개리 (Gary) 1집 – 2002
Release Date: Sep 21, 2015
Genre: Rap / Hip-Hop
Language: Korean
2002 is Gary’s
first full studio album released as a soloist. This album has a lot to offer in
its ten tracks. There are features on every song with some amassing three guest
features on it. Gary stated that he worked on the album with the same type of
mindset that he had when he worked on the first Leessang album in 2002. What
does come through is a sense of clarity in each song. There is an artistic edge
to each and Gary’s artistic voice and compelling story rises above it whether
it is from the easy-going style in which he rides a beat or his thoughtful
metaphors.
Collaborating
with artists like Koonta, Jay Park, Don Mills, Double K, Park Myeong Ho, John
Park, Deepflow, Brown Eyed Soul's Youngjoon, and DJ Pumkin, Gary weaves
together an album that bears the hallmarks of past Leessang hits -- strong
featured vocals that provide choruses to anchor down the candid, sometimes
explicit lyrics that are spit out at subtly erratic rhythms.
The first track
“He’ll Do Well Anyway” kicks off with an intro that stops abruptly between
measures and makes the listener focus before bringing in Gary’s words. The two
title tracks, “Joa” featuring Jay Park and “Get Some Air” featuring Miwoo show
different sides to Gary as a rapper. “Joa” is a playful track focusing on the
physical intimacy of a relationship, while “Get Some Air” is about escaping the
pressure of everyday life and others’ judgments. Other notable tracks are
“Doong Doong” with Skull, who brings his reggae feel give the song some flair;
“Mushi Mushi,” a loud booming song that brings to mind a freestyle rap battle;
and “Shipapa,” where Leessang’s favorite vocalist Jung In and newbie Miwoo
offer fresh, soaring hooks to punctuate Gary’s groovy rapping.
“Grand Carnival” is actually the name of the
Dynamic Duo’s tour van – yes, as in a Kia Grand Carnival (aka
Kia Sedona). Korea Times reports: “They
spend more time in the van than they do at home, eating, sleeping, playing
games and producing music. Their idea with the album is to share their stories
of life as musicians.” The cover art carries this concept out as well – the
accordion-fold photo spread is a collage depicting their life on the road and
in the van. The artists appear sweaty, deranged, exhausted, yet exuberant, and
frequently pants-less…clearly having an all around grand time.
[EP] 지코 (ZICO) – GALLERY
2002 is Gary’s
first full studio album released as a soloist. This album has a lot to offer in
its ten tracks. There are features on every song with some amassing three guest
features on it. Gary stated that he worked on the album with the same type of
mindset that he had when he worked on the first Leessang album in 2002. What
does come through is a sense of clarity in each song. There is an artistic edge
to each and Gary’s artistic voice and compelling story rises above it whether
it is from the easy-going style in which he rides a beat or his thoughtful
metaphors.
