BIG Naughty

Big Naughty blends hip-hop, R&B, and pop into a sound that feels simultaneously novel and recognizable.

Seo Dong-hyun came into the world in Seoul in 2003 and began releasing music on his own before drawing notice through a 2019 appearance on the television rap competition Show Me the Money, where he placed fourth and landed a contract with H1gher Music. A succession of early singles registered only modest chart activity until he rejoined the program the next year as a featured artist on Lil Boi’s “Tomorrow,” which climbed to number two and paved the way for his breakthrough. He issued several EPs, starting with Bucket List in 2021; the strongest performer among them was 2022’s Nangman, which reached number 15 on the strength of its lead track “Beyond Love” featuring 10cm and delivered Big Naughty’s career-best singles placement at number five. His fourth mini-album, ICN > YVR (Incheon to Vancouver), arrived in 2024. Although he regards himself primarily as an R&B singer rather than a rapper, he moves fluidly between both approaches, crafting polished, approachable, relaxed, tuneful tracks that carry a pronounced pop sensibility.