Kevin Hwang (Hwang Ji-tu; born May 1, 1992) is a Korean-American rapper and singer better known by his stage name G2. He was born in Busan, South Korea and raised in Lewisville, Texas. His birth name was literally Hwang G Two, which inspired the stage name G2. G2 gained notice in the Korean hip-hop scene after signing with Hi-Lite Records and releasing his debut album G2’s Life in 2017.
Rise to Fame and Career Highlights
G2’s musical career took off when he entered the South Korean hip-hop community. He first gained underground buzz by collaborating on the album Project: Brainwash (2014) with producer Okasian and rapper Kid Ash. In 2015, he officially joined Hi-Lite Records, one of Korea’s respected indie hip-hop labels. The next year G2 reached a wider audience by competing on Mnet’s rap competition show Show Me the Money 5 (2016) and appearing on the series Tribe of Hip Hop. Those TV appearances raised his profile and led to further releases. In interviews he recalled that Okasian discovered him after seeing one of his rap videos, which helped launch the Brainwash project and his early career.
Key milestones in Kevin Hwang’s career include:
- 2014: Featured on Project: Brainwash (with Kid Ash) – his first recorded project.
- 2015: Signed to Hi-Lite Records and formally launched his professional career.
- 2016: Competed on Show Me the Money 5 and starred in Tribe of Hip Hop, exposing him to mainstream K-hip-hop fans.
- 2017: Released debut studio album G2’s Life (released Mar 30, 2017), which charted in Korea.
- 2018: Follow-up album Throwing Up Butterflies released in December 2018.
- 2020: Third album Water released in August 2020.
- 2021: Collaborative album Smiles And Tribulations (with Junoflo) was released.
Discography and Notable Releases
Kevin Hwang has steadily built his catalog of music, blending influences from both his Korean heritage and American upbringing. His studio albums include:
- G2’s Life (2017)
- Throwing Up Butterflies (2018)
- Water (2020)
In addition to his solo albums, G2 has released collaborative projects and EPs. His early break came with Project: Brainwash (2014) with Kid Ash, and he later teamed up with rapper Junoflo for the album Smiles And Tribulations (2021). He also put out extended plays G2’s Life, Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 in 2016–2017. Many of his singles – for example “Paradise” (2016) featuring Sway D and Reddy – were featured on these albums.
Throughout his career, G2 has been praised for his gritty, old-school hip-hop style and his raspy flow. He often raps in both English and Korean, reflecting his bicultural roots. Appearances on shows like Show Me the Money and features with established Korean artists (e.g. Yoon Do-hyun, Paloalto, Reddy, and Jessi) have demonstrated his versatility. As one commentator noted, after joining Hi-Lite Records G2 “appeared on the popular rap reality competition, which made him a household name” in hip-hop circles.
Conclusion
Kevin “G2” Hwang continues to be an active figure in the Korean hip-hop scene. Having moved between America and Korea, he brings a unique perspective to his music. Fans of K-hip-hop can follow his journey on social media (e.g. Instagram [@g2slife]) and listen to his albums on streaming platforms. With several albums and TV appearances already under his belt, many listeners are eager to see what G2 releases next. His blend of Korean and American hip-hop influences makes him a standout artist, so keep an eye out for new music and performances from Kevin Hwang (G2).
