Lee Tae-min (Korean: 이태민; born June 20, 1994), known professionally as Mushvenom (머쉬베놈; stylized in all caps), is a South Korean rapper. He is known for his humorous lyrics and for using the Chungcheong dialect in his rap.
Lee Tae-min was born on June 20, 1994, in Daedeok, Daejeon.[1] He began rapping as a hobby when he was in the second year of high school.[2] He graduated from Kukje University of Arts with an associate degree in applied music.[3]
He adopted the stage name "Mushvenom" as it sounds similar to "cool guy" (멋이 밴 놈; meosi baen nom) in Korean.[4]
Career
2019: Show Me the Money 8 and "Why Are You So Noisy?"
In July 2019, Mushvenom appeared on Show Me the Money 8, where he first gained attention. He was eliminated in round six (the producer crew battle).[5] In September 2019, he released his debut single "Why Are You So Noisy?", which was nominated for Best Rap Song at the Korean Music Awards and Hip-hop Track of the Year at the Korean Hip-hop Awards.[6][7] In November 2019, he released the single "Let Me Know", which was ranked in sixth place in Music Y's 2019 Single of the Year list.[8] In December 2019, he released the single "Nice Head", which was nominated for Best Rap Song at the Korean Music Awards.[9]
2020: Show Me the Money 9 and "VVS"
In October 2020, Mushvenom appeared on Show Me the Money 9 where he released "VVS" with Mirani, Munchman, and Khundi Panda. It became his most successful single, charting at number 1 on the Gaon Digital Chart for seven consecutive weeks and winning Hip-Hop Track of the Year at the Korean Hip-hop Awards.[10][11] He also released singles "Tricker", "Godok", "Go", and "The Beauty of Void" on the show and finished in second place.[12] He was ranked in second place in Music Y's 2020 Rookie of the Year list.[13]
Artistry
Mushvenom is known for his "humorous lyrics, witty rhymes, and ear-catching Chungcheong accent".[14] In an interview with Inven, he cited his family as his biggest influence.[15] He also gets inspiration from dramas such as Taejo Wang Geon, movies, and comedy shows.[16]
^Han, Yuyeong (June 30, 2021). "YO! 허태정 대전시장, 래퍼되다!" [YO! Heo Taejeong Mayor of Daejeon, becomes a rapper!]. Chungcheong Today (in Korean).
^Yang, Gwang-mo (January 17, 2021). '컬투쇼' 머쉬베놈, "고교 2학년 때 취미로 음악 시작…조부모 영향받아" ["Cultwo Show" Mushvenom, "I started music as a hobby in the second year of high school... My grandparents influenced me"]. Sports World (in Korean).
^Kong, Mina (January 14, 2021). "'VVS' 7주연속 가온차트 2관왕..NCT 앨범차트 1위" ["VVS" tops two categories on the Gaon Chart for 7 consecutive weeks... NCT number 1 on the Album Chart]. Star News (in Korean).
^ ab한국 힙합 어워즈 2021 수상 [Korean Hip-hop Awards 2021 Winners]. Korean Hip-hop Awards (in Korean).
^ abSeo, Byeong-gi (December 19, 2020). '쇼미9' 최종 우승자는 릴보이…준우승은 머쉬베놈 ["Show Me 9" Final winner is Lil Boi... Runner-up is Mushvenom]. Herald Business (in Korean).
^Ahn, Sang-wook (December 30, 2020). 올해의 신인 2위 [Rookie of the Year 2nd place]. Music Y (in Korean).
