Ravi (rapper)

Kim Won-sik (Korean: 김원식; born February 15, 1993),[1] better known by his stage name Ravi (Korean: 라비), is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer, and CEO of record label GROOVL1N. He is a member of the South Korean boy group VIXX[2] and its sub-unit VIXX LR.[3] He debuted as a solo artist on January 9, 2017, with the release of his debut mini album R.EAL1ZE.[4]

Ravi
라비
Ravi on the red carpet of the 2016 Gaon Chart K-pop Awards
Born	Kim Won-sik[1] February 15, 1993 Seoul, South Korea
Education	Howon University
Occupation	Rapper singer songwriter record producer
Musical career
Genres	Hip hop
Instruments	Vocals keyboards sampler
Years active	2012–present
Labels	Jellyfish GROOVL1N
Associated acts	VIXX VIXX LR

Career

2012–2013: Debut and project solo activities

Ravi was one of ten trainees who were contestants in Mnet's survival reality show MyDOL. He was also one of the six contestants selected to be part of the final line-up of the new boy group VIXX. The group debuted with "Super Hero"[5] on May 24, 2012[2] on M! Countdown.[6][7] During MyDOL, Ravi was featured in the music videos for Brian Joo's "Let This Die" and Seo In-guk's "Shake It Up".[8][9] Ravi participated in writing "Super Hero", VIXX's debut single. On June 14 and 15, during "Super Hero" promotions, Ravi participated in Baek Ji Young's performances of her song "Good Boy";[10][11] which originally is featuring Yong Jun-hyung of B2ST.

In 2013, he appeared in episode 4 of SBS's television drama The Heirs alongside his group members.

2014–2015: Collaborations and VIXX LR

In 2014, Ravi collaborated with American artist Chad Future with "Rock the World" from Future's first mini album. Ravi also appeared in the music video for the single.[12]

In 2015, after much deliberation, Ravi became a contestant of Mnet's television rap competition series Show Me the Money 4[13] but was eliminated in the second round.[14] Ravi was featured as a rapper in Rain's Chinese song "Diamond Love" from the soundtrack of the Chinese drama Diamond Lover (克拉戀人).

On August 7, 2015, Jellyfish Entertainment released a video trailer on VIXX's official website after a mysterious countdown with a silhouette of VIXX's last special album Boys' Record. As time went by, members of VIXX disappeared until finally only Leo and Ravi were left behind, which caused fans to speculate that it meant another comeback for all six members. A video trailer of VIXX LR was then revealed.[15]

VIXX LR was confirmed by Jellyfish Entertainment to be VIXX's first official sub-unit composed of main rapper Ravi and main vocalist Leo. Their debut mini album, Beautiful Liar, was released on August 17, 2015.[16][17][18] On the same day VIXX LR held their first showcase for Beautiful Liar at Yes24 Muv Hall in Seoul′s Mapo-gu.[19][20]

In December 2015, Ravi was featured in the ballad girl group Melody Day's single "When It Rains" (Korean: 비가 내리면), as part of their Winter Ballad Project.[21][22]

On December 31, 2015, Ravi dropped a teaser on his Twitter and Instagram accounts for his first mixtape [R.EBIRTH] with tracks composed, written and produced by himself.[23]

2016–present: [R.EBIRTH], DamnRa, solo debut with R.EAL1ZE, [NIRVANA], R.OOK BOOK

On January 4, 2016, Ravi revealed the first pre-release to his mixtape [R.EBIRTH], with the track "Where Should I Go" featuring Microdot.[24][25] The second pre-release "OX" featuring Basick, the winner of Show Me the Money 4, was released on January 20, 2016.[26][27] The third pre-release "Good Girls" (Korean: 착한 여자) featuring Hanhae and Soulman was released on February 4, 2016.[28] The fourth and final pre-release "Move" was released on February 22, 2016.[29][30] All the mixtape pre-releases have been released on VIXX's official YouTube channel and on Ravi's official SoundCloud. On March 4, 2016 the track list was revealed on Ravi's Instagram.[31] The full version of [R.EBIRTH] was released on March 12, 2016 available for free as streaming media also on SoundCloud and YouTube.[32][33] To celebrate the release of [R.EBIRTH], Ravi held a showcase, titled Ravi's 1st Live Party [R.EBIRTH], on March 19 and March 20, 2016 at the Hyundai Card Understage in Seoul.[34][35][36] Rappers Basick, Esbee, and DJ/producer SAM&SP3CK attended the show as featured performers and VIXX members Leo, N, Ken, Hongbin and Hyuk also attended as guests.[37][38][39]

On July 14, 2016, Ravi participated in Jellyfish Entertainment's new music channel project Jelly Box and released the single "DamnRa" featuring SAM&SP3CK, a DJ/producer duo. "DamnRa" was released along with a performance music video.[40][41] On September 26, Ravi released a mixtape track titled "Who are U" and featuring Superbee.[42]

As of October 2016 with the release of Kratos, Ravi has contributed to the writing and composing of over 46 songs recorded by VIXX.

