| G-Dragon | |
|---|---|
G-Dragon as LG Crystal Phone model |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kwon Ji Yong |
| Born | August 18, 1988 |
| Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
| Genres | Hip hop, pop, R&B |
| Occupations | Rapper, singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, composer |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano, guitar |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Labels | YG Entertainment |
| Associated acts | Big Bang, GD & TOP, GG |
| Website | ygbigbang.com/gdragon G-Dragon's signature |
| G-Dragon | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 권지용 |
| Hanja | 權志龍 |
| Revised Romanization | Gwon Ji Yong |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kwŏn Chi Yong |
| Stage name | |
| Hangul | 지드래곤 |
| Revised Romanization | Ji deuraegon |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chi dŭraegon |
Kwon Ji Yong (Korean: 권지용, born August 18, 1988), better known as G-Dragon, is a South Korean recording artist, songwriter, producer and model.
After 6 years as a trainee under the record label YG Entertainment, G-Dragon officially debuted as the leader and one of two rappers for the Korean group Big Bang. G-Dragon has been involved with writing, composing and producing many of Big Bang's tracks, including "Lies", "Last Farewell", and "Haru Haru".
He released his debut solo album, Heartbreaker (2009), which yielded the number-one single of the same name. The album went on to become one of the most successful albums of the year, garnering sales of over 200,000 copies and winning the Mnet Asian Music Awards for Album of the Year. Heartbreaker also sparked major controversies for the artist, including accusations of plagiarism. After almost a year of hiatus, G-Dragon and bandmate, T.O.P collaborated to record and release the album GD & TOP (2010). The album saw the release of three singles: "High High," "Oh Yeah," and "Knock Out," all of which have charted within the top three positions of the Gaon chart, with "High High" becoming a chart-topper.
G-Dragon's influence extends beyond the music industry, having shaped major trends in South Korea. His tight control over his image and artistry have won him praises for his contribution to fashion, and his lyrical contents and composition have garnered him awards.
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Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Kwon JiYong began his career at the age of eight as part of the group Little Roora.[1] After releasing a Christmas album, the group's contract was terminated by their record company, to which JiYong described as "shock[ing]." Although he vowed to his mother that he "wouldn't do it [becoming a singer] again," JiYong was scouted by SM Entertainment while on a ski trip with his family.[2] JiYong was a trainee under the record label for five years, specializing in dance before he left as he was unclear about what he wanted to do.[1]
In third grade, JiYong was introduced to the American rap group Wu-Tang Clan by a friend. Inspired by their music, JiYong expressed his interest in rapping and began taking classes at the age of 12.[1] Under their tutelage, he joined in the release of the Korean hip-hop Flex album in 2001. Although he wrote his own lyrics for the song, he admitted that his "English was bad and the story behind the lyrics was the same old thing. Something like, ‘I’m young, but I’m the best’."[1] JiYong first caught the interest of Sean of the hip-hop duo Jinusean from YG Entertainment when he was 14, who later recommended him to CEO Yang Hyun Suk. After signing a contract with the record label, JiYong spent the first year cleaning the studio after the other artists in the record label and fetching them water bottles during dance practice.[1] He later met Dong Young-bae, another trainee. Together, the two were coined as GDYB, with Kwon choosing the stage name of G-Dragon.[2] After six years of training G-Dragon's appearance became more and more attractive, he made several featured appearances on other artists' albums, G-Dragon made his official debut as the leader of the group Big Bang alongside Dong Youngbae (now using the stage name Taeyang) and three other trainees.
