The Underdogs Talk EXO's 'Overdose,' Tease 'Game-Changing' K-Pop Records (Exclusive)

[TheGuidance]

By Jeff Benjamin, New York | April 25, 2014 12:45 AM EDT

 

 

 

 

 

 

The U.S. producers says they're writing for Rihanna, Usher and a slew of Korean acts

After producing a major hit for Girls' Generation with "Mr.Mr." — the year's most-watched K-pop video to date and a No. 3-peaking hit on the K-Pop Hot 100 — U.S. production team the Underdogs are helping out boy band EXO for their new single "Overdose."

 

The 12-member act will promote the track in both Korean and Chinese, splitting into two sub-unit groups: EXO-K for Korea and EXO-M for China; the 'M' standing for singing in Mandarin Chinese. Though it's one of the most anticipated comebacks in K-pop, the release has been delayed indefinitely in South Korea with the entertainment industry on a complete hold out of respect to the Sewol ferry disaster. While EXO-M has been promoting live (see below), the Underdogs' Harvey Mason and Damon Thomas tell Billboard they have high hopes come official release time.

 

"The track is exciting, it's got a lot of energy," says Mason. "It's got some R&B elements, but it's still got a great melody and a big pop hook. It has elements of contemporary radio and it's kinda similar to what's going on over here. For us, it's a perfect combination of a lot of different styles of music. It gives them an opportunity to do what they do — which is create videos, choreography, sing and there's a little bit of rap."

 

 

 

 

 

 

After their January 2012 debut, EXO rocked the K-pop scene last year with breakout hit "Growl": The southern hip-hop track hit No. 3 on the K-Pop Hot 100 and made waves stateside as one of America's most-watched videos and best-selling singles for 2013 K-pop. Mason and Thomas are confident fans will take to "Overdose" similarly.

"I think it's comparable," Mason says of the singles. "There's definitely differences in the way we make our records and our vocal arrangements, which I think will be good for them to show off their vocal ability...We think it's a great record and we feel really great about it coming out as a single."

 

 

 

 

 

 

WATCH: EXO Talks 'Growl' & Global Success in Video Interview

While the duo have made a name for themselves crafting hits for solo stars like Justin Timberlake, Beyonce and Chris Brown, they add that they aren't intimidated by keeping the 12 different EXO voices or Girls' Generation's nine singers in consideration. "That's not a normal thing, to write a song for 12 people," Thomas explains. "You just jump in there and make the best of it like we did. You can't base it off of a number of people."

 

Mason adds, "We always try to keep in mind who we're making the record for. You realize that it's going to be multiple people singing, but you can't really change the way you write. You just have to try and write a really great song and then figure out how you implement all the different voices after that."

 

 

 

http://youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7st0Nc7O8zQ

 

For the Underdogs, "Overdose" is another creation of the hitmakers' long-term relationship with Korean record label SM Entertainment— home to EXO, Girls' Generation, TVXQ!, f(x), SHINee and more. And the duo couldn't be happier sending their beats halfway around the world.

 

"SM is not thinking about any in-the-box record, they're trying to do things that are different," says Mason. "They're trying to do music that is unique to their artists, they're not afraid to talk about certain concepts or take risks musically. We enjoy making those kind of records. We can be daredevils and SM generally is like, 'That's really cool. Let's go for it.' So we love that.

 

"They obviously came back for more records and more singles, following 'Mr.Mr.' with 'Overdose.' They've been very supportive and hopefully it's working well for them. We really like working with them."

While remaining tight-lipped about details, the guys also tease new songs they recorded during a recent recording trip to Seoul. The duo promise "five or six records that we did that will be amazing, game changers" with SM's established acts and still-to-debut groups.

 

Meanwhile, the Underdogs add that they've been writing for Rihanna and Usher's new albums, as well for U.S. boy band Suite 44, who they say is being overseen by Epic Records CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid. Look out for the Underdogs' music on the silver screen too with upcoming works on the "Pitch Perfect 2" soundtrack and in the Mick Jagger-produced James Brown biopic, "Get on Up."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

billboard

[MoonCakes]

Please just release the damn song SM...