On December 26, 2016, it was announced that Ravi would debut as a solo artist with a mini album titled R.EAL1ZE on January 9, 2017 and will hold a solo concert from January 6 to January 8 at the Yes24 Muv Hall in Seoul's Mapo District.[43]

On January 4, 2017, Ravi pre-released a single, "Home Alone" (Korean: 나홀로 집에) featuring Jung Yong-hwa from his upcoming first mini album R.EAL1ZE.[44][45]

On January 9, 2017, Ravi released his debut mini album R.EAL1ZE, which contains three tracks from his previous mixtape plus four new tracks including the title track “BOMB” featuring San E.[46][47] He was the producer, and personally in charge of the composition, arrangement and writing the lyrics of every song.[48]

On February 7, 2019, Ravi and Chungha confirmed that they will release their collaboration on February 18.[49] On the promised day the new single Live was released on various music streaming websites[50]

On February 22, Ravi's second mini album R.OOK BOOK was announced to be released on March 5.[51]

During March Ravi appeared in several music programs performing "Runway" and "Tuxedo".

Ravi had his third solo concert REAL-LIVE R.OOK BOOK which took place at the Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul on March 22–24.

GROOVL1N

On June 27, 2019, Ravi revealed via his Twitter and Instagram account the name of his own hip-hop label name GROOVL1N (Korean: 그루블린) a combination of GROOVE and GOBLIN which means "The cool folk of the orient".[52] The label includes Cold Bay, Chillin Homie and Xydo (Park Chi Woong) whom he worked with in the past[53]

Discography

Albums

Title	Details	Peak chart positions	Sales
		KOR Gaon [54]
El Dorado	Released: February 24, 2020 Label: GROOVL1N, Genie Music, Stone Music Entertainment Format: CD, digital download, streaming Track list El Dorado Po$ei (ft. Khundi Panda) Dream Catcher (ft. Reddy, Bill Stax) Lo-Fi (ft. Sik-K) Rockstar (ft. Paloalto) Goddess (ft. Xydo) 여포 (Yeopo) (ft. Rohann, Chillin Homie) Doberman (ft. G2) Full Time Digga (ft. sokodomo, Raf Sandou) 칼춤 (Knife Dance) (ft. Xydo, Cold Bay, Chillin Homie) Where Am I (GROOVL1N Remix) (ft. Cold Bay, Xydo)	5	KOR: 7,583[55]

Extended plays

Title	Details	Peak chart positions			Sales
		KOR Gaon [56]	TW [57]	US World [58]
R.EAL1ZE	Released: January 9, 2017 Label: Jellyfish Entertainment, CJ E&M Format: CD, digital download Track list Bomb (ft. San E) Rose (ft. Ken of VIXX) Ladi Dadi (ft. Microdot, Jero) 나홀로 집에 (Home Alone) (ft. Jung Yong-hwa) 아 몰라 일단 Do the Dance Lean On Me 뇌비우스의 띠 (Möbius Strip) (ft. Esbee)	2	11	8	KOR: 22,839[59]
R.OOK BOOK	Released: March 5, 2019 Label: Jellyfish Entertainment Format: CD, digital download Track list R.OOK BOOK Tuxedo L.A.Y.E.R.E.D (ft. SAAY) 녹는점(See-Through) (ft. Cold Bay) Runway U-Niverse (ft. Rick Bridges) Hoodie (ft. Xydo, Raf Sandou) Bonus track "Live"(ft. Chungha)	6	—	—	KOR: 18,048[60]
Limitless	Released: November 8, 2019 (Part 1) November 25, 2019 (Part 2) Label: GROOVL1N, Genie Music, Stone Music Entertainment Format: Digital download Track list Part 1 NZT Limitless (ft. Sik-K, Xydo) Venom (ft. Ja Mezz) Zombie Bada$ (ft. Cold Bay) Brag (ft. Chillin Homie) Part 2 Q&A (ft. Zene The Zilla) How Could You (ft. Raf Sandou) Turn On The Light (ft. twlv) Drug (ft. Kim Hyo-Eun) 각성 (Arousal)	—	—	—
Paradise	Released: July 28, 2020 Label: GROOVL1N, Warner Music Korea Format: Digital download Track list U-TURN Paradise (ft. Ha Sung-woon) Water Gun Question Mark If I (ft. Big Naughty) Rain Drop (ft. Lee Na-eun)	—	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Mixtapes

