Stray Kids was formed under JYP Entertainment, a Korean record label, in 2017, as K-pop became more mainstream. They were formed through the reality TV competition Stray Kids. Unlike traditional survival programs where trainees compete against each other to secure a spot in a debut group, Stray Kids was designed to test and showcase the teamwork and talent of the entire group. Therefore, his unique program prepared the contestants differently than others. Bang Chan, the leader of the Stray Kids group, played a significant role in its formation. He was a competitor of the survival show who trained under JYP Entertainment for eight years, and he helped handpick and guide the members throughout the survival program. His leadership and the members’ collective hard work contributed to their eventual success.
Stray Kids officially debuted on March 25, 2018, with the release of their EP I Am NOT and the title track “District 9.” The debut was met with significant enthusiasm, especially from fans of the survival show.
The group originally consisted of nine members: Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, I.N., and Woojin. The first hiccup in their journey was Woojin’s sudden departure in 2019. By this time, Stray Kids was already established and had a growing fanbase. So, Stray Kids became the iconic eight-member group they are today.
In general, the K-pop genre is known for its energetic performances, but what sets Stray Kids apart is their self-produced music that blends various musical genres. If you are a fan of hip-hop, EDM, pop, trap, rock, or even ballads, Stray Kids can be your No.1 artist. In the beginning of their career, they emphasized the hip-hop style with intense rap verses and dystopian themes. Over time, they started to incorporate pop, EDM, rock, and synth-pop elements, creating a genre-bending sound. Stray Kids achieved this thanks to their music production group 3RACHA, which includes members Bang Chan, Han, and Changbin. Thanks to 3RACHA’s amazing work, they rose to collaborate with famous artists like PinkPantheress and LiSA.
Stray Kids’ impact on the global music scene is significant. They have won multiple awards in Korea, from seven MAMA awards to eight Golden Disc awards, and Album of the Year (2022). They also topped the charts in the U.S. when they became the first-ever artist to have six consecutive albums at #1 on the Billboard 200. The streak started in 2022 with their album ODDINARY, and continued with MAXIDENT (2022), 5-STAR (2023), ROCK-STAR (2023), ATE (2024), and HOP (2024). They also appeared at the 2023 VMAs, where they won Best K-pop for their track “S-Class”.
The members don’t just know how to sing and dance. They are also valued models and brand ambassadors in famous fashion industries. For example, Felix is an ambassador for Louis Vuitton, Hyunjin is an ambassador for Versace, Changbin for Samsung, and Bang Chan for Fendi. With their wide range of influence, they are also the first full group to attend the MET Gala.
Now that you know a bit more about Stray Kids, here are some recommendations to help you start your amazing musical journey if you want to get into their music!
Songs with fully English Lyrics – “TOP”, “DOMINO”, “Social Path”
Hip-hop – “God’s Menu”, “MIROH”, “Chk Chk Boom”
EDM – “Back Door”, “Thunderous”, “S-Class”
Trap – “Venom”, “Hellevator”, “District 9”
Rock – “LALALALA”, “BLIND SPOT”, “MEGAVERSE”
Ballad – “Blueprint”, “Levanter”, “My Universe”
Pop – “My Pace”, “Walkin’ on Water”, “Hall of Fame”
Personal Recommendations: “JJAM”, “COMFLEX”, “Youth”