With their distinct and dominating sound, the massive phenomenon that is K-Pop is sweeping the world with major collaborations left and right.
Shaped by their irrefutable identity, K-Pop is the gift that keeps on giving in the thriving music industry. As their influence reaches soaring heights, more international artists are taking interest in collaborating with K-Pop groups and explore their take on pop music. There’s no question as to how K-Pop has earned a great following, even globally. Surpassing language barriers, people from different parts of the world are widely welcoming this genre and are becoming fans of these Korean hitmakers.
From owning the stages of the most famed music awards like AMA and Grammys to record-breaking hit singles on YouTube and Billboard, K-Pop is truly unstoppable. While more releases are following this East-meets-West music collaboration, we just have to keep our fingers crossed until our dream collab gets into the list in case it isn’t yet. After all, it could be something grander than what we all are hoping for.
Last August 4, Blackpink took to Instagram to announce to their millions of followers that they are releasing their newest single with a mystery artist. Eight days after their first announcement, they drummed up the anticipation when they revealed that it’s going to be with none other than Selena Gomez who, not to mention, is also busy with her upcoming album. With teaser posters coming in dessert-like visuals, the new single entitled, Ice Cream will officially drop on August 28, 12 AM EST and 1 PM KST, and can be pre-saved via this link. Prior to the release, Blackpink and Selena Gomez shared a short snippet of their exchange of thoughts about the collab through a video call. And yes, we, too, are simmering in excitement for this team up. As we wait for Blackpink x Selena Gomez to finally drop, let’s take a look back at the major collaborations in the sphere of everything K-Pop.
Blackpink, Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga
Blackpink surprised a lot of Blinks when they first collaborated with Dua Lipa for Kiss and Make Up. Dua Lipa and Blackpink shared the stage at Newark’s Prudential Center to perform their single live. This year, Lady Gaga and Blackpink released Sour Candy as one of the songs in Lady Gaga’s Chromatica album.
BTS, Halsey, Nicki Minaj, DJ Steve Aoki, Lauv, Sia, Charli XCX, and Juice WRLD
When it comes to collaborations, BTS is certainly taking the lead. BTS worked with Halsey for Boy With Luv, Nicki Minaj for Idol, DJ Steve Aoki for Waste It On Me, Sia for ON, with Sia for Who, Charli XCX for Dream Glow, Zara Larsson for A Brand New Day, and with Juice WRLD for All Night. In solos, BTS Members RM collaborated with Wale for the single Change and with Warren G for P.D.D. While Charlie Puth’s rendition of We Don’t Talk Anymore was a duet with Jungkook, Becky G joins J-Hope in his latest single, Chicken Soup.
NCT 127, Lay, Jason Derulo
Former EXO member, Lay joins NCT 127 and Jason Derulo’s rhythmic and well-choreographed Shut Up And Dance music and video. This single pays homage to Michael Jackson through modernized moonwalks and fedora hats.
Red Velvet, Ellie Goulding, Diplo
Ellie Goulding and Diplo’s Close To Me had its Red Velvet Remix with the beautiful harmony of Korean and English in the same lyrics. Meanwhile, Red Velvet’s Wendy had her own collaboration with John Legend for the single, Written In The Stars.
Marshmello, Far East Movement and Tinashe ft. EXO’s Chanyeol
In a sultry single Freal Luv, Chanyeol of EXO shows off his rapping prowess as he joins Tinashe, Far East Movement and Marshmello in this Asian-themed video. The music video features a myriad of Chinese culture references and Marshmello’s signature mask.
Monsta X ft. DJ Steve Aoki
Right after working with BTS, DJ Steve Aoki released a new song, Play It Cool with Monsta X. From captivating beat to sharp choreos, Monsta X and Steve Aoki are delivering good vibes and hyping everyone up.
G-Dragon x Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott was Bigbang’s G-Dragon’s first choice as a collaborator for Niliria. Filling the arena with fire and terrific rap, their much-anticipated live performance heated up the stage of Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena for KCON 2013.
SHINee’s Key x Years & Years
Singing in both English and Korean, Key of SHINee was enlisted as part of British pop band Years & Years’ single If You’re Over Me. The single is not part of the band’s sophomore album Palo Santo. However, this unique collaboration effortlessly became a major hit.
Super Junior x Leslie Grace
As one of the biggest K-Pop groups in the industry, Super Junior and Leslie Grace fuse K-Pop and Latin with their hit single in Spanish title, Lo Siento. To perfect the single, each member focused on Spanish translations of the lyrics. This multilingual collaboration proves that K-Pop has no other way but to level up.
PSY x Snoop Dog
The famed singer of Oppa Gangnam Style, PSY has definitely had international collaboration way before anyone. With more than 300 million views on YouTube, his hit single, Hangover, featured Snoop Dog who is seen acting slapstick with the Korean singer.
CL, Skrillex, Diplo, G-Dragon
Nothing beats a single that has CL in it. In the release of EDM Dirty Vibe, CL collaborates with Skrillex, Diplo, and G-Dragon. With the leaders of Bigbang and 2Ne1, this song is packed with swag and, well, gritty vibe.
