Biography
Born Kwon Ji-Yong in Seoul, South Korea, G-Dragon functions as a rapper while also handling songwriting and production duties. He secured a contract with YG Entertainment at age eleven and, several years afterward, entered the label’s prominent ensemble Big Bang, contributing substantial writing and production work to its output. The November 2008 album Remember reached the summit of Korea’s Gaon chart, and the majority of the group’s Japanese releases earned gold certification. Kwon issued his debut solo album Heartbreaker in August 2009; the project achieved major commercial success and likewise ascended to number one on the Gaon chart. He next paired with fellow Big Bang member TOP for the December 2010 release GD & TOP, an effort oriented more toward R&B and rap than the dance-pop emphasis of the group’s material. Kwon subsequently delivered his initial solo EP, One of a Kind, which claimed the top position on the Billboard World Albums chart. The September 2012 set was fronted by the chart-topping acoustic ballad “That XX” together with the hit single “Crayon.”
During 2013 Kwon unveiled his second studio album, Coup d'Etat, which included guest appearances from Diplo, Baauer, Missy Elliot, Boys Noize, Sky Ferreira, and BlackPink’s Jennie Kim. Once more leading both the Gaon and Billboard World Albums charts, Coup d'Etat received the World’s Best Album award at the 2014 World Music Awards. Subsequent pursuits in fashion and visual art accompanied a series of prominent collaborations, among them “Good Boy” with Taeyang in 2014, “Dirty Vibe” with Skrillex, Diplo, and CL in 2014, and “Temple” with Baauer and M.I.A. in 2016. Kwon’s second EP, the self-titled Kwon Ji-Yong, appeared in summer 2017. Issued exclusively on USB and comprising five tracks, the project topped the Billboard World Albums chart and Japan’s Oricon digital chart, marking the first occasion a Korean artist accomplished the feat.
During 2013 Kwon unveiled his second studio album, Coup d'Etat, which included guest appearances from Diplo, Baauer, Missy Elliot, Boys Noize, Sky Ferreira, and BlackPink’s Jennie Kim. Once more leading both the Gaon and Billboard World Albums charts, Coup d'Etat received the World’s Best Album award at the 2014 World Music Awards. Subsequent pursuits in fashion and visual art accompanied a series of prominent collaborations, among them “Good Boy” with Taeyang in 2014, “Dirty Vibe” with Skrillex, Diplo, and CL in 2014, and “Temple” with Baauer and M.I.A. in 2016. Kwon’s second EP, the self-titled Kwon Ji-Yong, appeared in summer 2017. Issued exclusively on USB and comprising five tracks, the project topped the Billboard World Albums chart and Japan’s Oricon digital chart, marking the first occasion a Korean artist accomplished the feat.
Albums
Singles