[Nini Bear]

Well it is a good song imo

[I Am Youngjae]

SM Entertainment— home to EXO, Girls' Generation, TVXQ!, f(x), SHINee and more.

Poor super junior

[TheGuidance]

Poor super junior

 

Because they're just a "more," ?

[핵!]

"SM is not thinking about any in-the-box record, they're trying to do things that are different," says Mason. "They're trying to do music that is unique to their artists, they're not afraid to talk about certain concepts or take risks musically. We enjoy making those kind of records. We can be daredevils and SM generally is like, 'That's really cool. Let's go for it.' So we love that.

Look.. I agree with this. But sometimes... SM really need to stop trying to be so different... and learn when it's okay to tone it down a little and play it safe. It just seems like SM is trying to build a unique image for them and their artists.. that they're forgetting how to produce songs that appeal to the public (like how they used to).

[yabarthe]

Overdose is so good tho, so they're doing something right.

[Yume]

After producing a major hit for Girls' Generation with "Mr.Mr."    

[MoshiMoshi]

I wish SM would stop working with has-been American producers who can't get a hit on US radio. If you look at The Underdogs' discography, it's mostly filler songs. Wow congratulations, you wrote 15 tracks for Chris Brown and I haven't heard any of them. SM needs to stop being impressed by the fact that someone wrote one song for someone relevant and actually hire people who make good music. If they're not going to hire relevant American producers, I wish they'd just look elsewhere in the world because their artists deserve much better quality title tracks than they're given.

[sane]

Mr. Mr. and Overdose are from the same producer? That's a pretty big gap in quality 

[sinnfb]

I wish SM would stop working with has-been American producers who can't get a hit on US radio. If you look at The Underdogs' discography, it's mostly filler songs. Wow congratulations, you wrote 15 tracks for Chris Brown and I haven't heard any of them. SM needs to stop being impressed by the fact that someone wrote one song for someone relevant and actually hire people who make good music. If they're not going to hire relevant American producers, I wish they'd just look elsewhere in the world because their artists deserve much better quality title tracks than they're given.

 

Eh... better than a producer like Dr Luke who makes the same song over and over again.

 

As long as the songs are good it doesn't matter if the producer is a big deal or not. The guys who produced Growl aren't all that famous either and it's one of the best pop songs I've heard in the last few years. 

[MoshiMoshi]

Eh... better than a producer like Dr Luke who makes the same song over and over again.

 

As long as the songs are good it doesn't matter if the producer is a big deal or not. The guys who produced Growl aren't all that famous either and it's one of the best pop songs I've heard in the last few years. 

 

There are famous producers who are actually good who don't make the same song over and over. It's not about being a big deal, but SM seems to be swayed by "yeah we wrote a song for Rihanna" instead of the quality of the songs. If they want to use producers who have worked with relevant people, then use good ones who have a proven track record. Of course there are great producers who aren't famous, but SM seems to want to go for a more western sound and they keep dropping the ball because they hire people who can't write hits. The Underdogs' songs are fine for a b-side or filler but they just aren't title track material.

[sinnfb]

There are famous producers who are actually good who don't make the same song over and over. It's not about being a big deal, but SM seems to be swayed by "yeah we wrote a song for Rihanna" instead of the quality of the songs. If they want to use producers who have worked with relevant people, then use good ones who have a proven track record. Of course there are great producers who aren't famous, but SM seems to want to go for a more western sound and they keep dropping the ball because they hire people who can't write hits. The Underdogs' songs are fine for a b-side or filler but they just aren't title track material.

 

Well, I really like Overdose and Mr Mr is one of the few SNSD songs I like (I know, huuuge unpopular opinion ) so I don't think it's the case for The Underdogs but I can see where you are coming from. 

[MoshiMoshi]

Well, I really like Overdose and Mr Mr is one of the few SNSD songs I like (I know, huuuge unpopular opinion ) so while I don't think it's the case for The Underdogs I can see where you are coming from. 

