Much like labelmate Amber, Hyoyeon hasn't really been doing much. She released "Sober" in two languages but her rapping was absent. Since I missed her completely during the last iteration (I still can't believe I did that...) I'll briefly talk about the final Girls' Generation releases. Both "All Night" and "Holiday" was decent for Hyoyeon but given her track record it's a significant improvement haha. Sad that that was the way to end as far as the group was concerned. With the lineup of SNSD fractured, I doubt we'll see anything new from her that isn't solo activity.
#19. Chanmi (--)
Yawn, nothing to see here. AOA have been hiding away since Choa's departure and though they will comeback later in the year according to Naver, I'm holding my breath. Furthermore, with Choa out of the picture I could easily see Jimin handling all the rapping duties and leaving Chanmi in the (rapping) dust. Not that she already wasn't, but was gaining a little traction with their early 2017 promotions. She'll likely get stuck in support vocalist hell, and at the top end of low tier.
Yawn, nothing to see here. AOA have been hiding away since Choa's departure and though they will comeback later in the year according to Naver, I'm holding my breath. Furthermore, with Choa out of the picture I could easily see Jimin handling all the rapping duties and leaving Chanmi in the (rapping) dust. Not that she already wasn't, but was gaining a little traction with their early 2017 promotions. She'll likely get stuck in support vocalist hell, and at the top end of low tier.
#18. Sojin (-3)
The reason Sojin is middle tier as opposed to low tier is because she was recently good. Last year saw her breakout performance with the rap in "Remember," and none of the previous handful of members could say they've released anything substantial dating even further back. She's certainly in a shaky position because Star Empire has ruined 9MUSES time and time again but I'll give the deserved praise and position for now. It could be premature to say that she's still better than the weak Chanmi and Hyoyeon, but the 2017 surge helps keep her afloat.
The reason Sojin is middle tier as opposed to low tier is because she was recently good. Last year saw her breakout performance with the rap in "Remember," and none of the previous handful of members could say they've released anything substantial dating even further back. She's certainly in a shaky position because Star Empire has ruined 9MUSES time and time again but I'll give the deserved praise and position for now. It could be premature to say that she's still better than the weak Chanmi and Hyoyeon, but the 2017 surge helps keep her afloat.
#17. Yoojung (--)
The best of this ranking's newcomers, Yoojung arrives in middle tier fresh off her debut with Weki Meki. While her group's songs have been alright at best, she has been the anchor of that team musically. She has good talent and her nasal voice is not terribly grating, and could very well follow on other notable names like Hyuna and LE. Her group's songs have yet to convince me but I check them out to see what Yoojung will do. Turns out this remains pretty consistent with how I value this kind of player, because Mimi of Oh My Girl was in the same situation and landed around this spot with her debut on the list.
The best of this ranking's newcomers, Yoojung arrives in middle tier fresh off her debut with Weki Meki. While her group's songs have been alright at best, she has been the anchor of that team musically. She has good talent and her nasal voice is not terribly grating, and could very well follow on other notable names like Hyuna and LE. Her group's songs have yet to convince me but I check them out to see what Yoojung will do. Turns out this remains pretty consistent with how I value this kind of player, because Mimi of Oh My Girl was in the same situation and landed around this spot with her debut on the list.
#16. Yura (--)
Even though Yura and Girl's Day have been quiet on the comeback front, I think this is the right spot for her. Yeah her activity points aren't high and she doesn't have too exciting a track record, but it's slightly better than what Yoojung has shown us so far officially. She also doesn't have to share rapping duties with anyone, which is something that the new generation of girl groups seem to love, apparently. If Girl's Day hasn't made a comeback by the next installment of these rankings, then she (and Sojin) will definitely slide down to low tier with their other sunbaes.
#15. Newsun (+2)
Sonamoo have been surging forward. "I (Knew It)" might be their best song and much like how Dahyun is catching up to Chaeyoung in Twice, Newsun is also advancing towards D.ana's level. Like I said last time, if they keep up with the more mature sound Newsun's rapping will shine. She's a solid rapper and would easily be the main attraction on many other girl groups. With TS Entertainment needing to turn a new page with the death of its CEO, Sonamoo's future could prosper or disappear. I'm anxious to see what will develop, as I'm sure the girls of Sonamoo are too.
#14. Huihyeon (--)
Cathy has been productive, as DIA have released two songs since the last ranking. That doesn't sound like much but compared to the bottom 16 rappers it's basically two studio albums. Seriously, updating information about new group songs for many rappers was a sad, sad affair. Having just talked about Sonamoo turning away from the cute pop, DIA pretty much bathe in that concept. "Will You Go Out With Me" had an aegyo rap while "Good Night" had Chaeyeon do the actual rapping (there's the whole new girl groups sharing rap lines again). Huihyeon will need either a breakout rap or DIA to move away from the bubblegum pop.
