In all honesty, I had no idea who BIBI was when I was first assigned this article. But, as always, I like getting these kinds of assignments because I get to learn about new artists.
The first BIBI song I heard was "The Weekend," and I'm instantly hooked! From then on, it was discovering—and loving—one song after the other and I'm like, "Why am I hearing about BIBI just now?"
BIBI made her debut in 2019 but has achieved a lot of milestones already in the last three years. I enjoyed learning about her journey and getting to know her a little bit better. So if you're like me who has just recently become a BIBI fan, or someone who's looking for a new artist to stan, then you’re definitely in the right place.
Here are eight things you should know about BIBI!
1. BIBI's complete stage name is Naked Bibi.
It's actually her username on SoundCloud. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, she said her stage name is inspired by a naked baby because she wants to be an honest musician, make honest music, and be her authentic self. "And [an invitation] to your lover too! 'Get naked baby,'" she playfully added.
In the same interview, she revealed that her path to music began through writing poems when she was 13 years old. Listening to hip-hop music also prompted her to want to become a rapper. "But my rap skill was not good," she confessed. That's why she thought about being an R&B singer since hip-hop and R&B always go well together.
In case you're also wondering, BIBI's real name is Kim Hyung Seo.
2. She was discovered by no less than Yoon Mi Rae, the Queen of South Korean rap herself.
Yoon Mi Rae discovered BIBI through SoundCloud, where she is known as Naked Bibi. Her husband, Tiger JK, thought that she was already a trainee preparing for her debut. "She has the talent of a genius writer," he said during BIBI's debut showcase back in 2019. Well, it looks like her early beginnings of writing poems are finally paying off!
BIBI is signed under Feel Ghood Music, whose CEOs are Tiger JK and Yoon Mi Rae—a.k.a South Korea's rap royalty! Candidly, BIBI also told Teen Vogue that the reason her parents allowed her to sign with Feel Ghood Music is that they are huge fans of Yoon Mi Rae.
3. She officially debuted with the song "BINU" in 2019 and has been unstoppable since!
In the same year as her debut, BIBI also released her first full album, The Manual for people who want to love. Despite the pandemic, she has a steady stream of releases, both singles and collaborations. By the time 2021 rolled in, her career had already grown exponentially. That year, her five-track sophomore album, Life Is A Bi…, was released.
BIBI's career has also expanded outside of South Korea as she becomes part of the roster of artists under the American label, 88rising. One of their projects last year was recording "Never Gonna Come Down." The song was part of Shang-Chi: The Album, which she recorded together with GOT7's Mark Tuan. She was also included in 88rising's Head In The Clouds festival, performing for the first time in the US last November. Months later, BIBI returned stateside just last April, this time performing in, perhaps, one of the biggest music festivals in the world: Coachella! To think that when 88rising first reached out through a DM to BIBI, she thought they were a scam. ~LOL BIBI~
4. She debuted "Best Lover" at Coachella.
BIBI wrote the song to encourage people to love themselves and to be their own best lovers. There's no better way to spread this message than at a festival full of music-loving people. When asked about how she felt about all these—debuting herself and a new song at Coachella—not even BIBI was spared by the immensity of it all. "It was quite overwhelming," she said. "It was so huge and it was crazy because Beyoncé was also performing on the same stage," she told Entertainment Tonight.
5. She has been called a *disruptor.*
Entertainment Tonight's Denny Directo told BIBI that she's a disruptor for defying genre. In conjunction, she described her music as "cute, sad, and weird." Listening to her songs, I couldn't help but agree. Her music is all sorts of things, which makes her unique and truly one-of-a-kind. With BIBI, you never know what you're gonna get, and that makes experiencing her music all the more exciting!
6. She has two red dots under her eyes—and they hold a special meaning.
BIBI puts two red dots under her eyes as an homage to her grandfather, who passed away when she was a kid. It's a reminder for her to be a smart and loving person, just like her grandfather used to be.
7. She has collaborated with Girls' Generation's Hyoyeon, Cho Yena, and Chungha!
BIBI helped Hyoyeon in writing the lyrics for "Second," her single released in August of last year. BIBI is also featured in the song and in the MV!
She also lent her writing talents to former IZ*ONE member, Choi Yena, who made her solo debut just this year. BIBI and Ye Na wrote the lyrics to "SMILEY."
More recently, BIBI also featured in Chungha's "Crazy Like You," which is from the former IOI member's sophomore studio album, Bare & Rare. Ugh, don't you just love it when queens help out their fellow queens?
8. She'll also make her acting debut soon!
We were supposed to see BIBI on TV as she was cast in Sweet Home 2. She had to pull out, though, due to conflicts in her schedule. However, she is set to appear in a noir film, Hwaran, with no less than Song Joong Ki himself! She is also slated to participate in an upcoming Disney+ drama, The Worst Evil. BIBI is on a roll and we're all here for it!
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