AAA is the debut studio album of South Korean record producer Lee Hwi-min. It was released on April 1, 2022, through H1ghr Music. It later won Hip-hop Album of the Year at the Korean Hip-hop Awards.
| AAA | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 1, 2022 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 26:30 | |||
| Label | H1ghr | |||
| Lee Hwi-min chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
editIn an interview with Dingo Freestyle, Lee explained the meaning of the album.[1]
"AAA", which stands for "Access All Area", is the slogan of the label "Area". Anyone with the name tag "AAA" can go anywhere during concerts. It's like a free pass to go anywhere, whether it's a waiting room or a sound room. Similarly, I want to be a producer when I want to and I want to film a video when I want to. I think it's an album that I made with the feeling of "I'll do those without restriction."
Release
editOn March 30, 2022, H1ghr Music announced the expiration of Lee's exclusive contract on Instagram. However, it turned out to be an April Fools' Day prank. On April 1, the tracklist and featuring artists of the album were revealed.[2]
Music and lyrics
editLee sets a "gloomy and rough" mood and adds flair to the album by reflecting foreign trends. "Moshpit Only" features a Pi'erre Bourne-style trap beat and Paul Blanco's "confident" rap.[3]
Critical reception
editHwang Du-ha of Rhythmer rated the album 3.5 out of 5 stars. He wrote that Lee expanded his musical scope with a production of outstanding quality and wide range of featuring artists. He concluded that he smartly overcame the moment when his career could have been stuck in a rut.[4]
Jeong Su-min of IZM also rated it 3.5 out of 5 stars. She wrote that Lee succeeded in expanding his area by bringing together stars and rookies and domestic and foreign artists although there was no adventurous attempt.[3]
Critics of Music Y rated "Yooooo" 3.5 out of 5 stars. Jeong Byeong-uk wrote that there is no fresh flow nor sound.[5]
Year-end lists
edit| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhythmer | 10 Best Korean Rap Albums of 2022 | Honorable mention | [6] |
Awards
edit| Award | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Korean Hip-hop Awards | 2023 | Hip Hop Album of the Year | Won | [7] |
Track listing
editAll music is composed by GroovyRoom
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Moshpit Only" (featuring Paul Blanco) | Paul Blanco | Sesame | 2:21 |
| 2. | "Gotta Lotta Shit" (featuring Dbo, Sokodomo, Kash Bang) | Dbo, Sokodomo, Kash Bang | Sesame, Dbo, Sokodomo, Kash Bang | 2:57 |
| 3. | "Yooooo" (featuring Kid Milli, Sokodomo, Polodared) | Kid Milli, Sokodomo, Polodared | GooseBumps, Sokodomo | 3:03 |
| 4. | "A-Team Freestyle" (featuring ASAP Ant, Bill Stax, Strick, Mirani) | ASAP Ant, Bill Stax, Strick, Mirani | ASAP Ant, Bill Staz, Strick, Mirani | 3:09 |
| 5. | "Slatty Slut" (featuring Sik-K) | Sik-K | Sik-K | 2:01 |
| 6. | "On the Block" (featuring Coogie, Ourealgoat, Leellmarz) | Coogie, Ourealgoat, Leellamarz | 3:08 | |
| 7. | "Die Hard" (featuring Reddy, Swervy) | Reddy, Swervy, Sui | Sesame, Reddy, Swervy | 2:58 |
| 8. | "Boss" (featuring Saay, Big Naughty, Goosebumps) | Saay, Big Naughty | GooseBumps, Saay, Big Naughty | 3:14 |
| 9. | "Back in My Area" (featuring GGM Lil Dragon, Lil Gimchi, Skinny Brown, June One) | GGM Lil Dragon, Lil Gimchi, Skinny Brown, Kim Jun-won | GGM Lil Dragon, Lil Gimchi, Skinny Brown, Kim Jun-won | 3:35 |
| Total length: | 26:30 | |||
References
edit- ^ "유명 플레이어하고만 작업하는 게 재미가 없었어요 / [WING Interview] 릴 모쉬핏 (Lil Moshpit, 그루비룸 휘민)" [Only working with famous players wasn't fun]. Dingo Freestyle (in Korean). May 7, 2022.
- ^ Choi, Yong-hwan (April 1, 2022). "하이어뮤직 신인 아티스트 '릴 모쉬핏' 데뷔 앨범 발표 인터뷰" [H1ghr Music new artist 'Lil Moshpit' debut album release interview]. Hypebeast Korea (in Korean).
- ^ a b Jeong, Su-min (May 2022). "AAA". Izm (in Korean).
- ^ Hwang, Du-ha (May 3, 2022). "릴 모쉬핏 - AAA". Rhythmer (in Korean).
- ^ "[Single-Out #394-3] 릴모쉬핏 「Yooooo (feat. 키드밀리, 소코도모, 폴로다레드)」". Music Y (in Korean). April 11, 2022.
- ^ "2022 국내 랩/힙합 앨범 베스트 10". Rhythmer (in Korean). December 31, 2022.
- ^ "한국힙합어워즈 2023 수상작" [Korean Hip-hop Awards 2023 winners]. Korean Hip-hop Awards (in Korean).