Yoon Mi-rae

Natasha Shanta Reid (born May 31, 1981), better known by her Korean name Yoon Mi-rae (Korean: 윤미래), is an American-born South Korean rapper and singer[1] who is currently a member of Korean hip hop trio MFBTY.[2]

This is a Korean name; the family name is Yoon.

Yoon Mi-rae
Yoon Mi-rae in October 2011
Background information
Birth name	Natasha Shanta Reid
Also known as	Tasha Reid, Baby Tasha, T
Born	(1981-05-31) May 31, 1981 Fort Hood, Texas, United States
Genres	Hip hop R&B
Occupation(s)	Singer Rapper
Years active	1997–present
Associated acts	The Movement Uptown Tashannie Drunken Tiger Leessang Yoo Jae-suk Sunzoo MFBTY Junoflo
Spouse(s)	Tiger JK ( m. 2007)
Children	1
Korean name
Hangul	윤미래
Hanja	尹未來
Revised Romanization	Yun Mi-rae
McCune–Reischauer	Yun Mirae

Biography

Early life and education

Yoon was born on May 31, 1981, in Fort Hood, Texas to a South Korean mother and an African-American father. Her father had been a radio DJ while serving with the U.S. military in South Korea in the district of Uijeongbu. Yoon's father cites his record collection as an influence to pursue her music career. After she moved to South Korea as a child, she often faced discrimination because of her mixed heritage. Yoon dropped out of school at age 15 and later took a high school equivalence exam.[3][4][5]

Discovery and Uptown

Yoon was discovered in 1995 when she accompanied a friend to an audition for a new Korean hip hop group. She did not audition herself, but a World Records representative heard her singing outside of the audition room and signed her to join a new group called Uptown. The group debuted in 1997 when Yoon was just 16.[6]

In 1999, she also formed hip hop and R&B duo "Tashannie" with singer Annie. They released one album, called Parallel Prophecies.[7] Yoon's name, Natasha, was hard for South Koreans to pronounce, so she used the name "Tasha," in order to better appeal to the intended audience.

Uptown broke up in 2000 after several group members were arrested on drug charges. Yoon's then-boyfriend, rapper Tiger JK, was also arrested and spent a month and a half in jail. Yoon herself went into hiding during that period.[8][9]

Solo career and MFBTY

Yoon debuted as a solo artist in 2001, under the moniker "T" which she shortened even more from "Tasha". She released her first album, As Time Goes By that same year. Her second album, Gemini and her third album, To My Love, were released the following year in 2002.[3][6]

In 2006, she joined Jungle Entertainment, a label founded by her now-husband Tiger JK.[10] The following year, she released the album T3 – Yoon Mi Rae, on which she shared the difficulties she faced as a mixed race artist in Korea. That year, she performed in Seoul, South Korea with American singer Amerie, who is also of African-American and Korean heritage.[6][11]

In 2012, Yoon became the face of the computer brand Hewlett-Packard in Korea, having signed a one-year contract to appear in their print media and radio advertisements.[12] She was also a judge on the third and fourth seasons of the television talent competition Superstar K.[13]

Yoon, Tiger JK and rapper Bizzy, formed the hip hop trio MFBTY (My Fans Better Than Yours) in 2013. The group's first single, "Sweet Dream," ranked #1 on three Korean music charts shortly after its release. They had debuted the song at a concert in Cannes, France.[14][15] MFBTY signed to Tiger JK's newly created Feel Ghood Music label later that year.[16]

In September 2013, Yoon earned the #1 spot on Billboard's Korea K-Pop Hot 100 list with her song "Touch Love" from the South Korean drama Master's Sun.[17]

In December 2014, Yoon released the single "Angel," which quickly became #1 on four Korean music charts.[18] Also that month she revealed that the American film The Interview used her song "Pay Day" without permission, and that she was taking legal action.[19]

Personal life

In June 2007, she married Tiger JK in a private ceremony in a Buddhist Temple. The wedding occurred a month before the death of Tiger JK's grandmother who had wanted to see them wed before her passing. Yoon gave birth to their son Jordan Seo in March 2008.[3][20]

Yoon and her husband are advocates against child abuse. In 2011, they appeared in a photoshoot with their son in Vogue Korea for the "Stop Child Abuse & Love Children" campaign. They also filmed a public service announcement for the World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse, performing at the 2011 Child Abuse Awareness Concert. In 2012, South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare commended the couple for their efforts in promoting child abuse prevention.[21][22]

