The South’s got something to say -- South Korea, that is. Over the last several years, the nation’s hip-hop scene has exploded as acts like Keith Ape, Zico and CL have been killing the game in Korea, while gradually establishing a presence in the U.S. For those not paying attention, it might seem like the Korean rap scene of today materialized overnight, but that's certainly not the case. Hip-hop has been thriving in the country for years.

The genre began spreading through South Korea after the fall of the nation’s authoritarian military government at the end of the 1980s. The collapse of that censorship-heavy regime, along with the cultural collision course that was the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea laid the groundwork for the nation’s thriving rap scene in 2016. It hasn’t been easy, but the Internet’s made it easier for rap fans from other countries to absorb bits and pieces of American hip-hop culture in the blink of an eye. As a result, a new generation of Korean rappers have emerged showcasing an intriguing mix of K-Pop and hip-hop.

Some of South Korea's best rappers have more in common with One Direction than they do members of the ASAP Mob. Others would fit right in with the Travi$ Scotts and Young Thugs of the world. While some of the rhymers in South Korea have been around for years, others have made a name for themselves in what seems like the blink of an eye. XXL takes a look at many of the biggest names in South Korea's vibrant hip-hop culture.