Responding to a growing need for authentic Korean pop music for on-screen projects, ALIBI Music enlisted one of the genre’s top songwriters to help create its newest K-pop production music. Darren Ellis Smith is an award-winning composer and Billboard charter, who has over 80 major label releases with top K-pop groups such as Twice, Monsta X, NCT, Girls Generation, Red Velvet, SHINee and EXO, among others.
Smith composed the music for ALIBI’s newly released album, “K-Pop 3,” which features the vocals of artist Selin Park. Drawing inspiration from his work for some of the best female groups, as well as edgier acts like Black Pink, New Jeans and aespa, Smith focused this new album’s theme on empowerment, friendship and love.
“I approached this album the same as I would when I write for K-pop groups, so each song I wrote in English to start. After I finished writing and producing each song, Selin would come to my studio and we would discuss which parts to change to Korean and which to keep in English,” Smith explained. “I think it turned into a wonderful collaboration and I’m looking forward to working with her and ALIBI more.”
Smith is already working on additional music for ALIBI, but you can check out his debut ALIBI album here:
- K-Pop 3 (11 Tracks, 495 Audio Files, LISTEN) Immerse yourself in tracks that pulsate with the unmistakable rhythm of K-pop, seamlessly blending Korean and English language vocals in a fusion that's both exotic and universally relatable. The world of K-pop is one of color, vivacity and unbridled enthusiasm, and "K-Pop 3" encapsulates it all. From catchy hooks that linger long after the song ends to melodies that set your heart racing, this album is a celebration of music's power to transcend boundaries.
Additionally, read a feature Q&A with Darren Ellis Smith here: https://alibimusic.com/blog/inspired-q-and-a-with-award-winning-k-pop-songwriter-darren-ellis-smith