Coup d'Etat (G-Dragon album)

Coup d'Etat
Studio album by G-Dragon
Released Digital:
September 2, 2013 (Part 1)
September 5, 2013 (Part 2)
Physical:
September 13, 2013
Recorded 2011-13
Genre K-pop, hip hop[1]
Length 45:58
Label YG Entertainment
KT Music
Producer G-Dragon, Teddy, Yang Hyun-suk (exec.)[2]
G-Dragon chronology

One of a Kind
(2012)		 Coup d'Etat
(2013)
Singles from Coup d'Etat
  1. "Going Crazy"
    Released: April 20, 2013
  2. "Coup d'Etat"
    Released: September 2, 2013
  3. "Crooked"
    Released: September 5, 2013
Part 2 cover

Coup d'Etat (stylized as COUP D'ETAT) is the second studio album by South Korean artist 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 "Going Crazy" which was released earlier in 2013.[3][4][5]

The album features collaborations from various artists such as Diplo, Baauer, Missy Elliott, Boys Noize, Sky Ferreira, Zion.T, Lydia Paek, and labelmate Jennie Kim.[5][6]

Background

Baauer was involved with the production of the title track "Coup d'Etat".

YG Entertainment announced in June that Missy Elliott and Diplo will be collaborating on the album.[6] A series of teaser photos were then released by YG Entertainment on August 26 and on August 27, 2013.[7][8] YG then released the full album tracklist on September 1 which revealed other collaborating artists such as Lydia Paek, Jennie Kim, Boys Noize, Baauer, and Sky Ferreira.[5]

In LOEN Entertainment's "Ask in A Box" interview, G-Dragon revealed that it took less than two years recording Coup d'Etat. He also revealed that the he recorded "Niliria" in 2011.[9]

Promotion

G-Dragon and Missy Elliott debuted the song "Niliria" with a live performance on KCON 2013 on August 25, 2013.[10][11][12] YG Entertainment released the music video for "Coup d'Etat" on YouTube on September 1, 2013 which garnered over 750,000 views after a day.[13] The music video for "Crooked" was then released on September 4, 2013.[14][15] G-Dragon performed the tracks "Niliria", "Michi Go" and debuted the song "Black" (with Jennie Kim) on the SBS music show Inkigayo on September 8, 2013.[16][17]

G-Dragon held an art exhibition in Seoul on September 10 to 17, 2013 which coincided with the release of the album. The exhibition was entitled "Space Eight". The art exhibition showcased 88 items which relates to the number 8.[18][19]

On September 29, 2013, YG Entertainment announced that limited edition vinyl copies of Coup d'Etat will be released on October 18. The package is said to include a badge, a mask and a booklet with hand-written lyrics. Photos from the "Space Eight" art exhibition held in Seoul as well as photos from the "Coup d'Etat" music video will also be included. Only 8,888 units will be sold.[20][21] Pre-orders for the vinyl edition was made available on September 30, it sold out on October 2 after getting pre-orders for all copies.[22][23]

Commercial performance

Tracks from Coup d'Etat topped major Korean music sites such as MelOn, Mnet, Bugs, Naver, and Olleh. A total of seven tracks were placed from one to seven on the Mnet charts upon release,[24] while six tracks from Coup d'Etat were also placed within the top 10 of the Gaon Singles Charts with "Who You?" being number one.[25] Up to June 2014, the album has sold over 5.5 million copies of digital downloads.[25] Coup d'Etat is the third top album digital on Melon of 2013.[26] The album also topped the iTunes charts in several countries.[27][28]

On September 10, it was revealed the physical album had received pre-orders in excess of 300,000 copies in South Korea.[29] The album eventually debuted at number one in the South Korean Albums Chart.[30] The album went on to be number one on the Gaon Charts for the month of September after selling 198,489 copies.[31]

Coup d'Etat, Pt. 1 debuted at number 182 in the US Billboard 200 charts with first week sales of more than 2,000 copies.[32]

Coup d'Etat debuted at number eleven in the Oricon Charts in Japan with an estimated total of 11,150 copies sold during its first week of release.[33]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
MTV Iggy favorable[34]
Pitchfork Media 6.1/10[35]
The New York Times favorable[36]
Tiny Mix Tapes [37]

Jon Caramanica of The New York Times expressed that "though largely in Korean, Coup d'Etat is perhaps the K-pop album with America most heavily on its mind and in its credits", referring to various collaborations by American artists Baauer, Sky Ferreira, Diplo and Missy Elliott.[36]

Jakob Dorof of Tiny Mix Tapes gave the album a negative review, stating that tracks from Coup d'Etat "just aren't there", further elaborating that "If Missy and Sky’s cameos sound like filler on their own terms, then the suspicion’s confirmed when each of their songs reappear without them for a very challenging game of spot-the-difference." in regards to collaborations from Missy Elliott and Sky Ferreira. Dorof gave the album a rating of one out of five.[37] Corban Goble of Pitchfork Media concluded in his review that, "If you come to Coup d’Etat expecting some kind of revolution you'll be disappointed; it’s an intriguing listen, if not an important one." He gave the album a 6.1 out of 10.[35]

