2NE1 & BIGBANG on ROLLING STONES’ “Top 10 Kpop Groups Most Likely to Break in America”
2NE1- One of South Korea’s most notable acts, 2NE1 stands out for the wide array of sounds heard in their latest EP that includes the club banger “I Am The Best,” the slick electro-pop/hip-hop “Hate You,” and the emotionally charged “Ugly.” 2NE1’s genre-hopping and large personalities bring Nicki Minaj’s rap/singing approach to mind. Without any push into the U.S., the group caught the eye of will.i.am, who signed on to work on their American debut rumored to be released later this year. Listeners can get a sample of what a will.i.am/2NE1 production sounds like with the track “Take On The World,” currently being used for a promotional video for Intel. The foursome’s fierce fashion even caught the eye of designer Jeremy Scott who has styled for the group. Several of the members have strong English skills, and the group won the award for “Best New Band In The World” for MTV Iggy, an MTV initiative that showcases music from all over the world.
BIGBANG - Despite a nearly two-year hiatus, boy band BIGBANG continues to be one of K-Pop’s most established and popular groups. Before their comeback this year, BIGBANG made a statement at the 2011 MTV European Music Awards by winning “Best Worldwide Act.” The award was voted on by fans and saw the group beating out Britney Spears and other popular artists from all regions. The group reemerged with their Alive EP, which included mid-tempo R&B-influenced ballads like “Blue” and high-energy bangers like “Fantastic Baby.” The set charted on the Billboard 200 at Number 150 despite no physical release or active promotion in America. BIGBANG members G-Dragon and T.O.P in particular have caught the eyes of super-producer Diplo (who produced a track for their duo project titled “Knock Out”) and British pop singer Pixie Lott (who features them on the track “Dancing On My Own” for the Japanese release of her second album).
FULL LIST:
- 2NE1
- Girls Generation/SNSD
- BIGBANG
- Wonder Girls
- After School
- Beast/B2ST
- Ailee
- Sistar
- SHINee
- MissA
Source: Rolling Stones
