Epik High’s Tablo Reveals Why Their Lightstick Design Was Rejected, And Now Fans Want One Even More
Korean hip-hop veteran trio, Epik High, celebrates their 20th anniversary this year, and they are celebrating with fans on the road for their All Time High world tour.
Though the talented group is 20 years into their career, they’ve never had an official lightstick. While fans may have wondered why, Epik High’s Tablo has a reasonable explanation.
In an interview with VICE in 2022, following the release of Tablo’s podcast series with VICE and iHeart Radio, Authentic: The Story of Tablo, the Epik High leader was asked what he imagined Epik High’s lightstick to look like.
Tablo revealed that the group almost had an official lightstick, but their former company advised that the group’s design concept wasn’t a good idea.
What we decided to do was make a hand, because we’re always like ‘Yo! Put your hands up!,’ right? So people could put up their glowing light hand…
— Epik High’s Tablo
While that may seem innocent enough, the intentions hilariously weren’t what they seemed.
If we said something on stage, or we screwed up on stage and you didn’t like it, you press the button, and only [the middle finger] and the hand would stay lit, and the rest would turn off.
— Epik High’s Tablo
Epik High is known for their relatable and down-to-earth humor, and Tablo reminded fans of their lightstick design concept more recently on Twitter, revealing that it was their former company, YG Entertainment, who advised against their “middle finger” lightsticks.
True story: when Epik High was at YG, they offered to make us a lightstick and we asked for one that looks like a middle finger. And that, my friends, is why we don’t have one. 🤣🤣🤣
— tablo (@blobyblo) April 30, 2023
YG: “But… that would have the entire crowd giving you the middle finger”
Epik High: pic.twitter.com/Y7sAba0iQ4
— tablo (@blobyblo) April 30, 2023
Netizens loved the story and the idea for the lightstick, and it made them want an official lightstick now more than ever.
A talented fan stepped up and created a creative mock-up of the lightstick, bringing the dream virtually to life.
well i made lightstick of epik highs's dream come true! @blobyblo @realmithrajin @Tukutz81 thank me later https://t.co/NsLvqIFa84 pic.twitter.com/BgHo42YrLM
— dough peel (@kimonpili) April 30, 2023
Fans took Epik High’s initial lightstick design rejection as a challenge, sharing they intended to make their own “middle finger” lightsticks for future concerts.
This brings my heart so much joy. Going right now to try and figure out how to make a middle finger light stick incase y’all ever come back to Detroit
— Hoseok’s blue slushee from Lights (@youremyhopex3) April 30, 2023
i mean to be fair I'd rather use my own middle finger even though it doesn't light up (yet)
— ;이바나오나나;⁰⁵²³ (@wowkwan_ace7) April 30, 2023
petition to bring this to production
— babystarcandy⁷ (@prkjimin95_twt) April 30, 2023
Fans are hoping that the group will pitch the idea again, and the first-of-its-kind “middle finger” lightstick will finally come to life!