Allkpop music gave the album a favorable review, praising G-Dragon’s songwriting in particular. “GD really shines as a storyteller, as evidenced on 'Black' and 'Who You?', where simple instrumentals accompany emotional delivery that never feels too cheesy or overwrought,” as stated, concluding “When GD doesn't bury himself under the pressure to go hard or remind us of how great he is, he's got a real talent for finding heart- and, in songs like 'Michi Go', 'Niliria', for example, the humor- in all corners of the human experience.” Allkpop gave the album a rating of seven out of ten.[38]

Track listing

No. TitleLyricsMusicArrangement Length
1. "Coup d'Etat" (쿠데타; Kudeta, featuring Diplo and Baauer)G-DragonG-Dragon, Diplo, BaauerDiplo, Baauer 2:58
2. "Niliria" (늴리리야, featuring Missy Elliott)G-Dragon, Missy ElliottTeddy, G-Dragon, Missy ElliottTeddy 2:52
3. "R.O.D." (featuring Lydia Paek)Teddy, G-Dragon, Choice37TeddyTeddy 3:56
4. "Black" (featuring Jennie Kim)Teddy, G-DragonTeddyTeddy 3:23
5. "Who You?" (니가 뭔데; Niga Mwonde)G-DragonG-Dragon, KushKush, Choice37 3:21
6. "Shake the World" (세상을 흔들어; Sesangeul Heundeuleo)G-DragonG-Dragon, Choice37Choice37 2:55
7. "Going Crazy" (미치Go; Michigo)G-DragonG-Dragon, Ham Seung-Cheon, Kang Wook-JinHam Seung-Cheon, Kang Wook-Jin 3:28
8. "Crooked" (삐딱하게; Ppiddak-hage)G-Dragon, TeddyG-Dragon, TeddyTeddy 3:45
9. "Niliria (G-Dragon ver.)" (늴리리야)G-Dragon, TeddyTeddy, G-Dragon, Missy ElliottTeddy 2:52
10. "Runaway"  G-DragonG-Dragon, Dee.PDee.P 3:21
11. "I Love It" (너무 좋아; Neomu Joh-a, featuring Zion.T and Boys Noize)G-DragonG-Dragon, Boys Noize, SiriusmoBoys Noize, Siriusmo 3:15
12. "You Do (Outro)"  G-DragonG-Dragon, Choice37Choice37 2:38
13. "Window"  G-Dragon, TeddyG-Dragon, Choice37, TeddyChoice37 3:47
14. "Black" (featuring Sky Ferreira)G-Dragon, TeddyTeddyTeddy 3:24
Total length:
 45:58
Notes
Samples

Charts

Album

Chart (2013) Peak
chart
positions
Japanese Albums Chart[33] 2
South Korean Albums Chart (Gaon)[30] 1
US Billboard 200[32] 182
US World Albums (Billboard)[32] 1

Sales

Chart Sales
Gaon physical sales[42]
  • KOR: 198,489
  • KOR: 8,888 (LP)
Oricon sales
  • JAP: 132,418

Singles

No. Title Peak chart positions Digital Downloads
(South Korea)[25]
Gaon Singles Chart
(South Korea)[25]		 Korea K-Pop Hot 100 (Billboard)
(South Korea)[43]
1 "Coup d'Etat" 5 15 430,164
2 "Niliria" 9 30 239,129
3 "R.O.D." 6 21 418,656
4 "Black" 2 3 871,025
5 "Who You?" 1 4 981,454
6 "Shake the World" 25 29 185,423
7 "Going Crazy" 17 22 287,998
8 "Crooked" 3 2 1,430,850
9 "Niliria (G-Dragon ver.)" 32 38 136,575
10 "Runaway" 27 26 181,284
11 "I Love It" 20 13 262,125
12 "You Do" 35 - 104,333

