Once again, the record-breaking K-Pop phenomenon continue to creatively and sonically bend and break boundaries. This time around, they introduce their very own “SKZHOP” genre, fusing the classic Stray Kids’ sound with hip-hop. Simultaneously, the album title transmits a core message through a multilayered dual meaning. In Korean, HOP translates to “unite,” which reflects the union of the group’s members. Its other meaning specifically nods to the “hop” in “hip-hop.” As such, the album features each member’s own solo tracks, which they have debuted throughout the Stray Kids World Tour <dominATE> this year.
Among many standouts, title track “Walkin On Water” embodies the innovative spirit of HOP. The group’s charisma and presence on stage resembles “walking on water” and what they fittingly refer to as “playing in the flowing, rough currents.” The arrangement channels timeless hip-hop punctuated by off-kilter sound effects evocative of splashing water. At the same time, its hook immediately hits hard uplifted by dynamic rhymes. Watch the music video HERE.
See the full album tracklisting below.
Just last night, Stray Kids took home the “Top Global K-Pop Artist” Award at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards. They earned three additional nominations in the categories of “Top Duo / Group,” “Top K-Pop Album” for ROCK-STAR, and “Top K-Pop Album” for ATE. In addition, they electrified the stage with a medley performance of their hits “Chk Chk Boom” and “JJAM”— watch HERE.
Stray Kids‘ <dominATE> World Tour will include an impressive 25 stadium performances worldwide, including Singapore’s National Stadium, Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, Kaohsiung National Stadium, Bangkok’s National Stadium, Mexico City’s Estadio GNP Seguros, Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, New York’s Citi Field, Toronto’s Rogers Stadium, London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Paris’ Stade de France. The Stray Kids World Tour <dominATE> marks their first full run of stadium dates and long-awaited return following their second world tour, MANIAC, which successfully held 42 shows across 18 cities.
Produced by JYP Entertainment and promoted by Live Nation, this tour has been met with wild success as concerts in 12 cities—Los Angeles, New York, Santiago, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Lima, Mexico City, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, and Paris—have all completely sold out, leading to additional performances being scheduled in Mexico City, Los Angeles, New York, São Paulo, Santiago, London, and Paris. As a result, Stray Kids has significantly expanded their tour to 48 shows across 32 cities, solidifying their status as a “global stadium artist”. Get tickets now HERE.
Stray Kids have already cemented themselves as global icons, having achieved numerous milestones for the last six years of their career. They’ve made history with groundbreaking festival appearances, becoming the first K-Pop group to perform at Le Gala Des Pièces Jaunes and headlining major festivals in 2024, such as Chicago’s Lollapalooza, Milan’s I-DAYS, and London’s BST Hyde Park.
Earlier this year, they captured their fifth #1 album on the Billboard 200 with ATE. The achievement made history, enshrining them as the first group ever to debut at #1 with their first five charting albums. ATE earned the biggest U.S. debut for any K-Pop act in 2024and cemented them as the first Korean act to have five full studio projects debut top of the Billboard 200. Not to mention, they shined as the first K-pop group to attend the Met Galaand were named “Best Dressed” by Vogue, GQ, British GQ, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and many more.
ABOUT STRAY KIDS:
Stray Kids is JYP Entertainment’s 8-member boy band formed in March 2018. The group’s name “Stray Kids” stands for their determination to break and escape from tradition, formalities, and the old system. All members not only are talented in vocals, rap, and performance, but have also been credited for producing the majority of Stray Kids’ unique discography.
Stray Kids were crowned winners of “Top K-Pop Album” at the 2023 Billboard Music Awardsand “Best K-Pop” at the 2023 MTV VMAs with their full-length album <5-STAR>. The album sold over 4.61 million copies during the first week of its release which, at the time, became the highest 1st week number in K-pop history. The group also won “Group of the Year” at the 2024 People’s Choice Awards, “K-Pop Album of the Year” at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards, and “Top Global K-Pop Artist” at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards.
