JOOHONEY – Rhythm (English translation )
🎶 [Intro / Chorus]
I got rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, yeah!
Every day, kill ’em, kill ’em, kill ’em, kill ’em, kill ’em, kill ’em, all day!
I keep swaying, swaying, swaying, swaying, swaying, swaying—
I got rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, yeah!
I got rhythm, I got rhythm, yeah—
I got rhythm, yeah!
✍️ [Verse 1: The Creative Process]
Yeah, I’m rappin’ all day—right now, hotel room.
Catching a vibe from the beat and writing lyrics, ho.
Even with a busy schedule, writing a few lines down makes me so happy, ow!
I won’t let go of my passion—
My heart beats for music, and my fans are always satisfied.
Alone in front of my notebook, playing music—ah hahaha, this feels good.
Ah, it’s good—ah, it’s good.
🔥 [Verse 2: The Hustle]
What the—what the—what the—what the—what the—what the—what the fuck, this hustle, hey!
Boy, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up your mouth!
I’ll murder, murder, murder, murder, murder, murder, murder, murder—
Uh, guys—murder, murder, murder, murder!
(What more do you want?) Don’t want it—thank you, m’fucking hater.
💬 [Verse 3: Responding to Haters]
Someone said,
“Why is Jooheon such a freaking idiot?”
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thanks to you, I just got a whole verse out of it.
Again, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!
📺 [Verse 4: The Show Me The Money Story]
Can’t leave this story out—Show Me The Money 4.
All company money and media, like fish laid out on a cutting board.
Especially episode 3 hits hard—
So hey, you idiot, grab an extension!
🎶 [Chorus]
I got rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, yeah!
Every day, kill ’em, kill ’em, kill ’em, kill ’em, kill ’em, kill ’em, all day!
I keep swaying, swaying, swaying, swaying, swaying, swaying—
I got rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, yeah!
🛤️ [Outro]
Rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm, yeah!
Every day, kill ’em, kill ’em, kill ’em, kill ’em, kill ’em, kill ’em, all day!
I keep swaying, swaying, swaying, swaying, swaying, swaying—
Right now, I’m walking this road, road, road, road, road.
🎤 Lyrics Meaning & Emotional Core
“RHYTHM” is a manifesto of artistic passion and resilience. Jooheon uses the track to affirm his love for music, respond to criticism with wit, and assert his unstoppable drive.
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Core Theme: The Rhythm as Life Force
The repeated “I got rhythm” is not just about musical ability; it’s a declaration of being in sync with oneself, with one’s purpose. Rhythm is the heartbeat of the artist, the pulse that keeps them moving, creating, surviving. The song’s structure, built on this repetition, mimics the hypnotic, driving force of that internal rhythm. -
The Joy of Creation
The opening verse is a window into Jooheon’s creative process. Alone in a hotel room, catching a vibe, writing lyrics—this is where he finds happiness. The laughter (“ah hahaha, this feels good”) is genuine, unguarded. It’s the joy of doing what you love, even in the midst of a busy schedule. This vulnerability makes the later aggression more impactful. -
The Hustle and the Hatred
The second verse shifts into battle mode. The repeated “shut up” and “murder” are not literal threats but the language of competition, of proving oneself. The “hustle” is relentless, and the speaker is ready to destroy anyone who stands in the way. But then comes the twist: “Thank you, m’fucking hater.” -
Turning Hate into Fuel
The third verse is the song’s most brilliant moment. Instead of being wounded by a negative comment (“Why is Jooheon such a freaking idiot?”), Jooheon thanks the hater repeatedly—because their words gave him “a whole verse.” This is the ultimate power move: using criticism as creative fuel, transforming negativity into art. The repeated “thank you” is both genuine and sarcastic, a masterclass in turning the tables. -
The Show Me The Money Reference
Jooheon’s mention of “Show Me The Money 4” (a famous Korean rap competition) grounds the song in a real moment of struggle. He describes the experience as being “like fish laid out on a cutting board”—vulnerable, exposed, at the mercy of the industry and media. Episode 3 “hits hard,” a reference to a specific painful moment. But the response is defiant: “So hey, you idiot, grab an extension!” This suggests that the story isn’t over, that he’s still writing, still fighting, still extending the narrative. -
Walking the Road
The outro shifts from the aggressive “kill ’em” to the steady “walking this road.” This is the long game. The rhythm continues, the path stretches ahead, and Jooheon keeps moving. The repetition of “road” echoes the earlier repetitions of “rhythm,” tying the two together: the rhythm is the road, and the road is the rhythm.
In essence, “RHYTHM” is a self-portrait of an artist in motion. Jooheon captures the highs of creation, the lows of criticism, and the relentless drive that keeps him going. He thanks his haters for the verses they give him, references the battles that shaped him, and declares that his rhythm—his life force—is unshakeable. The road is long, but he’s walking it, one beat at a time.
