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K-pop's dynamic multinational girl group BLACKSWAN made a much-awaited comeback with their first EP album Roll Up on July 31, 2024.
The group debuted in 2020 under DR MUSIC with their full-length album Goodbye RANIA. While the group originally included both Korean and non-Korean members, the current finalized lineup of all non-Korean members was established in 2022, with new members Sriya (India), Gabi (Brazil), and NVee (USA), joining the existing member Fatou (Senegal/Belgium).
As the new global quartet, BLACKSWAN's first release was with the single album That Karma on May 19, 2023.
The new EP Roll Up boasts four songs, presenting an eclectic blend of genres. While the title track, Roll Up, is a girl crush dance anthem, C'est jamais vue has a deep house genre, groovy beat, and catchy melody.
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Dlouble Down features a summer mood with peppy beats and trendy synths, as La Boum merges a bit of retro and a dash of contemporary with synth-pop/new wave sounds.
Leading the creative aspects of the new release were talented producers who have previously worked with BTS, BLACKPINK, Kep1er, Red Velvet, and more. Talents like Rob Grimaldi, Alina Smith (LYRE), Lauren Dyson, A. Wright, Alex Schwoebel, Rence, Matty Michna, and others were on board for BLACKSWAN's new EP.
While the song Roll Up was penned by Bay, Jeon Se-hee, and Yoon of the renowned music group 153/Joombas, the powerful choreography was curated by top-tier choreographer KANY (SHINee, Beyoncé, etc.). Sagan Lee of ZANYBROS who was responsible for BLACKSWAN's Karma filmed in Odisha, India, directed the MV along with her team in locations across Korea and Dubai.
BLACKSWAN's Fatou paired up with LEANON to write C'est jamais vue, produced by Blurred Line Publishing. Meanwhile, the music video for Roll Up crossed a million views on YouTube, within a week of its release.
Fans have much to anticipate as member NVee herself stated,
"Just know we have a lot in store for you."
Speaking with SK POP's Sreejita Karmakar, BLACKSWAN talked in detail about the new release, their individual preparatory processes ahead of the comeback, fun moments from Dubai including the recent Dubai Waterbomb experience, stepping out of comfort zones, and more.
"Let's do this together LUMINA!" - Here's what BLACKSWAN had to say about Roll Up and their artistic journey
Q) Thanks for joining us BLACKSWAN! Congratulations on the new release with Roll Up. Since this is your first EP album, could you take us behind the scenes of its inception, inspiration, and overall concept? How do you think Roll Up is different from your May 2023 release with That Karma?
Fatou: Roll Up is more of a powerful and girl power type of song while Karma was about a boy.
NVee: We all wanted a new sound but still keep the strong confidence that Karma gives. So they put more of a strong, sexy, hip, groove which made Roll Up!
Gabi: In this release, we came back more united and stronger! Not just among us but also with our LUMINAs (the group's fans). Different from Karma, Roll Up has a concept based on the Wild West, a Western concept that talks about encouraging other people to "Roll Up" with us and about self-confidence.
Sriya: Hello, thank you for having us. Roll Up is more of a Western concept it shows the girl power fighting against all odds and no one can stop us. If you think you’re hot then come and roll with us. Our new Roll Up EP album shows different sides of BLACKSWAN something new and also the 4 tracks have different vibes and feelings, which makes it more interesting. In this album, you can see different sides of each member.
Q) The new title track Roll Up, featuring a girl crush concept, was produced by a talented team including the Grammy-nominated Rob Grimaldi (who worked with BTS) and penned by 153/Joombas (known for ITZY, NMIXX, etc.). How was it working with these industry veterans? Was there any pressure?
Fatou: It was an honor to work with them and since they made us feel comfortable, it was a pleasure!
NVee: I was very grateful and excited when they told us we would be working with them. It made me want to work even harder on making this album look and sound amazing! I just want to thank them for their hard work on this album.
Gabi: I for sure wanted to give the best of me! I felt honored to be able to work with these amazing veteran artists!
