S. Acierda
Three years after his debut mixtape, the BTS rapper is to be releasing his second before the month ends.
On October 21, RM teased fans with a tracklist for ‘mono’, the rapper announcing the release of his second mixtape within the days to come.
RM's playlist
"mono."
10/23
— 방탄소년단 (@BTS_twt) October 20, 2018
#RM #mono. Tracklist pic.twitter.com/7P4VxLoSm0
— BigHit Entertainment (@BigHitEnt) October 20, 2018
Both official Twitter accounts for BTS and Big Hit Entertainment posted images of a handwritten track list with “mixtape” curiously scratched out and replaced with “playlist”. The ‘mono’ is to have seven new tracks and is to feature English EDM duo HONNE, Korean artist eAeon, and Korean indie band NELL. According to RM’s post, his second mixtape will be dropping within the upcoming days with the release date set to be October 23.
As per usual, ARMYs were quick to theorise connections and possible hints the rapper may have made in the past in relation to his second mixtape. Though, as fast as these theories were to invade the timelines of fans so too was the curious speculation about what ‘mono’ could possibly entail.
So probably sometime in 2017 he chose 23Oct as RM day for their 2018 Seasons greetings, writing ‘Look at the skies for at least 10mins’.. and now he’s actually releasing 7 new songs on that day??
omg we love a well thought out king! pic.twitter.com/5u47GkIVXI— max (@bangtansoshi) October 20, 2018
namjoon has been dropped hints since 2015 and also give us hints with our calendars of seasons greetings and Oct 23 RM day. WOW JUST WOW #mono pic.twitter.com/OiH5Y1Q5Lf
— Sweetiepiee (@jeonss97) October 20, 2018
so mono most likely comes from monologue which in theatre is a speech presented by a single character, most often to express their inner thoughts aloud, maybe speak yourself was a hint about it all along ?️#mono
— – lily #MONO (@softterrors) October 20, 2018
my theory on #mono,
looking at ‘mixtape' being crossed out + the indie/rock collabs (also, artists he likes), more than it being a hip hop styled mixtape, I think it may be more of a mellow, softer collection reflecting the music he loves – namjoon’s own ‘playlist’@BTS_twt #RM pic.twitter.com/9q8rCV8kVO
— [cafe army] (@cafe_army) October 20, 2018
His mixtape is called “mono” and it might have a concept related to the song he worked on with Gaeko “gajah.” In his verse he wrote a line stated “Life is a MONO that tries to pretend like it’s color” @BTS_twt pic.twitter.com/d7o7Allz42
— ☆스포트라이트☆ (@SPOTLIGHTRM) October 20, 2018
To the surprise of no one, within an hour of the posts, ‘mono’ was quick to take over Twitter’s global trends as fans celebrated the upcoming release of RM’s mixtape.
? #mono and Moonchild trending worldwide after RM released the tracklist for his upcoming mixtape!@BTS_twt pic.twitter.com/f6HnhmpWqT
— BTS Global Noona ? (@BTSGlobalNoona) October 20, 2018
EVERYONE INSIDE THE VENUE SCREAMED WHEN WE SAW THE TWEET FKDJDKDKSKS
— carla ♡ 호석 (@jhswave) October 20, 2018
‘mono’ is to be the BTS leader’s second mixtape with his debut mixtape, ‘RM’, having been released three years ago on March 20, 2015. ‘RM’ had eleven tracks and while it showcased his amazing abilities as a rapper, it also explored the vulnerable side to RM, delving into sensitive topics of identity, loneliness, and existentialism. It was well received by critics, even featuring on SPIN’s ’50 Best Hip-Hop Album of 2015.’
Thoughts? Are you excited? How can you not be? Do you already have a favourite track yet or a song you’re looking forward to hearing first? Do you have ideas of your own about what ‘mono’ could possibly be about or be like? Tweet us at @ForeverBTScom!
