Kelly Nguyen is a GRAMMY.com contibutor.
Over the last decade, the world has gotten to know CHAEYOUNG as part of K-pop phenoms TWICE. With her first solo release, LIL FANTASY vol. 1, the K-pop star isn't just reintroducing herself — she's giving herself permission to show the world who she truly is. "I didn't really get a lot of chances to be vulnerable in public. I…
From breaking records to making history, K-pop superstars BLACKPINK have taken over the world since their 2016 debut. Along the way, all four members have established themselves as stars in their own right — and on Dec. 6, ROSÉ fully introduced herself with rosie. Across 12 tracks, ROSÉ creates an introspective masterpiece for her debut studio album, which expands upon…
Before this year, Chappell Roan had never even been to Coachella. Now, not only can she say she's attended — she's performed in the desert, too. Roan played an evening set on the Gobi Stage on April 12, and is set to return for Weekend 2. Fans clad in everything from cowboy boots, Sandy Liang-inspired bows and, perhaps most importantly,…
On the first Saturday of Coachella, No Doubt made a striking comeback on the festival's main stage for their first performance together in nine years. Originating from Anaheim, California in 1986, the band is celebrated for their eclectic sound that defies easy categorization — from the ska-punk vibrancy of their early days to the polished pop anthems that later defined…
K-pop’s reach has expanded exponentially over the past decade, bringing some of Korea’s biggest pop stars to the West for sold-out tours, history-making performances, and a number of cross-cultural collabs. K-pop touring acts accounted for a record high of 5.1 percent of the 100 highest-grossing tours globally in 2023 according to Billboard. K-pop’s reach has been palpable in regions outside…
Since releasing her debut single three years ago, Olivia Rodrigo has not shown any signs of slowing down. And with a sold-out arena tour underway, the three-time GRAMMY winner is keeping that momentum going in awe-inspiring fashion. As the GUTS World Tour — Rodrigo's first headlining arena trek — kicked off at Palm Springs' Acrisure Arena on Feb. 23, the…
For UMI, there's comfort in spontaneity. When you take a look at her typical creative process, it's not an exact science — and that's precisely the point. In between those moments where the neo-soul/R&B singer/songwriter felt inscrutable or moments where she wished there'd been an easy Google answer for how to be happy, she found herself in nature. No plan,…
When SZA and Doja Cat won a GRAMMY for their joint effort on the ebullient "Kiss Me More" in 2022, Doja underscored exactly what makes SZA brilliant. "You are the epitome of talent. You're a lyricist," she said. "You're everything." Eight months later, SZA debuted her second album, SOS, solidifying her status as a force in the industry. SOS spent…
B.I has embodied multiple personas over the near-decade since he launched into the K-pop limelight: producer, singer, songwriter, group member, label executive, soloist. He pioneered iKON’s uniquely boisterous sound, and has written hit tracks for K-pop's biggest artists, including his own group’s earworm "Love Scenario" and "Whistle" for former labelmate Blackpink. In his early career, B.I showed a talent for…
