Part 8 of Varnell’s discovery of BTS: reacting to Agust D’s first mixtape ‘Agust D’

varnell’s ARMY conversion series continues with Agust D, though i would say he’s basically 90% ARMY at this point as much as he’d like to deny it hehe.

i have been waiting for this one, especially with how much varnell liked D-2. as with every episode we’ve gotten so far, i really appreciate the insights sleep and varnell give to the more technical side of the tracks, talking about potential inspirations and samples and how the sounds or production effects reflect the time that the projects dropped, as well as insights into hip hop culture. seeing varnell and sleep appreciate the rap line for understanding and representing the culture well in their music fills me with so much pride and joy, and i wish the rap line could watch these clips for the respect they’re being given.

after listening to “the last” and reading the translations of yoongi’s lyrics, something that sleep and varnell discussed that stood out to me was how they picked up that the relatability and vulnerability that yoongi, and BTS as a whole, show in their lyrics is what the fans gravitate towards, and that it’s something missing in much of today’s music. it’s so true, and i think i speak for most of ARMY when i say that it’s what got most of us to go from just casual fans to hardcore, loyal ARMY. we are so, SO lucky to be fans of artists that are willing to be open and show us all sides of themselves in their music, and give us a piece of themselves in their art.

i LOVE how varnell was predicting what yoongi’s concerts are like and was basically right most of the time, and even mentioned how yoongi would introduce himself as “suga, agust d, min yoongi”, which is exactly what yoongi did in the d-day concerts. i just know sleep was secretly beaming inside and pushing varnell’s ARMY conversion meter to 100% when he pointed out that varnell could now list all of yoongi’s names, both government and stage – he is in DEEP now. fingers crossed sleep lets varnell watch the d-day concert for one of these eps to witness the power and charisma of yoongi as a performer on stage.