Mushvenom

Lee Tae-min (Korean: 이태민; born June 20, 1994), known professionally as Mushvenom (Korean: 머쉬베놈; stylized in all caps), is a South Korean rapper. He is known for his humorous lyrics and using the Chungcheong dialect in his rap.

Mushvenom
Background information
Birth name	Lee Tae-min
Born	(1994-06-20) June 20, 1994 (age 30) Daedeok, Daejeon, South Korea
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation	Rapper
Years active	2019-present

Mushvenom first garnered attention when he appeared on Show Me the Money 8 in 2019. His debut single, "Why Are You So Noisy?", was met with critical acclaim. In 2020, he appeared on Show Me the Money 9 and finished in second place. "VVS", a single he released on the show, peaked at number one on the Gaon Digital Chart and won Hip-hop Track of the Year at the Korean Hip-hop Awards.

Early life and education

Lee Tae-min was born on June 20, 1994, in Daedeok, Daejeon.^[1] He began rapping as a hobby when he was in the second year of high school.^[2] He graduated from Kukje University of Arts with an associate degree in applied music.^[3]

He adopted the stage name "Mushvenom" as it sounds similar to "cool guy" (Korean: 멋이 밴 놈; RR: meosi baen nom) in Korean.^[4]

Career

2019: Show Me the Money 8 and "Why Are You So Noisy?"

In July 2019, Mushvenom appeared on Show Me the Money 8 where he first garnered attention. He was eliminated in round six (producer crew battle).^[5] In September 2019, he released his debut single "Why Are You So Noisy?", which was nominated for Best Rap Song at the Korean Music Awards and Hip-hop Track of the Year at the Korean Hip-hop Awards.^[6][7] In November 2019, he released the single "Let Me Know", which was ranked in sixth place in Music Y's 2019 Single of the Year list.^[8] In December 2019, he released the single "Nice Head", which was nominated for Best Rap Song at the Korean Music Awards.^[9]

2020: Show Me the Money 9 and "VVS"

In October 2020, Mushvenom appeared on Show Me the Money 9 where he released "VVS" with Mirani, Munchman, and Khundi Panda. It became his most successful single, charting at number 1 on the Gaon Digital Chart for seven consecutive weeks and winning Hip-Hop Track of the Year at the Korean Hip-hop Awards.^[10][11] He also released singles "Tricker", "Godok", "Go", and "The Beauty of Void" on the show and finished in second place.^[12] He was ranked in second place in Music Y's 2020 Rookie of the Year list.^[13]

Artistry

Mushvenom is known for his "humorous lyrics, witty rhymes, and ear-catching Chungcheong accent".^[14] In an interview with Inven, he cited his family as his biggest influence.^[15] He also gets inspiration from dramas such as Taejo Wang Geon, movies, and comedy shows.^[16]

Discography

Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart position	Certification	Album
		KOR [17]
"Why Are You So Noisy?" (왜 이리 시끄러운 것이냐)	2019	—		Non-album singles
"Let Me Know" (알려 좀 주쇼)		—
"Nice Head" (버르장멋)		—
"Came" (왔다)	2020	—
"Let's See" (보자보자)		—
"VVS" (with Mirani, Munchman, Khundi Panda featuring Justhis)		1	KMCA: Platinum[18]	Show Me the Money 9 Episode 1
"Tricker" (부어라 비워라)		29		Show Me the Money 9 Episode 3
"Godok" (고독하구만) (featuring Superbee)		21		Show Me the Money 9 Semi Final
"Go" (가다) (featuring Simon Dominic and The Quiett)		42		Show Me the Money 9 Final
"The Beauty of Void" (여백의 미) (featuring Jessi and Justhis)		32
"Take It" (옜다) (with Justhis)	2021	74		G+Jus
"Space Muship" (안될 것도 되게 하래서 되게 했더니만 됐다고 하네)	2022	—		TBA

Filmography

TV

Year	Title	Role	Ref.
2019	Show Me the Money 8	Contestant	[19]
2020	Show Me the Money 9	Contestant (Runner-up)	[12]

Awards and nominations

Award	Year	Nominee	Category	Result	Ref.
Melon Music Awards	2021	"VVS"	Song of the Year	Nominated	[20]
Korean Music Awards	2020	"Why Are You So Noisy?"	Best Rap Song	Nominated	[6]
	2021	"Nice Head"		Nominated	[9]
Korean Hip-hop Awards	2020	Himself	New Artist of the Year	Nominated	[7]
		"Why Are You So Noisy"	Hip-hop Track of the Year	Nominated
	2021	"VVS"		Won	[11]
			Collaboration of the Year	Nominated	[21]