PSY
Biography
Park Jae-sang, known professionally as PSY, is a South Korean singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer born on December 31, 1977, in Seoul, South Korea. He grew up in the affluent Gangnam District. After briefly studying business administration at Boston University in 1997, he transferred to Berklee College of Music but left without graduating to pursue a music career in South Korea.
Career Beginnings and Early Success
PSY debuted in 2001 with his first album, "Psy from the Psycho World!", which was fined for "inappropriate content". Known for his blunt lyrics, unique dance moves, and unconventional appearance, he quickly earned the nickname "The Bizarre Singer". His second album, "Sa 2," also faced controversy and was restricted to adult audiences. Despite the controversies, he gained popularity, and the single "Champion" from his third album, "3 Mai," became a major hit.
From 2003 to 2005, PSY completed his mandatory military service. However, he was later required to serve a second term from 2007 to 2009 after it was determined he had neglected his duties. After his second service, he signed with YG Entertainment and released the album "PSY Five" in 2010.
International Breakthrough with "Gangnam Style"
In July 2012, PSY released "Gangnam Style," the lead single from his sixth studio album, "Psy 6 (Six Rules), Part 1". The song and its music video became a global phenomenon. The video was the first on YouTube to reach one billion views on December 21, 2012. The song's success led to international recognition, numerous awards, including the Best Video at the MTV Europe Music Awards, and a record deal with School Boy Records in the United States. The song's dance craze was replicated by people worldwide, including celebrities and world leaders.
Career After "Gangnam Style"
Following the massive success of "Gangnam Style," PSY released several other singles, including "Gentleman" in 2013 and "Daddy" featuring CL of 2NE1 in 2015. He released his seventh and eighth studio albums in 2015 and 2017. In May 2018, PSY left YG Entertainment after eight years.
P Nation
In 2019, PSY established his own record label and entertainment agency, P Nation. He signed several prominent K-pop artists, including Jessi, HyunA, Dawn, Crush, and Heize. The agency has since debuted its first boy group, TNX, in 2022. P Nation aims to provide a platform for artists with creative freedom.
Recent Activities
After a five-year hiatus from recording, PSY released his ninth studio album, "Psy 9th," on April 29, 2022. The lead single, "That That," was produced by and features Suga of BTS. PSY has stated that this album marks a farewell to the image and pressure associated with "Gangnam Style".