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Information on involvement with drug scandal and Tiger JK conviction, subsequently removed 11 August 2019
editThe following information, perhaps of interest to some, from one of the few sources to give a lengthy account of the drug scandal including interview with Tiger JK, was removed by User:Diannaa at 15:21 on the above date: "'this doesn't belong here; perhaps at Tiger JK, but I doubt it, as the arrest is already covered. We're not a tabloid". This conclusion notwithstanding, a major event in Uptown's history (and in the subsequent development of the career of Yoon Mi-rae) was the drug scandal and their role in the conviction of Tiger JK, one of the most prominent Korean rap artists, and thus may be of value to an interested reader or researcher, thus included here (sources included) for reference:
"The group underwent several line-up changes during the 90s and disbanded in 2000 following drug charges against Jung, Galvan, and Kim,[1] during which time they falsely accused Reid's boyfriend, rapper Tiger JK, of methamphetamine use; Tiger JK was "found guilty... the decision based solely on the mismatched testimony of a rival, less influential rap group, whose members were facing jail time after confessing to their own drug use."[2] "Early in May... JK learned that police had arrested members of Uptown, a softcore rap group that he knew well, on a series of drug charges."[3] "The dates listed along with his alleged activity, July through December 1999, corresponded to the time he spent in L.A., laying tracks for The Great Rebirth. 'When they saw JK's passport, they changed their dates to June', says JK's lawyer, Lee Hang-see... the pressure mounted as two rappers from Uptown, Steve Kim and Carlos Lee, along with Kim's girlfriend, Susan Park, entered the interrogation room. 'They're like, "J, man, you did it,"' JK says. 'But they couldn't look me in the eye. I lost it. I was about to scrap. All the investigators held me down."... after 47 days, JK was granted bail. But at the trial, the outcome was inevitable. Uptown's testimony contradicted itself repeatedly, with witnesses finding difficulty agreeing on times, locations, and other details relating to when they participated in crucial events." Tiger JK spent a month and a half in jail and was given two years probation.[4]
After Reid, considered the standout performer in the group ("Uptown wasn't respected... but Tasha was, because she was one of the first female artists to be rapping"),[5] left Uptown to pursue a solo career in light of both her prominence and the betrayal of Tiger JK by Uptown's members, the group made a comeback without her in 2006 with the album Testimony.[6]<[7] Teenage rapper Jessica H. O. joined the group for the album.[8] Jung was the only remaining original member on the group's 2009 album, New Era, which featured new members Maniac, Snacky Chan, and Swings.[9] Uptown has been inactive since its 2010 album Surprise!" [10]
References
- ^ "Hip-Hop Group Arrested on Drug Charges". The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition). 2000-04-30. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- ^ SPIN magazine, November 2000, Silence makes the beats grow stronger, Brett Forrest, p. 154
- ^ SPIN magazine, November 2000, Silence makes the beats grow stronger, Brett Forrest, p. 156
- ^ SPIN magazine, November 2000, Silence makes the beats grow stronger, Brett Forrest, pp. 154-160
- ^ SPIN magazine, November 2000, Silence makes the beats grow stronger, Brett Forrest, p. 156
- ^ "Uptown (업타운)". KBS World Radio. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- ^ "T(Yoon Mi-rae) (티(윤미래))". KBS World Radio. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- ^ "The 10 Year Journey from Jessica H.O to Lucky J's Jessi". Koreaboo. 2015-02-07. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- ^ "Uptown is Back with new faces". All Kpop. 2009-03-12. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- ^ "업타운, 7번째 정규 앨범 [Surprise!] 발표" [Uptown's 7th Album, Surprise!]. HipHop Playa (in Korean). 2010-08-25. Retrieved 2016-04-09.