AKMU Lands on Billboard’s “21 Under 21: Music’s Hottest Minors 2014”
[스포츠조선 = 이정혁 기자] YG Entertainment(YG)’s brother-sister duo AKDONG MUSICIAN (or AKMU), landed on Billboard’s “21 Under 21” as one of the hottest artists under 21.
On Sept. 25, Billboard.com released the “21 Under 21: Music’s Hottest Minors 2014,” listing 21 hottest artists under 21. AKMU was the only K-pop star and Asian band to make the list, attracting media attention worldwide.
Billboard highly praised the immense potential of the 21 artists that were picked, saying, “Billboard.com’s 2014 edition of 21 Under 21 is our annual ranking of music’s most powerful minors, and perhaps the most impressive crop of under-21 stars we’ve ever assembled.” It also added, “These 21 artists have already accomplished a great deal, but are safe bets to continue finding success as they edge toward adulthood.”
Billboard introduced AKMU as “A year after winning Korea’s American Idol-esque competition K-pop Star 2, AKMU hit the scene with their debut full-length “PLAY” in April 2014.” It also said, “The duo also earned top 10 hits with their second and third singles, the peppy “GIVE LOVE” (No. 3) and melancholic ballad “MELTED” (No. 8). And “PLAY” felt love stateside, hitting No. 20 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart — a rare feat for a new K-pop act — and snagging a No. 2 slot on World Albums.”
AKMU’s April album “PLAY” was widely popular with songs that revealed their sense of humor, creativity, and genuineness such as “200%” and “GIVE LOVE.”
Justin Bieber, Mehgan Trainor, and Cody Simpson were among the artists that were named on “21 Under 21: Music’s Hottest Minors 2014” with AKMU.
Meanwhile, YG’s another artist LEE HI made the list last year, marking the only Asian artist named on Billboard’s “21 Under 21: Music’s Hottest Minors 2013.”
2014. 9. 25.
