Is G-Dragon The Global K-Pop Icon? These Are His Top Collaborations

G-Dragon is often seen as one of the most prominent forces whose creativity helped shape K-Pop into what we know and love today. More than just an idol, he has been a creator and innovator in the Hallyu industry, settling milestones that defined this environment. For years, he was considered a bit misunderstood (too bold, too different) but that same originality inspired countless artists who came after him. Born Kwon JiYong in 1988, he broke away from the classic K-Pop mold of just looking polished on stage and performing.

Instead, he wanted to give meaning and explore all the possibilities the genre could hold, for himself, for BIGBANG and for the artists who would follow his footsteps.

During the 2010’s G-Dragon set the standard for experimentation and vision in K-Pop.

Over the years, JiYong turned his dream into a mission: collaborating with the biggest names in Western music, as well as with artists he personally admired. His international projects opened doors for fans worldwide to discover new sides of him, proving his versatility. Beyond music, he also ventured into fashion and creative arts, building a reputation as one of K-Pop’s most daring visionaries.

With more than 20 years since his debut (first as a child actor in 1994 with “Little Roo’Ra”, then as BIGBANG’s leader in 2006), GD’s presence has become a gold standard in the global K-Pop scene.

Here are some of his most iconic international collaborations, both in music and fashion, that shaped not just his career, but the way K-Pop connects with the world.

1. ‘Dancing On My Own’ by Pixie Lott (2013)

By 2012, K-Pop was gaining serious traction worldwide. That March, G-Dragon and T.O.P teamed up with British singer Pixie Lott for a Japan-only special release of Dancing on My Own. While localized to Japan, the track became a milestone for global fans who saw it as proof that K-Pop idols were breaking into international markets. YG Entertainment later revealed that Pixie Lott discovered GD&TOP’s music through Facebook and reached out through industry connections.

Just months before Gangnam Style became the world’s biggest K-Pop hit, G-Dragon and T.O.P were already carrying the Hallyu flag into new territories.

2. ‘Bubble Butt’ by Major Laser with G-Dragon, T.O.P, Bruno Mars, Tyga & Mystic (2013)

In 2013, G-Dragon and T.O.P joined a stacked lineup featuring Bruno Mars, Tyga and Mystic on Major Lazer’s track Bubble Butt. This wasn’t just a casual feature: it placed them alongside global superstars dominating radio at the time. While most idols were still sticking to K-Pop’s comfort zone, GD was experimenting with sounds far from what fans were used to, showing that K-Pop artists could be part of global mainstream music without losing their essence.

3. ‘Niliria’ by G-Dragon featuring Missy Elliot

In 2013 G-Dragon released his album Coup d’Etat. This record included the song Niliria, a track first released with only G-Dragon vocals and then featured one of the most prominent rap stars globally: Missy Elliot.

G-Dragon told the press in September of 2013 that Elliot was an artist that he highly admired, so he asked to work with her in this track that also samples a traditional korean song.

Elliot agreed to join GD for the Niliria track and they prepared the song through emails and phone calls.

This song had a live performance in august of 2013 in “M Countdown – What’s Up LA”, where Elliot was brought to the stage to deliver a praised performance that surprised the crowd as the “Queen Of Rap” took it to the next level alongside G-Dragon.

4. ‘Dirty Vibe’ by Skrillex with G-Dragon, Diplo & CL (2014)

2024 saw G-Dragon team up with Skrillex, Diplo and then fellow YG labelmate CL for Dirty Vibe. The track appeared on Skrillex’s debut album and highlighted GD’s ability to merge electronic beats with his signature hip-hop style.

He and CL co-wrote the lyrics and the song went on to reach No. 15 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart in the U.S., a huge achievement for Korean artists at the time.

5. ‘Temple’ by Baauer with G-Dragon & M.I.A (2016)

In 2016, GD collaborated with Baauer and M.I.A on ‘Temple’, a track from Baauer’s album Aa. With its heavy Indian-inspired video, the track stood out in the global dance scene. M.I.A delivered her bold verses while G-Dragon dropped rap lines that blended seamlessly into the production.

It was another reminder that he could adapt to any genre without losing his identity.

6. ‘Too Bad’ G-Dragon’s feat. Anderson .Paak (2025)

Fast forward to 2025, G-Dragon returned after seven years with his album “Übermensch”.

The title track ‘Too Bad’ featured none other than Anderson .Paak and even included an appearance from Karina of aespa. Mixing .Paak’s soulful grooves with GD’s genre-bending style, the track jumped onto the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 30. For fans, it was proof that even after a long break, G-Dragon still knew how to capture the spotlight and reinvent himself.

For G-Dragon, creativity has never been limited to music. He’s one of the first idols to truly merge K-Pop with high fashion, building bridges between Seoul and Paris, stage outfits and haute couture. His brand PEACEMINUSONE became a statement in itself, blending streetwear with art.

In 2012, GD became the first K-Pop idol to be invited to Paris Fashion Week, a milestone for the K-Pop industry. Karl Lagerfeld, Suzy Menkes, Jeremy Scott, Virgil Abloh, Nichola Formichetti are part of a long friendship list that G-Dragon can count on, while the leader of BIGBANG adds himself into the VIP fashion sphere worldwide.

These are some of the collaborations in the fashion industry for G-Dragon.

Karl Lagerfeld

GD struck up a close relationship with Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel. He became a fixture at fashion weeks and even posed for Vogue at Lagerfeld’s personal invitation, being photographed by the designer himself.

The legendary designer once called G-Dragon “the coolest singer alive”, and the bond made GD an insider in the fashion elite.

GIVENCHY

Back in 2012, Riccardo Tisci, then head creative director of GIVENCHY, handpicked G-Dragon as a brand ambassador and muse for the brand and to pose for Harper’s Bazaar.

GIVENCHY later granted GD permission to create GIYONGCHY, a playful parody fashion line that blurred the line between official fashion and stage costume. Even celebrities such as Jaden Smith were spotted wearing the GIYONGCHY merch.

NIKE

G-Dragon’s Nike sneakers are legendary among collectors.

His AF1 x PEACEMINUSONE, with a black top layer that peeled to reveal white underneath, symbolized the duality he often explored in his music. These sneakers sold out instantly, turning into coveted pieces not just for fans but for sneakerheads worldwide.

As this collaboration was very successful, another set of sneakers were launched: the KWONDO 1 shoes came up in 2023, another striking figure in design by G-Dragon and Nike, showing his capabilities to mix his identity with the works of the classic sneaker brand.

Previously, in 2015, G-Dragon had worked with Italian designer Giuseppe Zanotti releasing a high-end shoe capsule collection.

Chanel

From his first Chanel show in 2014 to becoming the brand’s first Asian global ambassador in 2016, GD has been a crucial figure in connecting the French fashion house with younger generations. His influence made Chanel accessible to audiences far beyond Europe.

Jacob & Co.

In 2025 G-Dragon collaborated with luxury jeweler Jacob & Co. to release charms inspired by PEACEMINUSONE’s daisy logo. With prices ranging from $1,200 to $11,000, the collection showed how his creative ideas could be transformed into high-end luxury.

For people discovering K-Pop today, it’s easy to think of a handful of idols as the first to bridge East and West. But G-Dragon was laying that foundation long before. He proved idols could be more than just performers, they could be visionaries, collaborators and style icons influencing music, fashion and culture all at once. His journey shows how one’s artist’s courage to break rules can set trends for an entire generation.