The video is presented in black and white which psychologically appeals to the intellect rather than our emotions. Is T.O.P doing the cerebral approach, stimulating us to think? Perhaps he's simply going for the film noir style with its telltale low-key lighting, and wearing fashion from that era (and the one that inspired it) as well. Or maybe black and white just appeals to him as evidenced by his 2010 release of Turn It Up which started out with much the same imagery.
The monkey men that appear throughout the video mirror those from 2001: A Space Odyssey, the 1968 film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film dealt with human evolution among other things, and similarly, T.O.P's DOOM DADA deals with his own evolution.
Long time no see
Long time no see
Long time no see
Long time no see
Long Long time no see
Long Long time no see
It’s tickling tickling
Little kids can go away, to the corner
I’m the sommelier who will change your taste
Blow it together like hoo hoo - when it’s burning hot
Here, Appreciate it when I throw it at you,
Bow down and put your hands up
Hey Mister n Sister I’m To- To- TOP
The real one’s here
 |
| The composition of this scene resembles a church, but with the a devilish throne and flames that would represent a revolution usurping established beliefs and practices. |
When it’s burning hot
Blow it well like h oo hoo
I’m too hot when I rap
It hasn’t been that long, what should we do with this burnt smell
 |
| T.O.P floating above the masses as he awakens them with his revolutionary sound. |
The one who has latent cells flowing in them
Have you seen the ultimate weapon
To the slender eardrums of the sleeping soul
When I poke it with a thorn, it burns up
The one who has latent cells flowing in them
When I poke it with a thorn, it burns up
Oh God God God God
 |
| Here T.O.P appears to be an archaeologist who studies humans and their culture. |
Shower that cleans your eardrums
Hot soul that never stops
Let’s dance together in that large lot
Hot soul that never stops
 |
| Hmm, a zebra. I can only surmise it goes with the early 1900's archaeologist theme. |
 |
| T.O.P also runs with the skeletons as he is not just an observer but a participant in the culture of man. |
Let’s Go
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA DOOM
March
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA DOOM
 |
| The deer hieroglyph and the modern deer serve to bridge the gap in time as T.O.P leaps back and forth. Or maybe he just likes deer. And here we have unabashed brand placement for Cappellini. Or maybe he just likes Cappellini. |
I’m an extraordinary Korean in the 21st century
Possessed Rap Basquiat* who grabbed the mic
I’m opening my mouth after a long time
I can end the game with just one song
I make you crazy but I’m a pure pinot noir
* Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American born in 1960 who started as a graffiti artist and ended up exhibiting his Neo-expressionist and Primitivist paintings internationally before dying of a heroin overdose in 1988.
 |
| My first thought was that T.O.P makes one sexy vampire. No I'm not a Twilighter, its just that the eyes, fashion and chandelier sent me back to Interview with a Vampire. |
 |
| T.O.P shows his love of wine and makes quirky expressions with that sexy face. Irresistible. |
I don’t care I love it even if my bone melts
Let’s see the end of this madness
All of it, just the way it is, like this
Let’s look at the new world again
All the loud noises in this complicated world
Load up the bullets and TANG TANG TANG
Breathe out heavily like Hak Hak
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA
 |
| The next few lines are from the Korean alphabet song and national anthem. |
Ka Na Da Ra Ma Ba Sa
A Ja Cha Ka Ta Pa Ha
God protect and preserve us
It feels like looking and listening from above the galaxies
I’m a fearless dreamer
Run away? I won’t run away
You guys are just in your elements
God God God God
Shower that cleans your eardrums
 |
| T.O.P seems to be a gentleman explorer circa 1910-1940. The giant baby with the leaf umbrella must be a pop culture reference that I'm unaware of. |
Hot soul that never stops
Let’s dance together in that large lot
Hot soul that never stops
 |
| The evolutionary slave gang hearkens to Planet of the Apes, another film that made its first appearance in 1968 and featured archaeology. |
Let’s Go
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA DOOM
March
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA DOOM
 |
| T.O.P the Explorer in the mirror forest. Now who has a mustache like that? |
Mass media. Yeah. March.
 |
| Futuristic and prehistoric T.O.P and the revolution that affects the world like a nuclear bomb. And then there's the cauliflower. I got it! His revolution, rather than being destructive, is healthy for the masses. Or maybe he just likes... nevermind. |
Mass Media
I stay calm and take care of the new inspirations
DOOM DADA DIVI DA
I observe the third world through meditation
The power of humans that our god gave
Win of the brighter civilization
DOOM DADA DIVI DA
Wishing for the blue light to shine on the new life
We go round and round and round and round, just backwards
Round and around
Only the voices of the people who are all talk but no action are going around
Drive drive drive and drive
Simmering and Steaming
Overheated Media drives the people
Hakunamatata Hakunamatata
DOOM DADA DIVI DA
Wishing for the blue light to shine on the new life
 |
| T.O.P includes his signature "lips barely moving" lip syncing. Is it weird that I love that? |
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA DOOM
Let’s Go
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA
DOOM DA DA DIVI DA DA DOOM
Yeah.
So what does it all mean? T.O.P still likes fine wine, he likes expensive Italian furniture, and he may like deer, cauliflower and old movies.
But seriously, T.O.P is back, full of swag, exploring, evolving and working to revolutionize his craft. The only way to change things isn't to rail against mass media, but to change the industry and work with it.
T.O.P employed audio primitivism in his song, hence references to Basquiat, archaeology, relevant movies and observing the third world. I had hoped for more of the global sound that kicks the song off; I'd like to hear it in the chorus too. Nevertheless, the single is solid and the MV is a work of art. T.O.P's showmanship, sexiness and silliness all work together to perpetuate his charming image. And ooh that voice!
Lyrics translated by bigbangisvip.tumblr.com
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