Kim Namjoon, widely known as RM (Rap Monster), is not only the charismatic leader of BTS but also a powerhouse rapper, lyricist, and producer. While most people know him for his work with BTS, RM has also carved out an impressive body of work outside the group, collaborating with various artists across different genres and languages. His artistry transcends borders, often connecting with musicians that aren’t household names globally but are deeply respected within their own circles.

Here are some of RM’s greatest works with amazing artists you may not have heard of, but absolutely should:

“Seoul” (Produced by HONNE)

One of RM’s most personal and poetic songs, “Seoul” is a standout track from his 2018 mixtape mono. The song was co-produced by the British electro-soul duo HONNE, blending chill electronica with RM’s introspective lyrics about his complicated relationship with the city he calls home.

“I love you Seoul / I hate you Seoul,” he raps, reflecting on the duality of loving a city that also drains you. The atmospheric beats combined with RM’s wistful voice create a soundscape that feels like wandering alone through neon-lit streets after midnight. HONNE may not be mainstream in all parts of the world, but their signature sound and this collaboration with RM is a masterpiece in understated melancholy.

“Don’t” – eAeon (ft. RM)

Released in 2021, “Don’t” by eAeon featuring RM is a hauntingly beautiful track that showcases RM’s ability to meld his voice with minimalistic soundscapes. eAeon is part of the Korean indie duo Mot and has a reputation for crafting delicate, emotional music.

In “Don’t,” RM delivers a rap that feels more like spoken word poetry, full of emotional restraint and aching vulnerability. His tone is soft, almost hushed, perfectly matching the song’s themes of emotional distance and quiet heartbreak. If you haven’t listened to eAeon’s music before, this collaboration is the perfect gateway into a more ambient, contemplative side of Korean indie.

“Winter Flower” – Younha (ft. RM)

Younha is an artist who has long been beloved in South Korea for her powerful vocals and emotive ballads. In “Winter Flower,” she teams up with RM for a cinematic journey through hardship, pain, and hope.

Released in 2020, the song addresses emotional struggles with the metaphor of a flower blooming in winter. RM’s verse is raw and empowering: “The world can’t bring us down.” The contrast between Younha’s soaring chorus and RM’s rhythmic, heartfelt rap makes the song unforgettable. For many fans, it’s an anthem of resilience. RM and Younha complement each other in a way that feels completely natural, and their chemistry is deeply moving.

“Everythingoes” – RM x Nell

Another mono. standout, “Everythingoes” features the iconic Korean rock band Nell, whose lead vocalist Kim Jong-wan has one of the most distinct voices in the industry.

The song is built around the idea that everything passes, pain, joy, fear. “It shall pass,” RM repeats, almost like a mantra. The combination of Nell’s alternative rock influences and RM’s introspective lyrics produces a cathartic experience. It’s a track for anyone who’s ever needed a reminder that tough times don’t last forever.

“Change” – RM x Wale

While American rapper Wale is more well-known than some other artists on this list, this early cross-cultural collaboration deserves recognition for what it symbolized. In 2017, long before it became common for Korean and Western artists to collaborate, RM and Wale came together for “Change,” a politically charged track that called out social injustice, frustration, and the hope for something better.

The track proved RM’s global vision and his ability to hold his own alongside seasoned Western artists, not just in language, but in content and delivery.

“Badbye” – RM x eAeon

Another collaboration with eAeon, “Badbye” from mono. is an example of how RM uses minimalism to powerful effect. The track features almost no instrumental, just sparse keys, distant echoes, and layered whispers.

It feels like a conversation with yourself, the kind you have in the silence just before sleep. “Badbye” is the goodbye that doesn’t want to be said, full of regret and hesitation. It’s art in its most stripped-down form.

RM is not just a rapper or a K-pop idol. He is a curator of sound, emotion, and artistry. He doesn’t chase fame with these collaborations, he seeks connection, meaning, and depth. Many of the artists he works with are not mainstream, but deeply respected in their fields. RM’s openness to explore sounds beyond commercial appeal shows a level of musical maturity that many listeners may not expect.

He creates bridges between genres, languages, and cultures. Whether it’s indie folk, alt-rock, or underground R&B, RM adapts not by changing himself, but by finding shared emotional frequencies. Each track is a new chapter, a new texture, a new part of his evolving story.

So if you’ve only known RM through BTS, let these collaborations be your invitation into the beautiful, genre-defying universe of Namjoon the artist. He’s not just rapping, he’s writing poetry, crafting emotion, and showing us that music is, above all, a human experience.

MFBTY 윤미래.타이거JK,비지 feat. EE, RM of BTS , Dino-J – 부끄부끄 BuckuBucku

Drunken Tiger – Timeless feat. RM of BTS

Gaeko(개코) _ Gajah(코끼리) (Feat. Rap Monster(랩몬스터))

BTS RM & Yuiko – Umbrella

Rap Monster – Fantastic (Feat. Mandy Ventrice) MV

Rap Monster x Warren G ‘P.D.D’ MV

HONNE – Crying Over You  (feat. RM & BEKA)


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