Twlv
twlv
South Korean singer-songwriter and record producer
Jo Hyun-soo (Korean: 조현수; born September 29, 1993), better known by his stage name twlv (트웰브, pronounced "twelve"), is a South Korean singer-songwriter and record producer. He began his music career by uploading songs onto music sharing website SoundCloud and collaborating with rapper Superbee. twlv released his solo mini-album Contents ½ in 2018 and competed on SBS TV's survival program The Fan. He signed with Yng & Rich Records the following year and has released several records, including his first studio album K.I.S.S (2020).
twlv | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jo Hyun-soo |
| Born | (1993-09-29) September 29, 1993 (age 30) Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea |
| Genres | R&B, hip hop, house |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, record producer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Labels | Yng & Rich, The Tilde |
| Website | Official website  |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 조현수 |
| Revised Romanization | Jo Hyeon-su |
| McCune–Reischauer | Cho Hyŏnsu |
twlv was born Jo Hyun-soo on September 29, 1993, in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.[1] He attended Korea National University of Transportation in Chungju and graduated from the Department of Aeronautical & Mechanical Design Engineering.[2] He completed his mandatory military service and began working on music upon his return.[3] He began uploading song recordings and a mixtape entitled Nobody (2018) onto sharing website SoundCloud under the stage name Twelve. He then altered his name by omitting the vowels and continued as twlv. He reached out to rapper Superbee via a direct message and asked him to listen to his songs, resulting in the two working together.[2]
On June 1, 2018, Superbee and twlv released the OrO-produced single "Ladies Love Dogs" featuring Jindotgae.[4] Thematically revolving around the story of two young friends who suddenly become wealthy, the pair jointly released the project albums Moolood Gang Tape and Moolood Gang Tape II through the label Ghood Life Crew on June 15 and 29, respectively.[5][6] In contrast to the trap music of his collaborative works, twlv released his debut solo EP Contents ½ and its synth-pop lead single "Bodytalk" on August 5.[7] He was introduced as an R&B vocalist by Superbee and Dok2 on SBS TV's survival program The Fan, where he contended to accumulate the most votes and viral aggregates to win the competition.[8] He sang a rendition of G.Soul's "You" on the second episode of the series, which garnered him positive reception from the Fan Masters.[9] twlv earned 264 points out of 300, the highest of the episode, which allowed him to progress into the second round.[10] He faced off against singers Youra and O.When and defeated them both by earning 250 points after performing "Bodytalk".[11] twlv advanced into the top five and performed Taeyeon's "I" in a one-on-one battle against Yongzoo, but was eliminated upon scoring 113 points to the latter's 172 points.[12]
On February 11, 2019, Yng & Rich Records announced that twlv had signed with the agency.[13] He released the mini-album Blueline the following month, which included two live versions of songs he performed on The Fan and a guest feature by the show's runner-up Bibi.[14] twlv produced his record label's first group single entitled "Golf Wang" released on July 15, where he joined Superbee and Uneducated Kid on the track.[15] twlv released his first studio album K.I.S.S on January 18, 2020.[16] He collaborated with rapper Tiger JK on "Censored Love Song" and its uncensored version "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang". The lyrics express the frustration of social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the single's proceeds were donated to fight the disease.[17] twlv took part in Chancellor's "Automatic" along with Babylon, Moon, Bibi, and Jiselle, and the project single was released on October 14.[18] A remix including 28 R&B guest singers was issued the following month.[19]
