'Hip-pop Princess' delivered a legendary stage with the new song mission, showing unstoppable momentum.
On the April 6 broadcast, Mnet's Unpretty Rapstar: Hip-pop Princess (hereafter "Hip-pop Princess") episode 4 officially opened the second track competition, the "main producer new song mission." Unlike the first track competition, which was conducted as a Korea-Japan match, this time participants gathered regardless of nationality to present stages that contained each team's identity, and historic performances that drew gasps from the producers poured out.
This mission was conducted in a format where two teams faced off over new songs participated in by four main producers: Soyeon, Gaeko, Riehata, and Iwata Takanori. Participants, divided into winners' and losers' groups based on the earlier 1 vs 1 creative battle results, chose one song from ▲ 'CROWN (Prod. GAN)' ▲ 'DAISY (Prod. Gaeko)' ▲ 'Diss papa (Prod. Soyeon(i-dle))' ▲ 'Hoodie Girls (Prod. Padi, RIEHATA)' to form their teams.
The opening stage was the matchup over 'Hoodie Girls,' which Riehata supported. B team, which went first, was made up of lower-ranked members unlike A team, which held benefits, but centered on Mia, who is strong in dance, they added an impactful dance break and acrobatic elements to instantly change the mood. A team, composed as a Korea-Japan integration, experienced communication issues and a crisis, but used that as momentum to complete a stage full of hip-hop spirit in a short time.
Amid matchups that were hard to rank, praise from the producers continued. Gaeko lavishly praised B team, saying, "These are people you should be watching for rap, but you end up watching the dancing," and A team, which showed 'unity' and 'hipness' that crossed borders, also received praise. The winners who claimed Riehata's new song were A team. A team members, who went through many trials and emotional struggles during preparation, cried, saying, "It feels like a dream, it's unbelievable," and Riehata, who watched over them with a parentlike heart, could not hide a choked expression.
Gaeko's new song 'DAISY' matchup was by far the overwhelming highlight. A team boasted an Avengers-level lineup with the overall No. 1 and double-benefit recipients, and they poured their frustrations and experiences faced at the threshold of debut directly into the stage. Starting with a flower-shaped large-scale intro, NICO's performance overwhelmed everyone with walking and eye contact alone, followed by Kim Doi's storm rap, completing a legendary stage. B team's counterattack was also formidable. B team, composed of 1 vs 1 battle losers, shook off early unease and completed the stage by putting each member's honest experiences into rap making. Nam Yujoo captured attention with a striking intro appearing from the audience seats.
A barrage of praise for the legendary stage did not stop. Soyeon spared no praise, saying, "Is there a hip-hop group rapper who is this good?" Gaeko marveled at A team, saying, "This is professional. Can't the five members debut as they are?" B team, whose five members' powerful harmony came together, also received praise as "the most unique feeling." Ultimately, the team that claimed Gaeko's new song was A team, who set a historic new record that exceeded a perfect score when benefit points were added.
In this mission, participants' self-producing abilities, creating everything from choreography to lyrics themselves, shone. Behind the perfect stage, the producers' advice was also a great help. Gaeko visited the dorm with synths, gave vitamins as gifts, and did not spare warm encouragement, showing a dadlike side behind his coolheaded producer role to support the participants. Riehata mentioned her experience going abroad alone at age 15 and advised participants facing crises to accept it as "a gift for a new challenge." Also, at the midterm check of the 'Hoodie Girls' team, Sota of Japanese popular artist BE:FIRST appeared as a special trainer alongside Riehata, surprising everyone and heating up the scene.
In particular, Soyeon said, "I hope many people watch this program. I hope people know how amazing the participants are," and added, "When I participated in audition programs in the past, just copying the choreography of existing songs and singing was overwhelming. The fact that they create it themselves and show a stage in a short time is unbelievable, and I really hope many people recognize that," expressing respect for the participants and capturing attention.
Next broadcast will intensify anticipation with a full-fledged showdown over the remaining two new songs, 'Diss papa (Prod. Soyeon(i-dle))' and 'CROWN (Prod. GAN).' In the losers' group, the first elimination is expected to occur, focusing attention on who will leave 'Hip-pop Princess.'
Meanwhile, the new songs revealed in episode 4, 'DAISY (Prod. Gaeko)' and 'Hoodie Girls (Prod. Padi, RIEHATA),' will be released today (Apr. 7, Fri) at 12 p.m. (KST) on various music sites. 'Hip-pop Princess,' which has been heating up the atmosphere with each episode, airs every Thursday at 9:50 p.m. (KST) on Mnet and is serviced in Japan through U-NEXT.
[Photo] broadcast capture
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