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 Korean popular music.
Far East Movement is an Asian-American hip hop and electronic music group based in Los Angeles. The group formed in 2003 and as of August 2018 consists of Kev Nish, Prohgress, DJ Virman, and formerly J-Splif. Their 2010 single, "Like a G6", featuring pop-rap duo The Cataracs and singer Dev hit number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and on the iTunes chart in late October 2010, making them the first Asian-American group to earn a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Among their other chart successes are: "Rocketeer" featuring Ryan Tedder of One Republic, which peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100; "Turn Up the Love", which peaked within the top ten of the charts in the United Kingdom, and their 2012 remix of the song "Get Up (Rattle)" by the Bingo Players, which topped the charts in the United Kingdom.
Tinashe Jorgensen Kachingwe, known mononymously as Tinashe, is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, actress and model. Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Tinashe moved to Los Angeles as a child to pursue a career in entertainment. Her notable roles included as a motion-capture model in the animated film The Polar Express (2004), Robin Wheeler in the Cartoon Network television series Out of Jimmy's Head (2007–2008), and a recurring role in the CBS series Two and a Half Men (2008–2009).
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Free Wired is the third studio album and major label debut of Asian-American group Far East Movement, released on October 12, 2010, by Cherrytree Records and Interscope Records.
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