| GD & TOP | ||
|---|---|---|
| Studio album by G-Dragon & T.O.P | ||
| Released | December 24, 2010; February 23, 2011 (Japan Edition) | |
| Recorded | 2010 | |
| Genre | Pop, alternative hip hop | |
| Label | YG Entertainment | |
| Producer | G-Dragon, T.O.P, Teddy, E.Knock, Diplo, 1 ON, Choice 37 | |
| Singles from GD & TOP | ||
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GD & TOP is the debut album of South Korean artists G-Dragon & T.O.P, members of Big Bang. Released on December 24th, 2010, the album marks the first collaboration between the two away from their group. The duo promoted the album extensively, including a world-wide premiere showcase and numerous performances. Three singles were released for promotion: "High High," "Oh Yeah," and "Knockout."[1] While "High High" went on to become a chart-topper,[2] the latter two singles charted in at #2 and #3 respectively.[3][4]
Contents |
While working on materials with their bandmates for their next album, G-Dragon and T.O.P began to experiment with different styles.[5] According to G-Dragon, the members were trying new "combination" with their music, in which the vocalists — Taeyang, Daesung, and Seungri — were to record their own music as a trio while G-Dragon and T.O.P were to branch off as a duo since they "hadn't been with our fans for the past two years."[5] Although the division of the group was initially for Big Bang's materials only, G-Dragon and T.O.P saw positive response to their materials from the fans and went to Yang Hyun-seok, the CEO of YG Entertainment, to allow the duo to release an album.[5] After receiving Yang's approval, news of their collaboration was announced in November 2010.[6]
Assisted by Teddy Park, G-Dragon and T.O.P co-wrote majority of the lyrics to the album, noting that as "rappers [...] we'd like to tell more stories for our fans to listen."[5] In an attempt to create their own style away from their band, the duo opted for a more hip-hop genre to contrast the group's current genre of electronic music, though G-Dragon does acknowledged the influence of R&B, acoustic, and electronic music. Because Park is also a producer for Big Bang, the duo does note that the materials may sound similar to their band. Regardless, the two have admit to becoming "much more diverse [in their] attempts" to create their own style, as well as "how the music develops and the images that the melody and rap portray[s]." They later went on to say that "the reason we mixed such a variety of genres is because we wanted to bring out more of our character that we don't get to show when we're Big Bang."[5] When recordings were done, 11 tracks were recorded, including a collaboration with singer Park Bom.[6] The duo would later mention that after recording the album, they became "attached" to all of their songs as they "worked on each and every one of the songs in...[the]...album by staying up many nights."[5] T.O.P's solo song, "Turn It Up" was also included in the album as a bonus track.
Preceding the release of the album, the duo held a world-wide premiere showcase for their album at Times Square in Yeongdeungpo of Seoul, South Korea,[7] which was also broad-casted live on YouTube.[5] While hosting it, the duo sampled parts of their tracks to their fans and explained its lyrical contents and background.[5] The duo also showcased a changed in their physical appearances. Their constant use of the "peace sign" for their promotional activities (such as the cover design for their album) also gained attention, with the duo explaining that since the mark is similar to the Playboy logo, their attractive, sexy, and fun side have come out while promoting the album.[5]
In support of their album, the duo released three singles: "High High," "Oh Yeah," and "Knock out."[1] All three singles preceded the release of the album and were commercial successes: "High High" was a chartopper[2] while "Oh Yeah" and "Knock Out" both peaked at #2 and #3 respectively.[3][4] They also performed at a Christmas party hosted at a club in Kangnam of Seoul for SK Telecom's "Christmas T Social Party"[8] in addition to the SBS music show "Inkigayo."[9] Pictures of the two on the set of their music videos were also released online.[10] The album was released on Christmas Eve, and debuted at number one[11] with pre-orders of 200,000 copies.[12]
The album has sold 130,000 in 2010 and an additional 33,276 copies in 2011.
For this album, G.Dragon and T.O.P released 3 MVs, for the tracks, "High High", "Knock Out", and "Baby Goodnight". They released "High High" first, then "Baby Goodnight." However, due to the song being banned twice for being too explicit , the release of the music video for their song "Don't Go Home" was postponed until late June 2011.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "INTRO" | G-Dragon, T.O.P | G-Dragon, T.O.P, e.knock | 2:08 |
| 2. | "HIGH HIGH" | G-Dragon, T.O.P, Teddy | Teddy | 3:08 |
| 3. | "OH YEAH (FEAT. Park Bom)" | G-Dragon, T.O.P, Teddy | Teddy, Sunwoo Jungah | 3:17 |
| 4. | "집에 가지마" ("DON'T LEAVE") | G-Dragon, T.O.P | G-Dragon, Teddy, e.knock | 3:18 |
| 5. | "BABY GOOD NIGHT" | G-Dragon, T.O.P | G-Dragon, T.O.P, e.knock, 1 ON | 3:32 |
| 6. | "뻑이가요" ("KNOCK OUT") | G-Dragon, T.O.P | Diplo, G-Dragon, T.O.P | 3:27 |
| 7. | "OH MOM (T.O.P)" | T.O.P | T.O.P, e.knock, 1 ON | 4:32 |
| 8. | "악몽 (G.D)" ("OBSESSION") | G-Dragon | G-Dragon, e.knock | 5:17 |
| 9. | "오늘따라 (T.O.P)" ("OF ALL DAYS") | T.O.P | T.O.P, Choice37 | 3:25 |
| 10. | "어쩌란 말이냐? (G.D)" ("WHAT DO YOU WANT?") | G-Dragon | G-Dragon, e.knock | 3:25 |
| 11. | "TURN IT UP (T.O.P)" (Bonus Track) | T.O.P | T.O.P, Teddy | 3:32 |
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| South Korea Gaon Chart[11] | 1 |
| South Korea Gaon Chart monthly | 1 |
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