Stray Kids is set to redefine hip-hop in K-pop with the release of their new album, SKZHOP HIPTAPE: HOP. The name merges the group’s moniker, “SKZ,” with hip-hop, signaling a fresh musical direction that the group describes as its “own genre.”
“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 stated in a video introducing the album. “Since our debut, we’ve consistently presented self-produced songs, and this album embodies that spirit.”
The 12-track album features a variety of dynamic songs, including the title track “Bounce Back,” along with “U,” a collaboration with Tablo of Epik High, and a hip-hop reimagining of “Walkin On Water.” Fans will also recognize solo tracks that each of the group’s eight members — Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N — performed during the Stray Kids World Tour <dominATE>.
The album’s title track “Bounce Back” was crafted by Stray Kids’ in-house production trio 3RACHA, which consists of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. The team explained that the song marks a stylistic shift toward old-school hip-hop with a boom-bap beat. “This is the first time we’re presenting a group song in this classic hip-hop style,” they shared. “While previous works like ‘Chk Chk Boom’ explored mixed sounds, this time we focused on consistency, delivering steady melodies and tracks from start to finish.”
The group also revealed that the choreography for “Bounce Back” emphasizes rhythm and footwork, making it easy for their fandom, STAY, to join in on the fun. “We’ve included elements that STAY can easily follow along with. We hope many will cover it,” the group added.
The release of SKZHOP HIPTAPE: HOP caps off an already monumental year for Stray Kids. The group recently won the prestigious Top Global K-Pop Artist award and delivered a show-stopping performance at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards. Reflecting on their success, the members described 2024 as a “happy year,” thanking both each other and their fans. “Next year, we want to run together with an even more solid mindset and really dig in,” they said.
To celebrate the release, Stray Kids will host a special event, the Stray Kids ‘合 (HOP)’ POP-UP STORE, from Dec. 14 to Dec. 22 in Seoul’s Jongno District. Fans can look forward to exclusive merchandise and interactive experiences. Additionally, the group will release a wave of behind-the-scenes content, including music video reactions, choreography practice clips, and a documentary-style look at the album’s creation.
The group will continue its Stray Kids World Tour <dominATE> with stops in Bangkok on Dec. 14 and Jakarta on Dec. 21, keeping the energy high as they close out the year. Fans can expect even more surprises from Stray Kids as they continue to push musical boundaries and showcase their self-made style of hip-hop.
Related Topics
