So, Blackpink is the revolution. Why? Because the counterrevolution is already here. After Blackpink followed the trailblazing artistry of Kanye West, now K-Pop bands are taking after Jacob Collier’s neo-jazz counterrevolution to the romantic excesses of hip hop in Drake. But alas, the course correction is tired and the jazz/romantic era is over. Blackpink is back with baroque hip hop, and it is refreshing for Born Pink to be released now.
But something must be conceded to the romanticism of the day. Otherwise the lesser acts of the ‘Fourth Wave’ of K-Pop will claim the crown for themselves. And the world is not ready for this. We need Blackpink to reassert its dominance over popular music until an act worthy of succession to the musical throne arises from the ashes of contemporary culture. We don’t need a new wannabe Mozart. We need a new Bach to lay the foundations for a new genre of music. Blackpink is the revolution. Now we need to lay the foundations to safeguard the revolution against contenders and pretenders to the golden throne. Shall we begin?
Disclaimer: Any similarity between names mentioned and actual individuals is purely accidental and largely theoretical. These are fun ideas to entertain but, as always, I may be mistaken. After all, what do I know?
Edmund Wilson 