EL CAPITXN has spent over a decade building his career in the music industry, both as a performer and producer. He debuted in 2014 as Yijeong, a member of the K-pop boy group, HISTORY. In 2018, he pivoted his focus to music production, adopting the name EL CAPITXN and forming the VENDORS. Now 12 years into his career, he has embarked on his first ever solo U.S. tour, WHO KILLED EL?
As a music producer with a performance background, there was plenty of curiosity about what kind of show he would deliver. The show’s progression was wholly unexpected. The dark promotional material and gothic imagery suggested a show featuring heavy production and dramatics. Instead, it was a candid night with one of K-pop’s top producers in his most authentic form. During the show, EL CAPITXN shared vulnerable thoughts with the crowd, put his talent on full display, and created an entertaining art exhibition featuring his music—all without singing himself.
The show began with the lights dimming, and the producer himself walking on stage. Passing the front of the crowd, he walked straight to the dimly lit DJ booth at the back of the stage. With his hair tied up and a ruffled, long-sleeved white shirt, he looked ready to deliver a classical performance. Instead, he unleashed heavy bass and EDM beats throughout the venue, kicking off with an impressive high-energy DJ set. Every elegant outfit change was also short-lived because he would quickly shed his top to reveal his heavily tattooed body, much to the crowd’s delight.
Making his way to the front of the stage after a few songs, he began playing various instruments. As the music continued blasting through the speakers, EL CAPITXN added an additional layer of depth with his performance, going from guitar to guitar, and even playing the keyboard during a few slower songs.
Despite being a man of few words due to his voice condition that prevents him from being able to sing or speak smoothly, he made sure to greet the crowd and welcome them to his first live show in LA. As for singing, he entrusted that to the guest artists he invited to take the stage alongside him. Sophie Powers, JASIAH, Rence, and Outlaw The Artist each took turns filling the music with their voices, all while cheering EL CAPITXN on.
Rather than taking the crowd through each era of his music career, he chose to share his present and future. As a producer for Big Hit Entertainment, he’s contributed to many songs for BTS and, in particular, SUGA. EL CAPITXN and SUGA have been close friends for years, supporting each other through hardships, which has deepened their collaborative bond. Alongside the other music he’s produced for various artists, EL CAPITXN played a fair share of BTS and SUGA songs that worked on, while wearing a heartfelt smile as he paid homage to his friends.
For the audience, BTS and SUGA’s songs were an unexpectedly pleasant surprise as well. Fans performed the choreography, sang along to the songs, and recorded each other for their TikTok posts and Instagram stories, bringing a lightness to the dark venue. Continuing on, things felt heavier as the artist took a moment of quiet to speak candidly. “Who killed EL? My voice did,” he shared, speaking of how his condition killed his ability to perform and sing the way he could before. “But, your support made me brave, and because of you, I can be here on stage again.” Expressing his grateful heart, he also revealed a surprise to the crowd—he would be releasing his very first solo album this year.
Wrapping up the show that meant so much to both himself and his fans, EL CAPITXN jumped into the crowd to hug as many fans as he could. Though not what one would expect from a typical “concert,” the producer put together a unique evening that embodied who he is as a producer and an artist.
Click on the photo below to view our photos from the concert:
