Show Me the Money (South Korean TV series)

Show Me The Money (SMTM; Korean: 쇼미ë"머니) is a South Korean rap competition TV show that airs on Mnet. The show has grown in popularity since the first season aired in 2012, and it is credited with increasing the Korean public's interest in hip hop.

The format of each season varies, but generally consists of contestants going head to head in a series of challenges until only one rapper remains. The show includes a mixture of rookie and experienced rappers, with the experienced rappers typically serving as "producers," a role that includes being both mentors and judges.

Season 1 (2012)

The first season of SMTM paired seasoned rappers Double K, Verbal Jint, 45RPM, MC Sniper, Miryo, Hoony Hoon, Joosuc, and Garion with rookie rappers. Eun Jiwon, member of K-pop group Sechs Kies, hosted the season. Notable contestants included Cheetah, one of the show's few female rappers, who would later win the first season of SMTM spin-off Unpretty Rapstar. Rookie rapper Loco, under the mentorship of Double K, won the competition and went on to sign with hip hop label AOMG. He later appeared in the show's fourth season as a producer.

Season 2 (2013)

The second season of SMTM split the contestants into two hip hop crews, "Meta Crew," lead by MC Meta of the group Garion, and "D.O Crew," lead by Lee Hyun Do, formerly of '90s hip hop duo Deux. Eun Jiwon continued to host Season 2. The season's contestants included several well-known artists, notably LE of (member of EXID), Jucy (former EvoL member), Mad Clown, and Swings. The winner of the second season was Soul Dive.

Season 3 (2014)

The third season of SMTM saw a number of prominent Korean hip hop figures' participation. The producers split themselves loosely along the lines of larger Korean hip hop labels, leading to Tablo and Masta Wu representing "Team YG," Dok2 and The Quiett representing "Team Illionaire," Swings and San E representing "Team Brand New Music," and "Team YDG". The season was won by Bobby from K-Pop idol group iKON, together with his producers Dok2 and The Quiett of Team Illionaire.

Season 4 (2015)

Mnet's fourth season of SMTM features YG judges Jinusean and Tablo, San E and Verbal Jint from Brand New Music, AOMG judges Jay Park and Loco (first season winner came back as a producer), and judges Zico of Block B and Paloalto (Hi-Lite Records). No contestants auditioned this year with more idol rappers, most notably, Song Min-ho of Winner, and veterans such as Black Nut and P-Type. Many of the contestants from Season 3 came back as well. The winner of this season was Basick with his producers team San E and Verbal Jint from Brand New Music.

Season 5 (2016)

The fifth season of SMTM featured four different producer teams consisting of: AOMG judges Simon Dominic & Gray, YG Entertainment judges Kush & Zion T, judges Dok2 & The Quiett of Illionaire Records and Gill & Mad Clown. This season held open auditions in LA for the first time with guest judge Timbaland. It also saw the participation of many popular and well known artists in the Korean hip hop scene as well as notable participants of past seasons such as G2, Reddy, C Jamm, BewhY, Bizniz, Onesun, Jin Doggae, J'Kyun, Xitsuh, Snacky Chan, One, Sanchez, Dayday, Junoflo, Myundo, Super Bee and Flowsik. This season's winner was BewhY with his producer team of Simon Dominic and Gray from AOMG.

Season 6 (2017)

Mnet’s “Show Me the Money 6” began airing on June 30, 2017 and ended on September 1, 2017. The sixth season has confirmed the four producer teams, Zico & Dean, Choiza & Gaeko of Dynamic Duo, Tiger JK & Bizzy and Jay Park & Dok2. Many new rappers have auditioned and many returning ones have as well such as Nucksal, QWALA, Hash Swan, LTAK, NO:EL, Hanhae, Punchnello, JJK, Junoflo, J'Kyun, Ja Mezz, Rhythm Power members Boi-B, Geegoin, and Hangzoo, Microdot, Young B (winner of High School Rapper), New Champ, IGNITO, Kebee, Sleepy (Untouchable), Killagramz, Born Kim, Jin Doggae, Rudals, BIGONE (former 24K member Kim Daeil), and former SMTM1 producer, Double K.

American artist and producer Swizz Beatz was a special judge for the New York auditions of the show. " Show Me The Money 6" landed in New York and Los Angeles May 6 and May 9.

This season drew more participants than ever before. For “Show Me the Money 5”, approximately 9,000 people auditioned to have a chance to compete on the show. “Show Me the Money 6”, has over 12,000 people interested in auditioning for the showâ€"the largest applicant pool the show has ever had. As a result of the huge number of applicants, the first round of auditions in Korea took place over the course of two days. First round auditions occurred April 29â€"30 at Samsan World Gymnasium in Incheon. This was also the first time that auditions were held in New York City. The format for the New York auditions will be the same as the first round auditions in South Korea. New York auditions took place on May 6 at Brooklyn Studios. The Los Angeles auditions were held on May 9 at LA Anderson Warehouse.

The winner for this season was Rhythm Power's Hangzoo with his producer team of Zico and Dean of FANXYCHILD.

Discography

Plagiarism

It has been alleged that the show was copied without permission by a Chinese rap competition show The Rap of China. The logo, rules, and concept of 'The Rap of China' are the same as the South Korean competition series. However, it's revealed that "The Rap of China" did not officially purchase the copyrights. Production company CJ E&M spoke up about the plagiarism, stating "'The Rap of China' did not officially purchase the rights to the content. It's unfortunate how they're broadcasting a similar program without going through the proper procedures." GOT7's Jackson has also appeared on this show.

Video Show Me the Money (South Korean TV series)

References