Fantasy K-Pop Collab: Taeyang + Usher

Collaborations between different artists are common in the music world. They transcend genres, styles, ages, and races. But Korean singers have been all too absent from the collaborative music scene.

What's up with that? Many international musicians have expressed interest in collaborating with K-Pop artists, so why haven't they?

Sure there are a few examples here and there (Se7en's attempt at breaking into the US market in 2009 with "Girls" featuring Lil' Kim and Psy's soon-to-be-released single with 2Chainz), but none that have been taken very seriously by the music industry as a whole.

It is time for a push.

Each week, Fantasy K-Pop Collab will bring you a matchup of two artists (one Korean and one international) we think should make music together.

This week: Taeyang and Usher.

For a point of reference, let's examine two videos - Taeyang's "I'll Be There" and "Scream" by Usher.


"I'll Be There" was released on Taeyang's Solar album in 2010. Solar charted at No. 2 on the iTunes Top R&B-Soul albums chart in the US and No. 1 in Canada. He was the first Asian ever to do so.


"Scream" was released in 2012 on Usher's album Looking 4 Myself. It peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 list.

A collaboration between the two seems obvious for Taeyang fans, especially considering on multiple occasions he has said how much he idolizes Usher. The American singer is also one of the biggest influences on Taeyang's music, as we can undoubtedly see in "I'll Be There." The track (and Solar as a whole) is reminiscent of Usher's 2004 album Confessions with hints of Raymond vs. Raymond which was also released in 2010.

The singers share similar R&B vocals and their catalog of songs provide a good blend of soulful singing and dance beats. Taeyang and Usher have also both been relatively unapologetic about their intermittent use of auto-tune to produce an altered vocal effect, as it gives their dance tracks added dimension.

In the US, Usher is regarded as one of the best dancers of our time, and the same goes for his Korean counterpart. Their moves definitely make us wonder who would win in a You Got Served-style dance-off.

Additionally, it is hard to deny that Taeyang and Usher both seem to have a penchant for partial nudity. More often than not, in their music videos and live performances, the performers are shirtless and showing off their abs.

A match made in Heaven, right?

So what exactly would a collaboration with Taeyang and Usher look like?

It would undoubtedly be a dance track with a solid beat; something up-tempo with an attention-grabbing hook and a memorable chorus. We would hope that the song would display the broad range of singing the two of them bring to the table, but could take or leave the auto-tune. It would also inevitably have to involve some out-of-this-world choreography.

Lyrically, as they say - sex sells. And since both Usher and Taeyang have made a career out of showing off their chiseled physiques, it is safe to say sexy lyrics are a good route to go.

Taeyang is expected to release his second solo album under his label YG Entertainment sometime this year. No plans have been announced for Usher's next project - but let's just hope it involves a collaboration with Taeyang!

Writer/Columnist: Annie S.

Tags
Taeyang
usher
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