Sriya: It was an honor to be able to work with them, I got to learn so many things, there was a time when I used to listen to their songs and now it’s a privilege to work with them is something special to me.
Q) The Roll Up MV was filmed in Korea and Dubai and is inspiring awe and admiration for its scenic landscapes. Could BLACKSWAN give us some snippets from the video's filming days? Perhaps some anecdotes and memories that have stayed with you?
Fatou: While filming in Dubai it was SO HOT!
NVee: I remember shooting my individual scene in Dubai. This was the scene where I was walking in the desert. I just remember it being scorching bright that I couldn’t see. I also was walking on the sand in high heel boots! Haha, I tried to make the walk look so natural, but in reality, I was very wobbly like a baby calf!
Gabi: I was amazed when we arrived at the destruction scenario and saw so many dancers who were going to record with us. I felt appreciation towards them.
Sriya: Dubai was very beautiful, especially the desert landscape where we filmed, we had an amazing time and experience. It was very hot and windy but it was fun. Our hats were flying away.
Q) Fatou and LEANON's dynamic duo collaborated on the lyrics of C'est jamais vue from the new EP. Fatou, you have a creative synergy with LEANON from past collaborations, including your own Letter 1 - Adaeh. How is working with him on BLACKSWAN's project different from collaborating with him on your personal music?
Fatou: For my personal projects it’s more personal, while for the group I have to think about all of the members and their strong points.
Q) NVee, you have been credited for the chorus of all four songs from Roll Up. As you are the main vocalist of BLACKSWAN, how do you bring your own flavor to a song while blending your voice with those of the other members? Do you have specific vocal techniques or elements for your parts?
NVee: When I blend my voice with my members, I actually don’t style my voice too much. Only enough to bring out my members' voice. I just focus on matching their vocal tone and placement. Whether it be putting my sound more forward or heady, or even more chest. Or even adjust how light or strong I sound. I listen to my members' style of singing more than I do my own. In order to blend with them well. The only time I will add a little bit of my style is if it will complement the main vocals and sound altogether.
Q) Gabi, BLACKSWAN has performed and appeared on several celebrated stages - Korean music programs, Seoul Fashion Week 2024, the 2023 Hockey World Cup in India, etc. You even recently featured on WEEKLY IDOL with Fatou. How do you prepare yourself ahead of these appearances considering the diversity of the audience and the platforms?
Gabi: Even though sometimes I might not need or use it, I always try to search and learn more about the event that we are participating in. It makes me feel more connected and ready to be there.
Q) Sriya, as the main dancer of BLACKSWAN, you are usually a powerhouse of confidence and execute choreographies effortlessly. While working with renowned choreographer KANY on Roll Up, did you find it particularly easy or difficult to master the steps? Which BLACKSWAN dance routine according to you is the hardest?
Sriya: Honestly, working with KANY on Roll Up was an exciting challenge! As the main dancer, I'm used to picking up choreography quickly, but KANY's unique style and attention to detail pushed me out of my comfort zone. Mastering the steps took a lot of time and practice, still lacking in so many aspects but it was an incredible learning experience. As for the hardest BLACKSWAN dance routine, I'd say it's definitely Roll Up. Thanks to KANY for making us stronger and bringing us out of our comfort zone and helping us gain confidence, without KANY this wouldn’t have been possible.
Q) The music video for Roll Up features a strong Wild West theme, reflected in the set, the costumes, and the beginning music for the MV. What was the inspiration behind picking this concept?
Fatou: Our staff, visual director, and MV director came up with it.
NVee: We really wanted to show a strong, confident, sexy concept. So our MV director took some inspiration from Beyoncé’s Run the World (Girls) which led to a Western theme. So they thought, "Let’s do a Wild West concept!"
Q) BLACKSWAN's song Double Down was pre-released at the Dubai Waterbomb stage. What was it like to debut the song live in front of the audience?
Fatou: So electric! We were all excited.
