The J-pop industry is slowly beginning to reach out to international markets, most often with the assistance of K-pop agencies and corporations. XG are one of the most notable avatars of this approach. Yes, they’re an Avex-managed group, but they’re based in South Korea and have been part of global events like KCON. Like many before them, they’ve leveraged the power of hip-hop to garner international attention.
I’ve struggled to embrace XG’s discography because I tend to prefer hearing the unique sounds of a country’s musical culture rather than music targeted for export to other countries. In other words, I’m more likely to seek out a weird underground J-idol act than a globally popular group catering to Western tastes. However, XG have clearly captured the attention of many and having watched them at last year’s KCON I can attest to their power. Woke Up is their most rap-focused single yet, essentially doing away with the idea of a melodic hook.
This narrowed focus works if you’re inclined toward this sound. Perhaps with a more interesting beat, I would be inclined as well. The song is good showcase for XG’s rap line, but its meager hook doesn’t do much to distinguish it from similar efforts. And apart from a traditional sounding flourish looped throughout the instrumental, the beat simply lumbers along without much punch. I’m hardly a hip-hop head so this should be taken with a boatload of salt, but nothing here strikes me as compelling or clever enough to get lost in.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
This is defnitely their most rap-focused track, as you said. That title previosuly belonged to “Girl Gang” but this song just tackles the genre compltely. My issue is that I prefer when these types of songs are mixed with R&B or pop hooks, because it makes it easier for me to go back to them, as they would usually have catchy elements.
I think the “woke up feeling like this” part kind of does the job as a chorus but I know it isn’t. I also don’t think the objective of the song is getting a pop appeal, as it just showcases the group’s strong rap line and even has the vocalists are doing melodic rap verses.
I think this was a more different side of them and it was okay too se! Hopefully, they’ll bring songs with rap sections but with some R&B flavor too like “Left Right” or “Winter Without You.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think your analysis was spot on about XG placing the focus on the rapping, and I think that was intentional. This song is not for everyone but it has had a strong global appeal and that shows in the sheer number of views it has had in less than a week. It appears on every major song chart in the world. I like these young ladies and their versatility. I am hoping they make a stop during their world tour here in Phoenix, or at least Los Angeles, which isn’t that far away. Increase the peace!
LikeLiked by 1 person
wish the song was as interesting as the mv
LikeLiked by 2 people
theres like…no chorus.
LikeLike
ngl, I was never that interested in hip-hop (or rap for that matter) cuz the instrumentals are either too basic or too “looping” to my liking and while I understand the appeal of rhyming words, it never actually connects to my brain. That said, if the inst is catchy for like, one minute, I can put it on the background (like this one actually for me).
LikeLiked by 2 people
woke up feeling like SHIT
LikeLike
Woke up and had to go to school😭
LikeLiked by 2 people
I enjoy XG but this ain’t it. I get that they have a talented rap line and that cool and all but as i’ve gotten older i’ve become less and less interested in it. Its like, okay we get it, y’all are some dope rappers but let’s get back to vocals. I hope they release a more vocally focused song next, even their rappers are decent singers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
God, I love XG. I’m very easy to please so I’m just happy to see these girls doing what they do. Also, whoever is their creative director is going OFF. The MV is weird and wild and I kind of love it. Cocona looks really good with a buzz cut.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Have to be honest, I really like this. Reminds me of early NCT in a weird way. Not everything from XG connects with me, but I think they’re one of the more interesting new-ish groups out there, and some I really love. This 1’s a winner!
LikeLiked by 2 people
So because they arn’t following the path of other idols people feel they need to shade them, whatever!! I like what they are doing here.
Cocona actually shaving her head for real took b****. I like that that don’t care what K-Netizens think. I am not even sure they are really even focused on K-Pop that much.
Which to be honest in their case would be limiting their potential here. These ladies are definitely pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable or not & for that they have my support. 🙂
LikeLike
The flow is good but the lyrics are just fine. There’s nothing bad but also no sentiments or figurative language use I haven’t heard in other rap songs. Also, did they write it? That’s a big part of rap so I hope they did that at least.
” I woke up like this, so don’t get under my skin” is surprisingly memorable considering how it’s just kinda there in the track. Would’ve loved to have heard it following up a melodic hook
The girls are great: charismatic, talented beautiful, all that jazz. But the hip-hop rap focus they have make the inauthenticity a problem. I love hip hop when it’s boisterous but also has something to say. They provide neither. But I have a feeling they’re not even truly marketing to hip hop heads but rather people who’d only like hip hop/ rap if it’s in this particular package
LikeLiked by 2 people
When I heard “Shooting Star” I thought: This is it. Even with some cringy lyrics the mix of hip hop, r&b and the futuristic aesthetic fit them like a glove
But now they have turned into a 100% rap girl group and its kind of boring
LikeLiked by 1 person
Why do people keep on putting XG in the Kpop category, when. they’ve made it clear they’re not?!?
