Aziatix Explained

Aziatix
Landscape:yes
Genre:Hip hop, R&B
Years Active:2011–2015
Label:Astar, Inc.
Cash Money Records
Past Members:Flowsik
Eddie Shin
Nicky Lee
Associated Acts:Jae Chong

Aziatix was a Korean–American hip hop and R&B trio consisting of members Flowsik, Eddie Shin, and Nicky Lee. The group, which was based in Seoul, South Korea, debuted in 2011 and won Best New Asian Artist at the Mnet Asian Music Awards later that year. In 2013, the group signed a lucrative contract with Cash Money Records, which was the largest record deal to date between a U.S. record label and a music act from Asia.[1] The name of the group is a variation of the word "asiatic".[2] Aziatix disbanded in 2015.

Career

The members of Aziatix were brought together by record producer and former R&B singer Jae Chong.[3] [4] At the time of the group's formation, Flowsik was an established underground rapper in New York City, Eddie Shin was a student at NYU, and Nicky Lee was a successful Mandopop singer.[5]

Aziatix released their first single, "Go," in March 2011 and their self-titled EP, Aziatix, in May 2011. In July, they released their first full-length album, Nocturnal, which charted in Taiwan and South Korea at numbers 14 and 35, respectively.[6] [7] At the end of the year, Aziatix won Best New Asian Artist at the 2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards.

In March 2012, the group performed at the U.S. music festival South by Southwest.[8] In May, the group released their second EP, Awakening, which again charted in Taiwan and South Korea, at numbers 11 and 32, respectively.[9]

In 2013, Aziatix signed an 11.3 million USD record deal with Cash Money Records. It was the largest record deal to date between a U.S. record label and a music act from Asia. However, in December 2014, Aziatix announced on their Facebook page that they had decided to leave the record label.[10]

Aziatix released their last album, Top Of The World, in August 2015.[11] The group then announced their indefinite hiatus via a statement released at the end of the music video of their title track which said: "Our journey that started in 2011 will be on hold for now. Due to the love and support from our fans worldwide, we hold great significance in all that we've done and will continue to do the best we can in every way despite our results. We thank all the Aziaddicts worldwide from the bottom of our hearts".

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak positions
JPN
[12]
KOR
[13]
KOR
Overseas

[14]
TWN
East Asia

Nocturnal 96 35 5 14
Top of the World
  • Released: August 25, 2015
  • Label: Astar Inc.
  • Formats: digital download
"—" denotes album did not chart or was not released in that region.

Extended plays

TitleAlbum detailsPeak positions
KOR
KOR
Overseas

TWN
East Asia

[15]
Aziatix
  • Released: May 17, 2011
  • Label: Universal
  • Formats: Digital download
Awakening
  • Released: May 2, 2012
  • Label: Universal
  • Formats: CD, digital download
32 7 11
"—" denotes album did not chart or was not released in that region.

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
KOR
Overseas

"Go"20117Aziatix / Nocturnal
"Cold"16
"Slippin' Away"6Nocturnal
"Be with You" (Rock Mix)22
"Nothing Compares to You"201254Nocturnal (Japan Deluxe Edition)
"Speed of Light"72Awakening
"Alright"14
"Ready, Set, Go"25Non-album single

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Aziatix details record-breaking contract with U.S. mega label. Cha. Frances. 2013-04-16. Yonhap News Agency. en. 2018-04-19.
  2. Web site: 아지아틱스, "솔리드는 이민 세대에게 자신감 준 롤모델" [인터뷰]]. Choi. Nayoung. 2011-06-10. osen. ko. 2021-01-09.
  3. News: How Asian-Americans Found A Home In The World Of K-Pop. Hu. Elise. 2015-04-14. NPR. 2018-04-19. en.
  4. News: Veteran K-pop act Solid returns with new record after 21 years. 2018-03-21. Yonhap News Agency. 2018-04-19. en.
  5. News: Interview: Introducing Aziatix. Cha. Frances. 2011-06-15. CNN Travel. 2018-04-19. en.
  6. Web site: East Asia Weekly Top 20: 2011/09/02 - 2011/09/08. G-Music. zh. https://web.archive.org/web/20110911201415/http://www.g-music.com.tw/GMusicBillboard3.aspx. 2011-09-11. dead. 2018-04-19.
  7. Web site: 2011년 33주차 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Association. ko. 2011 Week 33 Album Chart. 2018-04-19.
  8. News: Korean rock bands to take on North America. Cho. Chung-un. 2012-03-04. The Korea Herald. 2018-04-19. en.
  9. Web site: 2012년 19주차 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Association. ko. 2012 Week 19 Album Chart. 2018-04-19.
  10. News: Aziatix announces departure from Cash Money Records. 2015-01-01. Hello Kpop. 2018-04-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20150102214138/http://www.hellokpop.com/news/aziatix-announces-departure-from-cash-money-records/. 2015-01-02. dead. en-US.
  11. Web site: Top Of The World - Aziatix. Mnet. ko. 2018-04-19.
  12. Web site: Aziatixのリリース一覧. Oricon. ja. List of Aziatix's releases. 2018-04-19.
  13. Web site: Gaon Album Chart: Combined. Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714015317/http://gaonchart.co.kr/chart/album.php. 2014-07-14. dead. 2018-04-19.
  14. Web site: Gaon Album Chart: Overseas. Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714015317/http://gaonchart.co.kr/chart/album.php. 2014-07-14. dead. 2018-04-19.
  15. Web site: East Asia Weekly Top 20: 2012/05/18 - 2012/05/24. G-Music. zh. https://web.archive.org/web/20120527170340/http://www.g-music.com.tw/GMusicBillboard3.aspx. 2012-05-27. 2018-04-19.