Woo Jin-won (Korean우진원, October 25, 1978), better known by his stage name Masta Wu (마스타 우), is a South Korean rapper, songwriter and producer.[1] His previous stage name was Ginnwon.[2] He was also a part of the hip hop project duo YMGA.[3]

Masta Wu
마스타 우
June 12, 2015, New York City
June 12, 2015, New York City
Background information
Birth nameWoo Jin-won
Born (1978-10-25) October 25, 1978 (age 45)
Seoul, South Korea
OriginSeoul, South Korea
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, composer
Years active2000–present
Labels
Formerly ofYMGA, YG Family

Career

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After being an underground rapper, Woo signed with YG Entertainment.[3] He released his first album, Masta Peace in 2003,[4] and his second album Brand Wu Year in 2007.[5]

In 2014, he was one of the producers of the talent show Show Me The Money 3.[6][7]

He wrote several songs for his label-mates, for example project duo Hi Suhyun, solo singer Lee Hi and girl band 2NE1.[1][8][9] As of December 2023 he has 93 songs credited to his name at the Korea Music Copyright Association.[10]

In 2016, he announced his departure from YG Entertainment to establish his own label.[11]

In 2020, Masta Wu released the song "Romance" via his Soundcloud.[12] The song served as a pre-release to his first extended play, Father.[13]

In 2023, Masta Wu released a new single called "Water," announcing that he would be releasing his third full album later in the year.[14]

Discography

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Albums

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  • Masta Peace (2003)
  • Brand Wu Year (2007)
  • Father (2020)

Charted songs

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Year Title Peak positions Sales
KOR
2007 "Don't Stop" (feat. Jinu) 43[15] 1,261 (physical)[15]
2014 "Come Here" (feat. Dok2, Bobby) 8[16] 169,275+ (digital)[17]
2016 "Yamaha"
2017 "Shit"[18]
2023 "Water" (feat. Keith Ape)

References

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  1. ^ a b "마스타우 "6년 공백, 양현석 대표에게 서운하냐고요?"" (in Korean). Yonhap. 2014-12-14. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  2. ^ "고준희 마스타우, 열애설 부인 후 심야 데이트 장면 포착 '진실은?'" (in Korean). The Financial News. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  3. ^ a b "Masta Wu". KBS World Radio. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
  4. ^ "Masta Wu to Release New Song in Six Years through YG Hip Hop Project 2". MWAVE. 2014-11-28. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
  5. ^ "마스타우 솔직 고백 "무브먼트 디스, 악감정은 없었다"" (in Korean). Newsen. 2007-03-21. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  6. ^ "Epik High′s Tablo, Masta Wu, San E, and Swings Confirmed for ′Show Me The Money 3′". MWAVE. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
  7. ^ "Korean rappers Masta Wu, Dok2 and Bobby get surreal". Dazed. December 2014. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  8. ^ "Hi Suhyun Talks Winning No.1, Yang Hyun Suk′s Training Style and More". MWAVE. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
  9. ^ "2NE1 Dazzles with "Gotta Be You" MV". MTV. 2014-05-21. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
  10. ^ "Songs Registered Under MASTA WU (W0726000)". Korea Music Copyright Association (in Korean).
  11. ^ "YG "최근 마스타우 떠났다, 향후 음악활동 응원" 공식입장" (in Korean). xsportsnews. 2016-01-08. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
  12. ^ "마스타 우, 신곡 'Romance' 깜짝 공개…김심야 피쳐링". XSports News. May 20, 2020.
  13. ^ "마스타우, 11일 EP 'Father' 발매..커버 깜짝 공개". Osen. July 29, 2020.
  14. ^ "마스타우, 신곡 '워터' 공개…정규 앨범 방향성 예고". Raon News. March 15, 2023.
  15. ^ a b "2007. 3 월 - 가요음반 판매량". Music Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on 2009-05-02. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  16. ^ "Gaon Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  17. ^ Cumulative digital sales of "Come Here" :
  18. ^ "마스타우(MASTA WU) 신곡 'SHIT' 발매, 도끼 강력 지원 사격". Sports Seoul. January 26, 2017.
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