It’s no doubt that as time moves on, Kpop becomes more and more popular on a global basis! Every day we’re seeing international friendships and collaborations we would never have expected in the past! In recent years, many Korean singers have worked closely with various foreign artists such as DIPLO, SKRILLEX, Jeff Bernett, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliot, Eric Bellinger, Kanye West, Bruno Mars, and more! Just within the last few months, there have been many unique collaborations between Korean artists and international artists. Although there are many worth of your notice, here are five international collaborations with Kpop artists that you should definitely take a moment to check out!
1- BTS & The Chainsmokers
Hugely popular group BTS has become that much more recognized on an international basis due to their winning a Billboard Music Awards back in May, as well as becoming the first Kpop group to perform at the American Music Awards! In fact, it was at the Billboard Music Awards when the BTS members originally met popular EDM duo The Chainsmokers. It’s said that since that day, BTS and The Chainsmokers have kept in touch in order to work on music together. With BTS’s most recent album, LOVE YOURSELF 承 Her, came a track titled “Best Of Me.” “Best Of Me” was co-produced by The Chainsmokers’ Andrew Taggart and BTS’s rap-line Rap Monster, Suga, and J-Hope. The song is a slow, sweet EDM track that screams The Chainsmokers’ style in every way. However, the lyrics and rap portions are very distinctly BTS style. Due to the fact that the groups are said to continue working on music together, fans are guaranteed to hear another great collaboration in the future. Perhaps the next song with have both artists featuring in the song rather than simply via the production!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6B45sbfcI8
2- Eric Nam, Tablo & Gallant
Back in January of this year, an unexpected but amazing trio came together to release a smooth track entitled “Cave Me In.” Epik High member Tablo, Korean-American solo artist Eric Nam, and American singer Gallant joined forces for a killer track. It was a collaborative production between each artist as they showcased their own distinct feeling of music. The three artists joined together to film a music video for it in Hong Kong and even shot a pictorial together for W Magazine. “Cave Me In” has proven to be a favorite chill-type jam for fans all around the world. A remix of the popular track was also released on September 22nd, 2017.
3- Block B with KEITA, Chan Mina, Maoko Tanaka & KEN THE 390
Starting in mid-August of this year, a few teasers were dropped involving popular group Block B‘s newest project. All members of Block B, other than Zico and Park Kyung, were to collaborate with Japanese artists for an all-new, fully collaborative album entitled Block B Project_1! The music video for the slow and dynamic track “Lost & Found,” from member Taeil and singer KEITA of Japan, was released on August 22nd. A week later, on August 28th, a rap track music video for “WINNER” was dropped. It is a collaboration between members U-Kwon and P.O and female rapper Chan Mina. The other two songs on the album are “Bus Stop” by Block B member Jaehyo and Naoko Tanaka, and “Paradise” by member B-Bomb and Japanese artist KEN THE 390. After all the music videos were released, the full album was then dropped. Check out the videos below!
4- GOT7’s Youngjae, Sanjoy & Elliot Yamin
Youngjae of GOT7 had posted on Instagram back in January of this year, stating how much he enjoyed a recent song by Elliot Yamin and Sanjoy. iGOT7 (GOT7’s fandom) then took it upon themselves to bring Elliot’s attention to Youngjae’s post. Soon after, the artists got in touch with each other and began to collaborate on music. Youngjae even invited the two artists to GOT7’s concert in LA where they were able to meet up for the first time. Just before Youngjae’s birthday, the smooth track “Victim Of Love” was officially released on September 16th by Elliot Yamin, Sanjoy, and Ars (Youngjae’s alias as a composer/producer).
5- f(x)’s Amber & Superfruit (Pentatonix)
f(x)‘s Amber has become known for her incredible, down-to-earth personality and her close friendship with people from all over the world. After Amber mentioned Superfruit (Scott and Mitch from popular a capella group Pentatonix) and how much she liked their new song “Bad For Us,” they decided to contact her for the upcoming second part of their album. She happily agreed and sent in her recording for the song “Fantasy,” which Scott has admitted is his favorite song from their album. In a live video on Instagram, both Scott and Mitch expressed their excitement about working with Amber since the two have been avid Kpop fans for a while now. “Fantasy” is a track from Superfruit’s album Future Friends Part Two that was released on September 15th. After the original track was released, it proved to be so popular with fans that they ended up filming a music video and releasing it just last month.
Which of your favorite artists do you hope will collaborate in the future? What other international collaborations are you a fan of? Let us know by leaving us a comment below!
CaptainMal has been into Korean Entertainment for seven years now, since 2010. She travels to conventions in her area, showcasing her “Kpop Game Show’” and occasional Kpop cosplay. Although her favorite bands are Infinite, Super Junior, and VIXX, she boasts a love for a huge variety of artists. Other than Kpop, CaptainMal loves Disney, 80’s rock, Daft Punk, Gaming, and Orange Juice.
Media: As credited