BLACKPINK's Lisa and Tyla Release Collaboration 'WHEN I'M WITH YOU,' Dominating Global Charts
Afrobeats Meets K-pop: A Global Chart Phenomenon
BLACKPINK member Lisa has taken the global music scene by storm with her new collaboration featuring Grammy Award winner Tyla.
Released on May 16 at 10:00 PM KST, the single "WHEN I'M WITH YOU" has immediately captured worldwide attention, topping the Apple Music Global Chart and reaching #2 on Spotify's Global Top 50 within hours of its release.
The collaboration marks the first partnership between these two global powerhouses and had generated significant buzz before its release. Tyla, the South African music sensation, rose to international prominence after winning "Best African Music Performance" at the 67th Grammy Awards in 2024 for her hit single "Water."
"Breaking Genre Boundaries with Fresh Sound"
"WHEN I'M WITH YOU" is a dynamic dance track that masterfully blends the rhythmic energy of Afrobeats with the polished production values of K-pop. Music critics have praised the song for its infectious chorus and the contrasting artistic styles that create a compelling musical synergy.
Lisa's powerful rap verses paired with Tyla's smooth, melodious vocals ride atop a high-tempo beat that industry insiders are already predicting will become a global summer anthem ahead of the 2025 season.
The accompanying music video, featuring elaborate costumes, sets, and flawless choreography showcasing the chemistry between the two artists, surpassed 20 million views on YouTube within just 12 hours of release. The visual aesthetic particularly stands out for its fusion of traditional African elements with contemporary styling.
Solidifying Solo Star Power
Since establishing her own label LLOUD last year and focusing on solo projects, Lisa has continued to strengthen her position as an independent global artist. After breaking into Billboard charts with her debut solo tracks "LALISA" and "MONEY," she further cemented her international appeal with last year's release "ROCKSTAR."
"Lisa is transcending the traditional K-pop idol framework by collaborating with artists from diverse genres and cultural backgrounds, evolving into a true global artist," says music critic Jin Park. "This collaboration with Tyla represents a fresh approach that successfully merges Afrobeats with K-pop, satisfying fans from both worlds."
A music industry executive notes, "The fusion of K-pop and Afrobeats has been emerging as a significant trend in the global music market. Lisa and Tyla's partnership exemplifies the successful potential of this cross-genre collaboration."
Momentum Building Ahead of World Tour
A representative from Lisa's label LLOUD stated, "This collaboration represents one of many musical explorations Lisa is pursuing," adding that "it serves as a stepping stone toward offering global listeners new musical experiences."
The representative further commented, "We plan to continue presenting music that transcends genre boundaries through various collaborations with global artists."
Lisa is scheduled to embark on her first solo world tour, "LISA: ROCKSTAR WORLD TOUR," beginning in Bangkok this June. The tour will cover 20 cities across Asia, North America, and Europe.
Meanwhile, Tyla is set to perform in Seoul in July as part of her Asian tour, sparking speculation about whether fans might witness a live collaborative performance between the two artists.