Yoon has also promoted awareness of multiculturalism within Korean families. In 2008, she volunteered for seven months at a multicultural youth camp.[23]

Discography

See also: MFBTY § Discography

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions	Sales
		KOR [24]
As Times Goes By	Released: September 10, 2001 Label: World Music Entertainment Formats: CD, cassette Track listing 바보 As Time Goes By I Miss You So 슬픔에 기대어 행복한 나를 그대없는 사랑 La Musique As Time Goes By (English version) She (...Could Never Be Me) Soul Flower ( Old School Love) 친구가 아닌 연인 La Musique (English version) 시간이 흐른 뒤 (Remix) 하루하루	7	KOR: 255,486+[25]
Gemini	Released: May 3, 2002 Label: World Music Entertainment Formats: CD, cassette Track listing G火자 Meditation Me We Memories... Wonder Woman 끝없는 바다 저편에 Concrete Jungle Combination Platter Double Trouble 남자 남자 남자 Memories... (English version) MT	15	KOR: 90,019+[26]
To My Love	Released: December 5, 2002 Label: World Music Entertainment Formats: CD, cassette Track listing Unforgettable To My Love Tuesday 선물 To My Love (English version) 끝없는 바다 저편에 (with Bobby Kim) One Day Because I Love You (with Bobby Kim) 집으로 와 나는 인연 Why Me? Gotta Get Love 찬바람아! Because I Love You (English version) 너 (Sad But True)	7	KOR: 71,046+[26]
Yoonmirae	Released: February 23, 2007 Label: Jungle Entertainment Formats: CD Track listing Black Diamond What's Up, Mr. Good Stuff 잊었니 Honeymoon Gimme, Gimme (이기주의자) Pay Day 시간은 눈물과 흐르고 나니까 Black Happiness (검은 행복) Who Good Bye Sadness, Hello Happiness	—	N/A
"—" denotes album did not chart.

Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Sales	Album
		KOR [27]
As lead artist
"Bye Bye Bye"	2008	N/A*	N/A*	Rhapsody Part 2 single album with Tiger JK
"Please Don't Go" (떠나지마)	2009			Non-album singles
"Get It In" feat. Tiger JK, Jung-in	2011	5	1,794,085
"This Love" (사랑이 맞을거야)	2015	1
"Because of You"	2016	19		SM Station Season 1
"Jam Come On Baby" (잠깐만 Baby)		36		Non-album singles
"No Gravity"	2018
"Kawi Bawi Bo" (가위바위보)
Collaborations
"Wonderful" with Johan Kim	2007	N/A*	N/A*	Non-album singles
"#Capture The City" with Boys Noize	2015	—
"You and I" (너와 나) with Jeon In-kwon, Zion.T, Tiger JK, Galaxy Express and others		—
"How Are You?" (잘 지내고 있니) with Punch	2016	16
"Ghood Family" with Tiger JK, feat. Bizzy, Black Nine, BB, MRSHLL	2017	—
As featured artist
"Momentum" Planet Shiver feat. Double K, Yankie, Dok2, MYK, Yoon Mi-rae	2009	N/A*	N/A*	Non-album single
"Positive Vibes" Paloalto feat. Yoon Mi-rae	2010	77		Lonely Hearts
"Without You Now" (이젠 너 없이도) Euna Kim feat. Yoon Mi-rae, Tiger JK, Bizzy	2014	9		Non-album single
"Nice to Meet You" (반가워요) Tiger JK feat. Yoon Mi-rae	2015	71		Non-album single
"Home" Ailee feat. Yoon Mi-rae	2016	20		A New Empire
"Clover" Jin Longguo feat. Yoon Mi-rae	2018	N/A*		Non-album single
"In The Air" Shinhwa feat. Yoon Mi-rae		N/A*		Heart
Soundtrack appearances
"Touch Love"	2013	1	1,299,537	Master's Sun OST Part 4
"I Love You" (너를 사랑해)	2014	1		It's Okay, That's Love OST Part 6
"I'll Listen To What You Have To Say" (너의 얘길 들어줄게)	2015	7		Who Are You: School 2015 OST Part 3
"Always"	2016	2		Descendants of the Sun OST Part 1
"Black Happiness" (검은 행복) with Gye Min-a		87		Fantastic Duo OST Part 14
"You Are My World" (그대라는 세상)		10		Legend of the Blue Sea OST Part 2
"Goodbye" with Ann	2017	—		Queen of Mystery OST Part 4
"The Sky of My Youth" (젊은 날의 Sky)		—		Hit the Top OST Part 3
"My Dream" (윤미래)	2019	—		Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung OST Part 2
"Flower"		22		Crash Landing on You OST Part 2
"Say"	2020	65		Itaewon Class OST Part 8
"—" denotes song did not chart. *Chart and sales data not available prior to 2010.

