Stray Kids says it will showcase 'own genre' with 'HOP'

By Lee Gyu-lee

K-pop boy group Stray Kids expressed that it will showcase its own genre with the new album "SKZHOP HIPTAPE 'HOP.'"

The new release, which hit streaming sites Friday, combines Stray Kids’ moniker, “SKZ,” with hip-hop, thus the name "SKZHOP HIPTAPE." The new album will showcase the group’s new and unique genre, one that cannot be defined by existing genres.

"We want to call it Stray Kids' hip-hop when we confidently express our individual personalities in music and on stage, creating a liberating atmosphere,” the group said in a video to introduce its new album. “Stray Kids’ hip-hop has been about us consistently presenting our self-produced songs since our debut.”

The album is comprised of 12 tracks, including the title song, “Bounce Back,” as well as “U,” which features Epik High's Tablo, and a hip-hop version of “Walkin On Water.” It also includes solo tracks that were performed by each of the eight members — Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and I.N — during its world tour, "Stray Kids World Tour."

The title track is written and composed by Stray Kids’ producing team 3RACHA — which consists of leader Bang Chan and members Changbin and Han. The three described the song as a challenge.

“It seems this is the first time we're presenting the group’s song in the old-school hip-hop genre with a boom-bap beat. While we mainly focused on mixing diverse sounds with our previous works up to 'Chk Chk Boom,’ this time we worked diligently on the basics with consistent melodies and tracks from beginning to end,” the group explained.

“We've prepared choreography that focuses even more on rhythm and steps compared to our previous performances. We've also included elements that STAY (fandom name) can easily follow along. We hope many will cover it."

The group is ending the year on a high note, clinching the Top Global K-Pop Artist award and performing at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards on Friday. The group described 2024 as a "happy year,” thanking each other and its fans, STAY. “Next year, we want to run together with an even more solid mindset and really dig in."

Stray Kids will celebrate its latest release with a popup store event, “Stray Kids '合 (HOP)' POP-UP STORE,” from Dec. 14 through 22, in Jongno District, Seoul. It is also set to release various content including the group’s reactions to the title track’s music video, a behind-the-scenes video of the making of the new album and choreography practice videos in the coming days.

The group will also continue its large-scale world tour “Stray Kids World Tour” in Bangkok and Jakarta on Dec. 14 and Dec. 21, respectively.