Chor Moua from Khype.com sent us her review of Epik High’s House of Blues show in LA. She attended with Ningin’s Danny Truong. Chor had to leave for a flight from LA to DC the next morning, but she was able to write up this review while she was on the road! Photos also by Chor!

Epik High at LA’s House of Blues
Referring to themselves as a high school band of rapping nerds, Korean hip hop sensation Epik High and the Map the Soul Tour company brought the roof down and raised the room temperature at the Los Angeles House of Blues.

Running on Asian time, (meaning it’s usually 1 hour later than the actual time scheduled) the Map the Soul Tour hit Los Angeles in high style making fans scream and faint (according to what I heard). Fans lined up starting at noon just to make sure they get the best standing spot when the show started.

Arriving on the red carpet roughly after 8:30, FAR EAST MOVEMENT along with DJ Virman, sent fans in line into a frenzy. Fans screaming, how much they love Kevin (known as Kev Nish) and how they want to marry James (Prohgress). The guys were very excited coming off an ecstatic performance in San Francisco the night before. Kevin’s glasses are the new fashion, stylish yet very retro. FAR EAST MOVEMENT’s latest song, GIRLS ON THE DANCE FLOOR has been getting a lot of radio play and just hit No. 1. ROCK ON FAR EAST MOVEMENT. Also a shoot out to my fellow NINGA (Keyboard rocker, PETER HONG).

There was another group of artist, which I totally forgot because I was too busy starring at DJ Tukutz who was waiting in line to walk the red carpet. I just remember them saying something about how great and wonderful it was to work with Far East Movement.

Kero One rolled up on the red carpet (well maybe not roll, more like walk). Not knowing much about the rapper, I anticipated his answers to the questions. Hearing the guy talk, I have a new found respect for him. Why? Cause his musical influence is SOUL music (not Seoul, the reporters had to clarify) and he doesn’t use profanity, which is A+ in my books. Kero One said he makes music for all ages and culture.

Finally, the one everyone has been waiting for EPIK HIGH. I always thought there were only 3 guys in Epik High, but there were 6 guys. I asked myself where the other guys came from. If anyone knows, let me know. Fans of course rushed over and screamed their heads off (well not literally of course). Tablo did most of the talking and it was in ENGLISH (finally something I can understand). Standing in awe and watching Epik High stand less than 5 feet from me; I couldn’t stop starring at DJ Tukutz again, why because he was mimicking all the hand gestures Tablo was doing. Hilarious. Up and down and side to side. The genuine answers from Tablo and the guys is what make Epik High fans so proud. Raw and emotional feelings of love of their fans, Epik High was on high. According to Tablo, he’s not sure if they were awake yet, since they had a very interesting after party in SF. So the question, many wanna know, are Epik High members, Boxers or Briefs? Let’s do a head count, 2 are tight trunks, 3 are boxers, and 1 is briefs. So you take a guess who wears what?

Local LA lyricist and rapper, “Dumbfounded” mced the show. I had a total fan girl experience. I have to admit, Dumbfounded always finds a way to melt my little cold heart with his witty rhymes and of course humor, plus he’s so skinny makes me wanna take him to McDonalds and eat like 10 big macs.

Far East Movement, started the show off with a spaceman theme, decked out in Spacesuits, including the helmet. Topping it off with colorful backpacks (totally reminds of me Neil Armstrong landing on the moon). The crowd jumped, hopped, swayed, and of course screamed their lungs off. It was hard to see when you’re 5feet, standing around people who are much taller and bigger than you. Far East Movement also brought out the WONG FU guys on stage to throw out some freebies. It sucks not being tall enough to grab anything. But I did get to touch them, (Fan girl moment again). If you can’t touch or see well, so what do you do, “PRESS PASS”, yeap had to work that pass around to get some actual good pictures.

Kero One was next. I love his sound, it’s refreshing and something you don’t see or hear everyday in the HIP HOP world, soft yet strong, and sexy. Maybe it’s me, but he did sort of seem nervous, or because he’s getting so much love from LA that he can’t keep his excitement in. Who knows! He had a good mixture of shows to work the crowd or you can slow the crowd down a bit as the next performer totally blew the roof off.

MYK, known by initial, well I did hear something along of the lines of Michael, so I’m guessing that’s his real name. WHOA, WHOA, is all I can say. Who needs music when you got MYK, beat boxing from any and all sounds you can think that comes with HIP HOP. Total amazement. I just wondered how much shit or saliva was on the mic when he was done. I mean from scratching to drum beats to strings sounds, the guy did it all. One performance after another, those beats he belted out or shit or whatever you wanna call it, was FRESH, NEW, and F*** AMAZING.

Last but not least, the main highlight, EPIK HIGH, came on stage ready to make everyone witness why they are so talented and unique and sexy (okay I had to add that in, I mean who can resist those guys). The screams started the moment; DJ Tukutz walked on stage to set up their set, and didn’t stop till after the show. I went deaf for a while, couldn’t hear myself think cause the screaming and of course the music was so loud. (I’m not deaf anymore of course; both ears regained hearing after the show). I couldn’t remember which songs were in the order they were singing, because I was too busy finding reception on my phone. (Damn House of Blues, no freaking reception). Fan boys were just as crazy as fan girls. I mean talk about diversity, I had to tell a guy to move cause he just walked right in front of me and blocked my view and I was already blocked by a big a$$ pillar in the middle of the place. (House of Blues, why do you have to have huge pillars in the middle of the place, short people can’t see?) The guys sang songs from the newest release, which I have to admit I haven’t fully listened to yet, but will.

In between songs, TABLO of course shared of some his feelings about the music industry in Korea and of course his love for the fans. (ROCK ON TABLO), while doing so he drops a few F bombs here and there, he must be loving the independence that they have. To top the night off, they finished with some of their Korean top charting songs, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, FLY and my favorite FAN (even though it’s talking about a crazy fan, which I’m totally not- well not at the moment). Then fans screamed and screamed, Tablo throws water into the crowd, giving fans a short bath, Mithra and his sexy slick back hair made made me wanna give him a bath for just being too hot. Then a suddenly rush of fans bum rushed the merchandise section to buy stuff, as the show ended.

All ended well, minus the whole not really getting a good place to stand or watch the show, but I did make new friends and did stare at DJ Tukutz for a good 10 mins, so all is well. Maybe next time, Epik High can have a fan meeting, so I can shake DJ Tukutz hands and never wash it again. (I missed the fan signing, had to go to DC for work- I asked myself why my work has to always ruin my fun plans, and it told me nothing I wanted to hear.)
– Chor M. Moua @ Khype.com