South Korean hip-hop trio Epik High hit Uptown to celebrate KC BBQ, dunk on their haters, and host a quiz show

Epik High. // photo by Tommy Vean

“I’ve washed my hands like 4 times, and my hands still smell like BBQ.”

During their Monday night show at the Uptown, South Korean hip hop Epik High trio expressed love for their Joe’s Bar-B-Que pre show meal. Joking that the ribs were the size of them, they were in awe of the taste and the portion size—promising to come back for more.

Epik High consists of the following members: Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz. Formed in 2001, the trio has released numerous albums gaining a cult following in Asia. The trio were the first ever South Korean act to be invited to Coachella in 2016, and their reappearance at the festival in 2022 solidified their status as artists. Known for their alternative hip-hop style, their work reflects on social issues, mental health, self-confidence and offering support for those who feel lonely.

Epik High. // photo by Tommy Vean

Often known for their silly antics and fan engagement, Epik High opened their first-ever Kansas City tour stop with a quiz show. Testing fans, old and new, questions ranged from the name of their lightstick (a staple in many Korean groups), which of the groups’ songs inspired a BTS member to become a musician, to even asking how much money Tukutz recently borrowed from fellow member Tablo. The quiz show showcased their humorous group dynamic, setting the scene for the rest of the night.

Opening with “ANTIHERO,” the title track from their newest mixtape, the crowd was instantly enamored and grooved to the hip-hop beat. While many of their tracks address their haters, this one takes the cake.

Hearing Mithra’s verse live—“We each outdo the work of 100 people, a boutique beating corporations / We crossed the river of death like it’s nothin’ / now we picnic on the other side while watching other rappers sink.”—was nothing short of spectacular.  *chef’s kiss*

During breaks between songs, the trio found fun ways to transition in between. Tablo poked fun at Tukutz’s stoic expression at the BBQ earlier in the day, claiming him to be fake and a poser. With the graphics on the screen to support, they hilariously transitioned to “GROUP CHAT FREESTYLE,” a song that speaks of backstabbers that they have encountered in their lives.

Epik High. // photo by Tommy Vean

The trio began performing songs from their early albums once “Love Love Love “was played. Before we could recover from jumping up and down, we were instantly transported to a nostalgic time in our lives when “One” came on. A notable hit from their 2008 album, the beat is addictive and has listeners chanting, “Time is tickin’, time is tickin’ away.”

As the night progressed, they took the time to give thanks to the fans, conveying that they feed off the crowd’s energy, and the ability to be able to spark fun into our hearts is the biggest key to their longevity as a group–being together for 23+ years is an amazing feat). All three members wished for the crowd to take note of any worries and negative thoughts they may have and sincerely hoped that being at the show and engaging in the music would allow everyone to leave with a lighter heart. For new fans and those unfamiliar with Epik High, it was genuine and beautiful. You might even say therapeutic.

As the show came to a close, they came back out to finish it with “Don’t Hate Me,” an upbeat pop-rock track that gave the audience that last boost of energy to end the night with a good vibe.

Epik High setlist
ANTIHERO
NO THANXXX
LATE CHECKOUT
Eternal Sunshine
GROUP CHAT FREESTYLE
Rosario
BURJ KHALIFA
K-DRAMA
AMOR FATI
Love Love Love
Rain Song
One
Kill This Love
High Technology
New Beautiful
HOME IS FAR AWAY
BORN HATER
Don’t Hate Me