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“K-pop collaboration is expected to create synergy,’ U.S. producer says

“K-pop collaboration is expected to create synergy,’ U.S. producer says

Posted September. 27, 2017 07:52,   

Updated September. 27, 2017 08:29

한국어

“The age of World Music 2.0 has emerged. As part of the new age, I have started collaboration with K-pop,” U.S. famous music producer Fernando Garibay said at his key note speech on Tuesday, the first day of the Seoul International Music Fair (hereinafter referred to as “Mu:Con”). He has been producing albums for many pop stars, such as Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, Kylie Minogue and Sia, and received the name “Midas of Divas.”

During a meeting and lecture at the music fair on Tuesday, Garibay frequently referred to the term “World Music 2.0,” which implies a new synergy arising from growing digital transaction that converges music from different cultures.

He mentioned the Bangtan Boys (BTS) when talking about the song “Despacito (Remix),” which tied for the longest run at this year’s Billboard list for 16 weeks, the most weeks at No.1 ever for a single. “Despacito created an explosive synergy with the convergence of two cultures as Puerto Rican singers Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee collaborated with U.S. popstar Justin Bieber,” said Galibay. “The Bangtan Boys’ collaboration with Chain Smokers on the latest song also demonstrates this kind of trend.”

On Thursday, the last day of this year’s Mu:Con, Garibay is planning to unveil ballad song “Lay Your Head on Me” that he collaborated with Crush, a Korean R&B singer. “Working with K-pop and collaborating remotely were all new to me,” said the producer. “I really like World Music 2.0’s new model experiment.”

Fernando Garibay is a Mexican-American and feels the power of Latin culture in the music industry more than anyone else. “The popularity of BTS in Mexico is now surging exponentially. The Latin market’s rapid growth has been achieved along with the U.S. mainstream market, which led to the success of the Despacito,” said Garibay. “This is because the Latins are very open to new music and culture.”

He also lectures at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “I will continue to develop a curriculum that can foster prominent pop artists,” said Garibay. “The goal of my life is to unite people and the world through music, and give strength to those who suffer.”

“Korean singers such as EXO, BTS and Crush all deeply understand R&B or Hip-hop of the West and do an excellent job in materializing it with extreme sophistication,” he said. “I will make efforts to understand K-pop more, while making contribution to creating synergy among cultures.”



imi@donga.com