BLΛƆKPIИK Born Pink
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Everything About BLACKPINK's New Album 'Born Pink'
BLACKPINK's latest album, "Born Pink," has taken the K-pop world by storm. Released by YG Entertainment, this highly anticipated blackpink album showcases the group's evolution and artistic growth. With its diverse tracklist and captivating title track "Shut Down," the album has made a significant impact on the global music scene, breaking records and captivating fans worldwide.
"Born Pink" has achieved remarkable commercial success, with impressive pre-orders on platforms like Ktown4U and record-breaking album sales. The album's lead single, "Pink Venom," and its accompanying music video have garnered millions of Spotify streams and views. BLACKPINK's promotional activities, including their appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the announcement of a world tour, have further fueled the album's popularity. This article delves into the making of "Born Pink," its composition, and its influence on the K-pop industry.
BLΛƆKPIИK Born Pink
Artist: Blackpink
Release Date: September 16, 2022
Type: full album
Genre: Kpop, EDM, house pop, hip hop, classical, synth pop, pop, new-wave, rock
Label: YG Entertainment
Writers: Jisoo, Rosé, Teddy, Danny Chung, Vince, Bekuh Boom, VVN, Kush, Freddy Wexler, Bianca “Blush” Atterberry, Max Wolfgang, Teddy Sinclair, Willy Sinclair, Paro, Nat Dunn, David Phelan, Alex Oriet, Brian Lee, and Soraya LaPread
Composers: Teddy, R.Tee, 24, IDO, Bekuh Boom, Dominsuk, Kush, VVN, Freddy Wexler, Bianca “Blush” Atterberry, Max Wolfgang, Teddy Sinclair, Willy Sinclair, Paro, Nat Dunn, David Phelan, Alex Oriet, Brian Lee, and Soraya LaPread
Arrangers: 24, R.Tee, IDO, Dominsuk, Kush, and Nohc
Tracklist:
1. “Pink Venom” – 3:13
2. “Shut Down” title – 2:57
3. “Type Girl” – 3:00
4. “Yeah Yeah Yeah” – 3:00
5. “Hard to Love” (Rosé solo) – 2:43
6. “The Happiest Girl” – 3:43
7. “Tally” – 3:04
8. “Ready for Love” – 3:07
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Album Overview
BLACKPINK's second studio album, "Born Pink," was released worldwide on September 16, 2022, by YG Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album features eight tracks, including the pre-release single "Pink Venom," the title track "Shut Down," and "Ready for Love," which was first heard during BLACKPINK's virtual in-game concert for PUBG Mobile.
Release Date
The album's release was preceded by a series of promotional activities. On July 6, YG Entertainment announced the new album and world tour, generating excitement among fans. The group then shared promo pictures on Instagram and released a trailer on YouTube, which garnered over 20 million views.
Album Versions
"Born Pink" was made available in various formats to cater to different fan preferences. These include:
Box Set Versions:
Available in Pink, Gray, and Black versions, each containing:
CD in the respective color
80-page photobook
Random large photocard (1 of 4)
Random postcard (1 of 4)
Random "selfie" postcard (1 of 4)
Random "instant films" (2 of 8)
Sticker set and poster
Target Exclusive Version: Includes the same contents as the box sets, plus a special sticker and fold-out group poster
Individual Member Digipacks: Featuring a CD in a special full-color sleeve of each member, plus a random photocard
Vinyl Record: A limited-edition pink vinyl available via the group's website
Digital Download: Available on platforms like Amazon Music
Pre-release Single
"Pink Venom" served as the pre-release single for "Born Pink." It was released on August 19, 2022, following an announcement on the group's sixth anniversary. BLACKPINK performed this track at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, making history as the first female K-pop group to do so. The release of "Pink Venom" was accompanied by concept teaser photos and videos, building anticipation for the album.
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Tracklist and Song Details
Pink Venom
"Pink Venom," the pre-release single, opens the album with a hip-hop-based track that blends traditional Korean instruments with EDM and pop-rap influences. The song showcases BLACKPINK's confidence and growing international popularity. It includes lyrical references to 1990s and 2000s hits, with Jennie's opening line alluding to The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Kick in the Door," and Lisa's verse interpolating Rihanna's "Pon de Replay".
Shut Down
The title track "Shut Down" samples Niccolò Paganini's classical composition "La campanella," mixed with hip-hop and trap elements. The song features strings and an insistent bass sound, composed in the key of B-flat minor with a tempo of 110 beats per minute. Lyrically, it addresses criticism from detractors, with the members taking turns to respond to their haters.
