!magnic! (born Jo Hyun-soo, 조현수) stands as one of the distinctive voices in South Korea’s underground and independent hip-hop scene. Hailing from Busan, this rapper has carved out his place through raw authenticity, relentless consistency, and a strong connection to his crew, Starex. Since debuting in 2014 with the single Goodtime, !magnic! has built an impressive discography that blends trap, street narratives, and a signature lyrical style. His work often self-directed toward music videos showcases his dedication to personal artistic vision. Recognized as one of the first-generation trappers in his circle, !magnic! remains a respected figure among fellow artists and fans who value unfiltered creativity.
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Early Life
Jo Hyun-soo was born on October 6, 1989, in Busan, South Korea, under the zodiac sign Libra. Growing up in Busan, a city with its own distinct rhythm and culture, he developed a strong individuality that would later shape his music. Details about his childhood remain largely private, but his early years in a port city known for its grit and artistic diversity likely influenced the streetwise edge and authenticity present in his lyrics. Even before his professional career, he had already established close bonds with local artists, laying the foundation for future collaborations within the Korean hip-hop community.
Career Path
!magnic! officially entered the music scene in 2014 with the release of his debut single “Goodtime”, composed by My Homie Tar. His style defined by a straightforward delivery and trap-infused beats quickly gained recognition in the underground scene.
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Shortly after, he became a member of Starex, a crew known for its innovative approach to Korean hip-hop. As the oldest member of the crew, he took on a role that was both creative and unifying. His journey has been marked by a steady output of singles, EPs, and collaborative projects, often leaning on SoundCloud as a key platform for sharing his music.
In 2017, he released his first EP BLUE, Blue, blu., which showcased his versatility through tracks like Lexapro and So Icey featuring Icey Blouie. This project cemented his reputation as a rapper with a distinct personal style.
The years that followed brought a string of impactful singles, including “MGNC” (2018), “Machoman” (2018), and “Woo-Yeah” (2019), the latter featuring Jinuk and My Homie Tar. In 2020, he released “COSMOS”, expanding his sonic palette while staying true to his trap roots.
In 2021, he collaborated with producer Lobotome on the EP All Or Nothing, featuring notable tracks such as Boneyard (with Damndef) and Ready For War (with Youngcook). That same year, he dropped singles “I Will Make It” (해낼거라고) and “Butti” (부티), further proving his consistency and commitment to evolving his craft.
Outside of music, !magnic! occasionally made appearances in music videos for his peers. Notably, he played a long-haired villain in Don Mills’ 대박인생 (Great Life) music video, which also featured UNEDUCATED KID and Northfacegawd.
Recent Achievements and Ongoing Projects
In recent years, !magnic! has continued to be a respected name in the underground Korean hip-hop scene. His collaborations within Starex remain a driving force, with projects like The Starex Tape and The Starex Tape 2 highlighting the crew’s unity and creative synergy.
He maintains a strong presence on Instagram and SoundCloud, using these platforms to engage with his audience and release new tracks. His music videos carefully chosen from his most favored songs reflect his commitment to quality over quantity.
While he previously worked as a manager at a HaeBangChon restaurant called Yeon Yeon Yoo Yeo, he has since focused on music and collaborative projects. With his deep roots in Busan’s music community and ongoing work with fellow artists, fans anticipate more innovative and personal releases from !magnic! in the coming years.
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