Babylon (singer)

Lee Jong-min (Korean: 이종민; born October 1988), better known by his stage name Babylon[upper-alpha 1] (베이빌론), is a South Korean singer-songwriter, rapper, and dancer. He debuted as an idol in the five-member group N-Train under Media Line Entertainment, where he served as a vocalist from 2011 to its dissolution in 2013. He debuted as a soloist in 2015 with "Pray" and released his debut studio album Caelo in 2018.

This is a Korean name; the family name is Lee.
Babylon
Babylon in April 2018
BornOctober 1988 (age 31)
South Korea
Occupation
  • Singer-songwriter
  • rapper
  • dancer
Musical career
Also known asSoul J
GenresK-pop, R&B
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2011–present
Labels
  • Media Line
  • KQ
Associated actsN-Train
Websitekqent.com
Korean name
Hangul
이종민
Revised RomanizationI Jong-min
McCune–ReischauerI Chongmin
Stage name
Hangul
베이빌론
Revised RomanizationBeibillon
McCune–ReischauerPeipillon

Life and career

1988–2013: Early life and career beginnings

Babylon was born Lee Jong-min in October 1988.[3][4] After sustaining multiple injuries as a rugby footballer in high school and casting doubt over his career in the sport, he joined a black music club and was influenced to pursue a career as an R&B singer.[2][5] A singer, rapper, and dancer, Babylon trained with Media Line Entertainment for three years prior to starting his career as an idol.[6][7] Under the stage name Soul J, he debuted as a member of N-Train with "One Last Cry" on May 25, 2011.[8] The group issued three commercially unsuccessful releases, leading to its disbandment two years later.[9]

2014–present: As a soloist

After completing mandatory military service, Babylon became an independent musician.[3] Inspired by the name of a bar in the film Scarface (1983), he adopted his moniker "Babylon" in July 2014.[1][10] He began posting mixtapes onto hip-hop websites that year, which led to rappers contacting him to collaborate.[11] He was featured on a string of singles, including Paloalto's "Good Times" and "Cheers" alongside Gaeko, Yankie, and Beenzino.[12] Babylon released his debut solo single "Pray" in June 2015.[13] After being contacted by Zico to collaborate, the pair released "Boys and Girls" in November.[14] The single topped South Korea's national Gaon Digital Chart and sold over 2.5 million downloads domestically.[15][16] The single's success earned Babylon the nicknames "Zico's Man" and the "R&B Rising Trend", and the singer was heralded as a leading figure in R&B along with Zion.T, Crush, and Dean.[17][18] It also established the pair's respective signature sounds.[19]

Babylon signed with KQ Produce, a sublabel of KQ Entertainment, in 2016.[20] He released the song "Real Talk" on SoundCloud in precedence to the release of his first single album.[21] On April 28, Between Us and its lead single "U & Me" featuring rapper Dok2 were released.[22][23] Babylon released his second single album Fantasy and accompanying singles "Crush on You" featuring hip hop musician Lil Boi and "Today I Think of You" with singer Kim Na-young on June 23.[24] Babylon released a collaboration with rapper Yezi entitled "Chase" three months later.[25] He released his debut studio album Caelo on October 3, 2018.[26]

Musical style

Musically, Babylon is a R&B singer-songwriter.[27] Noted for having a "honey voice", he has been widely acclaimed in the hip hop community.[11][12] Babylon has cited Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, You Hee-yeol, and Kim Sung-jae as his role models.[3] He identifies Brown, Musiq Soulchild, BJ the Chicago Kid, and Kehlani as the influences over his music.[11][28]

Discography
See also: N-Train § Discography

Studio albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
Gaon Album Chart
[29]
Caelo
  • Released: October 3, 2018
  • Label: KQ, Sony Music Korea
  • Format: CD, digital download
 74