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
		US World [58]
R.EBIRTH	Released: March 12, 2016 Label: Jellyfish Entertainment, CJ E&M Format: Streamed audio	—
	Re-released: January 5, 2018 (R.ebirth 2016)[61] Label: Jellyfish Entertainment, CJ E&M Format: Digital download Track list R.EBIRTH Move Lean On Me OX (ft. Basick) 뇌비우스의 띠 (Möbius Strip) (ft. Esbee) Control (Interlude) 끄덕끄덕 (Nod Nod) (ft. Donutman) 착한 여자 (Good Girls) (ft. Hanhae, Soulman) 아 몰라 일단 Do the Dance Where Should I Go (ft. Microdot) Where Should I Go (solo version) Who Are U (ft. Superbee) Lucid Dream (ft. MICRODOT) Hong Gil Dong	—
Nirvana	Released: January 22, 2018[62] Label: Jellyfish Entertainment, CJ E&M Format: Digital download Track list 끓는점 (Boiling Point) (ft. Sik. K) Chameleon Nirvana (ft. Park Ji-min) Ravi da Loca Payday (ft. Cho Cho Ah, OLNL) Alcohol Where Am I (ft. Microdot)	5
K1tchen	Released: June 26, 2018[63] Label: Jellyfish Entertainment, CJ E&M Format: Digital download Track list Payback (ft. Coogie) Sparring Frypan (ft. Double K, Microdot) 파블로프의 개 (Pavlov's Dog) (ft. Cold Bay, Basick) Scarynightt (Bonus track) Shot	—
Nirvana II	Released: August 29, 2019 Label: GROOVL1N, Genie Music, Stone Music Entertainment Format: Digital download Track list Two Tone Drip (ft. Park Ji Woo, Make A Movie) Leopard (ft. Solar of Mamamoo) Still Nirvana (ft. Haon, Xydo) O.I Versa 고객 (Service) Unicorn (ft. Cold Bay)	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart position	Sales	Album
		KOR Gaon [64]
As lead artist
"DamnRa" (Feat. SAM&SP3CK)[upper-alpha 1]	2016	—	N/A	Non-album singles
"Who are U?" (feat. Superbee)		—
"Home Alone" (나홀로 집에) (ft. Jung Yong-hwa)	2017	83	KOR (DL): 19,987+[66]	R.EAL1ZE
"BOMB" (ft. San E)		60	KOR (DL): 18,503+[67]
"Adorable" (feat. Yang Yoseob of Highlight)	2018	—	N/A	Non-album singles
"Live" (ft. Chungha)	2019	—	N/A	R.OOK BOOK
"Tuxedo"		85
"See-Through" (녹는점) (ft. Cold Bay)		—
"Blossom" (ft. GFRIEND's Eunha)		67		Non-album singles
As featured artist
"Rock the World" (Chad Future feat. Ravi)	2014	—	N/A	The First Mini Album
"Diamond Love" (Rain feat. Ravi)	2015	—		Diamond Lover OST
"When It Rains" (비가 내리면) (Melody Day feat. Ravi)		41[68]	KOR: 40,112+	Color
"Feeling Abandoned" (Kiggen feat. Eluphant, Ravi, ESBEE)	2016	—	N/A	The Original
"Use Me" (Kim Wan-sun feat. Ravi)		—		Non-album single
"Wave" (Microdot feat. Ravi, Lil Boi)		—		+64
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Notes

1. "DamnRa" was a promotional tool for Jellyfish Entertainment's digital music platform Jelly Box.[65]

Concerts

Headlining

• 2016: Ravi's 1st Live Party [R.EBIRTH]
• 2017: RAVI 1st REAL-LIVE [R.EAL1ZE]
• 2018: RAVI 2nd REAL-LIVE NIRVANA
• 2018: RAVI 1st SOLO EUROPE TOUR
• 2019: RAVI 3rd REAL-LIVE R.OOK BOOK

Co-headlining

• 2017: Rapbeat Show 2017 in Australia

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role	Network	Notes
2014	The Heirs	Himself	SBS	Cameo ep. 4
2015	Show Me the Money 4	Contestant	Mnet	Eliminated in the second round.
2016	Gugudan Project - Extreme School Trip	Narrator	MBC Music
2018	Real Man 300	Cast member[69][70]	MBC
	King of Mask Singer	Contestant as "Burst"		Episode 175[71][72]
2019–present	2 Days & 1 Night	Regular member[73]	KBS2