#13. Lime (-2)
In the same way that I put Yura over Yoojung, I'll double down and rank Lime ahead of Huihyeon. Lime might be inferior as a rapper (and this is much more debatable than Yura vs. Yoojung) but she's got more history, and some solid performances under her name. She could get overtaken in the future, sure, but now is not the time. The inactivity from Hello Venus prevents Lime from stepping over the next rapper on the list, but they've hinted at a possible comeback.
#12. Dami (+1)
Dreamcatcher have been running concerts so there hasn't been much new things to listen to. Dami still deserves her place close to the high tier rappers. She's a capable rapper that uses her heavy voice to full effect in the exhilarating music of Dreamcatcher. Dami hasn't been doing much in "Fly High" and "Full Moon," only showing off mere bursts of powerful rapping. Here's hoping that their next comeback will have some extended Dami greatness. With that, the middle tier comes to an end.
#11. Jennie (-3)
If I could, I would tell you that I empirically calculated values for talent, performance, and activity. Unfortunately I didn't, but I can just as confidently say that Jennie is the most talented rapper out of the ten we've seen here and it's not even close. This is why she's high tier. Her skills are extremely well-balanced and it's impossible to define any one attribute as her best. Of course, we can easily identify her weakness and that's being signed to a company that doesn't give a shit about all the potential lying within Black Pink. Holy fuck it's been eons YG what are you doing.
Even though Yura and Girl's Day have been quiet on the comeback front, I think this is the right spot for her. Yeah her activity points aren't high and she doesn't have too exciting a track record, but it's slightly better than what Yoojung has shown us so far officially. She also doesn't have to share rapping duties with anyone, which is something that the new generation of girl groups seem to love, apparently. If Girl's Day hasn't made a comeback by the next installment of these rankings, then she (and Sojin) will definitely slide down to low tier with their other sunbaes.
#15. Newsun (+2)
Sonamoo have been surging forward. "I (Knew It)" might be their best song and much like how Dahyun is catching up to Chaeyoung in Twice, Newsun is also advancing towards D.ana's level. Like I said last time, if they keep up with the more mature sound Newsun's rapping will shine. She's a solid rapper and would easily be the main attraction on many other girl groups. With TS Entertainment needing to turn a new page with the death of its CEO, Sonamoo's future could prosper or disappear. I'm anxious to see what will develop, as I'm sure the girls of Sonamoo are too.
#14. Huihyeon (--)
Cathy has been productive, as DIA have released two songs since the last ranking. That doesn't sound like much but compared to the bottom 16 rappers it's basically two studio albums. Seriously, updating information about new group songs for many rappers was a sad, sad affair. Having just talked about Sonamoo turning away from the cute pop, DIA pretty much bathe in that concept. "Will You Go Out With Me" had an aegyo rap while "Good Night" had Chaeyeon do the actual rapping (there's the whole new girl groups sharing rap lines again). Huihyeon will need either a breakout rap or DIA to move away from the bubblegum pop.
#13. Lime (-2)
In the same way that I put Yura over Yoojung, I'll double down and rank Lime ahead of Huihyeon. Lime might be inferior as a rapper (and this is much more debatable than Yura vs. Yoojung) but she's got more history, and some solid performances under her name. She could get overtaken in the future, sure, but now is not the time. The inactivity from Hello Venus prevents Lime from stepping over the next rapper on the list, but they've hinted at a possible comeback.
#12. Dami (+1)
Dreamcatcher have been running concerts so there hasn't been much new things to listen to. Dami still deserves her place close to the high tier rappers. She's a capable rapper that uses her heavy voice to full effect in the exhilarating music of Dreamcatcher. Dami hasn't been doing much in "Fly High" and "Full Moon," only showing off mere bursts of powerful rapping. Here's hoping that their next comeback will have some extended Dami greatness. With that, the middle tier comes to an end.
#11. Jennie (-3)
If I could, I would tell you that I empirically calculated values for talent, performance, and activity. Unfortunately I didn't, but I can just as confidently say that Jennie is the most talented rapper out of the ten we've seen here and it's not even close. This is why she's high tier. Her skills are extremely well-balanced and it's impossible to define any one attribute as her best. Of course, we can easily identify her weakness and that's being signed to a company that doesn't give a shit about all the potential lying within Black Pink. Holy fuck it's been eons YG what are you doing.
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