XG are not a Kpop group they are global which is why their songs are in English, all the Kpop fans comparing them to Kpop groups are annoying the hell out of me. They don’t need to appeal to you Kpop fans cause you aren’t the target audience.
LikeLike
Thank you for coming into these kpop spaces to say that.
lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i don’t understand what’s wrong with some of you all?! First people were saying they want them to showcase their rap more and when they do it, y’all don’t like it and want vocals back. I personally think they are amazing with whatever they put out and thanks to Simon we have 7 gems who are doing a different kind of genre of music. They break k-pop and western standards completely. I’m glad they’re not a kpop group or the hate they would get would be insane. “Woke up feeling like this, so don’t get under my skin”
LikeLike
You’re acting like it’s the same people saying this stuff. Nick, the author of this post, certainly didn’t say that. There’s nothing wrong with everyone else. It’s people like you who are convinced that a group are doing something groundbreaking when they aren’t. There’s much to love about them but everything about them can be found in eastern or western pop. They’re also kpop adjacent, many of their fans are kpop fans. Again, if you like the song (or any of their songs) a lot, awesome! But if other people aren’t as high on them, respect that
LikeLiked by 1 person
This song is everything and more. NO ONE is doing it like XG in the Korean/Japanese music industry. Y’all know what ain’t it? Some of the people in this comments section. It’s so blatantly obvious that some of y’all don’t recognize a high quality hip hop/rap track even when it’s right in your face with WOKE UP. The varying flows, the vocal control, the delivery, the double and even triple entendres, the references, and the rhyming. It’s all just too good and they’re simply cementing their status as a group on their own level. Do your research and find some context before you go writing something off as boring, not compelling, or not clever. The structure of this song is perfect; from the rap line doing what they do best and even pushing themselves to do more, to the vocal line engaging in something that they don’t normally do. Chisa, Juria, and Hinata absolutely blew me away with their versatility. The hook gave everything it needed to; a simple yet catchy repetition over one of the nastiest beats I’ve heard in a while. This track is a 10/10. XG should be recognized for dropping their first pure hip hop/rap track after having an already dynamic catalog, and a track that claps back at the nonsensical haters with their tasteless opinions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
unclench and go breathe some fresh air my dude, i promise you its not that deep
LikeLiked by 1 person
To my surprise, I like this.
LikeLike
I like the song. When they do release a full-length album, I hope there’s a blend of rap songs and vocal-focused songs.
LikeLike
It’s not Kpop and it doesn’t have to have a chorus. It’s rap.
LikeLike
I like their song but I don’t go crazy over XG or any group for that matter that does not write their own rap lyrics. Like their cyphers like come on, not one of y’all wrote a single line in any rap verse nor do any of them know rap culture or know English fluent at all. I just enjoy the song for what it is and move on. Idols are entertainers and their talent is executing a vision that has been created for them. That’s another reason why I don’t blame idols at all for what they wear and what they sing or rap about because they are paid to bring someone else (company) vision to life. There are only a few idols/groups that have artistic freedom.
LikeLike
The premise tells me what kind of person is rating this lol. “….The J-pop industry is slowly beginning to reach out to international markets, most often with the assistance of K-pop agencies and corporations…………I’ve struggled to embrace XG’s discography because I tend to prefer hearing the unique sounds of a country’s musical culture rather than music targeted for export to other countries…..”.
Newsflash this days more than half of k-pop is written by westerners and their audience is other countries. It is just POP. The uniqueness ended in the 2nd generation.
XG is not J-pop. XG sings in English. If not singing in Korea is not K-pop then by the same definition Lisa(bp) is not K-pop (which is absurd to hear).They have the ‘culture’ of K-pop.
Woke up is unique from their other songs, but definitely a surprise and a delight for the international fans.
it tracks you gave all the rest of their songs 7.5, and i tried to check out you r other reviews.
In review sites objectivity is necessary, otherwise this wont go anywhere…
LikeLike
Haha, can’t get into XG because you prefer to hear a country’s own musical culture and sounds? But then you’re rating every other kpop groups higher than them? When the whole kpop scene is living off the black culture music. This is the dumbest shit I’ve read for a long time.
LikeLike