Rapper G-Dragon of K-pop boy band Big Bang has collaborated with Baauer, best known for his 2013 hit song “Harlem Shake,” on a song on the American producer’s debut LP “Aa” released Friday.
“Temple,” the ninth track on the album, features G-Dragon rapping in both Korean and English to a hypnotic trap melody, alongside British rapper M.I.A.
Screenshot of music video for “Temple,” produced by Baauer and featuring G-Dragon and M.I.A (YouTube)
This is the second time the two artists have collaborated on a song, following their joint track “Coup D’Etat,” which also featured American DJ Diplo, on G-Dragon’s 2013 solo album.
According to YG Entertainment, the K-pop idol’s label, the collaboration was arranged by Teddy, the agency’s main producer.
Billboard magazine called the song “empowering and transnational” in a review on Thursday, adding that it explores “what music can be like when geographic boundaries are surpassed” and that the song “fits well with M.I.A. and G-Dragon’s individualistic rap styles.”
Rapper-producer G-Dragon, frontman of K-pop boy band Big Bang (YG Entertainment)
The music video for “Temple,” released on YouTube on Wednesday, shows hazy digital graphics of an Asian-inspired temple.
Other musicians featured on the “Aa” album include American hip-hop artists Pusha T and Future.
G-Dragon’s previous international collaboration was in world-class producer Skrillex’s 2014 song “Dirty Vibe,” with Diplo and rapper CL of K-pop girl band 2NE1.
By Rumy Doo (
doo@heraldcorp.com)