Who is Poppy? All you need to know as BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Bruno Mars’ APT plagiarism claims go viral online

Rosé and Bruno Mars are facing accusations of plagiarism online for their recent song, APT. Netizens claim that the track resembles other songs, particularly an unreleased track titled Apartment by American artist Poppy. Although only a short snippet of this song surfaced around 2014, listeners have drawn comparisons between its sound and that of APT. Another track by Poppy, Altar, has also been mentioned for having a similar vibe to APT.

However, fans have rallied to defend Rosé, emphasizing that she openly discussed working on and contributing to the songwriting for the song. Supporters argue that similarities in musical elements, like chord progressions, don’t necessarily constitute plagiarism, and many feel that the allegations are unfounded.

Poppy or Moriah Rose Pereira born on January 1, 1995, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and YouTube personality known for her unique music, performance art, and internet-driven persona.

Her song Altar along with Sawai Miku's song Sorry, I Can’t Be a Good Girl, are at the center of these plagiarism accusations.

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American singer Poppy's career overview

Following its record-breaking release, APT. by Rosé of BLACKPINK and Bruno Mars is facing widespread plagiarism accusations that have quickly ignited online debates. While APT. was praised for its fresh approach and success on global charts, some netizens have begun pointing to potential similarities with older songs, sparking an intense back-and-forth among music listeners and fan communities.

The song most frequently mentioned in these comparisons is Poppy’s 2016 track Altar, with some listeners noting a similarity in its melody to parts of APT.

Poppy's music career started around 2015 with a mix of bubblegum pop and electronic influences, featuring lyrics and themes similar to her YouTube content. Poppy's debut album, Poppy.Computer (2017), leaned heavily into this style, incorporating pop, electronic, and satirical elements.

She first gained attention with a series of abstract, performance-art-style videos on YouTube that often left audiences mystified by her robotic persona and cryptic content. These videos, produced with her former collaborator Titanic Sinclair, created a digital persona that was part pop star, part AI-like character.

Poppy’s 2021 album, Flux, continued to expand her musical range, incorporating alt-rock and grunge influences, while 2023's Stagger EP explored more introspective, electronic sounds. Beyond music, she has ventured into various artistic domains, including acting, fashion, and voice work.

Although her other song Apartment was never commercially launched, the similarities have fueled speculation that APT. may have drawn inspiration from it, whether consciously or not.

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Rosé hit with plagiarism accusations

Fans of Poppy have rallied in her support, claiming that APT. might lack originality if these similarities are intentional. However, Rosé’s fans argue that musical overlap is common in the industry, particularly given the vast pool of music produced worldwide, and that such resemblances don’t automatically equate to plagiarism.

Through X, some netizens made comments like,

"I just hope and pray poppy sue them.. They do plagiarism. Fraud" someone said.

"Will they ever have something original," another person said.

"That’s the same song," another critic said.

Although some in favor of Rosé said,

"I heard this melody about 30 times now, no one stole from Poppy lol," a fan said.

"They doesn't accept seeing an organic success," another fan said.

"Life is too short for all this it's just a song if u like it then listen to it," another X user said.

In addition to Altar, another track cited in these comparisons is Japanese artist Sawai Miku’s 2013 song Sorry, I Can’t Be a Good Girl. Netizens have claimed that the melody around the 33-second mark in APT., closely mirrors a section in Miku’s song at around the 40-second mark.

When APT. is adjusted to a similar tempo as Sorry, I Can’t Be a Good Girl, some fans argue that the melody resemblance becomes even more noticeable.

Rosé had previously shared that the song was inspired by a classic Korean drinking game. In a recent interview with Vogue, she admitted that writing a song about such a theme initially felt unconventional, but she ultimately embraced the idea, resulting in a unique piece that resonated with global audiences. This context, fans argue, suggests that she approached APT. with originality, driven by a personal connection rather than imitation.

Despite the controversy, APT. has retained its strong performance across international music charts, demonstrating that its success and popularity are still going strong. The song’s achievements, coupled with the passionate defenses from Rosé’s supporters, underscore the broader challenges K-pop artists often face when navigating global music industries, where even minor musical resemblances can spark scrutiny.