Identity | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | October 21, 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2015–2016 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 39:00 | |||
Label |
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Producer |
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Far East Movement chronology | ||||
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Singles from Identity | ||||
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Identity is the fifth studio album primarily written and conducted by American hip hop music group Far East Movement. It was released on October 21, 2016 through Spinnin' Records and Transparent Agency. The album features artists from diverse backgrounds, especially those from Korea and America, as a nod to Far East Movement's Koreatown origins. [1] The band itself describes the album as "a Far East Movement, in a sense, bridging artists from the east with artists from the west while fusing different genres we love."
The album was created after Far East Movement's hiatus. The group members were discouraged after facing racism from the public and the music industry. The band traveled to Asia and there began plotting out an album that "could bridge the gap between Asia and America". [2] As reflected in the title, the album was intended to explore the artists' joint Asian and American identities, as well as collaborate with artists from both backgrounds.
The album features the likes of Yoon Mi-rae, Autolaser, Marshmello, Chanyeol, Tinashe, Candice Pillay, No Riddim, Elijah Blake, Tiffany, King Chain, Jay Park, MNEK, Hyolyn, Gill Chang, Soulja Boy, Loco, Big K.R.I.T., MIKNNA, Macy Gray and Urban Zakapa. [3]
As Far East Movement wanted to collaborate with artists on both sides of the Pacific, they flew back and forth between the US and South Korea. Kevin Nishimura described collaborating with artists as a "slow and challenging process that involved building and nurturing relationships with artists." [2]
The album was the first album released by Far East Movement's own company, Transparent Agency. [4]
Crystal Leww of MTV commented, "Identity is a distinctly Asian-American album, and it speaks to the very specific experience of a group of people who are often seen as foreigners in their own home. But there’s no sense of loss here – Far East Movement have made a cohesive, exciting celebration of that hybrid life." [5] Neil Z. Young of AllMusic rated the album four stars out of five, describing it as a "mature and transformative effort that succeeds in honoring their roots by bridging the gap between their Asian and American cultures." [6]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Fighter" (featuring Yoon Mi-rae & Autolaser) |
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| 4:14 |
2. | "Freal Luv" (with Marshmello featuring Tinashe & Chanyeol) |
| 3:10 | |
3. | "F-VR" (featuring Candice Pillay & No Riddim) |
|
| 2:51 |
4. | "Church" (featuring Elijah Blake) |
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| 4:05 |
5. | "Don't Speak" (featuring Tiffany & King Chain) |
|
| 3:25 |
6. | "SXWME" (featuring Jay Park & MNEK) |
|
| 3:34 |
7. | "Umbrella" (featuring Hyolyn & Gill Chang) |
|
| 4:06 |
8. | "Double Dip" (featuring Soulja Boy & Loco) |
|
| 2:54 |
9. | "FBG$" (featuring Big K.R.I.T. & Miknna) |
| Miknna | 3:18 |
10. | "Forever Survivor" (featuring Macy Gray) |
|
| 4:00 |
11. | "Fortress" (featuring Urban Zakapa) |
|
| 3:52 |
Total length: | 39:00 |
Chart (2016) | Peak position |
---|---|
South Korean Albums (Gaon) [7] | 51 |
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums ( Billboard ) [8] | 7 |
Korean hip-hop, also known as K-hip-hop or K-rap, is a subgenre of the South Korean popular music.
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Far East Movement is an American hip hop and electronic music group based in Los Angeles, composed of Kev Nish, Prohgress, J-Splif, Jon Street, Ray Ro, DJ Virman, and Jerm Beats. They signed with Martin Kierszenbaum's Cherrytree Records, an imprint of Interscope Records to release their 2010 single, "Like a G6" which peaked the Billboard Hot 100, making them the first Asian American group to reach number one on the chart. Their follow up single, "Rocketeer", peaked at number seven and led their third album and major label debut, Free Wired (2010). It performed moderately on the Billboard 200, while their fourth album, Dirty Bass (2012) saw a steep commercial decline, although its lead single, "Live My Life" reached number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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