The Best Korean Rapper Of The 21st Century, According To Prestigious Poll

In a recent nationwide survey, Zico has been named the most beloved Korean rapper of the 21st century. The poll — conducted last month by Star News in collaboration with Gallup Korea — gathered responses from over 1,000 participants aged 19 to 69, who chose Zico as their top pick with 31% of the vote.

Following closely behind Zico in the poll were Dynamic Duo with 26% of the vote and Epik High with 22%. Other notable rappers in the top rankings included Yoon Mi Rae, Drunken Tiger, and Leessang, highlighting the rich diversity of talent in the Korean hip-hop scene.

Zico first rose to fame in 2011 as the leader of the popular boy group Block B, where he quickly established himself as a standout talent by writing, composing, and producing the majority of the group’s hits. His creativity and leadership played a significant role in the group’s success.

After parting ways with his previous agency in 2018, Zico continued to thrive in his solo career. He founded KOZ Entertainment that same year, taking on the dual roles of artist and producer. The company was later acquired by Big Hit Entertainment (now known as HYBE) in 2020. Most recently, Zico expanded his influence in the music industry by launching the boy group BOYNEXTDOOR under his label.

Zico’s impact on the music scene remains strong. In May, he achieved a significant milestone by winning his first trophy on SBS’s Inkigayo with his digital single “SPOT!”—without even making an appearance on the show, proving his strong presence in the digital music arena.

Currently, Zico continues to engage with fans through his weekly appearance on KBS 2TV’s music variety show The Seasons – Zico’s Artist.