The last MAMA stage. G-Dragon, T.O.P. and Taeyang all stood on stage together and when it was done, a strange card appeared. GD&TOP. Everyone thought it would happen someday and finally that day has arrived. No words are necessary for these two members are the core of Big Bang and their unit is expected highly by many.
Just by listening to a couple of their songs, one can already assume that their album is different from others but before the other songs were released, many assumed it was going to be the same as “High High” but they decided to wait it out.
Truthfully, as Big Bang, “High High” doesn’t have much of a different from their other songs so it was hard to pick out a uniqueness. But after they made their debut on stage with a big stage, my mouth started widening up a bit. They are definitely trend-setters. Rather than filling the stage with props, there was this atmosphere that felt like the stage was over-filled. Not only in music but the aurora around them. So this was the culture shock that YG is presenting.
From their debut, Big Bang was presented as a singer/songwriter group, so follow up on that, GD&TOP’s album is filled with songs all made by GD&TOP. Through the solo album, GD was thought of plagiarizing. Because that was a painful time, through GD&TOP, he seemed to be as energetic as ever. Some can see it as being out of control and wild but it looked like he was saying that he’s going to find his own way and going to stick with it. That confidence can be heard on the “Intro” and throughout the whole song.
Their roots are hip-hop and it shows that in the “Intro,” but in “High High” and “Oh Yeah,” the beats invites the listeners to a club-like atmosphere that makes one’s heart pound hard. But, with “Don’t Go Home,” a fun, disco song can be heard. It seemed like I was going back in time from all the trends today.
The most charming thing was GD and TOP showed a different sound than when they were in Big Bang through this album. There were a lot of projects within Big Bang. And a new one has started with GD&TOP and I don’t want to assume anything just yet because their synergy seems to have an affect. But, there was a surprise and that surprise was better than what I had expected in the beginning. The important thing is that GD&TOP are trying new things and are finding their way in the music industry.
Source: 100beat.hani.co.kr
Translated By: solshin3 @ 21bangs
indeed
It’s nice to see the boys being recognised for their talents instead of being put down as is often the case. Especially when it comes from a neutral party who doesn’t have any vested interest in saying nice things.
“Everyone thought it would happen someday and finally that day has arrived. No words are necessary for these two members are the core of Big Bang and their unit is expected highly by many.
I was actually beginning to despair that it would never happen! Now, 4 years after that first glance of their practice video (Forever With You/We Belong Together), I think the wait is really worth it.
GD and TOP’s voice individually is no Michael Buble and I used to think GD’s voice too shrill and TOP’s too rough. But together, they are amazing! And the attitude with which they carry their song is really something else.
Some people cannot appreciate the music that YG produces because all they want to hear is the cutesy like songs that other Korean entertainment company produces. If we all listen to it intently the beats, the lyrics, and the feel of each song can be compared to an internationally marketed songs. I am not saying this because I am a YG bias but because all the music they produce is really something unique in Korea. Their music is wide ranged and it is some what westernized and modern. They always got this swag and they are fierce. Agh! I cannot fully express what I want to point out. Haha. Oh well, I’m not Korean but a Filipino and I really appreciate their music. Even though I cannot understand the songs but I know and I can feel that they produce high quality music that no one can beat nor can be compared. ^_^
My thoughts exactly. Despite the language difference, their music really hits home extra well. Even my friends who are originally not interested in korean music think that they really delivered a great album. The high high album is constantly being played at home all day (not just by me, but my housemates too!!) ever since they’ve released it. What’s more, more and more people are being pulled into their music even without having to say much to convince them. I think they really have what it takes to break through internationally (see what’s happening even without any official international promotion activities). YG family rocks! :)
Before i am not a fanatic of the korean music but i am more involve with their tv dramas and movies.. It was my friend who introduced me to TY because of Shaun Evaristo. We are big fans of Shaun and after I saw the choreography and the hardcore beat of where u at I started loving them. Haha. ^^
One more!! Haha. Bigbang is not marketed here in the Philippines but looks like they are known here and they are loved. YG doesn’t have to market their artists just to be known because they are becoming famous worldwide naturally.. ^_^
