Korean-American artist, Jay Park got his start as the leader of the K-pop boy band 2PM.

In 2009, Park found himself being accused of being anti-Korean, after remarks he made five years earlier were published online. He was consequentially pushed out of the group.

Chalk it up to overzealous Hallyu fans.

When put head-to-head with his former bandmates, Park was always able to spit rhymes with ease. Even though his Korean language abilities back then were weaker than the others, he still had a fantastic flow.

And that same ability on the mic has earned Park a strong career as a solo artist.

He has always used his YouTube page and mixtapes to put out a few rap songs, but his singing abilities are what I was curious about. He himself admitted he didn't start out with the best voice. So I looked forward to his vocal talents maturing beyond "Joah" and "Girlfriend".

Finally, his new single "Metronome" dropped last week, and I wanted to applaud.

Park gives the audience exactly what they would want from an R&B song, including showing a wider range of his (improved) vocal talents and some pretty smooth dance moves. The song also demonstrates Park's strengths as a producer.

Oddly, and for the first time in recent memory, on "Metronome," Park leaves the rap segments for others to take care of (Simon D and Gray are the featured rappers on this track).

But despite Park handing off MC duties, "Metronome" is still exceptional.

One can no longer compare this artist to the band he was initially tied to. Nor can one lump him simply into the category of rapper. Jay Park has risen above all that.

One chart-topping single after another is clear proof; this guy is here to stay.

Check out the music video for Jay Park's "Metronome" RIGHT HERE

Rehnuma Majid is a recent college graduate, artist, and avid rock climber. Culture, advocacy and pie are her passions.