On April 15, 2021, The Tilde Entertainment announced that twlv had signed an exclusive contract with the agency.[20] He released the two-track single Echoes headed by "Rewind" on April 27.[21]
twlv produces R&B, hip hop, and house music with the intention of "having fun and making money". Mass appeal drives his musical direction; he believes songs should be easy to listen to and possess relatable lyrics to sing along with.[3] Music website Rhythmer classified him as among the few domestic singers who possess "hip-hop vocals".[22]
Albums
Studio albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| K.I.S.S |
|
| YDP |
|
| Diminished |
|
Extended plays
| Title[1] | Details |
|---|---|
| Moolood Gang Tape (벼락부자애들; Byeorak Bujaaedeul) (with Superbee) |
|
| Moolood Gang Tape II (벼락부자애들 II; Byeorak Bujaaedeul II) (with Superbee) |
|
| Contents ½ |
|
| Blueline |
|
| Antiformal |
|
| Neo Seoul |
|
Mixtapes
Singles
As lead artist
| Title[1] | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR | ||||
| Gaon Digital Chart [24] |
K-pop Hot 100 [25] | |||
| "Ladies Love Dogs" (여자들은 강아지를 좋아해; Yeojadeureun Gangajireul Johahae) (with Superbee featuring Jindotgae) |
2018 | — | — | Non-album single |
| "Shinhan Bank" (신한은행; Shinan Eunhaeng) (with Superbee) |
— | — | Moolood Gang Tape | |
| "earl-see-goo" (얼씨구; Eolsshigu) (with Superbee) |
— | — | Moolood Gang Tape II | |
| "Bodytalk" | — | — | Contents ½ | |
| "Where You From" | — | — | Non-album single | |
| "In the Room" | 2019 | — | — | Blueline |
| "Golf Wang" (골프왕; Golpeu Wang) (with Superbee and Uneducated Kid) |
— | — | Non-album single | |
| "8282" (featuring Superbee and Uneducated Kid) |
— | — | ||
| "Girls" (덤벼대; Deombyeodae) | 2020 | — | — | K.I.S.S |
| "California" | — | — | ||
| "Take It Easy" | — | — | Non-album single | |
| "Yang-Ah-Chi" (양아치; Yangachi) (with Superbee, Uneducated Kid, and Yuzion) |
— | — | ||
| "trotrap" (트로트랩; Teuroteu Raep) (with Superbee, Uneducated Kid, and Yuzion) |
113 | 99 | ||
| "Summer!" (with Superbee, Uneducated Kid, and Yuzion) |
— | — | ||
| "Twerking" (트월킹; Teuwolking) (with Ravi) |
— | — | ||
| "Highway" | — | — | Antiformal | |
| "Automatic" (with Chancellor, Babylon, Moon, Bibi, and Jiselle) |
— | — | Non-album single | |
| "Automatic Remix" (with Chancellor, Jay Park, Lee Hi, Bibi, Jamie, Moon, Bumkey, Samuel Seo, Suran, Babylon, Hoody, Sumin, MRSHLL, Ann One, Elo, oceanfromtheblue, Jiselle, Sole, Thama, K.vsh, Jinbo, Jerd, Soovi, B.E.D., Xydo, Owell Mood, and None) |
— | — | ||
| "Press!" (with Horse-King) |
— | — | ||
| "Rewind" (다신, 너에게; Dasin, Neoege) | 2021 | — | — | Echoes |
| "All In" | — | — | Non-album single | |
| "Dear Santa" | — | — | ||
| "Excuses" | 2022 | — | — | Neo Seoul |
| "Playboy" | — | — | ||
| "Hugs & Loyalty" (꽉; Kkwak) (featuring Reddy, IV, Owell Mood) |
— | — | Non-album single | |
| "YDP" (동네; Dongne) (featuring packxday) |
— | — | YDP | |
| "twlv" (시비; Sibi) | — | — | ||
| "Like a Miracle" (찰나의 기적처럼; Chalnaeui Gijeokcheoreom) | 2023 | — | — | Non-album single |
| "F.W.B." (Audiosfrom with twlv) |
— | — | Audiosfrom Part 1 | |
| "Tonite" | — | — | Non-album single | |
| "Serenade" | — | — | ||
| "Island" (featuring Reddy) |
— | — | ||
As featured artist
| Title[1] | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Take It Slow" (편하게; Pyeonhage) (Royce featuring twlv) |
2018 | Non-album single |
| "Wavy-!" (Anonymous Artists featuring twlv) | ||
| "Alone" (편해졌어; Pyeonhaehyeosseo) (Kodi Green featuring twlv and Bambi) |
I M A G E | |
| "Turn On the Light" (Ravi featuring twlv) |
2019 | Limitless Part.2 |
| "Censored Love Song" (심의에 걸리는 사랑노래; Simeuie Geollineun Sarang Norae) (Tiger JK featuring twlv) |
2020 | Non-album single |
| "Architecture" (건축학개론; Geonchukhakgaeron) (Oh Dam-ryul featuring twlv) | ||
| "Leave" (떠나가; Tteonaga) (Meloh featuring twlv) |
2021 | Meloh |
| "Not U" (더; Deo) (Lovo Verdi featuring twlv) |
Still Howlin' | |
| "Lounge" (Junhee featuring twlv) |
Non-album single | |
| "One for the Old School" (James An featuring twlv) |
2022 | |
| "Make It Up" (Pluma featuring twlv) | ||
| "Zumo Remix" (주모 리믹스; Jumo Rimikseu) (Rhythm Power featuring Exciting Wind Lee Park-sa, Roh Yoon-ha, Tak (Baechigi), Loopy, Don Mills, 27Ring, Park Jong-yoon, D-Hack, Puff Daehee, toigo, Liv of Irris, kaogaii, Layone, twlv, NY Baby, Lee Star) | ||
