A U.S. hip-hop magazine reports: ��Big Bang��s G-Dragon is Korea��s Kanye West��

Big Bang’s G-Dragon is drawing a lot of attention in the United States. The American hip-hop magazine XXL reported on G-Dragon in the December 11 issue under the title “Korean Rapper G-Dragon Talks K-Pop Hype, New EP, and Past Scandals.”

The magazine introduced G-Dragon as a representative rapper from Korea and talked about his music and potential. The magazine says, “And while the obedient ones make high sales and earn national darling status, what the critics and the kids want is someone who’s edgy. Enter Big Bang’s G-Dragon. Is he South Korea��s Kanye West? Certainly, it��s not an overstatement.”

The magazine also posted an interview with G-Dragon covering his debut, success, music, and scandals. In the interview, G-Dragon said, “I was about nine years old when I first heard Wu-Tang��s ‘C.R.E.A.M.’ I begged my mom to let me attend that school to learn how to rap, so I was featured on Hip-Hop Flex 2001, and that made headlines in Korea as I was the youngest rapper in the country.”

G-Dragon also talked about why he debuted as a member of an idol group instead of a rapper. “Taeyang and myself were trainees at YG for a long time, so we figured we would debut as a hip-hop duo. Since its foundation is based around hip-hop, I trusted the label��s directions.”

The magazine didn’t miss asking about his plagiarism scandal: “I thought it was just a lack of understanding of sampling in South Korea. Thoughts?” G-Dragon answered, “I think it��s totally understandable that people don��t grasp the concept of sampling. And everybody will have a different take on the song. It��s not really about right or wrong. Just because a select few believe it, does not mean they��re wrong, either. If they felt that way, then that��s what it is. At the end of the day, I��m not ashamed, so I don��t really comment on it.”

G-Dragon also mentioned the difference between himself as a solo artist and as a member of the group Big Bang. Then he talked about the state of the Korean music industry.

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