ROSÉ is launching her solo era, and she’s bringing one of pop music’s biggest names along for the ride. On Thursday (Oct. 17), the BLACKPINK star and Bruno Mars announced that they’re teaming up on a new single titled “Apt.” — and it’s coming even sooner than you think.
Breaking the news to fans via a post on Instagram, the duo shared the track’s cover image and simply wrote: “💗 APT. ⚡︎ OCT 18 💗,” confirming that the collaboration would drop just one day after the announcement. The chic artwork shows a black-and-white photo of the “Locked Out of Heaven” singer behind a drum set and ROSÉ posing in a leather jacket bleeding through a bright pink foreground, the artists’ names and song title displayed in thick black lettering in the negative space.
“Apt.” will mark the K-pop star’s first release since announcing her December-slated 12-track album rosie Oct. 1, and Mars’ first release since teaming up with Lady Gaga on summer smash “Die With a Smile,” which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard Global 200 chart for seven weeks. When sharing the news of her first-ever LP earlier this month, ROSÉ wrote: “I have poured my blood and tears into this album. I cannot wait for you to listen to this little journal of mine … With this album, I hope you all feel that much closer to me. And yes, it’s a full length album.”
Mars and the “On the Ground” musician first teased that they were working together the day prior to their announcement, when they both shared photos on Instagram from a recent hangout sesh and revealed that ROSÉ had taught Mars a Korean drinking game.
“Soon after, she tried to kiss me, and I was like ‘woah Rosie! what part of the game is this?’” the Silk Sonic band member joked in his caption. “She was like, ‘I ain’t playin games wit you anymore lil boy! Big Rosie bout that BIDNESS!’ Shaken, I replied ‘stop Rosie, I’m scared!’ But other than that, super chill night.”
In response to Mars’ wild version of events, ROSÉ commented, “what’s wrong with uuuu.”
How you like that! BLACKPINK‘s ROSÉ announced that her solo studio album, titled rosie, is set to arrive just in time for the holidays.
“I cannot believe I am finally announcing my first album release to you all,” wrote the K-pop star in an Instagram post featuring the album cover, a closeup of the singer that shows her lying down, blonde curls cascading around her face in waves as she looks at the viewer. In her caption, she goes on to explain that as BLACKPINK wrapped up its yearlong Born Pink World Tour, she found herself at a studio session in L.A., and spent the next year working on music with songwriters and producers, trying to figure out what was next for her.“I fell asleep many nights feeling confused and lost. But with the support of my dear friends and family, my team, and of course my number ones, I am sat here today excited to announce the date of my album release,” shared the global star, revealing that her album will arrive on Dec. 6 via Atlantic Records. “I have poured my blood and tears into this album. I cannot wait for you to listen to this little journal of mine. Rosie – is the name I allow my friends and family to call me. With this album, I hope you all feel that much closer to me.”
Before signing off, she confirmed one big piece of information for BLINKs: “And yes, it’s a full length album.”
According to the press release, ROSÉ coproduced and cowrote the album, which includes 12 tracks and is her “most personal and candid” project yet.
Aside from the K-pop supergroup’s world tour and working on her own music, ROSÉ has been busy the past year. Last September, she inspired a Tiffany’s capsule collection that included a locket, earrings and more; attended Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in February and sang along to all 10 minutes of “All Too Well”; partnered with Puma for a campaign in July and more.
ROSÉ isn’t the only member of BLACKPINK with new music. Bandmate LISA has been releasing new music in the past few weeks, including a collab with Rosalia called “New Woman,” as well as a new track titled “Moonlit Floor,” which she debuted at the Global Citizen Festival in NYC and arrives Oct. 3.
BLACKPINK’s Rosé steps out in Puma, for her first official campaign with the sportswear giant.
Just weeks after Puma named the K-pop superstar as an ambassador, Rosé shows off the new Palermo range of low-top sneakers in classic “cobalt” and “black” colorways.
“Fusing music and style,” reads a statement, “Rosé’s ambassador role will bring her vision, voice, and unique insights to Puma’s global campaigns and storytelling.”
Announced last month, Puma’s partnership with Rosé centers around the clothing brand’s catalog of silhouettes, and sees the pop star introduce its classic kit to a new generation.
“I am so excited to join the Puma family,” she said in a statement June 17, announcing her ambassadorial role, for which she joins the likes of Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Dua Lipa, and Skepta. “I cannot wait for my fans to join my next chapter with Puma.”
Since debuting in 2016, BLACKPINK has been on the express elevator to the top. Along the way, Rosé, Lisa, Jennie, and Jisoo have smashed records, dominated charts, filled arenas everywhere, and became not only the first K-pop girl to perform at Coachella, but the first Asian act to headline the festival.
Rosè (full name: Roseanne Park) was born in Auckland, New Zealand and raised in Melbourne, Australia. In interviews, her Aussie accent is unmistakable. At the age of seven, Rosè and her family moved to the Victorian capital. And at age 15 the world of K-pop came calling when, at her father’s suggestion, she auditioned for South Korean music company YG Entertainment. Rosè bloomed, she relocated to South Korea and in August 2016, made her debut as a vocalist with the newly-formed quartet. The rest is history.
More from Puma’s creative partnership with Rosé will be unveiled later this year.
At an APEC event, Rosé of Blackpink spoke about the importance of mental health.
