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Could J-HOPE's "Hope World" Be The Best Mixtape of 2018?

By Nefertiti Jenkins
by Nefertiti Jenkins

BTS rapper J-Hope has dropped his first mixtape, and a music video ("Daydream") to go with it.  The visual is currently trending in the top ten on YouTube. In less than twelve hours, it's gotten more than 9 million views. J-Hope is also currently trending on Twitter, and maybe it's because he's also a dancer... but the mixtape itself, with seven tracks (in Korean and some English) is worth dancing to.  


Dropped on March 1 (or March 2, KST), "Hope World" gives BTS fans a side we don't always get to see from J-Hope. Known for being sweet and goofy, his lyrics go deep with some old school hip-hop beats, and could be on its way to being one of the best mixtapes of 2018.  


This is the first solo album for J-Hope (fellow BTS rappers RM and Suga have each previously dropped mixtapes).  The tracks for "Hope World" take us up and down on a J-Hope vibe. Here's our take on the songs...

1. "Hope World" - J-Hope says "hello to my hope world." Towards the end of the song we hear sounds of a Roger Troutman Zapp funk beat.

2. "P.O.P" -  (Piece of Peace) Pt.1 We get melodies of steel drums under the vocals, as we hear how giving the singer is.

3. "Daydream" - With a colorful and creative mv with subtitles, which shows us how J-Hope imagines a different reality. The song has a tight beat (and you just can't sit still listening to this).

4. "Base Line" - Goes in hard, with traditional scratches.

5. "Hangsang" - Featuring Supreme Boi. Turn up and "Smash on the street."

6. "Airplane"- This song is relaxing with a mesmerizing melody, and takes flight into J-Hope's past memories.

7. "Blue Side" - (Outro) - Listen closely and you'll hear wind chimes (as J-Hope sings to hold something / someone) and makes his return "back to the Blue Side."

Lucky for ARMY (BTS fans), you can stream and listen to the mixtape for free, through various formats including on SoundCloud.


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