Meet 1300, the Korean-Australian Group Looking to Change the K-Pop Game
Photo: Raghov Rampal / Elijah Flores
Greatness happens when the stars align, and you find yourself at the right place at the right time. For the band members of 1300 (pronounced one three hundred), all of the stars aligned the night that the unlikely five met. Before 1300 was formed, three of the five bandmates were already a formed unit known as aisleland. The trio met the other two members and producers at a mutual friend's EP listening party. Once the five met, they felt a connection so strong that they immediately headed to the basement to collaborate that same night.
The rest is history. Bringing different skills to the table, the five individuals are perfectly-cut puzzle pieces that fit together to form 1300. rako and DALI HART fill the vocal and dance aspect, goyo raps, and Nerdie and pokari.sweat produce. rako recalls how "after a while, all three rappers including [rako] started hitting them up to crave some nice beats. Then they invited [him] to their studio, [they] made some good stuff real quick. [He] believes it was meant-to-be."
Originally from Sydney, Australia, the South Korean outfit is best-known for their rowdy yet simultaneously deep-cutting tracks. With the recent worldwide captivation and consumption of Korean music, it’s no surprise that 1300 has piqued the interest of many. However, unlike most popular Korean music, 1300 offers more than what meets the eye. Their recent single, "Oldboy," is characteristic of this multi-dimensional approach. The track gives the group an unexpected edge while still maintaining an impossibly infectious beat. The five-piece group elevates the K-rap genre by incorporating strikingly unfamiliar elements of production throughout their music, all with the aim of creating an authentically fun experience for their listeners.
An equally important part of the group's art form is the choreographed component, which is showcased in the visuals of their music videos. The video for "No Caller ID" features their more eccentric take on rap music through bright eye-catching colors and unconventional yet mesmerizing choreography. The sentiment carries through in their latest single, "Rocksta," and its accompanying video. Over a skittering beat that never loses its footing, 1300 delivers an intoxicating fusion of K-rap and punk aesthetics that doubles as the announcement for their hotly-anticipated debut mixtape, Foreign Language, set to release April 29.
Nerdie says that his goal for the group is to "change the game for K-pop," giving their growing fanbase that this is only the beginning of 1300. Just like how they found themselves spontaneously making music together in an empty basement, 1300 hopes that their music makes their listeners want to go out and create something new, fun, and chaotic with their friends.
