Yoon Mi-rae explained

Yoon Mi-rae
Background:solo_rapper
Birth Name:Natasha Shanta Reid
Alias:Yoonmirae, Tasha, Baby Tasha, T
Birth Date:31 May 1981
Birth Place:Fort Hood, Texas, U.S.
Origin:Seoul, South Korea
Years Active:1997–present
Module:
Child:yes
Children:1
Module2:
Child:yes
Yoon Mi Rae
Hangul:윤미래
Hanja:尹未來
Rr:Yun Mi-rae
Mr:Yun Mirae

Natasha Shanta Reid (born May 31, 1981), better known by her Korean name Yoon Mi-rae, often stylized as Yoonmirae, is an American-born South Korean-based solo rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer,[1] who is also a member of Korean hip hop trio MFBTY.[2]

Biography

Early life and education

Yoon was born on May 31, 1981, in Fort Hood in Texas, to a South Korean mother and an African-American father. Her father had been a radio D.J. while serving with the U.S. military in South Korea in the district of Uijeongbu. Yoon's father cites his record collection as an influence to pursue her music career. After she moved to South Korea as a child, she often faced discrimination because of her mixed heritage. Yoon dropped out of school at age fifteen and later took a high school equivalence examination.[3] [4] [5]

Discovery, Uptown and Tashannie

Yoon was discovered in 1995 when she accompanied a friend to an audition for a new Korean hip hop group. She did not audition herself, but a World Records representative heard her singing outside of the audition room and signed her to join a new group called Uptown. The group debuted in 1997, when Yoon was 16.[6]

In 1999, she also formed hip hop and R&B duo "Tashannie" with rapper Lee Soo-a, who used the stage name "Annie".[7] They released one album, called Parallel Prophecies.[8] Yoon's name, Natasha, was hard for South Koreans to pronounce, so she used the name "Tasha," in order to better appeal to the intended audience. Uptown broke up in 2000 after several group members were arrested on drug charges. Yoon's then-boyfriend, rapper Tiger JK, was also arrested and spent a month and a half in jail. Yoon herself went into hiding during that period.[9] [10]

Solo career and MFBTY

Yoon debuted as a solo artist in 2001, under the moniker "T" which she shortened even more from "Tasha". She released her first album, As Time Goes By that same year. Her second album, Gemini and her third album, To My Love, were released the following year in 2002. In 2006, she joined Jungle Entertainment, a label founded by her now-husband Tiger JK.[11] The following year, she released the album T3 – Yoon Mi Rae, on which she shared the difficulties she faced as a mixed-race musician in Korea. That year, she performed in Seoul, South Korea with American singer Amerie, who is also of African and Korean heritage.[12] In 2012, Yoon became the face of the computer brand Hewlett-Packard in Korea, having signed a one-year contract to appear in their print media and radio advertisements.[13] She was also a judge on the third and fourth seasons of the television talent competition Superstar K.[14]

Yoon, Tiger JK and rapper Bizzy, formed the hip hop trio MFBTY (My Fans Better Than Yours) in 2013. The group's first single, "Sweet Dream," ranked #1 on three Korean music charts shortly after its release. They had debuted the song at a concert in Cannes, France.[15] [16] MFBTY signed to Tiger JK's newly created Feel Ghood Music label later that year.[17] In September 2013, Yoon earned the #1 spot on Billboard's Korea K-Pop Hot 100 list with her song "Touch Love" from the South Korean drama Master's Sun.[18] In December 2014, Yoon released the single "Angel," which quickly became #1 on four Korean music charts.[19] Also that month she revealed that the American film The Interview used her song "Pay Day" without permission, and that she was taking legal action.[20]

Personal life

In June 2007, she married Tiger JK in a private ceremony in a Buddhist Temple. The wedding occurred a month before the death of Tiger JK's grandmother who had wanted to see them wed before her passing. Yoon gave birth to their son Jordan Seo in March 2008.[21]

