Bang Yong-guk, born on March 31, 1990, is a multifaceted South Korean artist known for his talents as a rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He first gained recognition as the leader of the boy group B.A.P, a role he held until his departure from TS Entertainment in August 2018.
His musical journey began in 2008 when he joined the underground hip hop group Soul Connection, adopting the stage name Jepp Blackman. Yong-guk's breakthrough came in March 2011 when he featured on Song Ji-eun's hit single 'Going Crazy,' which topped the charts in South Korea.
In July of the same year, he released his first solo digital single, 'I Remember,' featuring Yoseob from Beast. Later, in November, he showcased his versatility by promoting in a sub-unit called Bang & Zelo alongside fellow B.A.P member Zelo, releasing the inspiring single 'Never Give Up.' B.A.P made their official debut with their first single in January 2012, marking the beginning of a significant chapter in Yong-guk's career.