T.O.P's Non-mainstream 'Doom Dada' Stands On Top: What Does This Mean?

[ah-mui.livejournal.com]

Non-mainstream T.O.P’s ‘Doom Dada’ stands on top: What does this mean?

BIGBANG’s T.O.P is attracting a lot attention by sweeping music charts with his song ‘Doom Dada’ that seemingly would not appeal to the public.

It's quite rare for such a song to rank high on charts, because songs that appeal to the general public normally dominate music charts. A song this difficult to understand and peculiar maintaining its top position for more than a day is indeed bizarre.

Since its release at noon on Nov 15, ‘Doom Dada’ has been on top of eight major music charts and is keeping its position. The rap is hard to follow, the song reeks of dreamlike ambiance, and the sound is simply strange. The music video is even more peculiar. Considering all these factors, a truly mind-boggling phenomenon is happening in the music world.

This strange event can be analyzed by looking at the changes in the tastes of the audience. The ‘public appeal’ aspect of the songs that topped music charts is important, and this concept usually contains mainstream taste, pattern and genre with an addictive hook. But it seems like T.O.P has created a whole new category of ‘public appeal’ with ‘Doom Dada’.

This came as a big surprise to the entertainment agency itself. T.O.P has repeatedly said that his new song has no public appeal, and the entertainment agency hinted from the beginning through a series of teaser images that this song will be a peculiar one. Their hints seemed as though they were not too caught up with the rankings, so his song topping charts is unexpected.

Until now, many thought that the value of an artist and the pursuit of public appeal went against each other. However, with ‘Doom Dada’, T.O.P successfully included all his true colors, and yet it was extremely well-received by the general public. This is indeed a positive sign in the music market.

In fact, positive reviews on the song and the music video are flooding the media. T.O.P sounds as if he is chanting in the song, and the music video takes full advantage of T.O.P’s appearance that portrays numerous scenarios with a just simple twitch in the light. Many are unanimous on the fact that only T.O.P “can pull it off.”

T.O.P was fully in charge of writing the lyrics to the song, while he co-composed it with Choice37, who composed BIGBANG’s ‘Bad Boy’ and G-Dragon’s ‘One of a Kind.’ ‘Doom Dada’ carries a story from T.O.P’s point of view, in contemplation of the contemporary pop culture. T.O.P describes what he sees and feels, with a somewhat rough edge and abstract lyrics, along with a surreal ambiance. The song shows an aggressive side of the high-flying artist.

He also actively partook in the production of the music video. T.O.P, who has great interest in furniture, unveiled some of his personal collection includingAntonio Gaudi's and Salvador Dali's. But the highlight was undoubtedly the painting titled ‘Deer’ by painter Kim Hwan Gi. The painter is known as the frontrunner of Korean abstract art, who is also the uncle of T.O.P’s maternal grandfather. The painting was included to pay tribute to Kim Hwan Gi, fitting the lyrics of ‘an extraordinary Korean.’

Some scenes that parodied Stanley Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ and Director Kim Ji Woon’s ‘Nom Nom Nom’ are also providing a source of entertainment for the viewers. On Nov 22, T.O.P will be showcasing a performance that symbolizes the regression of contemporary pop culture, taking the audience on a journey of evolution at the 2013 Mnet Asian Music Awards in Hong Kong.

Source: Osen via YG Life bigbang

Gaudi's one of my fave architects!

Comments

[torontok.livejournal.com]

Because anything Big Bang gets snapped up by Korea.
and T.O.P considering how much of a recluse he is gets even more attention when he releases a single.
and the song is a jam

[achan123.livejournal.com]

this

[21banged.livejournal.com]

Not everything BB, Seungri continues to flop even though he releases the best stuff IMO and I think Taeyang's new song isn't doing too well....

But I agree, if it wasn't TOP doing this song, it would not be getting the response it is.

[lazmy.livejournal.com]

normally anything big bang related is gobbled up so i don't know why taeyang's single didn't have the same response

[21banged.livejournal.com]

I'd pretty much say it's because he deviated from his usual image, the smooth RnB and sweet innocent image. Nobody is here for that god awful hair tbh

[opd-top.livejournal.com]

That's because the song is good and so is the video.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

now now, lbr here
I love TOP and that song, and I don't doubt that a lot of people are in for the asthetic of the MV, his lyrics and all BUT the main reason it's appeling to the general public is because of TOP's face

[gathyou.livejournal.com]

Talking about TOP's face, your new icon is fantastic !

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

héhé, thx :3
i made a few for omona members to use as they please

[gathyou.livejournal.com]

... May I use one ? :)
I miss a TOP-only icon in my list (but then, everyone that doesn't have TOP yet miss one)

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

of course ^^
here's the link: http://benihime99.livejournal.com/21922.html

[gathyou.livejournal.com]

Thanks you <3

[21banged.livejournal.com]

These are all flawless, I think I'm in love with you

[hagar-tammaa.livejournal.com]

I love you <333

[punkylana.livejournal.com]

mte

[babyonions.livejournal.com]

I love TOP and the song, but let's not kid ourselves, this is mainstream.

[bulleusekat.livejournal.com]

In the context of South Korea, it isn't...

[babyonions.livejournal.com]

If we are talking about Korean music, I don't find GD's last album that different from this.
I'm sure they have internet in Korea and they also listen to international mainstream rap artists, so I don't see how is this magical new music for Koreans.

