Buried Treasure: MADEIN – Dadarida

A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.

MADEIN’s title track Uno is among the weakest songs on their new album. The group sound so much better on adventurous material like Dopamine and, especially, Dadarida. This track goes full on Afrobeats — a trendy move and something we must acknowledge up front. I believe two things can be true at the same time: The song can be blatantly appropriative and also very strong as a piece of music. It’s the same way I feel about Young Posse’s recent Ate That.

Do I wish Dadarida came from an actual African artist? Yes! (And if you know any artists who favor this sound, leave them in the comments) But, this terrific song found its way to MADEIN instead, which seems like an awkward fit at first. I can’t find any credits on a specific sample, but Dadarida clearly opens with a borrowed exclamation. It goes on to deliver typical K-pop verses, albeit over a stunning bed of percussion that keeps momentum high. Then, we move into a breathtaking chorus. I love the way the melodies and production coexist here. It feels so cinematic and satisfying. Dadarida becomes even more rhythmic as it goes on, climaxing in a percussive showcase that sends the track out on a high.

Grade: B+