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Benjamin, Jeff; Oak, Jessica (4 September 2013). "G-Dragon, 'COUP D'ETAT': First Listen". Billboard.com. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  2. ↑ Coup D'etat (liner notes). G-Dragon. YG Entertainment. 2013.
  3. ↑ "Kudeta COUP D'ETAT, Pt. 1 - EP G-dragon". iTunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  4. ↑ "쿠데타 COUP D'ETAT, Pt. 2 G-dragon". iTunes.apple.com. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "G-Dragon plans 'COUP D'ETAT' with 4-title song album tracklist". Allkpop. 6Theory Media. 1 September 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "NEWS ABOUT ‘G-DRAGON’". yg-life.com. YG Entertainment. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  7. ↑ "G-DRAGON – ‘COUP D’ETAT’ TEASER PIC #1". yg-life.com. YG Entertainment. 26 August 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  8. ↑ "G-Dragon's 2nd 'COUP D'ETAT' teaser pic released!". Allkpop. 6Theory Media. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  9. ↑ "(LOEN TV) ASK IN A BOX:G-DRAGON(지드래곤)_COUP D'ETAT(쿠데타)" (YouTube video). LOEN Entertainment (in Korean). YouTube. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  10. ↑ Hogan, Marc (30 August 2013). "Watch Missy Elliott and G-Dragon Duet in Official 'Niliria' Live Video". Spin. Spin Media. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  11. ↑ Battan, Carrie (30 August 2013). "Watch Missy Elliott and K-Pop Star G-Dragon Debut New Song "Niliria"". Pitchfork Media. Pitchfork Media Inc. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  12. ↑ Bowman, Patrick (30 August 2013). "Missy Elliott & G-Dragon Light It Up With "Niliria" Performance: Watch". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  13. ↑ Oak, Jessica (2 September 2013). "G-Dragon Reveals Video for Diplo/Baauer-Produced "COUP D'ETAT" & Star-Studded Album Features". Billboard.com. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  14. ↑ Hogan, Marc (6 September 2013). "G-Dragon Spreads Anarchy in K-Pop With Punk-Charged 'Crooked' Video". Spin. Spin Media. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  15. ↑ "G-Dragon unleashes 'Crooked' MV from second part of album 'COUP D'ETAT'". Allkpop. 6Theory Media. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  16. ↑ "YG Entertainment trainee Jennie Kim to feature on G-Dragon's 'Inkigayo' comeback stage". Allkpop. 6Theory Media. 8 September 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  17. ↑ "TEEN TOP wins #1 + Performances from the September 8th episode of SBS' 'Inkigayo'". Allkpop. 6Theory Media. 8 September 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  18. ↑ "G-Dragon To Hold Art Exhibition To Coincide With Release Of Second Solo Album 'COUP D'ETAT' And His World Tour Finale". KpopStarz. KpopStarz.com. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  19. ↑ "G-DRAGON HOLDS EXCLUSIVE EXHIBITION ‘…SPACE 8′ NEXT MONTH". yg-life.com. YG Entertainment. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  20. ↑ "GD TO RELEASE LIMITED EDITION OF 2ND ALBUM VINYL LP: WHO WILL BE THE LUCKY 8888?". yg-life.com. YG Entertainment. 29 September 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  21. ↑ "G-Dragon to release limited edition LP". english.yonhapnews.co.kr. Yonhap News Agency. 30 September 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  22. ↑ "G-DRAGON’S "COUP D’ETAT", 8,888 LIMITED EDITION LPS SOLD OUT BEFORE OFFICIAL RELEASE". yg-life.com. YG Entertainment. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  23. ↑ "G-Dragon’s LP Pre-order Completely Sold Out in One Day". Soompi. Soompi Inc. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  24. ↑ "G-DRAGON’S NEW SONG "SWEEPING THE CHART" UPON BEING RELEASED". yg-life.com. YG Entertainment. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 "GAON DIGITAL CHART". Gaon (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on 22 September 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  26. ↑ "Melon 2013 Year End Chart". 3 September 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  27. ↑ "G-DRAGON TOPPING 8 COUNTRIES’ ITUNES CHARTS… BEGINNING TV APPEARANCE AT "SKETCHBOOK"". yg-life.com. YG Entertainment. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  28. ↑ "Big Bang G-Dragon Tops 7 Countries iTunes Charts with New Album, 'COUP D'ETAT'". KpopStarz. KpopStarz.com. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  29. ↑ Hong, Grace Danbi (10 September 2013). "Big Bang G-Dragon’s 2nd Album Exceeds 300,000 Preorders Just in Korea". Enewsworld. CJ Group. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "GAON ALBUM CHART". Gaon (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  31. ↑ "Gaon Chart releases chart rankings for the month of September 2013". Allkpop. 6Theory Media. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 Benjamin, Jeff (12 September 2013). "K-Pop Star G-Dragon Enters Billboard 200". Billboard.com. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "2013年11月25日～2013年12月01日のCDアルバム週間ランキング" [Weekly CD Albums Chart: 2013.11.25～2013.12.01]". Oricon Charts (in Japanese). Oricon Inc. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  34. ↑ Stephens, Alexis (19 September 2013). "Reviewed: G-Dragon’s Coup D’etat". MTV Iggy. MTV Networks. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Goble, Corban (20 September 2013). "G-Dragon: Coup D'Etat Album Review". Pitchfork Media. Pitchfork Media Inc. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Caramanica, Jon (15 September 2013). "K-Pop’s Antic Emissary Raids the Cupboard". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Dorof, Jakob. "G-Dragon - Coup D'etat Music Review". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "[Album Review] G-Dragon 'Coup De'Tat'". Allkpop. 6Theory Media. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  39. ↑ "Coup D'etat, Pt. 1". Allmusic. Retrieved 2013-11-22.
  40. ↑ "G-Dragon Covers Complex's "Coup d'Etat" Week!". Complex Magazine. 2013-09-09. Retrieved 2013-11-22.
  41. ↑ Cho, Jaeki (10 September 2013). "The Making of G-Dragon's "Coup D'Etat" - Niliria". Complex. Complex Media. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  42. ↑ "GAON ALBUM CHART". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  43. ↑ "Korea K-Pop Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2013.