T.O.P (rapper)
| T.O.P | |
|---|---|
Bigbang concert 0.To.10 - August 20, 2016
|
|
| Native name | 최승현 |
| Born |
Choi Seung-hyun November 4, 1987 Seoul, South Korea |
| Occupation |
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| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2006 – hiatus (military service) |
| Labels | YG |
| Associated acts | |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 최승현 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 崔勝鉉 |
| Revised Romanization | Choe Seung-hyeon |
| McCune–Reischauer | Ch'oe Sŭnghyŏn |
Choi Seung-hyun (Hangul: 최승현; born November 4, 1987), better known by his stage name T.O.P, is a South Korean rapper, songwriter and actor. He is a member of the South Korean K-Pop group Big Bang and has also participated in various dramas and films, such as I Am Sam (2007), Iris (2009), Nineteen (2009), 71: Into the Fire (2010), Commitment (2013), Tazza: The Hidden Card (2014) and Out of Control (2017).
In 2010, T.O.P joined bandmate G-Dragon to record and release a collaboration album, GD & TOP. As a solo rapper, he has released two digital singles, "Turn It Up" (2010) and "Doom Dada" (2013), that peaked at number two and four, respectively, on the Gaon Chart. Columnist Jeff Benjamin of Billboard K-Town noted that T.O.P is well known for his low-bass timbre rapping.
Prior to his involvement with YG Entertainment, Choi was an underground rapper under the name of Tempo, and a childhood friend of G-Dragon, another member and leader of Big Bang. G-Dragon stated that the two were "neighborhood friend[s] from middle school" and would often dance and rap together. Although G-Dragon later moved away and the two "became distant", he contacted Seung-hyun again when YG Entertainment was scouting for candidates to create a boy band. The pair recorded several demos and sent them to Yang Hyun-suk, CEO of YG Entertainment, who later asked Seung-hyun to audition. Seung-hyun was initially rejected by the record label, which deemed him too "chubby" to fit the "idealistic version" of an idol. Seung-hyun later stated that he "went home and exercised really hard because I wanted to join YG Entertainment." Six months later, he returned for another audition and was signed on. He reportedly lost 20 kg in 40 days. Choi was given the stage name of T.O.P. (Korean: 탑) by fellow YG artist Se7en. He became one of the two rappers in the group Big Bang, alongside G-Dragon. The two were paired with four others: Taeyang, Daesung, Seungri and Jang Hyun-seung and a documentation of their training was aired to promote them. Later Hyun-seung was dropped by the record label, and Big Bang made its official debut with five members. Their first album, Since 2007, received lukewarm receptions, and included T.O.P.'s first solo song "Big Boy". The group achieved mainstream success with the release of the song "Lies" (Korean: 거짓말; Revised Romanization: Geojitmal) from their 2007 extended play Always, which topped several charts upon its release. The singles, "Last Farewell" (Korean: 마지막 인사; Revised Romanization: Majimak Insa) from Hot Issue (2008) and "Day by Day" (Korean: 하루하루; Revised Romanization: Haru Haru) from Stand Up (2008), became chart-toppers as well.
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