok-cheol (신옥철)
Born	21 March 1983 Namsang-dong, South Korea
Origin	Seoul, South Korea
Genres	Korean hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper, Songwriter, Lyricist
Years active	2004-present
Labels	ASSA Communication (current) Sniper Sound (former)

Shin Ok-cheol (Hangul: 신옥철; born 21 March 1983), known by his stage name Outsider (Hangul: 아웃사이더), is a South Korean rapper.^[1] He is known for his speed-rapping and is able to rap 21 syllables per second.^[2] After a conflict between Outsider and MC Sniper's label, Sniper Sound, in July 2013, Outsider left the label and signed with ASSA.^[3]

2004-2008: Discovery and Soliloquist

In 2004, Outsider began his career as an underground rapper and achieved some success with his debut EP "Come Outside". He released his first single "Speed Star" in 2006 and promoted the title track, "Motivation", on the SBS variety show The Truth Game.^[4] His fast rapping skills impressed Korean hip-hop legend, MC Sniper, who signed Outsider to his label, "Sniper Sound". On 25 October 2007, Outsider released his first full-length studio album, Soliloquist.^[5]

2008-2009: Maestro and Mainstream Success

After a year hiatus, Outsider's second album, released 1 June 2009, Maestro, had more mainstream success.^[6] The title track "Loner" held the #1 spot on both the Mnet and Melon music charts for more than five weeks, making Outsider one of the fastest rappers to reach #1 on Korean music charts. Outsider has performed on MBC, SBS, KBS, Mnet, and had appeared on SBS's Star King as a special guest. After the promotion for "Loner" ended, he started to promote another track from the same album titled "My Youth Confession"; the track was successful. Outsider has worked with underground and overground rappers such as MC Sniper, L.E.O, Illnit, DJ R2, Bae Chi Gi, Dok2, and more. He also did a special performance alongside singer K.Will.^[7]

2010-2012: Vol. 2.5 The Outsider, Hero and Mandatory Military Service

After a short hiatus, he returned on 2 March 2010 to release an EP titled "Vol. 2.5 The Outsider"^[8] along with a music video for the album's single, "Acquaintance (주변인)", in which Outsider revisits the sound of "Loner", which mixes hip-hop with a classical edge. During this period, he garnered publicity for his remake of Big Bang's "Lies". He was also featured on a charity single entitled "Faddy Robot Foundation" with Vasco, Verbal Jint(버벌 진트), Sangchu, Yong Junhyung, Joosuc, Hyuna, and Zico.^[9]

On 21 October 2010, he released his 3rd album titled "Hero" along with two singles; "주인공 (Hero)" featuring fellow label-mate, LMNOP, and "Attitude Needed When Breaking Up (이별할 때 필요한 자세)" featuring fellow hip-hop artist, Kuan of All That.^[10] The album garnered success, despite being released without a music video or many live performances to promote the album. The song "Hero" rose to #7 on the Mnet Single Charts, #5 on Melon, and #4 on the prestigious Gaon Chart. On 21 December 2010, Outsider enlisted for mandatory military service for five weeks of basic training followed by 21 months of active duty in Wonju, Gangwon Province. He was discharged on 24 September 2012.^[11]

Outsider was married on 31 March 2012 at Seoul's Gangnam Imperial Palace Hotel. His wife is director of a dance troupe as well as the CEO of a cultural contents enterprise.^[12]

2013-present: Rebirth Outsider and Sniper Sound conflict

In June 2013, after a three year hiatus, Outsider announced plans to release his 4th studio album in July.^[13] On 25 June 2013, Outsider pre-released the single "Crying Bird" featuring Lee Soo Young.^[14]

On 4 July 2013, Outsider filed a lawsuit against Sniper Sound over financial issues.^[15] In a press release, Outsider claimed he never received proper pay or credit for his various activities and copyrights. Sniper Sound in turn filed an opposing lawsuit against Outsider calling him to halt his recent activities. The conflict broke when fans were unable to buy Outsider's previous songs from 2007-2010 released under MC Sniper's Sniper Sound because they were no longer available.^[16]

On 22 July 2013, despite the conflict with his former label, Outsider made his first official comeback after being discharged from the military with the mini album "Rebirth Outsider" under his own label "ASSA Communication".^[17] The album's title track Bye U features G.O. of MBLAQ as Outsider's first idol collaboration. The album also features San E, female rapper Tymee (formerly E.via) and more.^[18]

