It’s been made clear time and time again throughout the history of popular music that a successful group doesn’t automatically translate into success for its members’ solo careers. Building up a solid career and finding the same kind of recognition as a solo artist is a different challenge entirely. And that’s part of what makes BTS member j-hope’s journey so eye-catching. In the shifting tides of trends, he’s created a path all his own and pushed on to have an impressive solo career. Focusing on hip hop while fluidly crossing into pop, R&B, funk, and rock, he organically blends genres and remains unafraid of taking on new challenges. Not only did he release an EP last year, but j-hope has already dropped three singles this year alone that demonstrate his boundless creativity. Every song is a standout in its own unique style, and he’s worked with some big names as well.

“LV Bag” feat. j-hope from BTS & Pharrell Williams (Don Toliver)
Flaunting luxury brands in pop songs has become a major form of self-expression for hip hop artists today. Name-brand items are a symbol of the success they’ve found through their music. Fashion is an especially important part of the core of hip hop culture. In the past, casual brands like Adidas, Kangol, Timberland, and FUBU were staples of hip hop style, but now high-end brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada have taken over. “LV Bag,” a single by rapper and singer-songwriter Don Toliver from Houston, Texas, and featuring j-hope, elevates Louis Vuitton to its central theme. The track was first unveiled during the finale of the Louis Vuitton Men’s Fall-Winter 2025 Show held on January 21 in Paris.

Louis Vuitton, one of the most beloved brands among hip hop stars, makes frequent appearances in j-hope’s wardrobe. Not surprising, then, it feels like a symbol of his style and individuality. In “LV Bag,” the BTS member’s rapping and vocals blend seamlessly into the music, just like Toliver’s. The lyrics are simple and straight to the point, showing the kind of status the two artists command in our pop culture landscape today. In essence, “LV Bag” represents the wealth and status that Toliver and j-hope enjoy. Also notable is Toliver’s fingerprint throughout the soundscape as a whole. It’s a delicate arrangement of synths over a bassline that marries a melodic trap beat with rap-singing and ethereal R&B vibes. The song was produced by Pharrel Williams, who, even after all these years, continues to have the same incredible intuition. Proof that class is timeless!

“Sweet Dreams” feat. Miguel
A collaboration between j-hope and Miguel? Surely I wasn’t the only one who was surprised to see those two names together. Not only is Miguel an exceptional artist, but he’s also not known to do a lot of collabs (for more on Miguel’s illustrious journey, check out the article “Miguel, alternative R&B icon” from April 16). “Sweet Dreams” compares the feeling of falling in love, and especially of longing after someone, to strolling through a sweet dream, as the title suggests. The more I listened to it, the more I realized what a brilliant move j-hope made in bringing Miguel in. Miguel, known for his unique, falsetto-heavy vocals, has always had the perfect voice for dreamy soundscapes.

When Miguel first starts singing in “Sweet Dreams,” it feels like we’re on the boundary between dream and reality. j-hope’s verse works its way in, leaving behind sweetness with a tinge of melancholy. Within this delicious blend of pop, R&B, and hip hop, j-hope floats alternatingly between rapping and singing. His voice is as warm and soft as a loved one’s touch—a little comfort for people searching for true love and happiness, even if only in their dreams. This makes “Sweet Dreams” more than just a love song—it’s a sweet gift from j-hope, gently wrapping up the day with a bow of solace on top.

“MONA LISA”
One of the most exciting things about j-hope’s solo music is his refusal to restrict himself to trends alone. As a member of BTS, he stands at the forefront of K-pop and the latest trends, but as a solo artist, he takes time-tested genres and gives them a modern twist. He’s free and unconstrained. Even just looking at recent releases, like his 2023 collaboration with J. Cole, “on the street,” and his albums “Jack In The Box” and “HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1,” that much is clear. And his latest single, “MONA LISA,” is another excellent opportunity to experience his signature sound.
While the rhythm at the song’s base leans into trendy trap, the keyboard-driven groove and the production style overall couldn’t be further from today’s mainstream sound. It instead evokes something closer to early- to mid-2000s contemporary R&B or pop-rap. The melody built upon this foundation is just as captivating, growing catchier and catchier each time the chorus comes around and transitioning beautifully into the post-chorus and verse that follows. Lyrically, j-hope cleverly draws comparisons between the woman in the song and the iconic Renaissance painting. It’s layer upon artistic layer like this that’s precisely why we keep coming back to his music.

j-hope’s musical vision is one that embraces tradition while endlessly pushing boundaries. At times, it transcends mere sound and becomes a message in itself. And no doubt many of his fans find their own “Hope World” through his music.