Singles

As lead artist
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Release
Gaon Digital Chart
[30]
"Pray" 2015 — Non-album single
"U & Me" (너 나 우리; Neo Na Uri)
(featuring Dok2)		 2016 69 Between Us
"Crush on You" (처음 본 여자는 다 예뻐; Cheoeum Bon Yeojaneun Da Yeppeo)
(featuring Lil Boi)		 61 Fantasy
"Today I Think of You" (오늘도 난; Oneuldo Nan)
(featuring Kim Na-young)		 —
"Chase" (끌려다녀; Kkeullyeodanyeo)
(Yezi and Babylon)		 — Non-album single
"Ocean Drive"
(featuring San E)		 2017 — S.S.F.W.
"Lalala" (라라라)
(featuring Chungha)		 — La Vida Loca
"Everything"
(with Hwanhee)		 2018 — Non-album single
"Everything"
(with Eric Benét)		 —
"One More Night"
(featuring Vinxen)		 — Caelo
"Karma"
(featuring Bewhy, Verbal Jint, The Quiett, TakeOne, Nucksal)		 —
"Remember" (그리운 건 그때 그대; Geuriun Geon Geuttae Geudae)
(featuring Jung Il-hoon of BtoB)		 — Non-album single
"Shadow" (덧칠; Deotchil) 2019 —
"Shadows from the Moon" (너의 두 눈 속 빛나는 달; Neoeui Du Nun Sok Bitnaneun Dal) —
"Season of Rain" (비는 내리고 음악은 흐르고; Bineun Naerigo Eumakeun Heureugo)
(featuring Wall E)		 —
"Out of Breath" (행복해지고 싶어; Haengbokhaejigo Shipeo)
(with Suzy)		 —
"I Will Be Your Warmth" (너의 온기가 되어줄게; Neoeui Ongiga Doeeojulge)
(with Yeri)		 —
"Nice Weather"
(with Gaho)		 2020 —
Title[34] Year Peak chart positions Sales Release
Gaon Digital Chart
[35]
"Good Times"
(Paloalto featuring Babylon)		 2014 — Cheers
"Cheers"
(Gaeko and Yankie featuring Beenzino and Babylon)		 2015 26 Non-album single
"Blu"
(Iron featuring Babylon)		 35
"In the Club" (클럽에서; Keulleobeseo)
(ChaMane featuring Babylon)		 — 20
"Boys and Girls"
(Zico featuring Babylon)		 1 Gallery
"A Year Like a Day" (하루 같은 일년; Haru Gateun Ilnyeon)
(2lson featuring Babylon and NiiHwa)		 65 1 Year
"Out of Time"
(Snacky Chan featuring Babylon)		 2016 — Non-album single
"You Can Rest" (쉬어도 돼; Swieodo Dwae)
(Crucial Star featuring Babylon)		 2017 91 Maze Garden
"Stand Up"
(Eden featuring Babylon)		 — Urban Hymns
"Beautiful Life"
(DJ Juice featuring San E, Verbal Jint, and Babylon)		 — Beatful Life
"Killin It"
(Maniac featuring Koonta and Babylon)		 — Show Me the Money 6 Special
"Break"
(Verbal Jint featuring Babylon)		 — No Excuses
"Casanova" (카사노바; Kasanoba)
(YDG featuring Babylon and Carlos)		 2018 — Song One
"Spoiler"
(Jung Il-hoon featuring Babylon)		 2019 — Non-album single
"Stay"
(Jang Woo-hyuk featuring Babylon)		 —

Guest appearances
Title Year Other performer(s) Release
"Be About It" 2015 The Quiett 1 Life 2 Live
"Pathfinder" 2016 TK, Nucksal Tourist
"Yah!" (야!; Ya!) Kwon Jin-ah One Strange Night
"I Can't Do Everything" (아무것도 못하겠어; Amugeotdo Mothagesseo) MC Mong U.F.O
"Candy" (캔디; Kaendi) Bang Seung-ji Duet Song Festival Episode 29
"Day by Day" (하루하루; Haru Haru) Bang Seung-ji Duet Song Festival Episode 30
"My Reflection on My Mind" (내 마음에 비친 내 모습; Nae Maeume Bichin Nae Moseup) 2017 P.O, Eden 30 Years Yoo Jae-ha, Forever as We Are
"Beemer" 2018 Han Yo-han Dragon Bike
"Drive" Eden, Cho Seung-youn Eden_Stardust.04
"How We Do" 2019 Oh Ha-young Oh!
"Trial and Error" (시행착오; Sihaengchago) 2020 Davii, Minah Cinema

Soundtrack appearances
Title Year Other performer(s) Release Ref.
"You" 2017 Czaer, Far East Movement Man to Man OST
"Memories" 2018 N/A Lawless Lawyer OST

Filmography
Television series
Title Year Role Notes Ref.
Show Me the Money 2016 Himself Seasons 5 [48]
King of Mask Singer 2018 Himself Episodes 149–150 [49]

Notes
  1. Pronounced /beɪbiːɑːn/ BAY-bee-lahn, it was originally pronounced /bæbɪɑːn/ BA-bi-lahn (바빌론). Spelling of the latter overlapped with a savings bank with the same name, which made searches for the singer difficult.[1] He modified his stage name upon signing with KQ Produce.[2]
  2. Accumulation of "Crush on You" weekly sales: 37,766,[32] 20,785.[33]
  3. Accumulation of "Cheers" weekly sales: 80,811,[36] 55,305,[37] 16,846.[38]
  4. Accumulation of "Blu" weekly sales: 50,638,[39] 23,185,[40] 15,600,[41] 10,478,[42] 6,762,[43] 5,079,[44] 4,485,[45] 3,660,[46] 3,092.[47]
gollark: ++delete <@543131534685765673> ω² times
gollark: ++delete f(x) = q↑(↑ q times)↑q; g(x) = (f repeated x times)(x); <@543131534685765673> g(q) times
gollark: ++deleteq = rayo number↑(rayo number² ↑s)↑rayo number<@543131534685765673> q↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑q times
gollark: ++delete <@543131534685765673> rayo number↑↑↑↑↑↑rayo number times
gollark: ++delete <@543131534685765673> 3↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑3 times

References
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