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominated work	Result	Ref.
2020	Brand of the Year Awards 2020	Variety Star Idol of the Year	2 Days & 1 Night	Won	[74]

References

1. Ravi Official Profile
   • "Ravi Official Profile (Korean Site)". Jellyfish Entertainment. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
   • "Ravi Official Profile (Japanese Site)". Jellyfish Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
2. "Upcoming group VIXX releases 3rd video teaser for "Super Hero"". allkpop. 20 May 2012.
3. "VIXX's First Subunit LR Composed of Leo and Ravi, Releases Teasers and More". soompi.com. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
4. "빅스 라비, 첫 솔로앨범 기습 예고…4일 선공개곡 발표". Naver. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
5. "VIXX to watch the last episode of 'Mydol' with their fans at a movie theater". allkpop. 31 May 2012.
6. "VIXX to share download links for their music and teasers on Twitter". allkpop. 20 May 2012.
7. "Finalists from 'Mydol' reveal official group name, Vixx". allkpop. 10 May 2012.
8. Brian Joo (브라이언) - Let This Die (Extended Eng Ver.). 31 Jan 2012.
9. Seo In Guk (서인국) "SHAKE IT UP" Music Video. 8 Aug 2011.
10. "[STAR ZOOM IN] Baek Ji Young shows an amazing chemistry with a guy (feat. 라비 of VIXX) 170109 EP.162 - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
11. "'VIXX' Ravi, Baek Ji-young and certified shot!... Featured'Good Boy'". Hankooki.
12. CHAD FUTURE - ROCK THE WORLD (ft. VIXX RAVI) M/V. Apr 28, 2014.
13. "VIXX's Ravi Confirmed to Join "Show Me the Money 4"". soompi. 2015-05-09. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
14. "VIXX's Ravi Drops "Shout Out to My" Following Elimination from "Show Me the Money 4"". soompi. 2015-07-03. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
15. "VIXX starts a mysterious countdown - perhaps to a comeback?". allkpop.com. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
16. "VIXX′s First Unit LR to Debut on August 17". mwave.interest.me. Archived from the original on August 8, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
17. "VIXX's sub-unit LR unveils teaser photo for their upcoming debut!". allkpop.com. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
18. "VIXX's first subunit LR releases tracklist for 'Beautiful Liar' mini album". allkpop.com. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
19. "VIXX LR Holds Its First Showcase". bntnews.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
20. "LR′s Leo and Ravi Reveal Why They Formed VIXX′s First-Ever Unit". mwave.interest.me. Archived from the original on 2015-09-07. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
21. "Melody Day to Drop New Single Album Featuring VIXX's Ravi". soompi.com. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
22. [Music Clip] MelodyDay(멜로디데이)_When it rains (Feat. Ravi of VIXX)(비가 내리면 (Feat. 라비 of 빅스)). Dec 27, 2015.
23. "VIXX's Ravi teases for his first mix tape!". allkpop.com. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
24. "VIXX's Ravi To Be Reborn With First Mixtape". officiallykmusic.com. 2016-01-03. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
25. [Mixtape] 라비(Ravi) - WHERE SHOULD I GO (FEAT. MICRODOT). Jan 3, 2016.
26. "Ravi 1st Mixtape [R.EBIRTH] 2nd pre-release "OX" (Feat. Basick)". 19 January 2016.
27. [Mixtape] 라비(Ravi) - OX (feat. Basick) (prod. by Ravi). Jan 20, 2016.
28. [Mixtape] 라비(Ravi) - 착한 여자 (feat. 한해, Soulman) (prod. by Ravi). Feb 4, 2016.
29. "VIXX's Ravi drops yet another pre-release 'MOVE' for his 1st mixtape, 'R.EBIRTH'!". allkpop.com. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
30. [Mixtape] 라비(Ravi) - MOVE (prod. by Ravi). Feb 22, 2016.
31. "Ravi 1st Mixtape [R.EBIRTH] Track List". 4 March 2016.
32. "Ravi 1st Mixtape[R.EBIRTH]". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
33. "Ravi 1st MIXTAPE [R.EBIRTH] by Ravi". Retrieved March 12, 2016.
34. "VIXX's Ravi Will Make You 'MOVE' In New Pre-Release + Showcase Details". hellokpop.com. 2016-02-23. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