Not only did they debut five consecutive albums as No.1 on the Billboard 200 chart with their recent album <ATE>, and they also became the 2nd K-Pop male group in history to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Stray Kids won’t stop breaking through all geographical and cultural boundaries to resonate deeply with global listeners.
Recently, Stray Kids were featured on the soundtrack of Netflix’s animated series Arcane (Season 2) based on the game League of Legends with “Come Play”. In addition, their track “SLASH” was featured on the soundtrack of the film Deadpool & Wolverine (Deadpool & Wolverine Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
Last month, the group released their 2nd Japanese album GIANT, which debuted at #1 on both the Oricon Weekly Album Ranking and the Weekly Combined Album Ranking. It also topped Billboard Japan’s Hot Albums, Top Album Sales, and Artist 100 charts at #1, and dominated the weekly comprehensive album ranking at Tower Records, the largest record store chain in Japan, reaffirming the group’s immense popularity.
HOP TRACKLISTING:
1. “Walkin On Water”
2. “Bounce Back”
3. “U” (Feat. TABLO)
4. “Walkin On Water (HIP Ver.)”
5. “Railway” (Bang Chan)
6. “Unfair” (Felix)
7. “HALLUCINATION” (I.N)
8. “Youth” (Lee Know)
9. “So Good” (Hyunjin)
10. “ULTRA” (Changbin)
11. “Hold my hand” (HAN)
12. “As we are” (Seungmin)
STRAY KIDS WORLD TOUR <dominATE> 2024 UPCOMING DATES:
Sat Dec 14 – Bangkok – National Stadium
Sat Dec 21 – Jakarta – Indonesia Arena, GBK
STRAY KIDS WORLD TOUR <dominATE> 2025 DATES:
Sat Jan 18 – Hong Kong – AsiaWorld-Arena
Sun Jan 19 – Hong Kong – AsiaWorld-Arena
Thu Mar 27 – Santiago, CL – Estadio Bicentenario La Florida – NEW DATE
Fri Mar 28 – Santiago, CL – Estadio Bicentenario La Florida – NEW DATE
Tue Apr 1 – Rio de Janeiro, BR – Estádio Nilton Santos – NEW DATE
Sat Apr 5 – São Paulo, BR – Estádio MorumBIS – NEW DATE
Sun Apr 6 – São Paulo, BR – Estádio MorumBIS – NEW DATE
Wed Apr 9 – Lima, PE – Estadio San Marcos – NEW DATE
Sat Apr 12 – Mexico City, MMX – Estadio GNP Seguros – NEW DATE
Sun Apr 13 – Mexico City, MMX – Estadio GNP Seguros – NEW DATE
Sat May 24 – Seattle, WA – T-Mobile Park – NEW DATE
Wed May 28 – San Francisco, CA – Oracle Park – NEW DATE
Sat May 31 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium – NEW DATE
Sun Jun 1 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium – NEW DATE
Fri Jun 6 – Arlington, TX – Globe Life Field – NEW DATE
Tue Jun 10 – Atlanta, GA – Truist Park – NEW DATE
Sat Jun 14 – Orlando, FL – Camping World Stadium – NEW DATE
Wed Jun 18 – New York City, NY – Citi Field – NEW DATE
Thu Jun 19 – New York City, NY – Citi Field – NEW DATE
Mon Jun 23 – Washington, DC – Nationals Park – NEW DATE
Thu Jun 26 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field – NEW DATE
Sun Jun 29 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Stadium – NEW DATE
Fri Jul 11 – Amsterdam, NL – Johan Cruijff Arena – NEW DATE
Tue Jul 15 – Frankfurt, DE – Deutsche Bank Park – NEW DATE
Fri Jul 18 – London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – NEW DATE
Sat Jul 19 – London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – NEW DATE
Tue Jul 22 – Madrid, SP – Riyadh Air Metropolitano – NEW DATE
Sat Jul 26 – Paris, FR – Stade de France – NEW DATE
Sun Jul 27 – Paris, FR – Stade de France – NEW DATE