Yoon and her husband are advocates against child abuse. In 2011, they appeared in a photoshoot with their son in Vogue Korea for the "Stop Child Abuse & Love Children" campaign. They also filmed a public service announcement for the World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse, performing at the 2011 Child Abuse Awareness Concert. In 2012, South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare commended the couple for their efforts in promoting child abuse prevention.[22] [23] Yoon has also promoted awareness of multiculturalism within Korean families. In 2008, she volunteered for seven months at a multicultural youth camp.[24]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsSales
KOR
[25]
As Times Goes By
  • Released: September 10, 2001
  • Label: World Music Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, cassette
7
Gemini
  • Released: May 3, 2002
  • Label: World Music Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, cassette
15
To My Love
  • Released: December 5, 2002
  • Label: World Music Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, cassette
7
  • KOR: 71,046
t 3 Yoonmirae
  • Released: February 23, 2007
  • Label: Jungle Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
Gemini 2 26
"—" denotes album did not chart.

Collaborative albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsSales
KOR
[29]
살자 (The Cure)
  • Released: September 13, 2013
  • Label: Feel Ghood Music
  • Format: CD, digital download
11
"—" denotes album did not chart.

Compilation albums

TitleAlbum details
T Best Album
  • Released: April 25, 2003
  • Label: Avex Trax
  • Format: CD, digital download
"—" denotes album did not chart.

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsSalesAlbum
KOR
[31]
As lead artist
"As Time Goes By" 2001As Time Goes By
"Boundless Ocean" (끝없는 바다 저편에...)2002Gemini
"To My Love" (Korean ver.)To My Love
"Incomplete" (잊었니...)2007t 3 Yoonmirae
"Please Don't Leave" 2009rowspan="3"
"Get It In" 20115
"This Love" 20151
"Because of You"201619 SM Station Season 1
"Jam Come On Baby" (잠깐만 Baby)36 rowspan="2"
"No Gravity"2018
"Kawi Bawi Bo" Gemini 2
"You and Me"
"Don't Forget Me" 201945
Collaborations
"Wonderful" 2007
"The Cure" 20133 The Cure
"Angel" 20142 WondaLand
"#Capture The City" 2015rowspan="5"
"You and I"
"How Are You?" 201616
  • KOR: 176,786
"Ghood Family" 2017
"Draw Your Love" 2019
As featured artist
"Positive Vibes" 201077Lonely Hearts
"Freaky Deaky Superstar" (Korean ver.) 201120
"Turned Off The TV" (TV를 껐네) 1
  • KOR: 3,081,880
Asura Balbalta
"Without You Now" 20149 rowspan="3"
"Beautiful" 2015
"Forever" 71
"Home" 201620 A New Empire
"Ghood Life" 2017RGB pt.(0,255,0)
"Clover" 2018
"Silent Movie" 2019Start of the End
"Linda" 20204Durijyuwa X Linda X Let's Dance
"Red Lipstick" 2021304 Only
"Self Love" 2022Self Love

Soundtrack appearances

TitleYearPeak chart positionsSalesAlbum
KOR
[42]
"Touch Love"20131 Master's Sun OST Part 4
"I Love You" 20141 It's Okay, That's Love OST Part 6
"I'll Listen To What You Have To Say" 20157 OST Part 3
"Always"20162 Descendants of the Sun OST Part 1
"You Are My World" 10 The Legend of the Blue Sea OST Part 2
"Goodbye" 2017Queen of Mystery OST Part 4
"The Sky of My Youth" (젊은 날의 Sky)Hit the Top OST Part 3
"You, You, You" 2018The Ghost Detective OST Part 5
"My Dream"2019Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung OST Part 2
"Flower"22Crash Landing on You OST Part 2
"Say"202063Itaewon Class OST Part 8
"Lost"Stranger Season 2 OST Part 5
"It's My Life"202194Hospital Playlist Season 2 OST Part 10
"Law"
202214Street Man Fighter OST Part 3

Television appearances

Awards

Award ceremony! scope="col"
YearCategoryNominee(s) / Work(s)Result
Korean Music Awards2008Best R&B & Soul AlbumYoonmirae
Best R&B & Soul Song"What's Up! Mr. Good Stuff"
MAMA Awards2007Best R&B Performance"Have You Forgotten?"[49]
2013Best OST"Touch Love"[50]
2014"I Love You"[51]
Melon Music Awards2013Best OST"Touch Love"
Mnet 20's Choice Awards201020 Most Influential StarsYoon Mi-rae
SBS Gayo Daejeon2002R&B Category Award
Style Icon Awards2012People's Choice Award

