G-Dragon’s New Track ‘POWER’ Makes Waves in Collaboration With EMPIRE. After a 7-year hiatus, G-DRAGON is back with his new single ‘POWER’. For this comeback, he signed with the label ‘EMPIRE’ owned by Palestinian-American Ghazi Shami.
G-DRAGON reaffirms his status as a powerhouse in the music industry with his latest single, Power. The track showcases his signature style, merging punchy beats with bold lyrics that embody his essence. This release marks a notable return following a seven-year hiatus and his departure from YG Entertainment, the company where he debuted as part of the group BIGBANG.
The song has been released under two labels: his own, Galaxy Production, and EMPIRE, a Palestinian-American-owned label based in San Francisco. Ghazi Shami, the founder of EMPIRE and a San Francisco native of Palestinian descent, has demonstrated tremendous support for Palestine during these times of hardships and turmoil. Since October 7th, as Palestine faces severe attacks from Israel, Shami has expressed solidarity through his social media. He has been vocal on Instagram, sharing images from Palestinian support marches he has attended as a form of support, and constantly posts updates regarding the atrocities that are currently happening in Palestine.
Courtesy of Galaxy Entertainment
EMPIRE is a distribution company that has collaborated with various artists, including Tyga and XXXTentacion. Recently, they collaborated with MC Abdul, a 16-year-old rapper from Palestine who has gained significant popularity for speaking out about the atrocities in Palestine through his music.
G-DRAGON’s choice to collaborate with EMPIRE has sparked numerous discussions on social media, with fans and the wider public interpreting this move as intentional and significant. As the first K-pop idol to sign with a label whose CEO openly supports Palestine, G-DRAGON’s decision has drawn admiration from fans. Many praised the artist, particularly as some in the K-pop industry have faced criticism for affiliations with Zionist brands or products.
The collaboration between G-DRAGON and EMPIRE Records has been perceived by the public as a significant statement from the artist. Though he has yet to publicly address the devastating atrocities currently happening in Palestine, G-DRAGON is known for his bold and unapologetic stance on various issues which makes it more likely that the move is intentional. Although he has not elaborated on his reasons for signing with EMPIRE Records, this move has been widely commended as one of the first actions by a K-pop idol in support of Palestine. Given his considerable influence, it is hoped that more artists will consider following his lead and help raise awareness of the ongoing turmoil in Palestine. (Text Emily Naima)
Watch the music video below: