DEAN

Kwon Hyuk, also known as Dean, is a South Korean artist born on November 10, 1992, in Hongeun-dong, Seoul, South Korea, recognised for his work as an alternative R&B singer, rapper and record producer. Growing up in Hongeun-dong, Seoul, Dean developed an interest in American hip hop and rap during his middle school years. Dean began his music career collaborating with hip-hop artist Keith Ape when he was just sixteen and by eighteen, he was writing songs for prominent K-pop stars under the name 'Deanfluenza'. Under the guidance of Joombas Music Group CEO and producer Hyuk Shin, Dean joined the songwriting team of a Los Angeles-based company, contributing to tracks for prominent acts like EXO and VIXX. His debut in the United States came in July 2015 with the single "I'm Not Sorry," featuring Eric Bellinger, which he followed with South Korean debut "Pour Up," featuring Zico from Block B, earning him recognition and accolades at the Korean Music Awards. Throughout 2016, Dean continued to collaborate with various Korean hip-hop artists, most notably, on hit song "Bermuda Triangle"  which debuted at number 3 on Billboard's World Digital Songs chart. Continuing to gain momentum, his 2016 EP 30 mood: TRBL received commercial and critical acclaim, securing the number 10 spot on the Korean Album Chart, reaching number 3 on the Billboard World Albums chart, with single "Bonnie & Clyde" making its way to number 12, earning the artist a nomination for Album of the Year and Best R&B & Soul Album at the Korean Hip-Hop Awards and Korean Music Awards. Later that year, he dropped the single "Instagram," which rose to Number 1 on local music charts. After a considerable hiatus, Dean returned in 2023 with "Die 4 You," his first single in four years, which entered the charts at 191 and climbed into the top 10, which was followed by hotly anticipated album 4:44 which made its debut at number 34.