Other Tracks
"Yeah Yeah Yeah," co-written by Jisoo and Rosé, features a jagged guitar riff and synth-disco elements, reminiscent of the group's 2020 single "Lovesick Girls". "Hard to Love," a solo track by Rosé, incorporates 90s rock and roll influences with a funk-inspired guitar and bass groove. "Tally" is a rock-infused ballad with elements of hip-hop, discussing positivity and the importance of being oneself. The album closes with "Ready for Love," a dance-pop song featuring an EDM chorus and horn flares.
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Production and Collaborations
The production of BLACKPINK's "Born Pink" album involved a collaborative effort from various producers and songwriters. YG Entertainment stated that the album features "Blackpink-esque" music created with significant effort over an extended period. The label aimed to showcase the group's signature style while introducing new elements.
Producers
The album credits reveal a diverse team of producers, including 24, Alex Oriet, Bekuh BOOM, and at least 14 others. These producers worked to create a sound that aligns with BLACKPINK's identity while pushing boundaries.
Songwriters
"Born Pink" features contributions from numerous songwriters. The credits list 24, Alex Oriet, Bekuh BOOM, and at least 18 additional writers. Some members of BLACKPINK also participated in the songwriting process. Jisoo and Rosé co-wrote "Yeah Yeah Yeah," demonstrating their growing involvement in the creative process.
Bekuh BOOM, the writer of "Typa Girl," revealed that she had originally written the demo in 2021 at The Black Label's studio, initially considering it for Lisa's next solo single. American songwriter Freddy Wexler conceived "Hard to Love" during a jam session with friends and collaborated with Teddy, Lisa, and Rosé to refine the song.
Featured Artists
While the album doesn't feature any external artists, it does showcase the individual talents of BLACKPINK members. Notably, "Hard to Love" is a solo track by Rosé, incorporating 90s rock and roll influences with a funk-inspired guitar and bass groove.
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Music Videos and Visuals
Pink Venom MV
The music video for "Pink Venom" was directed by Seo Hyun-seung and achieved remarkable success on YouTube. It garnered 90.4 million views within 24 hours, making it the biggest 24-hour debut for a music video in 2022 and the third-largest of all time on the platform. The video reached 100 million views in just 29 hours.
The visuals in "Pink Venom" are striking and diverse. The video opens with Jisoo wearing a contemporary hanbok, playing a geomungo surrounded by hooded figures. It then transitions to scenes featuring each member in unique settings: Jennie breaking through a wall in a monster truck, Lisa in a pyramid room with a black apple, and Rosé in a stormy environment pulling a black heart from water.
The choreography, performed by the group and backup dancers, takes place in various settings, including a sandstorm and a jungle. The video has been praised for its fashion, with Elle India including it in their list of the Top 10 Most Fashionable K-Pop Music Videos of 2022.
Shut Down MV
"Shut Down" features a hip-hop style mixed with a classical sample of "La Campanella" by Niccolò Paganini. The music video is rich with references to BLACKPINK's previous works, creating a visual journey through their career. It opens with a scene reminiscent of "Playing with Fire" and includes callbacks to "Boombayah," "Whistle," and "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du".
The video showcases each member in iconic settings: Lisa on a truck referencing "Boombayah," Jennie on a glittery tank recalling "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du," Rosé swinging from a chandelier, and Jisoo with a pink umbrella while money rains down. The final scenes feature signs celebrating BLACKPINK's discography, including solo projects and collaborations.
Album Artwork
The digital cover art for "Born Pink" is minimalist yet striking. It consists of two pink fangs appearing from the top against a white background. The group's name and album title are displayed underneath in a grey font. This visual representation aligns with the album's title, which is an ode to the natural talent and individuality of the group members: Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa.
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Commercial Performance
Pre-order Records
BLACKPINK's "Born Pink" achieved remarkable pre-order success. YG Entertainment confirmed that the album surpassed 1.5 million pre-orders in just six days. This milestone was followed by an even more impressive achievement, as the album reached over two million copies in worldwide pre-orders by August 25, 2022. This made "Born Pink" the first album by a K-pop female act to achieve such a feat.
First-day Sales
The album's release day performance was equally impressive. "Born Pink" became the first album by a K-pop girl group to sell over one million copies on its first day on Hanteo, accomplishing this in less than 12 hours. By the end of its release day, the album had sold an impressive total of 1,542,950 copies, more than doubling BLACKPINK's previous first-week sales record of 689,066 set by their 2020 album "THE ALBUM".
