Welcome to another episode BLACKPINK WATCH, I am your host, Ash. And on tonight’s edition, we’re covering Jennie’s newest song “ExtraL” with rising rap star, girl of the moment, Doechii.
All jokes aside, it does feel like lately I’ve become BLACKPINK News Network, lmao. I’m enjoying the coverage of all things the Pinks have been working on solo wise. And from what I’ve seen with the data from the newsletter (I’ve been discussing the girls’ solo projects in the newsletter as new news has been coming out) and the recent BLACKPINK articles on the blog, y’all are enjoying it too.
I hadn’t realized how much I missed rap!Jennie until I started catching up on her pre-releases for Ruby. “ZEN” awoken that desire in me. And “ExtraL” solidified that for me. The first few seconds of “ExtraL” I knew this was going to be different. Also, I was immediately dancing in my seat. The production team went wild on this beat. We were entering a new era for Jennie. I wasn’t that into “Mantra”, pretty forgettable song wise for me, the video was great, but I was still looking forward to what else Jennie had up her sleeves. Casually watching from the sidelines. And it feels like everything has been leading up to this moment, and this isn’t even the lead single from the album.
When I reported (in the newsletter) that Jennie was going to have multiple Western artists featured on her album. I was impressed with the lineup. Dua Lipa, Childish Gambino, Kali Uchis, Doechii, FKJ, and Dominic Fike. I had good feelings about Dua Lipa considering I love “Kiss and Make Up” (talked about here near the end). I enjoy Childish Gambino and Kali Uchis music as well, so I was looking forward to their appearances.
I wasn’t (and still not) that familiar with FKJ, Dominic Fike or Doechii’s music. I talked about my love for “Love Hangover” in my January faves article. It did exactly what a good collab in my eyes does; introduce the audience to someone new and leaves the audience with interest in said “new” artist and potentially brings new fans to them, while making a good song with the artist the audience already enjoys.
And “ExtraL” expands on that wonderfully. I’ve started paying more attention to Miss Doechii lately because the girl is EVERYWHERE post Grammy winner for Best Rap Album at the 67ths Grammys, making her the third woman (after Cardi B and Lauren Hill) to win in that category. Big slaay. I’ve seen her tweets appear in my feed, and she just seems like a fun, fresh energy being brought to the industry. I’m not gonna say no to a new rap girl.
“ExtraL” was really the push for me to say, “okay, let’s see what Doechii is really all about”. And her verse and appearance in “ExtraL” is so so sooo smooth.
Like Dominic Fike in Love Hangover”, Doechii’s verse is perfect. The flow and lines are wonderful, punchy, and quick. It doesn’t over stay its welcome, and you actually want her to stay on the mic a little longer. Which I think just adds to the whole vibe and theme of “ExtraL”. Doin things big and being the best while hyping up the girls who are doing the same things. There’s a slight unapproachable vibe to it. High standards and higher heels vibe going on. It’s “Mantra” but doubling down on the message. And I’m 1000% here for every second of it.
The styling in the video is simple. It’s going to make cosplaying this super easy. The jewelry, oh man, I love gold. Big chunky gold jewelry is always a vibe. I see the Schiaparelli. Jennie’s grill in the beginning is so cute and subtle. I feel like we don’t see her with bangs like this often. It’s a cute look. I love her updo in that purple outfit. I love the color choices going on. Red seems to be the Pinks color of choice (minus Jisoo with all purple album, lol). Doechii’s nails are killer. I adore the vampire claws going on, also deep red. Her braids with the beads 🥰. Then the straight black hair at the end? Chefs Kiss.
I’m not gonna front, idk the reference Jennie was doing there with the purple fit. But that reminds me of the meme on Twitter where they’re like (s)he’s so hot, but (s)he has to do something silly every couple of minutes or (s)he goes insane (1,2). Not exactly if that was the theme Jennie was going for, but this is the time to be experimental. It’s giving BP teas. Name one BLACKPINK video where a member wasn’t either wearing something weird or had some weird aspect to it, you can’t.
I really enjoyed the scenes too where the dancers were dancing in the chairs and in different poses. It just adds to the fun and slight silliness going on in the music video. There’s so much going in the video and despite the minimal set design, there is tons of replay value here.
I’m just incredibly impressed and so far, I keep thinking, “okay, this is the peak, right? It’s not going to get better than this, right?” And Miss Jennie is just laughing at us all because this isn’t even the half of it, and she knows it. She isn’t playing games, and I’m here for the takeover 👑.
So what are y’alls thoughts on “ExtraL”? Love it? Hate it? Do you listen to Doechii? If so, recommend some songs for me to check out. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Threads, & BlueSky. I’ll see y’all next post!
-Ash💫