'Hip-pop Princess' main producers' judging criteria have been revealed.
'Unpretty Rapstar: Hip-pop Princess' (hereafter 'Hip-pop Princess') is an Mnet-produced Korea-Japan joint hip-hop girl group creation project. Aiming to birth a new global hip-hop girl group, participants take part directly in every process, including music, choreography, styling and video production, showing their own colors. As Korean and Japanese cultures, which are different from each other, collide and fuse through hip-hop, participants are expected to create a new culture and grow into artists with distinct identities.
To this end, top-tier producers from Korea and Japan who boast presence in each field have joined forces to raise expectations for new synergy. Soyeon, the main producer of 'Hip-pop Princess' and the show's sole MC, said, "My judging standard this time is performance above all. When I participated in 'Unpretty Rapstar', I wanted to compete and be judged solely on skill, so I intend to judge mainly on skill in 'Hip-pop Princess' as well," revealing a firm judging standard befitting an 'Unpretty Rapstar' alum.
Gaeko, an artist representing Korea's hip-hop scene, said, "Because this project aims to produce a girl group that can handle the hip-hop genre, I will focus on contestants who have the potential and charm to creatively produce rap, singing and dance within a broad understanding of hip-hop music and culture," delivering his principled judging criteria.
What about the Japanese producers' perspective? Riehata, a world-renowned choreographer who recently appeared on Mnet's 'World of Street Woman Fighter' and made an impression on the public, said, "I will focus on how clearly a contestant expresses her unique color, a strong conviction to carry (a goal) through to the end and a will to pursue 'coolness' no matter the competitor, and a deep love and passion for rap and dance," she said.
Iwatani Takanori, a member of Japan's popular group J SOUL BROTHERS III (Sandaime J Soul Brothers) who is also active as a solo artist and actor, said, "I plan to judge not only singing, rap and dance skills but also individuality that captures people's attention and expressive power on stage," adding, "I look forward to meeting new talent."
With the first broadcast already just next week and anticipation building, 'Hip-pop Princess' will premiere on Oct. 16 (Thu.) at 9:50 p.m. (KST) on Mnet, and will be simulcast in Japan via U-NEXT.<
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