The formation of the group was documented on television,[3] and though there were initially six members, one was dropped before the official debut.[2] The group's debut was fairly successful, with their first single netting in sales of over 40,000 copies.[4] It spawned several airplay singles, including "La La La" and "We Belong Together". The album also included G-Dragon's first solo song, a cover of the American alternative rock group Maroon 5's single "This Love".[3] Following the release of the group's mini-album Always in 2007, G-Dragon began to involve himself more with the production of their albums.[5] Always featured several songs composed by him, including the lead-single "Lie" (Korean: 거짓말; Revised Romanization: Geojitmal), which became the group's first number-one hit. Their following mini-albums followed its predecessor's footsteps: Hot Issue yielded "Last Farewell" (Korean: 마지막 인사; Revised Romanization: Majimak Insa) while Stand Up spawned "Day by Day" (Korean: 하루하루; Revised Romanization: Haru Haru); both singles were chart-toppers.[6][7]
Aside from Big Bang, G-Dragon also made several solo appearances. After helping produce Taeyang's debut album, he recorded his own version of the album's lead single "Only Look At Me" (Korean: 나만바라봐; Revised Romanization: Naman Barabwa), titled as the "Only Look At Me Part 2" to the song. The single was released digitally. Along with Taeyang and T.O.P, G-Dragon was featured on singer Lexy's song "Super Fly" for her album Rush. In May 2009, he collaborated with the Japanese boy band W-inds. for their single, "Rain Is Fallin'/Hybrid Dream."[8][9]
After Taeyang released his solo effort, G-Dragon released his debut solo album Heartbreaker, featuring collaborations with several artists, including Teddy of 1TYM, Taeyang, S-Kush, and CL and Dara of 2NE1. Initially scheduled to be released in April, the album was pushed back to August[10] to coincide with his 20th (Korean years: 21st) birthday.[11] The album marked a change in G-Dragon's appearances as he dyed his hair blonde to match its concept. Propelled by its lead-single of the same name, an electronic pop song, the album sold over 200,000 copies[12][13] and went on to win Album of the Year from the 2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards.[14] The second single, "Breathe", manage to chart within the Top twenty[15] while his other songs — "The Leaders", "A Boy", "Hello", and "She's Gone" — went on to top various charts upon their release.[16] Shortly after Heartbreaker's release, G-Dragon was accused of plagiarism by Sony Music when his tracks "Heartbreaker" and "Butterfly" were alleged to be similar to Flo Rida's "Right Round" and Oasis's "She's Electric", respectively.[17][18] However, EMI, the record label that distributed "Right Round" said that they saw no similarities between these two songs.[19] On March 6, 2010, YG Entertainment announced that they personally contacted Flo Rida's representatives requesting that he feature in G-Dragon's live album, Shine a Light, to which Flo Rida accepted.[20]
In support of his album, G-Dragon staged his first solo concert at the Olympic Park in December 2009. Entitled Shine a Light, the name of the concert was derived from the lyrics to his song "A Boy".[21] The concert subsequently sparked controversy following complaints of obscenity[22] and suggestive content.[23] The Korean Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs later asked the government prosecutors to investigate if G-Dragon or YG Entertainment violated laws on obscene performances in his concert.[24][25] He was found innocent and was cleared of all charges on March 15, 2010.[26]
In November 2010, YG Entertainment announced the collaboration album from G-Dragon and bandmate T.O.P.[27] 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,[28] which was also broadcast live on YouTube.[29] To promote their album, the duo released three singles: "High High," "Oh Yeah," and "Knock out."[30] All three singles preceded the release of the album. The singles were commercial successes: "High High" was a chartopper[31] while "Oh Yeah" and "Knock Out" both peaked at number two and number three respectively.[32][33] The album was released on Christmas Eve, and debuted at number one on the Gaon Chart[34] with pre-orders of 200,000 copies.[35]
With a collaboration with Park Myung Soo, they created a duo called GG for the Infinite Challenge Seohae Ahn Highway Song Festival 2011. They released their song 'Having an Affair' featuring Park Bom from 2NE1 on June 2, 2011, which became an 'All Kill' on various Korean music charts.
