Artist You Should Know: DΞΔN

Artist You Should Know: DΞΔN

Erika Gonzales

DEAN is a South Korean R&B singer-songwriter who debuted in July 13, 2015, with his English single “I’m Not Sorry”, featuring Grammy-Award winning singer-songwriter Eric Ballinger. Ever since he debuted back in 2015, his popularity has grown to the point where he is now holding concert tours in South Korea, the Philippines, and the United States.

As a 16-year-old high school student, DEAN (real name Kwon Hyuk) began to discover his talent for singing as a way to relieve stress from studying. He later joined a crew with Korean rapper Keith Ape (released the single It G Ma), and, by 18-years-old, produced songs for Korean pop singers under the name Deanfluenza because just like a disease, he would like his music to spread across the world. He wrote songs for well-known Korean artists such as EXO, Block B, Vixx, and Lee Hi. By the age of 20, he became part of a songwriting team based in Los Angeles.

He nicknamed himself DEAN after the actor he admired, James Dean, for his rebellious image because like the James, DEAN describes his music in three words: “raw, rebellious, and root”. This style of music seems to fit the trend established in this generation and is evident through the fans that claim him to be the “R&B Prince of Asia”. DEAN also produces songs that differ from the R&B genre such as hip-hop and pop.

Recommended songs by DΞΔN:

  • “D (Half Moon)”
  • “Love It (Feat. Dok2)”
  • “Pour Up (Feat. ZICO) (DEAN received Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year with this single.)”
  • “What2do (Feat. Crush and Jeff Bernat)”
  • “21”
  • “Bonnie & Clyde”
  • “Put My Hands on You (Feat. Anderson Paak)”
  • “Featured song: Starlight by Taeyeon”
  • “Recently featured in the song: Bermuda Triangle by ZICO”