Show Me The Money is a South Korean rap competition TV show that airs on Mnet. The show has grown in popularity since the first season aired in 2012 to season 9 in 2020, and it is credited with increasing the South Korean public's interest in hip hop.
Back in July, it was announced that Mnet would be accepting audition tapes for the ninth season of the much anticipated hip hop survival show Show Me The Money. Here are the 8 winners of the show and what they're up to now:
1. Winner of SMTM1: LOCO
The first season of SMTM began airing on June 22, 2012 and was hosted by Eun Ji-won of the K-pop group Sechs Kies. The season paired experienced rappers Double K, Verbal Jint, 45RPM, MC Sniper, Miryo, Hoony Hoon, Joosuc, and Garion with rookie rappers. Rookie rapper LOCO won the season under DOUBLE K and is now signed to AOMG. Loco is a household name in South Korea and his music is always on top of the charts.
2. Winner of SMTM2: Soul Dive
The second season of SMTM began airing on June 7, 2013 and was again hosted by Eun Ji-won. Contestants were split into two hip hop crews, "Meta Crew," led by MC Meta of the group Garion, and "D.O Crew," led by Lee Hyun Do, formerly of '90s hip hop duo Deux. Hip hop trio Soul Dive won the competition under MC Meta. Although they're not popular in the mainstream, they have a niche following with 3 albums.
3. Winner of SMTM3: Bobby of iKON
The third season of SMTM saw a number of prominent Korean hip hop figures' participation including Tablo of EPIK HIGH, Masta Wu, The Quiett and San E among others. The season was won by Bobby from K-Pop idol group iKON, together with his producers Dok2 and The Quiett of Team Illionaire. He's still an active member of iKON and has collaborated with MINO and EPIK HIGH among others.
4. Winner of SMTM4: Basick
Mnet's fourth season of SMTM features YG judges Jinusean and Tablo, San E and Verbal Jint from Brand New Music, AOMG judges Jay Park and Loco (first season winner came back as a producer), and judges Zico of Block B and Paloalto (Hi-Lite Records). Song Minho of WINNER was also a participant this season. The winner Basick IS NOW SIGNED UNDER Rainbow Bridge World and has featured in numerous popular collaborations.
5. Winner of SMTM5: BewhY
The fifth season of SMTM featured four different producer teams consisting of: AOMG judges Simon Dominic & Gray, YG Entertainment judges Kush & Zion T, judges Dok2 & The Quiett of Illionaire Records and Gill & Mad Clown. The winner of this season is famed as one of the fastest rappers with incredible unmatched skills as well as his Christian themed music. He returns as producer and judge in SMTM9 along with DYNAMIC DUO.
6. Winner of SMTM6: Hangzoo
The sixth season of SMTM aired in 2017 and had four producer teams, Zico & Dean, Choiza & Gaeko of Dynamic Duo, Tiger JK & Bizzy and Jay Park & Dok2. This was the most popular season of SMTM with rappers from previous seasons as well as new contestants participating. The winner was Rhythm Power's Hangzoo with his producer team of Zico and Dean of FANXYCHILD. Hangzoo is still widely popular and his music is loved by fans of all ages. His most recent track is titled "Promise (from A Drive_File 01)" and features a different side of him with sonorous melody and his singing voice.
7. Winner of SMTM7: Nafla
Season 7 was known as "Show Me The Money 777 (read as Triple 7)" and began airing on September 7, 2018. This season marked the seventh season of the show. The seventh season featured four producer teams, Swings & Giriboy, Deepflow & Nucksal, Code Kunst & Paloalto, and The Quiett & Changmo. The winner for this season was Nafla with his producer team of Team Just Music. Nafla recently released his collaboration song with HYO in 2020 which proved immensely popular and successful. Safe to say, he's still on the rise.
8. Winner of SMTM8: Punchnello
Season 8 began airing from July 26, 2019.Different from previous seasons, when there were four producer teams, the eighth season featured two producer crews, one consisting of Swings, Mad Clown, Kid Milli and Boycold, with the other consisting of Verbal Jint, Giriboy, BewhY and Millic. The winner of the season was Punchnello with his producer crew of BGM-v Crew. Punchnello is one of the most popular and influential rappers of this generation. He's also a singer/songwriter and his latest single is his collaboration with meenoi, titled "Us".
Mnet recently released a KING'S CYPHER on their official channel featuring past winners of the show You can watch the video here:
