[News]Epik High Embarks on World Tour-Epik High

Epik High will go on a world tour, with concerts in Japan, Korea and United States. / Courtesy of organizers

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Hip-hop group Epik High is embarking on its first ever ``Map the Soul" world tour, with concerts in Seoul, Tokyo, Kobe, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and San Francisco through May.

``Epik High's `Map the Soul' World Tour is not only the biggest K-pop tour of 2009 to hit America but also the first time ever a Korean artist has launched a world tour to support a worldwide album release," organizers said.

Composed of Tablo, Mithra Jin and DJ Tukutz, Epik High is one of the most popular hip-hop groups in Korea. The band has recently gone independent and has produced a special album, ``Map the Soul." The new album is exclusively available from their Web site (www.mapthesoul.com), and can be downloaded from Apple's iTunes online store worldwide.

The band kicks off its tour April 26 at Wynterland, in Kobe, Japan, followed by a performance at Shibuya Ax in Tokyo, April 28.

Epik High returns to Seoul May 2 for a concert at the Melon-AX before heading to the United States. Fans can catch the band's performances May 15 at Treasure Island, San Francisco; May 16 at House of Blues, Los Angeles; May 22 at Hiro Ballroom, New York City and May 23 at King Cat Theater, Seattle.

Joining Epik High for its world tour are urban musician MYK, rapper Kero One and Beatbox DG. Battle MC Dumfoundead will be hosting the show in L.A., while Asian-American hip-hop group Far East Movement will be performing with Epik High on their U.S. shows.

For the concerts in Japan, tickets are available at www.sound-c.co.jp and www.red-hot.ne.jp. For the Seoul concert, visit ticket.interpark.com, and for concerts in the U.S., visit www.cgnlive.com.

Meanwhile, Epik High gave a preview of what fans can expect from its up-coming concert tour on new music show MTV The Stage, Saturday evening.

Epik High electrified the small crowd of fans that gathered at MTV Korea studios in Chungmuro, with fresh songs from their latest album, such as ``Map the Soul," ``Top Gun," ``Cipher" and ``Believe." Some of their new songs were banned from the major broadcasting networks, but Epik High seemed to relish the chance to play the songs for MTV Korea.

Fans went wild when the band performed some of their old songs, like ``Pyeonghwa-eui Nal,'' ``Breakdown," ``Love Love Love," and an acoustic version of ``One." Tablo even invited MYK to perform an impromptu freestyle rap session, which had the audience amazed at their rapping skills. The show ended on a high note, with the crowd-pleasing ``Fly."

MTV The Stage featuring Epik High will air May 14, 12:50 a.m. on MTV Korea. Visit mtv.co.kr.

Credit:cathy@koreatimes.co.kr
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