GD & TOP
Encyclopedia
GD & TOP is the debut album of South Korea
n artist
s 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." While "High High" went on to become a chart-topper, the latter two singles charted in at #2 and #3 respectively.
, 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." 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. After receiving Yang's approval, news of their collaboration was announced in November 2010.
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." 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." When recordings were done, 11 tracks were recorded, including a collaboration with singer Park Bom
. 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." T.O.P's solo song, "Turn It Up" was also included in the album as a bonus track.
. While hosting it, the duo sampled parts of their tracks to their fans and explained its lyrical contents and background. 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.
In support of their album, the duo released three singles: "High High," "Oh Yeah," and "Knock out." All three singles preceded the release of the album and were commercial successes: "High High" was a chartopper while "Oh Yeah" and "Knock Out" both peaked at #2 and #3 respectively. They also performed at a Christmas party hosted at a club in Kangnam of Seoul for SK Telecom's "Christmas T Social Party" in addition to the SBS music show "Inkigayo." Pictures of the two on the set of their music videos were also released online. The album was released on Christmas Eve
, and debuted at number one with pre-orders of 200,000 copies.
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.
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
s G-Dragon
G-Dragon
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" , titled as the part two version to the song. The single was released digitally...
& 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." While "High High" went on to become a chart-topper, the latter two singles charted in at #2 and #3 respectively.
Background
While working on materials with their bandmates for their next album, G-Dragon and T.O.P began to experiment with different styles. According to G-Dragon, the members were trying new "combination" with their music, in which the vocalists — TaeyangTaeyang
Dong Youngbae , better known by his stage name Taeyang or Sol, is a South Korean recording artist, entertainer. After appearing in Jinusean's music video "A-yo", Taeyang began training under YG Entertainment at the age of 12 alongside fellow member and leader G-Dragon...
, Daesung
Daesung
Kang Daesung is a member of K-Pop group Big Bang. Daesung was born in Itaewon, South Korea and attended high school but he dropped out and focused more on Big Bang. Then in late 2008, he focused on college entrance exams. He attended Kyunghee University in Seoul...
, and Seungri
Seungri
- External links :* *...
— 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." 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
YG Entertainment
YG Entertainment is a record label and talent agency founded by Korean band Seo Taiji & Boys member Yang Hyun Suk and based in Seoul, South Korea. It specializes in producing R&B and hip hop music. YG stands for Yang Goon and are also the initials of the chief executive officer, Yang Hyun Suk...
, to allow the duo to release an album. After receiving Yang's approval, news of their collaboration was announced in November 2010.
Assisted by Teddy Park
Teddy Park
Park Hong-jun , better known as Teddy Park or just Teddy, is a Korean-American rapper and record producer. Born in South Korea, Park moved to the United States as a young child. There, he learned English. After moving back to South Korea, he majored in English at Myongji University.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." 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
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
, and electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
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." When recordings were done, 11 tracks were recorded, including a collaboration with singer Park Bom
Park Bom
Park Bom , is a South Korean idol singer, Born in Seoul, South Korea, she eventually moved to the United States where she learned English. She is the main vocalist of girl group 2NE1, where her stage name became solely "Bom"...
. 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." T.O.P's solo song, "Turn It Up" was also included in the album as a bonus track.
Promotion and release
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, which was also broad-casted live on YouTubeYouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
. While hosting it, the duo sampled parts of their tracks to their fans and explained its lyrical contents and background. 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
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
, their attractive, sexy, and fun side have come out while promoting the album.
In support of their album, the duo released three singles: "High High," "Oh Yeah," and "Knock out." All three singles preceded the release of the album and were commercial successes: "High High" was a chartopper while "Oh Yeah" and "Knock Out" both peaked at #2 and #3 respectively. They also performed at a Christmas party hosted at a club in Kangnam of Seoul for SK Telecom's "Christmas T Social Party" in addition to the SBS music show "Inkigayo." Pictures of the two on the set of their music videos were also released online. The album was released on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
, and debuted at number one with pre-orders of 200,000 copies.
Music Videos
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.
Track listing
Sample credits- "INTRO" contains samples of "It's Yours to Have" by Freda PayneFreda PayneFreda Charcilia Payne Some sources give a birth year of 1945, but this appears to be an error as all sources agree that she is older than her sister Scherrie, born 1944. is an American singer and actress best known for her million selling, 1970 hit single, "Band of Gold". She was also an actress in...
. - "집에 가지마" ("DON'T LEAVE") contains samples of "Make It with YouMake It with You"Make It with You" is a song written by David Gates and originally recorded by the pop/rock group Bread, of which Gates was a member.The song first appeared on Bread's 1970 album On the Waters...
" by BreadBread (band)Bread was a rock band from Los Angeles, California. They placed 13 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart between 1970 and 1977 and were a prime example of what later was labeled soft rock....
. - "어쩌란 말이냐?" ("WHAT DO YOU WANT?") contains samples of "Shazam" by Duane EddyDuane EddyDuane Eddy is a Grammy Award-winning American guitarist. In the late 1950s and early 1960s he had a string of hit records, produced by Lee Hazlewood, which were noted for their characteristically "twangy" sound, including "Rebel Rouser", "Peter Gunn", and "Because They're Young"...
.
Charts
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| South Korea Gaon Chart | 1 |
| South Korea Gaon Chart monthly | 1 |