Wikipedia

Masta Wu

In this Korean name, the family name is Woo.
Masta Wu
마스타 우
June 12, 2015, New York City
June 12, 2015, New York City
Background information
Born
Woo Jin-won

(1978-10-25) October 25, 1978 (age 47)
Seoul, South Korea
OriginSeoul, South Korea
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, composer
Years active2000–present
Labels
Formerly ofYMGA, YG Family

Woo Jin-won (Korean: 우진원, October 25, 1978), better known by his stage name Masta Wu (마스타 우), is a South Korean rapper, songwriter and producer.[1] His previous stage name was Ginnwon.[2] He was also a part of the hip hop project duo YMGA.[3]

Career

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After being an underground rapper, Woo signed with YG Entertainment.[3] He released his first album, Masta Peace in 2003,[4] and his second album Brand Wu Year in 2007.[5]

In 2014, he was one of the producers of the talent show Show Me The Money 3.[6][7]

He wrote several songs for his label-mates, for example project duo Hi Suhyun, solo singer Lee Hi and girl band 2NE1.[1][8][9] As of December 2023 he has 93 songs credited to his name at the Korea Music Copyright Association.[10]

In 2016, he announced his departure from YG Entertainment to establish his own label.[11]

In 2020, Masta Wu released the song "Romance" via his SoundCloud.[12] The song served as a pre-release to his first extended play, Father.[13]

In 2023, Masta Wu released a new single called "Water," announcing that he would be releasing his third full album later in the year.[14]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[15]
Masta Peace 32
Brand Wu Year
  • Released: March 22, 2007
  • Label: YG Entertainment
  • Formats: CD
 43

Extended plays

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  • Father (2020)

Singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[18]
"Bad Boy" (문제아) 2003 — Masta Peace
"Everything's All Rite" (feat. Jieun) 2007 — Brand Wu Year
"Come Here" (이리와봐) (feat. Dok2 and Bobby) 2014 8 Non-album singles
"Yamaha" (야마하) (feat. Red Roc and Okasian) 2016 —
"Shit" (feat. Dok2) 2017 —
"Gold" (feat. E Sens) 2020 — Father
"Water" (feat. Keith Ape) 2023 — Non-album single
"—" denotes release did not chart.

References

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  1. ^ a b 마스타우 "6년 공백, 양현석 대표에게 서운하냐고요?" (in Korean). Yonhap. 2014-12-14. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  2. ^ 고준희 마스타우, 열애설 부인 후 심야 데이트 장면 포착 '진실은?' (in Korean). The Financial News. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  3. ^ a b "Masta Wu". KBS World Radio. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
  4. ^ "Masta Wu to Release New Song in Six Years through YG Hip Hop Project 2". MWAVE. 2014-11-28. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
  5. ^ "마스타우 솔직 고백 "무브먼트 디스, 악감정은 없었다"" (in Korean). Newsen. 2007-03-21. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  6. ^ "Epik High′s Tablo, Masta Wu, San E, and Swings Confirmed for ′Show Me The Money 3′". MWAVE. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
  7. ^ "Korean rappers Masta Wu, Dok2 and Bobby get surreal". Dazed. December 2014. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  8. ^ "Hi Suhyun Talks Winning No.1, Yang Hyun Suk′s Training Style and More". MWAVE. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
  9. ^ "2NE1 Dazzles with "Gotta Be You" MV". MTV. 2014-05-21. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
  10. ^ "Songs Registered Under MASTA WU (W0726000)". Korea Music Copyright Association (in Korean).
  11. ^ "YG "최근 마스타우 떠났다, 향후 음악활동 응원" 공식입장" (in Korean). xsportsnews. 2016-01-08. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
  12. ^ 마스타 우, 신곡 'Romance' 깜짝 공개…김심야 피쳐링. XSports News. May 20, 2020.
  13. ^ 마스타우, 11일 EP 'Father' 발매..커버 깜짝 공개. OSEN [ko]. July 29, 2020.
  14. ^ 마스타우, 신곡 '워터' 공개…정규 앨범 방향성 예고. Raon News. March 15, 2023.
  15. ^ Recording Industry Association of Korea monthly chart positions:
  16. ^ "2003.06월 - 가요 음반 판매량". Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2004-10-16. Retrieved 2025-10-12.
  17. ^ "2007. 3 월 - 가요음반 판매량". Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2009-03-02. Retrieved 2025-10-12.
  18. ^ Circle (formerly Gaon) Digital Chart positions:
  19. ^ "2014년 12월 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2015-02-14. Retrieved 2025-10-12.
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