MAMAMOO

Blending the essence of modern electro-pop with the swagger of ’90s R&B and the slick grooves of pop-funk, Korean quartet MAMAMOO have added throwback flair to the world of K-pop since their formation in 2014. Made up of two singers, Solar and Wheein, and two rapper-singers, Hwasa and Moonbyul, MAMAMOO have evolved into a K-pop powerhouse since their first EP, 2014’s Hello, building on a pop-soul foundation to include unexpected touches like the guitar riff that gives the strutting “AHH OOP!” a back-to-the-future vibe. Melting, MAMAMOO’s first full-length album, expands on the modern-retro feel with tracks like the bright “You’re the Best”, which brings ’90s girl power into the 21st century, and the scorching “I Miss You”, a sweeping ballad that recalls Whitney and Mariah’s most emotional moments. In 2018, MAMAMOO embarked on the 4colors project, a series of four EPs that each represent a season, a member of the group, and a phase of the quartet’s artistic evolution. After wrapping that up with 2019’s White Wind, MAMAMOO released their second full-length, reality in BLACK, which mixed reggae and alt-rock sounds in with the group’s rich fusion of styles. MAMAMOO have proved themselves to be one of K-pop’s most appealingly chameleonic acts, all four members staying true to themselves while exploring new musical frontiers.