 

I actually like Mr.Mr. a lot, not such a huge fan of Overdose (another unpopular opinion lol). I just think SM needs to stop going for the shock factor and trying to be SO different when it's clearly polarizing for some of their artists. SNSD's last few songs have been the major problem (even though I liked them) but they've done it to their other groups lately too. It shouldn't be a problem for Exo since people like Overdose but I wish in general SM would go back to hook pop songs just for a bit to satisfy the Korean public instead of trying to force them to like all these different, westernized songs that they're not fond of. That's why I think bigger producers would help, because they can bring a western sound but also potentially create a song that's a bit easier for Korea to digest (more Hoot, less IGAB if you will).

[sinnfb]

I actually like Mr.Mr. a lot, not such a huge fan of Overdose (another unpopular opinion lol). I just think SM needs to stop going for the shock factor and trying to be SO different when it's clearly polarizing for some of their artists. SNSD's last few songs have been the major problem (even though I liked them) but they've done it to their other groups lately too. It shouldn't be a problem for Exo since people like Overdose but I wish in general SM would go back to hook pop songs just for a bit to satisfy the Korean public instead of trying to force them to like all these different, westernized songs that they're not fond of. That's why I think bigger producers would help, because they can bring a western sound but also potentially create a song that's a bit easier for Korea to digest (more Hoot, less IGAB if you will).

 

I understand. Since SM seems to be so controlling over their artists when they try to do something different it comes out as forced and awkward. Between the leaked songs and half-assed MVs, they definitely should work on having a better management and (no pun intended) think outside the box. 

[all your maknaes]

Good music is good music no matter who the producer is.

Unless the artist/s completely screw a song up, I guess.

[footballfina]

People are forgetting that they're also responsible for "Symptoms" aka the best SHINee song of 2013 (and like top 5 all time). That shit was perfection. So far, I've adored everything The Underdogs have done with SM, but everyone is missing the most important part of the article....... THEY'VE RECORDED WITH "YET TO DEBUT" ARTISTS!!!!!!

 

The girl group is coming

[StanHyorin2015]

After producing a major hit for Girls' Generation with "Mr.Mr."

People are forgetting that they're also responsible for "Symptoms" aka the best SHINee song of 2013 (and like top 5 all time). That shit was perfection. So far, I've adored everything The Underdogs have done with SM, but everyone is missing the most important part of the article....... THEY'VE RECORDED WITH "YET TO DEBUT" ARTISTS!!!!!!

 

The girl group is coming

Symptoms is so much better than Everybody !

[cherrycupcake]

i've liked all of exo's releases so far except for wolf

[김민주]

Eh... better than a producer like Dr Luke who makes the same song over and over again.

 

As long as the songs are good it doesn't matter if the producer is a big deal or not. The guys who produced Growl aren't all that famous either and it's one of the best pop songs I've heard in the last few years. 

 

Dr. Luke's songs (at least the ones that Katy Perry sings) are better than the majority of what Kpop groups release though, so even if he doesn't have much diversity (Though I don't see how E.T. is the same as Roar) it would still be an upgrade, especially for SNSD whom SM has given underwhelming music for a while now

[Interativa]

I wish SM would stop working with has-been American producers who can't get a hit on US radio. If you look at The Underdogs' discography, it's mostly filler songs. Wow congratulations, you wrote 15 tracks for Chris Brown and I haven't heard any of them. SM needs to stop being impressed by the fact that someone wrote one song for someone relevant and actually hire people who make good music. If they're not going to hire relevant American producers, I wish they'd just look elsewhere in the world because their artists deserve much better quality title tracks than they're given.

 

Hmmm I agree with you. At least Overdose is good, so i´m happy.

[ElmoTheTellmo]

Dr. Luke's songs (at least the ones that Katy Perry sings) are better than the majority of what Kpop groups release though, so even if he doesn't have much diversity (Though I don't see how E.T. is the same as Roar) it would still be an upgrade, especially for SNSD whom SM has given underwhelming music for a while now

 

Sorry jw why Dr Luke's name keeps getting used. Did they have an opportunity to work with him or something?

 

Anyways I've liked most of the songs that these guys have produced for SM so no complaints here.

[Get The Job Done]

I am excited about songs for yet to debut groups!