hi cacalicious21! im also from the philippines and ive been a kpop lover since i was a teen?? im 24 so maybe 16 or 17 yrs old where the times of BOA ,SES,FINKL,GOD,SHINWA etc .which is i know the difference bet. those times till now..(and i have to say less fanwars on that era…)when i saw Bigbang esp their debut, iwas like oh ok..but then.by their talent,hardwork,sense of style it changed my mind.. and i became a solid fan since year 2006 because i really like their music,its a new and funky beat in kpop ..lyrics has meaning/story, experiment new things , and their music is for all,,..and i hope others appreciate the real music is ..and i hate it when they bring down these guys esp. like some dscriminating their music as if they know about music..and i dont know why in kpop there are fanwars ..why dont they respect all the artists, and i miss the old times..they not based on popularity (because this grup is handsome ,pretty etc etc…)but because of talent, .BB are not idols for me..they are one of the “real artists” and i hav faith wid them by the way im a silent reader of every bigbang faNSItes!hehee …
Hi! It is nice to know I have a “kababayan” here. Haha. I am only 22 right now and I have no idea about the korean music scene before. Those groups you mentioned.. I respect them, come on they are the legends and the reasons why idol groups in Korea spreads out like a disease. I love BOA’s songs that I want to dance it but I can’t (coz I can’t dance =p). When BB debuted I guess hip hop & RNB is the trend at that time even in the US. I am really butthurt when people gives too much criticisms on BB esp. GD on the plagiarizing issues. Fanwars begins because they want their biases to be known as the best and not criticize their works. I not only love BB but also other groups too. But in over-all packaging I will really go and choose BB. I also noticed this. YG artists are reserved. They will not always grab or take any tv guestings just to advertise theirselves and the company. That is one of the biggest reasons why I love YGE. They got self-reservation. <3
i really agree with these opinions . i mean really, that’s what make yg and esp bigbang different from other kpop icons. while other groups firstly recognized by their good look and appearance, vips mostly-if not all- know bigbang through their music then personality. bigbang is no perfect guys that we’d imagine in fairy tales, they are boys next door who we can really root for and expect.
i am proud of them no matter what, since their talents are true. they make music, not just singing a good song with addictive lyrics. if they continue this way, i bet bigbang will last longer than any other groups, coz they are united with their love of music–which is real.
now i talk too much lol
Definitely true!! YG or BB themselves create real music, real songs. Papa YG doesn’t care if you don’t look good as long as you can sing very well and can make the stage go wild, you are in! JYP is also like that, am I right? SM is.. I don’t know.. They keep on creating groups, they even make me go crazy because all of their artists are everywhere and I am getting sick of it. Tv shows, guestings, CFs, and radio. It was just like whoa.
For sure BB will last long and their popularity and fame will be endless and much more, respected. They have already proven their talent and they have marked their name in the industry. Nothing can ever change that.
Couldn’t agree more!
GD likes to be extremely different and so does TOP
so its no wonder that the album is so different from others.
My favorite song is What do you want? ^_^
I like that song too!! makes my mood happy ^0^!
i totally agree…i’m a relatively new Big Bang fan but i have the utmost respect for the boys and how hard they’ve worked and how much they’ve accomplished over the years…i think their success is even more amazing considering how young they actually are…their music is in no way like the mass produced music of some other groups…much respect to YG too for being a company that takes care of their people and encourages them and supports them in whatever they do…their music is amazing…when i listen to their songs (i don’t speak a word of korean and always rely on the english translations of their songs)…it amazes me how much feeling goes into them…when the singers feel so much about their songs…it’s hard not to feel something in return when we listen to their music…their music puts korean music on a whole new level (one that appeals to people all over the world) and the boys deserve whatever success they get…^__^
same here!! I don’t understand a single word of korean but I couldn’t be anymore in love with this band :D
You are so right! I am also a not so new BB fan. It was more than a year since I loved them. I also rely to english subbed videos to understand and be connected with them (THANK YOU BB SUBBERS AROUND THE GLOBE!!). They really deserve the praises and love they are getting from their fans. <3
LOL me too~ (fan since early this year).
It’s nice to find that the respect for them doesn’t change, whether you’re a fan since their debut or just today.
As for the language barrier I’m so uber glad that they at LEAST have ONE English word in their songs and all those BB subbers out there who took the time to sub the videos (like iBB here XD).