Black (G-Dragon song)

Last updated
"Black"
Song by G-Dragon featuring Jennie or Sky Ferreira
from the album Coup d'Etat
ReleasedSeptember 2, 2013
Recorded2011–2013
Genre R&B
Length3:23
Label YG
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Teddy
Audio video
"Black" (feat. Jennie) on YouTube
"Black" (feat. Sky Ferreira) on YouTube

"Black" is a song by South Korean rapper G-Dragon of BigBang from his second studio album, Coup d'Etat (2013). Two versions of the song were originally released: one featuring South Korean singer Jennie of Blackpink, and another featuring American singer-songwriter Sky Ferreira. The Japanese version of the song features South Korean singer Park Bom of 2NE1.

Contents

The version featuring Jennie peaked at number two on the Gaon Digital Chart and number three on the Billboard K-pop Hot 100 in South Korea, while the version featuring Sky Ferreira peaked at number ten on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart in the United States.

Background and recording

"Black" was first written and produced by Teddy two years prior to its release. The original demo features him rapping on the first verse and Lydia Paek singing on the hook. Teddy initially wanted to keep the song for himself, as the song lyrics were personal. However, G-Dragon heard the track and immediately wanted to be on it, and wrote a second verse. According to Teddy, "I thought it was going to be hard for him to write the second verse and stay on topic, since the record’s so vague and personal. But surprisingly he nailed it." Finding the artist for the hook was a process involving multiple artists, including Paek on the original version. American singer Sky Ferreira met with CL of 2NE1 in South Korea, who brought her to the studio where G-Dragon was working on his album. They presented Ferreira with the track and asked her to sing on it. She agreed and recorded a hook for the song in English. Once she heard the song, she described that "it sounded cool, but so different from anything I would do on my own. But it reminded me of stuff that I really like, that late ’80s and early ’90s R&B." [1]

Yang Hyun-suk, the CEO of YG Entertainment, "pointed out that this song needs to be bigger, and said we should make a Korean version of the hook." He recommended that Jennie Kim, a trainee at the label, would be perfect for the song. Jennie would later make her debut in 2016 as a member of the girl group Blackpink. According to Teddy, she "heard Lydia’s demo like 10 times, and we recorded her version of the hook in less than five days before the album dropped." [1] Both versions of the song with Sky Ferreira and Jennie were included on G-Dragon's second studio album, Coup d'Etat , which was released on September 2, 2013. [2]

Composition and lyrics

"Black" was noted for being a mellow, sparse early-1990s R&B song and a midtempo ballad. [3] [4] Lyrically, the song doubles as both a "bleak meditation on love" with emotional lines such as "Someday when it all goes black / I might want it all back / but I know I can't go back to you," as well as a "cutesy, flirtatious duet" between G-Dragon and the featured artist. [5] [6] According to G-Dragon, it is a love song about the darker feelings that arise when you are in love with someone. He described the emotions conveyed in the song as, "When you have a girlfriend, there are many things that are irritating every day, every night. I’m sure it’s different for everyone, but when you fight, it gets really annoying. You can’t do anything, so you end up just getting angry by yourself. Like punching the wall, or throwing your cell phone across the room. You know those types of feelings." [1]

Critical reception

"Black" received generally mixed reviews from music critics. In a review for The New York Times , Jon Caramanica praised G-Dragon's rapping on the song as "nimble and bouncy" and that "his emphases fall in all the right places." [3] MTV's Alexis Stephens complimented the featured artists and stated that Jennie's verse was "impassioned and innocent," while Ferreira's delivery was "husky and sexy." [5] On the other hand, Jeff Benjamin and Jessica Oak of Billboard expressed that the "low-brow" lyrics failed to be emotional as intended. [6] Corban Goble of Pitchfork heavily criticized Sky Ferreira's appearance on the track, calling her delivery "listless" and that her hook "feels stitched on and focus-grouped." [4]

Commercial performance

In South Korea, the version of "Black" featuring Jennie debuted at number two on the Gaon Digital Chart issue dated September 1–7, 2013, with G-Dragon's "Who You?" occupying the number one position. [7] "Black" sold 308,579 digital units and garnered 2,661,042 million streams in its first week, ranking at number two and number five on the component download and streaming charts, respectively. [8] [9] On the Billboard K-pop Hot 100, the version featuring Jennie debuted at number three, the second-highest debut from the album after "Who You?". [10] For the month of September, "Black" ranked at number five on the monthly Gaon Digital Chart. [11] On the year-end Gaon Download and Streaming charts of 2013, it ranked at number 70 and number 54 respectively, accumulating 871,025 digital units and 22,867,545 streams in 2013. [12] [13] On the year-end K-pop Hot 100 chart, the version featuring Jennie ranked as the 68th best-performing song of the year. [14] By January 2015, it had accumulated a total of 1,009,720 digital sales in South Korea. [15] In the United States, the version of "Black" featuring Sky Ferreira debuted at number 10 on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart. [16]

