Album Notes

Haiku
Biography

A lyricist searching for boundless conversation. That skateboard kid pushing a punk rock soundtrack. A hip hop loyalist who discovered Tupac and Wu-Tang before Tribe and De La. Bold rhymes coupled with keen perspective. An MC with rock star swagger; Haiku is his own brand.

Haiku’s foray into hip hop began as a DJ who created mixtapes for friends to freestyle over. When it became obvious he could outrhyme them, he traded turntables for a microphone. House party battles and basement ciphers allowed the MC to test his skill, but he desired something permanent. Punchlines matured into songs that explored everything from literature and immigration to women and prescriptions.

What began as a project with no budget or release plan quickly gained momentum in 2004. Brainstorms introduced the Chicago MC to a receptive audience. “Five Hellish Minutes” explored the degrees of insomnia while “1981” recited the trials of discrimination from a first-generation Korean-American perspective. Haiku’s honesty prompted both fans and industry insiders to take notice, and he would eventually be featured in the Chicago Sun-Times, the Southern Illinoisian and the Daily Egyptian, along with spins at college and independent radio.

Countless shows, an appearance at Chicago Rocks and performances alongside artists from the Rhymesayers, Def Jux and Day by Day Camps cemented his presence as a steadfast musician. His sophomore album, Blew, was released in 2006 to critical acclaim for songs like the hypnotic “Blue” and the challenging “Widow’s Peak.”

Dues paid, Haiku is now on the rise. He’s determined to create an album where every track is a classic. To rock shows at prominent venues across the world. And to become a face for Asians whose influence transcends the boundaries of nationality and ethnicity. Haiku is taking off – get your tickets now.