I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Epik High in concert before, starting with their 2015 show in Atlanta following the group’s comeback after a dramatic (and false) scandal that nearly derailed their career. Thankfully, despite their detractors, the trio survived, and their work—already celebrated by K-pop fans and international audiences—only continued to amaze. While Shoebox (2014) might be a career-defining release, their 2017 and 2022 albums, We’ve Done Something Wonderful and Epik High Is Here, prove they’re still reaching new heights. Most recently, they dropped their first mixtape, PUMP, a love letter to the old-school hip-hop that originally inspired members Tablo, Mithra, and DJ Tukutz.
On tour for PUMP, Epik High returned to Atlanta for their fifth visit to the city, performing a mix of their classic hits and new tracks. I was fortunate enough to attend their Monday night show at the historic Tabernacle Theater in downtown Atlanta, where a sizable crowd eagerly awaited their return. Before the show even began, fans were already waving Epik High’s irreverent lightsticks in anticipation. Soon, the lights dimmed, and a pre-recorded video played, humorously sharing Epik High trivia—like the fact that Mithra once bought Andre 3000 a hamburger at a music festival. Fans played along, trying to shout out the correct answers before the screen dropped, revealing the trio on stage.
The energy was electric from the start as Epik High kicked off with a string of hits, including “ANTI-HERO,” “Fly” (the song that reportedly inspired BTS’s RM to become a musician), “LATE CHECKOUT,” and personal favorite, “BURJ KHALIFA.” Tablo and Mithra took the lead on vocals, as the group’s primary rappers, while DJ Tukutz occasionally joined in, not just on the turntables but on the mic as well. Though the group often collaborates with other vocalists, their voices were woven seamlessly into the DJ mix, with Tablo and Mithra filling in parts during key moments.
Between songs, Tablo paused for comedic asides, sharing stories about the tour and engaging with the audience. At one point, he ventured into the crowd and took a tumble, laughing it off with his usual self-deprecating humor. Mithra also joined fans on the balcony, while DJ Tukutz wowed the crowd with some playful dance moves.
The night ended with career highlights like “Kill This Love,” “Born Hater,” and my personal favorite, “Don’t Hate Me.” The latter has always resonated with me, especially knowing Tablo’s struggles with anti-fans—it’s a track that carries deep emotion, and hearing it live always feels cathartic.
As this was the penultimate show of the tour, Tablo hinted that it might be a two-year wait before they return. But the crowd left grateful for an incredible night of music that will undoubtedly hold us over until Epik High graces Atlanta—and North America—again.