Live performances

G-Dragon and Jennie performed "Black" together on SBS's Inkigayo on September 8, 2013. As a trainee at the time, it marked Jennie's first live performance on a music show program. [17] [18] The two performed the song on Mnet's M Countdown on September 12, where they won the first-place trophy for the week. [19] G-Dragon and Jennie performed "Black" again on Inkigayo on October 13. [20]

Accolades

Music program awards
ProgramDateRef.
M Countdown September 12, 2013 [19]
September 19, 2013 [21]

Charts

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">G-Dragon</span> South Korean rapper (born 1988)

Kwon Ji-yong, best known as G-Dragon (지드래곤), is a South Korean rapper, known as the "King of K-pop". Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, G-Dragon made his debut in 2006 and rose to prominence as the leader of the South Korean boy band BigBang, which went on to become one of the best-selling boy bands in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">G-Dragon discography</span>

South Korean rapper G-Dragon began his career as a member of South Korean boy band Big Bang. His discography as a solo artist began in 2009, and includes three studio albums, two extended plays, one collaboration album, four live albums and several other singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IU discography</span>

South Korean singer-songwriter IU has released five studio albums, eleven extended plays (EPs), 47 singles, five single albums, two remake albums and two compilation albums. In addition, the singer has collaborations and soundtracks for television series, films, and online games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That XX</span> 2012 song by G-Dragon

"That XX" is a song by South Korean rapper G-Dragon, released as the first single of his second solo album One of a Kind on September 1, 2012.

"Fantastic Baby" is a song recorded by South Korean boy band Big Bang. It was released as a single for digital download and streaming by YG Entertainment on February 29, 2012, in conjunction with the release of the band's fourth extended play (EP), Alive (2012). The song was written by members T.O.P, G-Dragon and long-time group collaborator Teddy Park, whilst production and composition was handled by the latter two contributors. A boisterous, sonic and dynamic EDM track, "Fantastic Baby" incorporates a multitude of hooks and catchphrases—most notably "Wow, fantastic baby" and "boom shakalaka".

"Monster" is a song recorded by South Korean group Big Bang. It was released on June 3, 2012, by YG Entertainment as the only single from the repackaged version of their extended play Alive, Still Alive. The song was written by group members G-Dragon and T.O.P, and composed by the previous with Choi Pil-kang. "Monster" peaked atop South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart and reached the Top 10 on the Japan Hot 100.

<i>Coup dEtat</i> (G-Dragon album) 2013 studio album by G-Dragon

Coup d'Etat is the second studio album by South Korean rapper G-Dragon, member and leader of the K-pop group Big Bang. The album was initially released on iTunes. The first five tracks of the album were released on September 2, 2013, the next seven tracks were released on September 5, and physical copies were released on September 13. The album contains the single "MichiGO" which was released earlier in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ringa Linga</span> 2013 single by Taeyang

"Ringa Linga" is a song recorded by South Korean singer Taeyang. It was released as a digital single on November 8, 2013, through YG Entertainment. Later, it became the first single to be released from his second studio album Rise (2014). It was written and composed by Big Bang bandmate G-Dragon and Shockbit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MichiGO</span> 2013 single by G-Dragon

"MichiGO (미치Go)" is a single recorded by South Korean hip hop artist G-Dragon. It was released digitally on April 1, 2013, through Line. It's the first single from Coup d'Etat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GD & TOP</span> South Korean boy band

GD & TOP was a South Korean hip-hop/pop duo formed by G-Dragon and T.O.P, the rappers of the K-pop boy band Big Bang in 2010. The release of their first album, GD & TOP (2010) was a commercial success becoming one of the best selling albums of the year in South Korea, and spawning the top-five hits "High High", "Oh Yeah", and "Knock Out" on the Gaon Digital Chart. After a five-year hiatus, they released the single "Zutter", which peaked at number two on the Gaon Digital Chart.

GD X Taeyang is a South Korean duo from YG Entertainment, consisting of G-Dragon and Taeyang from Big Bang. After several years of appearing on each other's solo materials, the duo officially released the single "Good Boy" in 2014, which went on to top Billboard's World Digital Songs chart and sold over a million digital units in South Korea.

"Bad Boy" is a single by South Korean boy band Big Bang. It was released on February 29, 2012, by YG Entertainment, as the second single from their EP Alive. The track's R&B and hip hop sound was acclaimed by music critics, who called it one of BigBang's best songs. "Bad Boy" peaked at number two on South Korean's Gaon Digital Chart.

"Palette" is a song recorded by South Korean singers IU and G-Dragon for the fourth studio album of the same title. IU herself composed the music and penned the lyrics with the collaboration of G-Dragon. The song was released on April 21, 2017, in conjunction with the release of the album as the album's third single, following "Through the Night" and "Can't Love You Anymore".

