Quick Facts
Virgo
Biography
Jo Gwang-il (Korean: 조광일; born September 12, 1996) is a South Korean rapper and songwriter. He is known for his fast raps with Korean plosive sounds. He debuted in 2019 with the single "Grow Back". In 2020, he released his breakout single "Acrobat". He won the rap competition television show Show Me the Money 10 in 2021.
Early life
Jo Gwang-il was born on September 12, 1996, in Nam-gu, Gwangju. He wanted to be a StarCraft gamer, but the company unexpectedly stopped its service. He turned his attention to music and began rapping at age 17. He graduated from Jeonnam Technical High School.
Career
In 2019, Jo Gwang-il released his debut single "Grow Back". In April 2020, he released his breakout single "Acrobat". It peaked at number 18 on the Gaon Singing Room Chart and its music video amassed more than 10 million views. It also received positive reviews from critics and was nominated for Hip-hop Track of the Year at the Korean Hip-hop Awards. In October 2022, he released his debut studio album Dark Adaptation. In 2021, he won the rap competition television show Show Me the Money 10.
Philanthropy
Jo Gwang-il donated the prize money of Show Me the Money 10 to Holt International Children's Services.
Discography
Studio album
| Title | Details | Peak chart position |
|---|---|---|
| KOR | ||
| Dark Adaptation (암순응; Amsuneung) |
| 64 |
EP
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| New World (신세계; Sinsegye) |
|
| Metamorphosis (변태; Byeontae) |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Grow Back" | 2019 | — | Non-album singles |
| "Acrobat" (곡예사; Gogyesa) | 2020 | — | |
| "THC" | — | New World | |
| "Korea" (한국; Hanguk) | — | Dark Adaptation | |
| "Layoff" (정리해고; Jeongnihaego) | — | Non-album single | |
| "Raw" | — | New World | |
| "Memoirs" (회상록; Hoesangnok) | — | Dark Adaptation | |
| "Depersonalization" (이인증; Iinjeung) | 2021 | — | Non-album singles |
| "4HC" | — | ||
| "Rambo" (람보) | — | ||
| "Let's Disco Dance" (디스코나 출래; Diseukona chullae) | — | ||
| "Anarchy Freestyle" (난세 Freestyle; Nanse Freestyle) | — | ||
| "Perfect" (퍼펙트) | — | ||
| "Wake Up" | 3 | Show Me the Money 10 Episode 1 | |
| "Thorn" (가시; Gasi) | 22 | Show Me the Money 10 Episode 2 | |
| "Waterbomb" (호우주의; Houjuui) | 14 | Show Me the Money 10 Semi Final | |
| "Garion" (가리온) | 49 | Show Me the Money 10 Final | |
| "Journey" (쿠키영상; Kukiyeongsang) | 101 | ||
| "Mansae" (만세) | 2022 | — | Non-album singles |
| "On and On" (거듭해; Geodeupae) | — | ||
| "Break the Line" | — | ||
| "Compensation" (깽값; Kkaenggap) | — | ||
| "Ghost Buster" | — | Café Minamdang |
Filmography
TV
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Show Me the Money 10 | Contestant (Winner) |
Awards and nominations
| Award | Year | Nominee | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Korean Hip-hop Awards | 2021 | Himself | New Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| "Acrobat" | Hip-hop Track of the Year | ||||
| "Acrobat Remix" | Collaboration of the Year |
