BLACKPINK’s talents in hip-hop and dance-pop helped the all-female squad get ahead early.
BLACKPINK kicked things off with its album Square One. Featuring songs “Whistle” and “Boombayah,” Square One reinvented typical K-pop elements with an edgier trap-style energy. Eventually, this would become BLACKPINK’s signature sound.
“Whistle” and “Boombayah” left lasting impressions not only in South Korea, but in the U.S. as well. Following its swift climb up the charts, BLACKPINK released Square Two in late 2016. Square Two was a massive success thanks to the tracks “Playing with Fire” and “Stay.” Soon enough, BLACKPINK became the first K-pop girl group to land on the Canadian music charts.
The group’s next single “As If It’s Your Last” hit the airwaves in 2017 and paved the way for a stellar Japanese debut. The group’s self-titled EP included re-recorded Japanese versions of previous songs. After soaring to the top of Japan’s charts, the group followed up in 2018 with Re:BLACKPINK, a re-release of the EP which included both Korean- and Japanese-language versions of each track.
BLACKPINK’s rise took the ultimate turn with its 2018 EP Square Up. International hit single “DDU-DU DDU-DU” was the perfect example of high-energy “K-trap.” The song’s accompanying music video became one of the most-watched K-pop videos on YouTube, with over one billion views. It was no surprise the track also landed BLACKPINK a coveted spot on the Billboard Hot 100, a first for any all-female K-pop group.
The band’s worldwide popularity shifted as they sealed a deal with Interscope/Universal. Later in 2018, a highly-anticipated collaboration alongside popstar and label partner Dua Lipa on “Kiss and Make Up” set BLACKPINK up for more global success. After the song left a memorable mark on the U.S. and U.K. charts, the girl group released another Japanese-language compilation titled BLACKPINK in Your Area.
In 2019, the K-pop quartet expanded its discography with another top-notch EP. Kill This Love set the tone for the band’s upcoming worldwide debut. BLACKPINK’s next single “How You Like That” was its seventh track to climb high on the global charts, proving the band was an international force to be reckoned with.
In addition to Dua Lipa, the group worked closely with pop phenoms like Lady Gaga on “Sour Candy” and Selena Gomez on “Ice Cream.” By securing these collabs, the K-pop band set the standard for their full-length debut.
Due to long-lasting success, BLACKPINK embarked on numerous tours. A string of arena performances from 2018 to 2020 spanned across the globe and kept the band’s popularity at an all-time high. Dedicated fans saw the all-female quartet up close and personal as it put on a must-see show.
2020’s The Album was BLACKPINK’s first full-length studio album, with eight high-energy tracks – including “Bet You Wanna,” featuring rapper Cardi B. With this collaboration and more dance-pop vibes, The Album cemented next-level acclaim among fans and fellow musicians. The LP took well-deserved top spots in countries like South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S.
BLACKPINK’s sophomore album Born Pink took the world by storm in 2022. No one could deny its power, especially after the release of lead single “Pink Venom.” Other favorites like “Shut Down” helped Born Pink set more records for the K-pop genre. In its first week, the LP hit number one in the U.S.
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