| "Morning Till Night" (En featuring twlv) |
2023 |
Guest appearances
| Title[1] | Year | Other performer(s) | Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Falling Star" | 2017 | Ager | Memories |
| "Lacks from You" | 2018 | Bloody Web | A Lack of Love from You |
| "Guilty" (죽일 놈; Jugil Nom) | 2019 | — | The Fan Top5 |
| "I Go Flex" | 2020 | Superbee, Meloh | Rap Legend 2 |
| "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" | Tiger JK | Non-album single | |
| "Clyde" | 2021 | SWRY | A Trace |
| "Stay" (가지마; Gajima) | 2022 | D.Ark | End of Pubery |
Soundtrack appearances
- 트웰브(TWLV), 아니 진짜 누구냐고. YouTube (in Korean). Nullpo. May 14, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Park, Mi-ji (June 29, 2017). [DuckTV] 싱어송라이터 twlv. Gvalley (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Shim, Eon-kyeong (June 1, 2018). 슈퍼비, 새 싱글 '여자들은 강아지를 좋아해'로 깜짝 컴백. Herald POP (in Korean). Herald Corporation. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Lee, Ji-seok (June 15, 2018). 힙합 레이블 굿라이프크루, 릴레이 프로젝트 가동. Sportsseoul (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Hwang, Hye-jin (June 29, 2018). 슈퍼비, 단독 콘서트 수익 초록우산어린이재단에 전액 기부. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Seon, Mi-kyeong (August 5, 2018). '천재 싱어송라이터' 트웰브, 창모 지원 속 5일 데뷔 싱글 발표. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Won, Hae-seon (December 1, 2018). '더팬' 도끼·수퍼비, 트웰브 조현수 추천 '264점 최고 득표'(종합). Herald POP (in Korean). Herald Corporation. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Lee, Jeong-ho (December 15, 2018). '더팬' 비비vs트웰브 오늘(15일)부터 본격 경쟁 시작. Starnews (in Korean). MT Media Group. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Kim, Na-yeon (December 1, 2018). '더 팬' 도끼·수퍼비, 트웰브 추천→R&B 보물 발견 [종합]. Asia Economy (in Korean). Stoo. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Lee, Nam-kyeong (December 15, 2018). '더팬' 트웰브, 인생곡 '바디톡(BODYTALK)' 250표...유라 꺾고 다음 라운드 진출. SportsQ (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Yu, Chung-hee (January 5, 2019). '팬' 트웰브, 태연 'I' 선곡...용주에 밀리며 탈락 후보. Ten Asia (in Korean). Korea Entertainment Media. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Lee, Deok-haeng (February 11, 2019). '더 팬' 트웰브, 영앤리치 레코즈 합류...힙합 알앤비의 새로운 패러다임[공식입장]. xportsnews (in Korean). xportsmedia. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Kang, Nae-ri (March 13, 2019). '더팬' 톱5 출신 트웰브, 미니앨범 '블루라인' 트랙리스트 공개. YTN (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Baek, Ji-eun (July 15, 2019). 수퍼비X언에듀케이티드키드X트웰브, 17일 첫번째 단체곡 '골프왕' 발매. Sports Chosun (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo Company. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Kim, Hyeon-sik (January 17, 2020). 트웰브, 첫 정규앨범 'K.I.S.S' 발표. No Cut News (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Kim, Sun-woo (June 8, 2020). 타이거JK "수익금 기부? 신곡 홍보보다 코로나19 확산 방지가 우선". Sportsseoul (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Lee, Bo-ram (October 14, 2020). 핫한 R＆B 뮤지션 뭉쳤다...챈슬러 등 6팀 신곡 '오토매틱'. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Park, Se-yeon (November 5, 2020). 박재범→이하이, 뮤지션 28人 신곡 'Automatic' 리믹스 버전 참여. Sports Today (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Kim, Hyeon-sik (April 15, 2021). '더 팬' 톱5 출신 트웰브, 더틸드엔터에 새 둥지. Edaily (in Korean). Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- Son, Bong-seok (April 27, 2021). 싱어송라이터 트웰브(twlv) 새 싱글 'Echoes (에코즈)' 발매. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Kyunghyang Shinmun Company. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- Hwang, Du-ha (August 21, 2020). 트웰브 – Antiformal. Rhythmer (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- "Nobody EP by twlv". SoundCloud (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- "Digital Chart 2020 Weeks 20" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
- "Billboard K-pop 100 Chart". Billboard (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- Kang, Mi-hwa (May 7, 2020). '영리한 문제아들' 오늘(7일) 최초 공개...네이버 브이라이브 5월 라인업. Maeil Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2020.