[bulleusekat.livejournal.com]

I don't know but I personally think they're not that fond of Korean rap so I doubt they will be more fond of "International" mainstream rap artists. SK prefers its own language music tbh. If they were this interested/educated in rap music, music made by idol singers-rappers including GD wouldn't top their charts (or I hope this is the reason why).

How I see it: TOP's music was never released before because YG has always condemned it as non mainstream for Korean audience. TOP finally releases one single thanks to YG's "gracious favor". The single reaches its peak in top 10, YG is surprised.
Conclusion = YG just being YG about mainstream music for SK and this article was written.

Also, GD's music and image are way more gimmicky than TOP's. That's how I see it.

[waves-of-light.livejournal.com]

yes. I like gd, but it's like he makes videos to showcase his lambos and chrome hearts shit, and this bingu fool shows off his furniture and his awesome motorcycle stunts.

[bulleusekat.livejournal.com]

It's Bingu's effect, he uses his toys and does motorcycle stunts being handsome-ly ridiculous !

[babyonions.livejournal.com]

I don't think general public is that interested in idol music, and there for in TOP's. But if we talk about younger generations who do follow idols (to the certain degree, I'm not talking about fans), I'm sure they know international mainstream rappers and their music. They don't live on some other planet, so I'm sure they listen same things other people their age listen in America or Europe or anywhere else. And those are the people who buy albums and singles online and offline.

I agree with you,this is YG spinning the story for his own good. He likes to give this picture of his artists having creative freedom, they are not products like other idols. But at the end of the day, they are idols and they have a certain image (for example: TOP and his quiet, charismatic, not goofy person they are trying to sell) and their image is them being non-mainstream.

GD's music at times is gimmicky, but he makes some nice songs when he quiets down the swag and crazy concepts (That xx, Missing you, Black, Window, etc.).

[bulleusekat.livejournal.com]

IA to some extent but then I am not really in position to argue more as I don't have more insight about this.

About GD, this is SO true. "Missing You" <3 I just hope one day Kim Yoon Ah and him will sing it live.

[babyonions.livejournal.com]

He needs to do an acoustic concert and do all these songs (and some more), it would be sooo good. GD, do it!!

[footballfina.livejournal.com]

ummm it means he's the second (maybe even first) most popular member of the country's biggest boy band and he hasn't released anything in three years???

people like to say this about a lot of groups an their stans, but TOP could have literally released a track of himself farting and it would've gone to #1

[sweetpeaness.livejournal.com]

I hope he doesn't 'cause farting is Shinhwa's turf

[gathyou.livejournal.com]

The video is so awesome, it's normal, haha
I hope it's going to help him release his album soon!

[canxi.livejournal.com]

Lol, yeah I kind of agree. The writer of the article definitely has a point and has gives great insight into a well-thought out video and T.O.P's lyrics, which can't be denied are really fun and very him and his interests.

Buuuut, that's not the reason why it's #1. It's #1 because it's T.O.P of Big Bang. I am sure people are into all the semantics of his lyrics and the visuals of the MV, too. But not all of it is exactly common knowledge and I'm pretty sure even T.O.P is scratching his head at this one. If he was releasing stuff all the time, I feel like there would be a major difference in how this was received, ok well maybe not received, but discussed. I CAN see how something like this would delight critics, especially coming from such a big idol. But, then they wouldn't be the "general public" -- many of whom may just be in it for oppa/hyung.

[digitalqueen.livejournal.com]

ehhh, what do they mean with "non-mainstream"? it is top from bb after all. he could come out with the most bizarre shit and it'd still be nº1.

[jamieguo48.livejournal.com]

It's a bit early to put this down as anything but the feeding frenzy of TOP and Big Bang fans. If this starts being parodied and talked about, then we can talk about the mainstream public liking this, but for now, I doubt it.

[hellodee16.livejournal.com]

well he hardly puts out any solo music so ofc ppl are curious and bought the song whether they truly enjoy it or not...

[unicornios.livejournal.com]

I really thought this was going to flop.
Bless this weird idiot <3

[aures.livejournal.com]

i agree that the song really is an odd one
however, i like it, it's so different it's refreshing in its very own way - and indeed, it's something that only TOP can pull off
it seems to suit his voice very well, it's so bizar its good (i also had this with some of GD&TOP's songs.. also that same vibe)

[aleksu7.livejournal.com]

Non mainstream? haha ha.

[weerainbow.livejournal.com]

I think one of the biggest reasons I actually like the track personally is because it's weird. Also his voice, that's the other biggest reason ;)

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

The song sounds pretty mainstream to me...! ~.~

[mollyana.livejournal.com]

Many are unanimous on the fact that only T.O.P “can pull it off.”

PRETTY MUCH THIS. I mean, this song wouldn't generate the same response or curiousity if it wasn't realised by him.

Well, maybe is not mainstrein enough for korea taste (more so to the teens who still listening idol music) Is something everyone knows would happen, I'm bet that is the principal reason YG didn't even bother to promote it. The song has no climax, even if it had hook and nice beat there is no melody, only lyrics. I like the song but I can see why it had the 'no public appeal' written all over it, mainstrein or not.That said I'm sure if TOP promoted, it would had major response. Is fresh, bring people is curiousity, that is how everything always start.

[atenais-pala.livejournal.com]

Totally agree with you.