Within the more and more world Okay-pop business, ZICO epitomizes the idea of a multi-hyphen musician after establishing himself as a rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, boy-band chief, tv host and label CEO. However the 31-year-old can now add Billboard chart-topper to his resume because of his newest single, “Spot!” that includes Jennie of BLACKPINK.
Launched on April 26 to mark the HYBE artist’s first time dropping a tune among the many globally targeted New Music Friday releases, “Spot!” unleashes ZICO’s newest providing as a hook-heavy, feel-good pop/hip-hop hybrid. Just like his singles comparable to viral smash “Any Track” or “Summer time Hate” alongside Okay-pop legend Rain, the playfully buoyant “Spot!” lets the duo bounce by means of bars to shout out the numerous meanings that “hit the spot” can conjure.
The collab caught on rapidly Stateside, with “Spot!” debuting at No. 1 on Billboard‘s World Digital Track Gross sales chart, marking ZICO’s first-ever No. 1 on a U.S. Billboard gross sales chart. It’s Jennie’s second time ruling the chart after her debut “Solo” single did so again in 2018.
“Spot!” offered 1,000 copies in U.S. in its preliminary April 26-Could 2 monitoring week, in keeping with Luminate. It additionally registered 2.5 million official U.S. streams in the identical interval.
However the affect of “Spot!” was not confined to the U.S. The collab debuted at No. 24 on the Billboard International 200 chart with 47 million streams and 5,000 downloads, and in addition earned a No. 8 debut on the Billboard International Excl. U.S. with 44.5 million official world streams (excluding U.S. exercise) within the monitoring week, and 4,000 downloads (excluding U.S. gross sales).
Sharing his response to the good chart information with Billboard, ZICO expressed his gratitude, saying, “I really feel like a brand new chapter has opened up for me as a musician.”
Learn on for extra from ZICO about working with Jennie, how he approaches collaborating for his new music selection present and what’s subsequent.
Congratulations on the success of “Spot!” It’s your first No. 1 on a U.S. Billboard gross sales chart. What was your response to the chart information?
I really feel like a brand new chapter has opened up for me as a musician. The tune’s attain to Billboard, past Korea, fills me with immense gratitude. I’m desirous to share this pleasure with everybody who contributed to creating this venture a actuality.
You’ve collaborated extensively within the Okay-pop world. Is there one thing significantly charming about Jennie that impresses you?
Every little thing about her is charming. From vocals and visuals to appearing, in addition to her sense of professionalism in bringing the tune to fruition — it’s all these items mixed. However personally, I believe it was her professionalism.
How was it filming the music video? It seemed such as you two have been having a blast.
It was our first time getting dressed up and seeing one another in entrance of a digital camera [like that]. At first, it felt a bit awkward and humorous, so we had a tough time holding again our laughter, however it was these candid moments that have been captured on digital camera for a pure end result.
Do you might have a favourite Jennie or BLACKPINK tune?
I had the prospect to peek at Jennie’s to-be-released solo observe demos — there have been so many good ones.
I perceive you might have quite a lot of respect for the creative course of. You host a brand new music selection present, The Seasons: Artist With ZICO. How do you strategy spotlighting different artists’ work?
I consider my function is to help the bigger viewers in comprehending the distinctive allure of every artist with essentially the most enjoyable and contemporary perspective, so I dedicate quite a lot of effort to this facet. However most significantly, it’s not solely about music. Slightly, it’s concerning the chemistry, just like the candidness and wit, that may come from any second — I need these moments to be pleasing little experiences for many individuals so I actually attempt to concentrate on each small second.
It sounds such as you’re an observer. Are you seeing or feeling a bigger affect together with your new tune?
I’ve seen a shift by which extra covers, reactions, and challenges [for “Spot!”] are coming from abroad in comparison with Korea, which differs from my previous songs.
Have any new concepts or plans emerged on account of the achievements or chart success?
At this time, after interested by these questions, I’m beginning a kick-off assembly for my subsequent venture!