Discography

Albums

Title	Album details	Peak position	Ref
		KOR
Soliloquist	Released: 25 October 2007 Label: Sniper Sound	[No data]
Maestro	Released: 1 June 2009 Label: Sniper Sound
The Outsider	Released: 2 March 2010 Label: Sniper Sound	6	[19]
Hero	Released: 21 October 2010 Label: Sniper Sound	7	[20]
Pride & Prejudice	Released: 12 March 2015 Label: ASSA Communication	41	[21]

EPs

Title	Album details	Peak position	Ref
		KOR
Come Outside	Released: 6 January 2004 Label: OGAM Entertainment	[No data]
Rebirth Outsider	Released: 23 July 2013 Label: ASSA Communication	6	[22]

Singles

Title	Year	Peak position	Ref
		KOR
"Speed Star"	2006	[No data]
"Please Don't Go" (with San E & Chang-min)	2011	14	[23]
"슬피 우는 새" (feat. Lee Soo-young)	2013	7	[24]
"희망고문"		63	[25]
"Hand"	2014	25	[26]
"날씨가 좋아" (with RapStar)		—
"Star Warz" (with Twista)	2015	—
"Tattoo" (feat. Navi)		70	[27]
"Cloud" (feat. Mellow)		—
"피고 지는 날들" (feat. 라뮤즈)	2016	—
"엘팬의 북소리" (with Tymee)		—

Awards

Mnet Asian Music Awards

Year	Category	Work	Result
2009	Best Hip Hop Performance[28]	"Loner"	Nominated
2010	Best Rap Performance[29]	"Outsider"	Nominated

References

1. "아웃사이더 소개" [Introduction to Outsider]. Mnet (in Korean). Retrieved 7 June 2016.
2. "Star Focus: Outsider". Arirang. Korea International Broadcasting Foundation. Retrieved 20 May 2011. Amongst the many rappers, Outsider distinguishes himself! He can go through 21 syllables per second, and his rap is the result of hard practice.
3. "ASSA Communication". ASSA Communication. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
4. "Outsider". Generasia. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
5. "[Album] Outsider". Kpop Explorer. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
6. "[Album] Outsider – Maestro". Kpop Explorer. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
7. "Outsider (with K.will) - Loner". MBC Kpop. 6 February 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
8. "[Mini Album] Outsider Vol 2.5 – Acquaintance: The Outsider". Kpop Explorer. 2 May 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
9. "[News] Faddy Robot Foundation releases a charity song featuring Yong Junhyung". DkpopNews. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
10. "[Album] Outsider Vol. 3 – Hero". Kpop Explorer. 21 October 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
11. Lee, Tae-ho (24 September 2012). "Park Hyo-shin, Outsider Fulfill 2-year Military Service". 10 Asia. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
12. "Korean rapper Outsider is married". Yahoo!. 2 April 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
13. "Outsider To Release 4th Album in July". HipHopKR. 11 June 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
14. "Outsider Releases Music Video for "Sad Crying" Featuring Lee Soo Young". Soompi. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
15. "Side Chatter: 12 July 2013". MTVk. 12 July 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
16. "Outsider and Sniper Sound sue each other". All Kpop. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
17. "Outsider releases MV for "Bye U" ft. MBLAQ's G.O + 'Rebirth Outsider' mini album". AllKpop. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
18. "Outsider Brings the House Down in "Bye U" (Featuring MBLAQ's G.O.) MV". Soompi. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
19. "Gaon Album Chart, 28 February - 6 March, 2010". Gaon Chart. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
20. "Gaon Album Chart, 17-23 October, 2010". Gaon Chart. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
21. "Gaon Album Chart, 8-14 March, 2015". Gaon Chart. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
22. "Gaon Album Chart, 21-27 July 2013". Gaon Chart. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
23. "Gaon Digital Chart, 24-30 April, 2011". Gaon Chart. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
24. "Gaon Digital Chart, 23-29 June 2013". Gaon Chart. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
25. "Gaon Digital Chart, 8-14 September 2013". Gaon Chart. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
26. "Gaon Digital Chart, 4-10 May, 2014". Gaon Chart. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
27. "Gaon Digital Chart, 1-7 February, 2015". Gaon Chart. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
28. "2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards Part1". MAMA. Retrieved 2014-12-18.
29. Hicap, Jonathan M. (October 29, 2010). "Controversial Mnet Asian Music Awards bares nominees". Manila Bulletin. Manila Bulletin Publishing. Retrieved February 12, 2011.