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Music Box • Musician

RM

RM, born Kim Nam-joon, is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and record producer.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

RM is the stage name of Kim Nam-joon, a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and record producer best known as the leader of BTS.

What it is

RM (born Kim Nam-joon on September 12, 1994, in Seoul, South Korea) is a musician and the leader of the global group BTS. He began performing in the Korean underground hip-hop scene as a teenager under the name Runch Randa, joined Big Hit in 2010, and debuted with BTS in June 2013. He was originally known as Rap Monster before adopting the stage name RM.

Why it matters

RM is a central creative figure in BTS, credited as a major songwriter and producer for the group. His solo projects—including the mixtapes RM and mono., and the albums Indigo and Right Place, Wrong Person—showcase his personal lyricism and production work, contributing to his reputation as a versatile artist.

Key details

RM's solo releases span from 2015 to 2024, with Indigo (2022) and Right Place, Wrong Person (2024) as full-length albums. He remains active under Big Hit Music and continues to shape BTS's musical direction.

In short

  • RM is the leader and main rapper of BTS, debuting in 2013.
  • He was born Kim Nam-joon in Seoul and raised in Ilsan.
  • His solo work includes mixtapes RM and mono., plus albums Indigo and Right Place, Wrong Person.
  • He was formerly known as Rap Monster.

Quick questions

Who is RM?
RM is the stage name of Kim Nam-joon, a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and record producer best known as the leader of BTS.
What was RM’s former stage name?
His former stage name was Rap Monster.
What solo projects has RM released?
His solo releases include the mixtapes RM and mono., and the albums Indigo and Right Place, Wrong Person.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RM_(musician)
    Supports: Birth name, stage name, occupation, birth date, birthplace, BTS leadership, early career, and debut.
  2. Apple Music — https://music.apple.com/us/artist/rm/1439549457
    Supports: Artist biography, Seoul birth, BTS debut, songwriting and solo work.
  3. Last.fm — https://www.last.fm/music/RM/+wiki
    Supports: Birth name, profession, and role as BTS leader and main rapper.
  4. Kpopping — https://kpopping.com/profiles/idol/RM
    Supports: Birth name, stage name, former stage name, and basic profile facts.