Global Chart Performance
"Born Pink" made history on several global charts. In the United States, it debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 102,000 album-equivalent units, including 75,500 pure album sales. This achievement marked the first time an album by a female Korean act topped the chart and the first by a female group since 2008. The album also debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, making it the first album by a K-pop girl group to reach this milestone.
On the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts, all eight songs from "Born Pink" charted simultaneously. "Shut Down" debuted at number one on both charts, marking BLACKPINK's third No. 1 on Global Excl. U.S. and second on the Global 200. Collectively, the eight tracks amassed 371.5 million streams and sold 55,000 downloads worldwide in the week ending September 22.
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Critical Reception
Reviews from Music Critics
"Born Pink" received mixed reviews from music critics. Rolling Stone praised the album, giving it a score of 80 out of 100 and calling it "the great pop album they were born to make". AllMusic also awarded it 80 points, noting that the album matures BLACKPINK with stronger production and more personal lyrics.
However, some critics were less impressed. Pitchfork gave the album a score of 65, stating that the first half "never finds new footing". The New York Times described the album as "occasionally galvanic, and occasionally iterative," suggesting that when the group pushes into new territory, it doesn't leave much of an impact.
Fan Reactions
Fan reactions to "Born Pink" were overwhelmingly positive. On Metacritic, out of 791 user ratings, 625 were positive, 16 were mixed, and 150 were negative. Many fans praised the album's versatility and sound quality, with one user describing it as "perfection" and "a beautiful work of art".
Industry Impact
BLACKPINK's impact on the K-pop industry remains significant. The group has extended its success into various areas, including fashion and entertainment. Their influence has made them sought-after brand ambassadors, particularly in the luxury market. For instance, Jisoo's role as Dior's global ambassador has made her posts the most popular and influential among celebrities, especially during fashion weeks.
The group's absence from social media has even affected the fashion industry's media value. When BLACKPINK members posted less frequently for key brands like Dior and Saint Laurent, it resulted in a $28 million reduction in Earned Media Value for Paris's overall media value compared to September.
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Promotions and Live Performances
BLACKPINK's promotional activities for "Born Pink" included a variety of TV appearances, music show performances, and special events. The group's efforts to promote their album reached a global audience, showcasing their international appeal and popularity.
TV Appearances
BLACKPINK made several notable TV appearances to promote "Born Pink." One of their significant appearances was on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" where they performed for their fans. The group also participated in U.S. radio shows, marking their return to this promotional format after a considerable time. During these appearances, the members expressed their excitement about performing for their fans, with Lisa humorously stating, "I'm very happy to perform in front of BLINKs today".
Music Show Performances
While specific details about music show performances are not provided in the given information, it's worth noting that BLACKPINK's live performances have been a crucial part of their promotional strategy. Their performances have consistently showcased their talent and charisma, contributing to their growing global fanbase.
Special Events
BLACKPINK engaged in various special events to promote "Born Pink." A notable event was the "Spotify and BLACKPINK present Born Pink: The Pop-Up Experience" held in Los Angeles from September 16-18, 2022. During this two-day event, the group interacted with fans, posed for photos, and celebrated the album's release.
The group also made a casual stop at Target to share the contents of the "Born Pink" CD box set with their fans. These events provided unique opportunities for BLACKPINK to connect with their audience and promote their album in innovative ways.
Pink Venom MV
Conclusion
BLACKPINK's "Born Pink" album has solidified the group's position as a global powerhouse in the K-pop industry. The album showcases their signature style, blending pop and rock elements with their trademark swagger and confidence. While some critics argue that the album lacks musical evolution, others praise it as the great pop album BLACKPINK was born to make.
The album's production, led by YG Entertainment's team including Teddy Park, delivers a consistent sound that has become synonymous with BLACKPINK's identity. This consistency has both delighted fans and sparked debates about artistic growth. Some critics argue that the album falls flat against expectations of evolution, while others contend that BLACKPINK's formula has proven successful, questioning the need for change.
"Born Pink" features a mix of genres, with the group excelling particularly in rock-inspired anthems. The album's tracks, from the pre-release single "Pink Venom" to the title track "Shut Down," showcase BLACKPINK's versatility and charisma. While some songs, like "Ready For Love," have received mixed reactions from fans, the overall reception has been positive.
As BLACKPINK continues to dominate the global music scene, "Born Pink" stands as a testament to their impact on the K-pop industry. The album's commercial success and critical reception highlight the group's ability to captivate audiences worldwide, even as discussions about their musical direction continue.
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