Listicles

! Publisher! Year! Listicle! Placement!
Mnet2013Legend 100 Artists77th[52]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: This Korean Singer Is Suing Sony For Using Her Music In 'The Interview'. Smith. Dave. December 27, 2014. Business Insider. December 29, 2014.
  2. Web site: MFBTY sets out to reinvent K-pop with 'Wondaland'. Hong. Tae. May 18, 2015. The Korea Times. April 9, 2016.
  3. Web site: T(Yoon Mi-rae) (티(윤미래)). KBS World Radio. April 9, 2016. April 20, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160420214239/http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/program/program_artist_detail.htm?No=10031. dead.
  4. Web site: Music Is Colorblind: An Interview with MFBTY. October 27, 2015. PopMatters. April 9, 2016.
  5. Web site: Yoon Mi-rae Returns to Her Roots. February 24, 2007. The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition). April 9, 2016.
  6. Web site: Yoon Mi-Rae is K-Hip-Hop's Diamond in the Rough . October 11, 2015 . MTV Iggy . April 9, 2016 . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20151011105737/http://www.mtviggy.com/articles/yoon-mi-rae-korean-k-hip-hop-rap-angel-2015-interview/ . October 11, 2015 .
  7. Web site: Tashannie . World Music . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/19991012235311/http://worldmusic.co.kr/tashannie/intro.html. October 12, 1999 .
  8. Web site: Tashannie KPOP Star Profile. Mnet Mwave. April 9, 2016. April 4, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180404073518/http://mwave.interest.me/kstar/77170/tashannie/video. dead.
  9. Web site: Hip-Hop Group Arrested on Drug Charges. April 30, 2000. The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition). April 9, 2016.
  10. News: Silence Makes the Beats Grow Stronger. Forrest. Brett. November 2000. SPIN. April 9, 2016.
  11. Web site: History. Jungle Entertainment. ko. April 9, 2016.
  12. Web site: Amerie and Yoon Mi-rae to Perform. April 24, 2007. The Korea Times. April 9, 2016.
  13. Web site: Yoon Mirae models for HP Korea. Sunwoo. Carla. February 7, 2012. Korea JoongAng Daily. November 14, 2014.
  14. Web site: Singer Yoon Mi-rae To Rejoin As Super Star K Judge. May 31, 2012. Hancinema. November 14, 2014.
  15. Web site: MFBTY (Tiger JK, Yoon Mirae and Bizzy) Spread Korean Hip-Hop in France. Benjamin. Jeff. February 5, 2013. Billboard. Oak. Jessica. November 14, 2014.
  16. Web site: MFBTY's "Sweet Dream" ranks #1 on music charts. January 22, 2013. Allkpop. April 9, 2016.
  17. Web site: Tiger JK-Yoon Mi Rae Create New Hip-Hop Label, 'FEEL GHOOD MUSIC'. July 22, 2013. KpopStarz. April 9, 2016.
  18. Web site: Yoon Mi Rae Earns First K-Pop Hot 100 No. 1 With 'Touch Love'. Oak. Jessica. September 5, 2013. Billboard. November 14, 2014. Benjamin. Jeff.
  19. Web site: [news] YoonMiRae's "Angel" Hits #1 In Less Than 12 Hours]. December 8, 2014. DT MFBTY INTERNATIONAL. April 9, 2016.
  20. News: Yoon Mi Rae to Take Legal Action against Sony Pictures for Using Her Song in "The Interview" without Permission. December 27, 2014. Soompi. December 27, 2014.
  21. Web site: Tiger JK, T Wed With Baby. Lee. Hyo-won. July 3, 2008. The Korea Times. November 14, 2014.
  22. Web site: Tiger JK and Yoon Mirae to receive commendation from Ministry of Health and Welfare for work in child abuse prevention. November 13, 2012. Allkpop. April 10, 2016.
  23. Web site: Tiger JK and Yoon Mirae Family Photo. March 23, 2011. Soompi. April 10, 2016.
  24. Web site: Libraries, handbooks events: opening way for multicultural society. Kim. Hee-sung. November 13, 2009. Korea.net. April 10, 2016.
  25. Web site: K-pop Album Sales Volume. Recording Industry Association of Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20180418092921/http://riak.or.kr/chart/mcdc.asp. April 18, 2018. dead. April 25, 2018.
  26. Cumulative Sales of As Time Goes By:
  27. Web site: 2002 K-pop Album Sales Volume. Recording Industry Association of Korea. ko. April 25, 2018.
  28. Web site: 2018년 07월 Album Chart . Gaon Music Chart. ko. September 4, 2020.
  29. Web site: K-pop Album Sales Volume. Recording Industry Association of Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20180418092921/http://riak.or.kr/chart/mcdc.asp. April 18, 2018. dead. April 25, 2018.
  30. Web site: September 2013 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart. ko. March 29, 2019.
  31. Circle (formerly Gaon) Digital Chart positions (singles):


