Malaysian girl group Dolla finally addressed critics who had been accusing them of ripping off the dance styles, music, and fashion choices of K-pop global sensation Blackpink.
At a press conference held yesterday and ahead of the release of their second single, Sabrina Rusli, Angeline Chai, Norsyasya Shahrizal, and Tabitha Lam told the press that they were aware of the slew of criticism ever since they debuted in March, but claimed that all of the similarities people had pointed out in reference to the K-pop group had been a fortunate stroke of serendipity.
“I understand that many believe we’re copying Blackpink’s performance styles, but it’s only a coincidence,” Sabrina was quoted as saying. “We’re trying to build our own musical identity as a girl group, and Malaysia doesn’t have many girl groups either.”
Their producers did not give any comment at yesterday’s press conference, which failed to change the opinions of some people who continued to think that Dolla lacked originality.
“Dolla is trying too hard to be BLACKPINK,” Twitter user @Izzuanamer wrote online yesterday.
“Try not to imitate BLACKPINK and you will be more successful,” a comment by Fangazer on their latest TikTok video said.
The girls, aged 19 to 25, will release their second single Watch Me Glow next week, after previously putting out their first single Dolla Make You Wanna that garnered two million music video views.
The pop group under Universal Music was formed last year, just three years after the South Korean group comprising Jennie, Lisa, Rose, and Jisoo came together under one of that country’s top labels, YG Entertainment, and gained fans across the world.
Malaysia has seen very few girl groups over the past two decades, with more prominent and active ones of late including Hip Hop trio De Fam and R&B singers Tiga Soul.
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