T.O.P Directly Dissing Seungri for Destroying BIGBANG?

Lyrics allegedly alluding to Seungri are being widely shared.

On April 3rd, T.O.P officially returned to the music scene with his debut studio album titled ANOTHER DIMENSION (Top Spot). This comeback quickly attracted a large amount of attention on social media platforms. The focus of public opinion was not only on the rapper’s unique musical style, but also on the fact that this was a rare occasion where he directly mentioned his former group and the hidden aspects of his past, especially the story related to Seungri’s scandal.

T.O.P officially returned to the music scene on April 3rd with his first full album (Image: X)

The album features 11 tracks with a distinctive and unmistakable personal style, with two hit title tracks, Studio54 and Desperado. Accompanying these are a series of uniquely titled songs such as Self Crucifixion, A Small, Filthy Show Window, Another Dimension Holy Dude!!!!!!!!!!, and Stendhal Syndrome. All of this paints a haunting and unpredictable musical landscape. Besides the attention given to the song OVAYA (A Small, Filthy Show Window) where T.O.P mentions BIGBANG, another track in the album is also being interpreted as subtly alluding to Seungri.

The lyrics in Studio54 are believed to be T.O.P’s veiled reference to Seungri.

All the controversy has now focused on the title track, Studio54. The rap song immediately became a hot topic of discussion due to its highly offensive lyrics. The male artist repeatedly sings a line full of anger: “Dirty sun, dirty sun, they just ruined my soul.”

Immediately, numerous theories were put forward by netizens and the media. Most viewers believe that T.O.P is directly attacking former member Seungri and the Burning Sun scandal that shocked the world years ago. The phrase is believed to be aimed directly at the chain of nightclubs that ruined Seungri’s image. His dark past is once again being unearthed by the public. The series of crimes, from pimping and illegal gambling to embezzlement and violations of foreign exchange laws, are considered an indelible stain on the former maknae’s reputation and directly affected BIGBANG’s fame.

The Burning Sun scandal shattered Seungri’s career and BIGBANG’s image.

However, many argue that T.O.P didn’t intentionally mention or criticize Seungri. The song’s title, Studio54, is inspired by a notorious real-life nightclub. Many assert that this isn’t simply a song attacking an individual, but rather a poignant love letter to the rapper’s own youth.

Throughout the song, he doesn’t hesitate to mention his former group with special affection. In Studio54, he openly admits that he loved his 20s completely with his bandmates, a fact that is undeniable. The lyrics clearly state, “I’m so sorry, but I loved my 20s with BIGBANG, no question about it / My fans, broken, full of scars.”

T.O.P mentioned BIGBANG and all 5 members in other songs on the album (Image: X)

Besides that, T.O.P also has other songs that mention BIGBANG and all 5 members, notably OVAYA (A SMALL, FILTHY SHOW WINDOW). He directly names the group through the lyrics, frankly admitting his feelings for the past, “I’m sorry, but I loved my old BIGBANG.” The lyrics continue to recreate memories of a brilliant but now-closed era, “It was brilliant… but the game is over / Five paths have taken, I’m finished.”

Amidst the storm of controversy, all three current members, Taeyang, G-Dragon, and Daesung, have publicly shown their support for T.O.P on social media. They have shared and spread the word about their former bandmate’s new music. This silent support partly affirms the respect and strong brotherhood among the core members.

G-DRAGON, TAEYANG, and DAESEUNG have all shown their support for T.O.P on social media (Image: X)

As for T.O.P, whether the resentment in the song is truly directed at his younger bandmate who once made mistakes remains an open question. However, the rapper’s appreciation and remembrance of his vibrant youth with BIGBANG is clearly evident in the lyrics. T.O.P’s new album is currently the center of attention and receiving immense public interest.