    Circle Digital Chart positions (collaborations):


    Circle Digital Chart positions (featured artist singles):

  32. Web site: 2011년 Download Chart. October 9, 2021. Gaon Music Chart. ko.
  33. Cumulative sales of "This Love":
  34. Web site: 2016년 상반기 결산 DOWNLOAD CHART. dead. 3. https://web.archive.org/web/20160828202344/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/total.gaon?PageNo=3&serviceGbn=S1020&termGbn=year&hitYear=2016&targetTime=&nationGbn=T. August 28, 2016. October 9, 2021. Gaon Music Chart. ko.
  35. Web site: 2016년 38주차 Download Chart. October 10, 2021. Gaon Music Chart. ko.
  36. Web site: 2013년 Download Chart. dead. 2. https://web.archive.org/web/20160816145218/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?pageno=2&serviceGbn=S1020&termGbn=year&hitYear=2013&targetTime=11&nationGbn=K. August 16, 2016. October 9, 2021. Gaon Music Chart. ko.
  37. Cumulative sales of "Angel":
  38. Web site: 2011년 07월 Download Chart. October 10, 2021. Gaon Music Chart. ko.
  39. Web site: 2014년 Download Chart. dead. 3. https://web.archive.org/web/20160816131538/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?pageno=3&serviceGbn=S1020&termGbn=year&hitYear=2014&targetTime=11&nationGbn=K. August 16, 2016. October 9, 2021. Gaon Music Chart. ko.
  40. Web site: 2015년 26주차 Download Chart. October 10, 2021. Gaon Music Chart. ko.
  41. Web site: 2016년 10월 Download Chart. October 10, 2021. Gaon Music Chart. ko.
  42. Circle (formerly Gaon) Digital Chart positions (soundtrack appearances):
  43. Web site: 2013년 Download Chart. October 10, 2021. Gaon Music Chart. ko.
  44. Cumulative sales of "I Love You":
    • Web site: 2014년 Download Chart. October 10, 2021. Gaon Music Chart. ko.
    • Web site: 2015년 Download Chart. dead. 3. https://web.archive.org/web/20160816132330/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?pageno=3&serviceGbn=S1020&termGbn=year&hitYear=2015&targetTime=11&nationGbn=K. August 16, 2016. October 10, 2021. Gaon Music Chart. ko.
  45. Cumulative sales of "I'll Listen To What You Have To Say":
  46. Web site: 2016년 Download Chart. October 10, 2021. Gaon Music Chart. ko.
  47. Cumulative sales of "You Are My World":
  48. Web site: Superstar K3 reveals their official poster. July 27, 2011. Allkpop. October 18, 2011.
  49. http://mwave.interest.me/mnettv/videodetail.m?searchVideoDetailVO.clip_id=75123 "2007 Mnet KM Music Festival Part1"
  50. Web site: 2013 M.net Korean Music Festival Winners list . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714214245/http://mama.interest.me/history?type=winner&year=2013 . July 14, 2014 . June 12, 2014 . Mnet.
  51. Web site: [Full Ver.] 2014 Mnet Asian Music Awards Part1 ]. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151208225100/http://mwave.interest.me/mnettv/videodetail.m?searchVideoDetailVO.clip_id=165563 . December 8, 2015 . January 28, 2015 . mwave . MAMA.
  52. Web site: [레전드100人] 윤미래, 국가대표 여성 힙합 뮤지션 - 지니 ]. [Legend 100 People] Yoon Mirae, national female hip-hop musician . January 11, 2024 . Genie Music.