Television appearances

• 2018: The Fan - Fan (Episode 1)
• 2016: Fantastic Duo – Contestant (Episode 17-20)
• 2011: Superstar K3 – Judge[28]

Awards

MelOn Music Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2013	Yoon Mi-rae	Best Original Soundtrack	Won

Mnet Asian Music Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2007	"Have You Forgotten?"[29]	Best R&B Performance	Won
2013	"Touch Love"[30]	Best Original Soundtrack	Won
2014	"I Love You"[31]		Nominated

References

1. Smith, Dave (27 December 2014). "This Korean Singer Is Suing Sony For Using Her Music In 'The Interview'". Business Insider. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
2. Hong, Tae (18 May 2015). "MFBTY sets out to reinvent K-pop with 'Wondaland'". The Korea Times. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
3. "T(Yoon Mi-rae) (티(윤미래))". KBS World Radio. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
4. "Music Is Colorblind: An Interview with MFBTY". PopMatters. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
5. "Yoon Mi-rae Returns to Her Roots". The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition). 24 February 2007. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
6. "Yoon Mi-Rae is K-Hip-Hop's Diamond in the Rough". MTV Iggy. 11 October 2015. Archived from the original on October 11, 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2016.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
7. "Tashannie KPOP Star Profile". Mnet Mwave. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
8. "Hip-Hop Group Arrested on Drug Charges". The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition). 30 April 2000. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
9. Forrest, Brett (November 2000). "Silence Makes the Beats Grow Stronger". SPIN. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
10. "History". Jungle Entertainment (in Korean). Retrieved 9 April 2016.
11. "Amerie and Yoon Mi-rae to Perform". The Korea Times. 24 April 2007. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
12. Sunwoo, Carla (7 February 2012). "Yoon Mirae models for HP Korea". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
13. "Singer Yoon Mi-rae To Rejoin As Super Star K Judge". Hancinema. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
14. Oak, Jessica; Benjamin, Jeff (2013-02-05). "MFBTY (Tiger JK, Yoon Mirae and Bizzy) Spread Korean Hip-Hop in France". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-11-14.
15. "MFBTY's "Sweet Dream" ranks #1 on music charts". All Kpop. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
16. "Tiger JK-Yoon Mi Rae Create New Hip-Hop Label, 'FEEL GHOOD MUSIC'". KpopStarz. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
17. Benjamin, Jeff; Oak, Jessica (5 September 2013). "Yoon Mi Rae Earns First K-Pop Hot 100 No. 1 With 'Touch Love'". Billboard. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
18. "[news] YoonMiRae's "Angel" Hits #1 In Less Than 12 Hours". DT MFBTY INTERNATIONAL. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
19. "Yoon Mi Rae to Take Legal Action against Sony Pictures for Using Her Song in "The Interview" without Permission". Soompi. 27 December 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
20. Lee, Hyo-won (3 July 2008). "Tiger JK, T Wed With Baby". The Korea Times. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
21. "Tiger JK and Yoon Mirae to receive commendation from Ministry of Health and Welfare for work in child abuse prevention". Allkpop. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
22. "Tiger JK and Yoon Mirae Family Photo". Soompi. 23 March 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
23. Kim, Hee-sung (13 November 2009). "Libraries, handbooks events: opening way for multicultural society". Korea.net. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
24. "K-pop Album Sales Volume". Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2018-04-18. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
25. "February 2002 K-pop Album Sales Volume". Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on 31 March 2005. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
26. "2002 K-pop Album Sales Volume". Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Retrieved 25 April 2018.
27. "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved April 25, 2018.
    • "Flower – Week 7 of 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved February 20, 2020.
    • "Say – Week 11 of 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved March 19, 2020.
28. "Superstar K3 reveals their official poster". Allkpop. 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
29. "2007 Mnet KM Music Festival Part1". MAMA. Retrieved 2014-12-14.
30. "2013 M.net Korean Music Festival Winners list". Mnet. Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
31. "[Full Ver.] 2014 Mnet Asian Music Awards Part1". mwave. MAMA. Retrieved 28 January 2015.

External links

• Yoon Mi-rae on Twitter