by Maya Tavorath-Dangmann Earlier this month, K-Pop group Monsta X released their first English single “Who Do U Love?” featuring rapper French Montana. This is their first release from their collaboration with Epic Records, having signed to the American record label in late May. Monsta X are one of the few K-Pop groups working in collaboration with American labels, alongside groups like TXT and Blackpink. Since their debut in May 2015, Monsta X have never ceased to garner attention of listeners around the world. Their fan base is widespread and dedicated, and they all have their own reason for listening to the group. “The most fascinating thing about them is how they manage to maintain their signature sound,” said Kiersten Bergman, a 14 year-old fan. “They always sound unique and still sound like themselves, which I absolutely adore.” “Even if I don't understand Monsta X's native language, I just get so hyped up to their music and I honestly would never want to [stop listening to] this group,” said Anna Yuzenova, 19. Many of their fans are in the same boat as Anna and do not understand Korean, but still enjoy Monsta X’s music. However, when it comes to Monsta X releasing music in English – a language that is arguably more accessible to fans around the world – they have differing opinions.
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by Maya Tavorath-Dangmann
A blender rumbling and grinding in the juice bar below, drowning out the sound of pop music playing through unseen speakers, is the soundtrack to Jeff Benjamin’s work day. Sitting in the lounge area of an Equinox gym in Lower Manhattan, he busies himself with making a quiz his editor asked him to put together. Laid out in front of him is a planner with bullet-points of tasks he wants to get to throughout the day. “These days I just write everything down and go for it,” he said, leafing through his planner. “Freelance has been interesting to me but I do somewhat miss that structure. For a while I was feeling really overwhelmed.” Jeff Benjamin is Billboard’s K-Pop Columnist, but he is also working as a freelance journalist. Having started working at Billboard after graduating from NYU as a journalism major in 2012, Benjamin used that opportunity to build up a name for himself and continues to do so, even after having been laid off. |