35. "Two for the show 2 : Ravi's 1st Live party ［R.EBIRTH］". UNDERSTAGE by Hyundai Card. Retrieved 20 Mar 2016.
36. "VIXX's Ravi To Hold His '1st Live Party' Next Month". officiallykmusic.com. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
37. "Ravi's 1st Live Party #REBIRTH 0320". Retrieved 20 Mar 2016.
38. "Ravi shines brightly at his solo concert". Retrieved 22 Mar 2016.
39. "[STARCAST] "Time to born again with R.EBIRTH"...VIXX RAVI's first solo concert!". Retrieved 24 March 2016.
40. "빅스 라비, 음원 발매…강렬 비트로 중무장". Naver. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
41. "빅스 라비, 쌤앤스팩과 인증샷 공개". Naver. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
42. "Listen: VIXX's Ravi Drops Mixtape Track "Who Are U" Featuring Superbee". Retrieved December 9, 2016.
43. "VIXX's Ravi to release solo debut". mengnews. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
44. "[팝업뮤직]"솔로 전초전" 빅스 라비, 바빠도 세상 스윗 (ft. 정용화)". Naver.com. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
45. "빅스 라비X정용화 男男 호흡 통했다, '성공적 신호탄'". Naver.com. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
46. "[한밤의 신곡] 빅스 아닌 라비, 솔로 래퍼의 중독적 매력(ft. 산이)". Naver.com. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
47. "[0시★다방]'BOMB' 빅스 라비의 포텐 터질 시간이 왔다". Naver.com. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
48. "빅스 라비, 전곡 프로듀싱 앨범 '리얼라이즈' 트랙리스트 공개". Naver.com. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
49. "VIXX's Ravi and Chungha Announce Release Date for Collaboration".
50. "Listen: VIXX's Ravi Shares Uplifting Message in "live" Featuring Chungha".
51. "Update: VIXX's Ravi Gives a Fiery First Look at "Tuxedo" MV in Teaser".
52. "빅스 라비, 힙합 레이블 그루블린 설립(공식입장)" (in Korean).
53. "GROOVL1N OFFICIAL". June 26, 2019.
54. "Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
    • "El Dorado (2020)".
55. 2020년 2월 Album Chart [February 2020 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved March 12, 2020.
56. "Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
    • "R.EAL1ZE (2017)".
    • "R.OOK BOOK (2019)".
57. "FIVE-MUSIC Korea-Japan Album Chart" (in Chinese). FIVE-MUSIC. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
    To access, select the indicated week and year in the bottom-left corner:
    • R.EAL1ZE (2017): "The 2nd Week of 2017"
58. "World Albums". Billboard charts.
59. Cumulative sales for R.EAL1ZE
    • "Gaon Album Chart - January 2017". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 10, 2017.
60. "2019년 상반기 Album Chart (see #92)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 12, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
61. "[단독] 빅스 라비, 젤리피쉬 새해 첫 주자 확정… 5일 솔로 앨범 발매". Kuki News (in Korean).
62. "[공식입장] 빅스 라비, 22일 믹스테잎 앨범→2월 솔로 콘서트 개최". OSEN (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
63. ""랩 요리하는 요섹남"..빅스 라비, 3번째 믹테 'K1TCHEN' 커버". OSEN (in Korean). June 20, 2018.
64. "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
65. "빅스 라비, 'DamnRa' 퍼포먼스 비디오 공개…'터프+박력' 다크 매력 터졌다". Naver. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
66. Total Download sales for "Home Alone":
    • 2017년 1주차 Download Chart [Week 1 of 2017 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
67. Total Download sales for "Bomb":
    • 2017년 2주차 Download Chart [Week 2 of 2017 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
68. "Gaon Chart 2015.12.27-2016.01.02" (in Korean).
69. "VIXX's Ravi, MONSTA X's Shownu, NCT's Lucas, and More Enter a Boot Camp in "Real Men 300"".
70. http://enews.imbc.com/News/RetrieveNewsInfo/248373(In%5B%5D Korean)
71. Yoo Ji-hye (October 28, 2018). "'복면가왕' 조현영·쇼리·김수용·라비, 눈물과 ♥의 '반전' [종합]". OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved March 8, 2020.
72. Kim Myung-mi (October 28, 2018). "'복면가왕' 조현영 쇼리 김수용 라비, 눈물부터 7표 굴욕까지(종합)". Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved March 8, 2020.
73. "Update: "2 Days & 1 Night" Confirms New Cast Including Kim Jong Min, VIXX's Ravi, DinDin, And More". Soompi. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
74. Lee, Min-ji (September 28, 2020). "방탄소년단X싹쓰리X강다니엘 '올해의 브랜드 대상' 선정(공식)". Newsen via Daum (in Korean). Retrieved September 29, 2020.

External links