Singer and producer Jay Park shared his determination to showcase the true essence of hip-hop through Show Me the Money 12, pushing back against the perception that the genre has lost its depth or seriousness.
On January 15, a production press conference for Show Me the Money 12 was held in Seoul’s Gangnam district. The event was attended by CP Choi Hyo-jin and the full producer lineup, including Zico, Crush, Gray, Loco, J-Tong, Huh! (Hukky Shibaseki), Lil Moshpit, and Jay Park.
“Hip-Hop Has Been Misunderstood”
Jay Park addressed the changing public perception of hip-hop, noting that the genre does not receive the same attention it once did.
“People don’t seem to seek out or listen to hip-hop as much as before,” he said. “As K-pop’s production quality has increased, the boundaries between pop and hip-hop have blurred.”
He added that rap’s accessibility may have contributed to misconceptions.
“Rap has a relatively low entry barrier, so some people might see it as something easy or even childish. There are stereotypes about flexing or acting tough, and I think those misunderstandings have hurt hip-hop’s popularity.”
“I Want to Show What Real Hip-Hop Is”
Rather than chasing mainstream appeal, Jay Park emphasized that his goal on Show Me the Money 12 is to represent hip-hop authentically.
“Personally, I’m not trying to aim for popularity through this show,” he explained. “If I show my real mindset and attitude, people might think, ‘This is what real hip-hop is.’”
Expanded Worldview and New Format
Show Me the Money first aired in 2012 and has since become Korea’s longest-running hip-hop survival program, launching numerous star rappers and chart-topping tracks.
Season 12 introduces an expanded universe through a new spin-off concept titled “Yacha’s World,” described as an extreme rap survival format with no fixed rules, where contestants must rely solely on their lyrical skills to survive. Rather than a simple spin-off, the series will be released as original standalone content.
Broadcast Information
Show Me the Money 12 premieres on January 15 at 9:20 p.m. KST on Mnet and TVING.
Yacha’s World will be available exclusively on TVING every Saturday at noon, starting two days after the main broadcast.