"Bullshit" is a song by South Korean rapper G-Dragon. It was released on June 8, 2017 through YG Entertainment as part of his second extended play (EP) Kwon Ji Yong. The song was co-produced by G-Dragon, Teddy Park, Cawlr, Future Bounce, and Choice37, with lyrics penned by G-Dragon. The track was originally slated to serve as the EP's title track, but was replaced with "Untitled, 2014" on the day of its release.

"Crooked" is a song recorded by South Korean rapper G-Dragon, serving as the third single for his second studio album Coup d'Etat (2013). It was written and produced by Teddy and G-Dragon. A pop-punk song, "Crooked" peaked at number three at the Gaon Digital Chart and became one of his most successful singles.

"Crayon" is a song recorded by South Korean rapper G-Dragon, serving as the third single of his first extended play One of a Kind (2012). It was written and produced by G-Dragon and Teddy Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennie (singer)</span> South Korean singer and rapper (born 1996)

Jennie Kim, known mononymously as Jennie, is a South Korean singer, rapper, and actress. Born and raised in South Korea, Jennie studied in New Zealand for five years before returning to South Korea in 2010. She debuted as a member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, formed by YG Entertainment, in August 2016. In 2023, she made her acting debut under the stage name Jennie Ruby Jane in the HBO television series The Idol.

"Coup d'Etat" is a song recorded by South Korean rapper G-Dragon featuring American DJs Diplo and Baauer, who also served as co-producer. Released through YG Entertainment on September 2, 2013, it served as the second single to his album of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BTS singles discography</span>

South Korean boy band BTS have released 43 singles as lead artist, including five soundtrack appearances; nine singles as a featured artist; two promotional singles; and over 100 other non-single songs. In Japan, according to Oricon and the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), several of the band's singles are among the most-streamed songs of all time in the country and have set various other streaming and certification records that no other artist or group act in the history of either organization has. In the United States, per Billboard, they have sold over 3.1 million tracks as of 2021, and hold the record for the most number-one singles in the 2020s decade, with six.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solo (Jennie song)</span> 2018 single by Jennie

"Solo" is the debut solo single by South Korean singer and rapper Jennie, a member of South Korean girl group Blackpink. Released on November 12, 2018, through YG and Interscope, the song was written and produced by Teddy and 24. Musically, "Solo" is a dance, pop, and hip hop song with EDM elements. Its lyrical content revolves around the theme of independence after a break-up.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Making of G-Dragon's "Coup D'Etat"". Complex . September 10, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  2. ↑ Hogan, Marc (September 4, 2013). "G-Dragon Takes Over With Diplo and Baauer in Spectacular 'Coup d'Etat' Video". Spin . Archived from the original on July 3, 2017. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  3. 1 2 Caramanica, Jon (September 15, 2013). "K-Pop's Antic Emissary Raids the Cupboard". The New York Times . Archived from the original on September 19, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  4. 1 2 Goble, Corban (September 20, 2013). "G-Dragon: Coup D'Etat Album Review". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  5. 1 2 Stephens, Alexis (September 19, 2013). "Reviewed: G-Dragon's Coup D'etat". MTV Iggy. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  6. 1 2 Benjamin, Jeff; Oak, Jessica (September 4, 2013). "G-Dragon, 'COUP D'ETAT': First Listen". Billboard . Archived from the original on September 7, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  7. 1 2 2013년 37주차 Digital Chart [2013 Week 37 Digital Chart]. Gaon Music Chart. September 7, 2013. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  8. ↑ 2013년 37주차 Digital Chart [2013 Week 37 Digital Chart]. Gaon Music Chart. September 7, 2013. Archived from the original on January 6, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  9. ↑ 2013년 37주차 Streaming Chart [2013 Week 37 Streaming Chart]. Gaon Music Chart. September 7, 2013. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  10. 1 2 "Billboard Korea K-Pop 100 (The week of September 21, 2013)". Billboard . September 21, 2013. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  11. 1 2 2013 09월 Digital Chart [September 2013 Digital Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019.
  12. 1 2 2013년 Download Chart. Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on October 14, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  13. 1 2 2013년 Streaming Chart. Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  14. 1 2 "Billboard Korea K-pop Hot 100 — Year-End 2013". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2021-06-30. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  15. ↑ Cumulative sales for "Black":
  16. 1 2 "World Digital Songs: September 21, 2013". Billboard . Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  17. ↑ "YG Entertainment trainee Jennie Kim to feature on G-Dragon's 'Inkigayo' comeback stage". Allkpop . September 8, 2013. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  18. ↑ "TEEN TOP wins #1 + Performances from the September 8th episode of SBS' 'Inkigayo'". Allkpop . September 8, 2013. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  19. 1 2 "지드래곤, 컴백과 동시 '엠카' 1위.."테디 형 감사"". Naver (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 29, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  20. ↑ "지드래곤 김제니 무대 인증샷 'YG 대표남매 등극'". Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  21. ↑ "'인가' 지드래곤, '삐딱하게' 1위..'씨엘 깜짝등장 축하'". Naver (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 29, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.