YG Entertainment is under scrutiny after being called out by American hip hop legends J.J. Fad for allegedly using their iconic track “Supersonic” without proper clearance in BABYMONSTER’s recent song “HOT SAUCE.”
The controversy erupted when J.J. Fad posted a TikTok video comparing the melodies of the two tracks side by side. The trio, known for their influence in old-school hip hop, pointed out striking similarities and revealed they were neither contacted nor compensated for the interpolation.
“We definitely are flattered that @babymonster\ yg did an interpolation of Supersonic. The problem is they never asked for permission to use it, or paid for the usage! Better reach out soon or…” the group wrote on their official TikTok account.
In the music industry, interpolation refers to re-recording a portion of a melody from a previous track, as opposed to direct sampling. While this technique is common in K-pop such as BLACKPINK’s “Pink Venom” referencing Rihanna’s “Pon de Replay”, or IVE’s “After LIKE” nodding to Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” it still legally requires permission and licensing from the original rights holders.
What has intensified the backlash is the lack of response from YG Entertainment, especially as the label has faced past criticism over its use of Black cultural elements without proper acknowledgment or credit.
On social media, international fans and industry observers have voiced concern, calling the alleged oversight disrespectful and unprofessional. Some have highlighted that this situation is not just about creative borrowing it’s about respecting the pioneers who laid the groundwork for the genres K-pop frequently draws from.
As of now, YG Entertainment has made no official statement regarding the claims. Whether the label will issue a response or resolve the matter with J.J. Fad remains to be seen, but the situation underscores the growing need for transparent and respectful cultural collaboration in global pop music.
Koreaboo
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