G Dragon ~ LOVE !!!

Subject: G Dragon ~ LOVE !!! Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:17 am

G-Dragon

Kwon Ji-Yong, better known by his stage name G-Dragon, is the leader of the Korean hip-hop group Big Bang.

Career

G-Dragon debuted at the age of 12, by participating in the Korean Hip Hop Flex album in 2001, as the third oldest member of the group. In 2002, he was scouted to YG Entertainment and , after several years of training, debuted alongside 4 other members as Big Bang in 2006. The formation of the group was documented on television. The group first gained notoriety with the song "La La La". Since then, they have enjoyed success with their songs "거짓말 (Lies)", "마지막 인사 (Last Farewell)", "하루하루 (Day by Day)", "붉은노을 (Sunset Glow)" and "천국 (My Heaven)". Of the members in Big Bang, G-Dragon is known to be heavily involved with the production of their albums. He wrote and composed the majority of the group's songs.[1] G-Dragon's first solo song, a cover of Maroon 5's "This Love", was featured on Big Bang's [[Bigbang Vol.1|first album]

G-Dragon was awarded as one of the "Style Icon of 2008" on behalf of his fashion and as one of the best eight composers of 2008.[2] Additionally, he won "Most Influential Men of 2008" sponsored by Arena Megazine on behalf of his style.[3]

After helping produce fellow member Tae Yang's debut album, G-Dragon recorded his own version of the album's lead song "나만바라봐 (Look At Me Only)", entitled "나만바라봐 Part 2 (Look At Me Only Part 2)". In May 2009, Kwon Ji Yong collaborated with Japanese boy band, w-inds. with their single, "Rain is Fallin'/Hybrid Dream"[4][5]. He debuted as a solo artist via the release of his debut album Heartbreaker in August 2009. The lead single "Heartbreaker", along with "The Leaders", "A Boy", "Hello", and "She's Gone" were a hit, topping various charts upon release.[6] The album has sold over 100,000 copies in South Korea since its release.[7] In December 6, 2009, G-Dragon held his first solo concert[8], "Shine a Light"[9], which was met with criticism following complaints of obscenity[8] and suggestive content[10].

Artistry

G-Dragon's music is based on Hip Hop elements. Being inspired from music by The Wu-Tang Clan, he also participated in the Hip Hop Flex album in 2001, when he was 12 years old.[citation needed] Ever since his trainee years, Kwon Ji Yong trained in the Hip Hop genre.[11]

Controversy

G-Dragon was accused of plagiarism by Sony Music, as his tracks "Heartbreaker" and "Butterfly" are similar to Flo-Rida's "Right Round" and Oasis's "She's Electric", respectively.[12][13] EMI, who also has rights to "Right Round" said that they saw no similarities between these two songs.[14] Sony Korea has denied G-Dragon the ability to promote the track any further without paying reparations. On September 21, 2009, Sisa Magazine, a news program on MBC, stated that officials from Sony reportedly sent YG Entertainment warning letters about plagiarism. Sony's legal representative stated, "It was a hard decision for the music critics." However, they decided that there were similarities and accordingly issued a warning letter to the production company and composers. They have also denied YG Entertainment the permission to promote these songs. His group Big Bang and their labelmates 2NE1 are also under fire for similar plagiarism claims.[15] However, YG Entertainment claims that nothing has been decided or legally determined and that the "letter" which YG received from Sony is not considered legal action; the company has also stated that they have not received a direct response from the American publishers regarding this matter.[16]

Discography

Albums

* Heartbreaker (2009)

Singles

* "This Love" (2006)
* "나만바라봐 Part 2" ("Only Look at Me Part 2") (2008)