The right kind of music is not made once the artist feels that music is work. When one is working on music, performing or just having fun, [...] it directly influences the music [...] The more I work, the more I feel like I'm learning and maturing at the same time. —G-Dragon[36][37]
Described as the "most fashionable" one in his group,[38] G-Dragon's role in influencing fashion trends in South Korea have garnered him awards such as the "Style Icon of 2008"[38] and the award for "Most Influential Men of 2008" sponsored by Arena magazine.[39] Fashion icon Kang Dong Wan have also acknowledge G-Dragon's influences, calling him a "fashionista."[40]
While promoting Heartbreaker, his change in hairstyle from dying it to blonde gained popularity among his fans and became one of the top hairstyles of the year.[41] Additionally, his constant sporting of triangular scarves became a trend among teenagers and were later nicknamed the "Big Bang scarves."[42]
Despite his influences, G-Dragon has admitted to being self-conscious of his role as a musician, noting how he had "changed many things including the tone of my voice because I was conscious about my job when I was in front of others."[36] Aware that his public image is important when promoting his materials, G-Dragon notes that "what the public perceives of [my physical appearance] is my doing so it's my fault if I give off the wrong intention."[36] He also strongly opposes the idea of singers as "products" of the entertainment industry.[43]
On October 5, 2011 it was reported that G-Dragon had tested positive for smoking marijuana. His urine test came back negative but a weak positive for marijuana was detected from testing the content of his hair. The tests were done in early June and the results came back in July. Since the results indicated a miniscule amount and it was a first offense, it resulted in a indictment and he was not charged.[44] [45] He allegedly inhaled the drug from a cigarette offered to him by a fan in Japan during a party back in May.[46] He was the only one at the party who was later tipped off to Korean authorities. He confessed that he smoked the cigarette that was offered to him, but after realizing it was not a normal cigarette, he flushed it away.
The scandal caused a halt to his promotions, and YG Entertainment issued a statement that he was being given time to reflect on his mistake.[47] Because he was not charged, he did not lose any endorsers and later made his first public appearance after the scandal at the 2011 MTV EMAs with his group Big Bang.
Inspired by music by the Wu-Tang Clan, G-Dragon participated in the annual hip hop Flex album in 2001 at the age of 12, establishing his career as an artist.[1] During the early days of Big Bang's career, the band was market predominately as a hip-hop group, though they went on to experiment with electronic music and setting it as the new music trend in Korea.[48] From previous exposure to a range of genres with Big Bang, G-Dragon incorporated a mix of dance, hip-hop, and R&B songs into Heartbreaker.[49] During the production for the collaboration album GD & TOP, G-dragon opted for a more hip-hop sound, though he does acknowledge that R&B, acoustic, and electronic music heavily influenced it.[29]
Since becoming a solo artist, G-Dragon has maintained tight control over his music, stating that "each feeling [in creating the music] is different,"[37] using his emotions to direct the lyrical content and the composition of his songs.[36] In attempts to distinguish himself from other artists and composer, G-Dragon admits to "giving twist and turn at every corner and evoking [a] different story" with each part of his music, acknowledging that although the chorus is the catchiest part of the song, he wants all the parts to his song to be remembered.[37] Prior to his establishment as a solo artist, he was also involved with the production of Big Bang's albums, writing and composing majority of their songs.[18]
G-Dragon's contributions to his own music have garnered him praises and criticism alike. Preferring to pen lyrics that "sound like an actual story", the Korea Times have praised him as a "genius singer-songwriter",[18] though the rapper has expressed being uncomfortable with the label.[50] His effort to create melodies won him praises as one of the best composers of 2008,[18] with many pop culture critics and industry representatives choosing him as the "musician whose future they anticipate the most."[50] His rap lyrics have also placed him fourth during a vote for "Most God-like" rapper in Japan.[51] The rapper also topped Forbes listing of "Most Hardworking Idol".[52] Regardless, G-Dragon has undergone accusations of plagiarism, most notably for the song "With U", which he composed for Big Bang, and "Heartbreaker" and "Butterfly", which he performed independently.[18]
| Years | Awards |
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| 2007 |
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| 2009 |
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| 2010 |
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