BLACKPINK Collaborate with Dr. Luke on Two Songs from New Mini Album DEADLINE

BLACKPINK have released their comeback mini album, [DEADLINE], confirming previous rumors of controversial producer Dr. Luke’s involvement.

Earlier this week, the five-track project was briefly uploaded to BLACKPINK’s official YouTube channel, along with apparent track credits indicating that Luke contributed to at least two songs. Now that the EP and official credits are out, it has been confirmed that Dr. Luke produced two tracks on [DEADLINE]: “Me and my” and “Champion.” He is also listed as a co-writer on the latter song.

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The collaboration arrives as Luke’s reputation remains a focal point of industry debate following his lengthy legal battle with singer Kesha, who accused him of sexual assault, harassment, and gender violence. The two settled in 2023 before the producer’s defamation lawsuit went to trial, with Luke continuing to maintain his innocence.

This has led to some BLACKPINK fans expressing their disappointment. “Fuck Dr. Luke,” wrote one BLINK on Reddit. “The songs he produced sounds [sic] like ass.” Another fan added, “I can’t get over the Dr Luke shit like what the fuck, I genuinely hope the girls weren’t involved in choosing the producers cuz wtf.”

“Really. Was no one else available?,” reads a different comment. “It would take a lot for me to be understanding about this — the biggest [girl group] in K-pop time and time again with limitless contacts (as seen in their solo endeavours) and resources, and that’s who they collaborate with? The girls aren’t new to the game, there is absolutely no way that the team weren’t aware.”

BLACKPINK’s involvement in the decision to work with Dr. Luke remains unclear. On one hand, they are currently the world’s most prominent K-pop girl group and theoretically have the leverage to choose their collaborators.

However, K-pop labels like YG Entertainment operate as multinational companies that exert an outsized influence over every facet of an artist’s career, ranging from their public image and daily life to their overall sound.

Regardless, the overall fan sentiment for [DEADLINE] seems to be that it feels made to fulfill a contractual obligation rather than the comeback for which they were hoping.