Article: Kpop Cheat Sheet: The Bands To Know Before They Blow Up – 2NE1

Kpop Cheat Sheet: The Bands To Know Before They Blow Up

By Lisa Eppich

2NE1

The Lowdown — Forget any thoughts of sugary tunes, frilly dresses, and cutesy looks — the girls behind 2NE1 are badasses and are proud of it. Consisting of CL, Sandara, Park Bom, and Minzy, these girls have already taken the world by storm with their hip-hop infused songs. They’ve even going so far as to declare “I Am The Best” in their latest hit (which has already racked up numerous awards this year). You might think they’re being boastful, but it’s kind of hard to disagree — their thumping beats, unique and versatile voices, ability to drop rhymes like the best of them, and their flawless style have already earned them the attention of Will.i.Am, who has produced several of their tracks. The group just won MTV Iggy’s Best Band in the World contest, which has earned them their first concert in NYC. But then again, their awards shelf is not exactly empty — they’ve earned no less than 40 other awards and 74 nominations in the past two years since they made their debut. If any group is poised to take over the world, it’s this one.

Their Style — 2NE1’s style isn’t for the faint of heart. These girls prove that, no, you can’t have too many layers of color, texture, and pattern in any given outfit. 2NE1 are usually decked out in leather, patterned leggings, graphic tees, and piles of jewelry — and some sky-high heels to top it all off. They’re also not afraid to rock a hairstyle that’s a little less than normal — whether it’s bright blue, red, or sticking out at an angle we can’t compute without a protractor. Designer Jeremy Scott numbers amongst the group’s devoted followers, and has even collaborated with them to create a line of his iconic winged kicks. But while their image may be loud and in-your-face, these girls certainly aren’t afraid of their feminine side. Every now and then, you’ll see them in a sleek little LBD, but rest assured — they might just accessorize with a pointy-shouldered blazer, or a nail-studded bra.

Jeremy Scott Skeleton Big Sweater, $1,035, available at Opening Ceremony; Topshop Black Aztec Print Leggings, $40, available at Topshop; Dries Van Noten Cacey Contrast Print Blouse, $569, available at My Theresa; Dr. Martens Izzue Stud Boots, $240, available at Dr. Martins; Style Stalker Viper Room Bustier, $125, available at Glassworks Studios.

Their Songs

I Am The Best — With a title like “I Am The Best,” the subject of this song needs little introduction — let’s just say the lyrics contain Kanye-level boasting. Not that we mind — 2NE1 is kind of the best, and we’re totally smitten with how they manage to be both eclectic and totally glam at the same time.

Ugly — “Ugly” showcases 2NE1’s refusal to sugar-coat anything. While the lyrics are downright depressing (the chorus, sung in English, pretty much says it all), we appreciate that 2NE1 uses this anthem-like song to dive head first into those feelings of hopelessness and self-loathing that we all feel at one point or another in our lives.

Follow Me — This hypnotic, techno-heavy song features some of the most fantastic fashion 2NE1 has ever done, plus their moves are pretty sweet. Even though we’ve already bedazzled a pumpkin for Halloween, we’re thinking of following CL’s lead and bedazzling our faces next year.

Source: Refinery 29

Article: Which K-Pop Group Made It On Slant Magazine’s Best Singles Of 2011?

WHICH K-POP GROUP MADE IT ON SLANT MAG’S BEST SINGLES OF 2011?

American online publication, Slant Magazine, which reviews movies, music, theater, video games, and more, just released their top 25 best singles of 2011 and YG Entertainment’s top charting female group made the list! 2NE1, Korea’s fiercest girl group, came in coincidentally at number 21, with their hot single, “I Am The Best,” beating out Beyonce’s “Love On Top,” which came in at number 25. Here’s what Slant writer, Jonathan Keefe, had to say about the girls:

“One of 2011′s best developments was that the Western world finally discovered the unmitigated joy of K-pop. Even within a music scene characterized by its fearless appropriation of pop, hip-hop, and dance styles, 2NE1′s “I Am the Best” is a jaw-dropping, vibrant triumph of pure swagger and verve. Really, who’s going to argue with logic like “Even if you were me/You’d be envious of this body” or stand in the crosshairs for 2NE1′s machine-gun “rah-tah-tah” hook? It ain’t bragging if it’s true, and 2NE1′s “I Am the Best” makes its case airtight.”

The girls have had a great 2011 with a string of hits, but “I Am The Best” definitely took the cake for hottest club banger of the year and proved its worth when it won the coveted MAMA award for Best Song of the Year. 2NE1, who debuted in 2009, is quickly becoming the girl group to beat, and at the rate they’re going, it doesn’t look too hopeful for competing groups. Do you think 2NE1 will keep the hype up in 2012? Let us know!

Check out Slant’s top 25 hottest singles of 2011 below:
25. Battles featuring Matias Aguayo, “Ice Cream.”
24. Beyoncé, “Love on Top.”
slant23. St. Vincent, “Cruel.”
22. Patrick Wolf, “The City.”
21. 2NE1, “I Am The Best.”
20. Frank Ocean, “Novacane.”
19. Girls, “Vomit.”
18. Lykke Li, “I Follow Rivers.”
17. SBTRKT featuring Yukimi Nagano, “Wildfire.”
16. Britney Spears, “Till the World Ends.”
15. EMA, “California.”
14. Lana Del Rey, “Blue Jeans.”
13. Florence and the Machine, “Shake It Out.”
12. Gotye featuring Kimbra, “Somebody That I Used to Know.”
11. Das Racist, “Michael Jackson.”
10. Azealia Banks featuring Lazy Jay, “212.”
9. Beth Ditto, “I Wrote the Book.”
8. Lady Gaga, “The Edge of Glory.”
7. Fleet Foxes, “Helplessness Blues.”
6. Robyn, “Call Your Girlfriend.”
5. Lady Gaga, “Born This Way.”
4. Lana Del Rey, “Video Games.”
3. Adele, “Rolling in the Deep.”
2. Tyler, the Creator, “Yonkers.”
1. Kanye West, “All of the Lights.”

Credits:

Source: MTVK