The Rapping Talent of BTS: RM, Suga, and J-Hope
BTS, the global phenomenon from South Korea, consists of seven members, each with their unique contributions. Among them, the main rappers are RM (Kim Nam-joon), Suga (Min Yoongi), and J-Hope (Jung Hoseok). They are the driving forces behind the group's music, showcasing their lyrical skills and leadership within the group.
RM: The Leader and Primary Rapper
RM, whose full name is Kim Nam-joon, is the leader of BTS. Recognized for his exceptional lyrical skills and deep voice, RM often contributes to the songwriting and production of BTS's music. He is also a versatile artist, as seen in his solo works. RM's debut solo mixtape, Rosé, was released in 2015, followed by Mono in 2018, which peaked at number 26 on the US Billboard 200 and became the highest-charting album by a Korean soloist in history.
Since then, RM has collaborated with numerous artists, including Wale, Younha, Warren G, Gaeko, Krizz Kaliko, MFBTY, Fall Out Boy, and Lil Nas X. His talent spans across different genres and collaborations, making him a celebrated rapper and singer/songwriter.
Suga: The Lead Rapper
Suga, whose real name is Min Yoongi, is the second oldest member of BTS. He is known for his powerful and innovative raps, often seen as the lead rapper in the group. Born on March 9, 1993, Suga is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He debuted with BTS in 2013 and released his first solo mixtape, Agust D, in 2016. The re-release of the mixtape reached number three on the Billboard World Albums Chart.
In 2020, Suga released his second solo mixtape, D-2, which commercially peaked at number 11 on the US Billboard 200, number seven on the UK Albums Chart, and number two on Australia's ARIA Album Chart. Suga is recognized for his songwriting and production skills; the Korea Music Copyright Association attributes over 100 songs to him as a songwriter and producer. He has won multiple awards, including the best Soul/RB track of the year at the 2017 Melon Music Awards.
J-Hope: The Sub-Rapper
J-Hope, whose real name is Jung Hoseok, is the third oldest member of BTS and is often referred to as a sub-rapper. Born on February 18, 1994, J-Hope is a South Korean rapper, singer/songwriter, dancer, and record producer. He made his first appearance with the group BTS in 2013 and has since expanded his solo career.
In 2018, J-Hope released his first solo mixtape, hope World, which received positive reviews and peaked at number 38 on the Billboard 200 in the United States, making him the highest-charting solo Korean artist on the ranking at that time. He became the first member of BTS to enter the Billboard Hot 100 as a soloist in 2019 with his single "Chicken Noodle Soup," featuring Becky G, which debuted at number 81 on the chart.
J-Hope's career continues to grow, as evidenced by his debut studio album, Jack in the Box, released in 2022.
Conclusion
BTS's rapping talent is not limited to the three main rappers described above. Each member, including Jungkook, contributes to their powerful and innovative music. However, it is clear that RM, Suga, and J-Hope are the primary forces driving the rapping aspects of the group. Their combined efforts have made BTS a global phenomenon, celebrated for their unique styles and collaborative rapping skills.