NVee: I think it was a surreal experience that we got to do that. I just remember talking to my manager about the setlist for Waterbomb and thinking that we should give them something new. So I asked if we could perform it, and the rest is history. I’m just glad LUMINA could get a small taste of what we had in store for them. They seemed to take a huge liking to the song! Which I am glad! Their happiness and excitement make me happy!
Gabi: I felt really excited, was looking forward to seeing our LUMINA's reaction. And I think it was a good way of hyping up for the album release.
Sriya: It was very fun especially since we were waiting eagerly to showcase our new song for a long time. Glad that LUMINA liked it and they had fun together with us. It’s always precious to see them having fun and enjoying our songs with a smile on their faces.
Q) The new EP features a diverse range of genres, from the aggressive beats of Roll Up to the deep house vibes of C'est jamais vue, the bouncy summer mood of Double Down, and the synth-pop and new wave mix in La Boum. How did BLACKSWAN approach blending these different styles and experimenting with such genres for the comeback?
Fatou: We practiced and experimented a lot on our vocal sounds and tones.
NVee: At first I thought, "Are these songs gonna fit together?" since each has a very different sound and concept. But once we finished everything and heard the mastered versions. They actually connect very well together. Just trust the process.
Gabi: As our motto, "be unique", showing a different range of genres is one of our purposes.
Sriya: It was a bit difficult at first but fun at the same time experimenting and getting to learn something new. This time the four songs had a very different style and feeling. Our teachers guided us to feel the song rather than just singing it, you have to try your best to adapt & understand the genre & style of the music and make it your own. And be more confident to be able to project it well.
Q) As we near the end of the interview, here's a quick and light rapid-fire round:
a) Your currently most-played song on your individual playlists?
Fatou: Satellite - SHINee
NVee: Crying for Rain - MINAMI
Gabi: WORK - ATEEZ
Sriya: Bad Dreams - Faouzia
b) Any location in the world where BLACKSWAN would love to holiday as a team?
Fatou: Vietnam.
NVee: I would love for us to take a cruise together to Belize.
Gabi: Brazil!!!
Sriya: There’s a lot but wanna go to Hawaii, Bali, and Paris.
c) What would the members be doing if they were not in BLACKSWAN?
Fatou: I’d be a stewardess.
NVee: I would be an actress or (working at/running) a patisserie.
Gabi: I'm pretty sure we all would or still be doing music or something involving art.
Sriya: Dance choreographer / Athlete.
d) Dream collaboration for each member?
Fatou: Kendrick Lamar.
NVee: Bruno Mars and Park Jimin선배님 (seonbae-nim).
Gabi: Jeongyeon from TWICE.
Sriya: Faouzia, Tyla, & many more.
e) What do you do to unwind after a long & busy day?
Fatou: Watch YouTube videos.
NVee: I watch anime while eating wings.
Gabi: I think the most honest answer would be sleep!
Sriya: Go to bed and sleep.
Q) Finally, does BLACKSWAN have any message for our Sportskeeda readers and your dedicated LUMINA?
Fatou: Thank you so much for supporting and waiting for us! We have a lot more prepared so let’s have fun together. Love you forever!
NVee: Thank you so much for your patience in waiting for this comeback I know it was long but I’m so grateful you stuck with us. Just know we have a lot in store for you and we will give you amazing performances from here on out! Let’s do this together LUMINA! I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Gabi: Thank you so much for your support and love us! Please give a lot of love to our First EP Roll Up! Can't waitt to meet each of you LUMINA in person ♥
Sriya: Thank you for always standing by us and supporting and loving us. It’s a blessing to have you LUMINA by our side. Anything wouldn’t be possible without you all LUMINAs. We prepared so many things for our new EP album so please continue to give us love and support and we promise to always give you our best, hope you all enjoy it, thank you. Stay safe and healthy.
BLACKSWAN's Roll Up marks a new chapter in their global journey, with the members poised to make waves around the world with their evolving artistry.
