Warner Music Korea and hip-hop label Brand New Music (BNM) announce partnership

23 March 2017 - Press release

Warner Music Korea and local independent hip-hop label Brand New Music (BNM) today announced a strategic partnership.  With this new deal, WMG will enhance its presence in the world’s eighth largest recorded music market with the addition of BNM’s dynamic artist roster and A&R expertise. At the same time, BNM will have access to greater global marketing resources for its artists through WMG’s network of international affiliates.
 
BNM was founded by Korean hip-hop artist and producer Rhymer in 2011. The label has played a pivotal role in bringing urban music to its current prominence in South Korea, experiencing rapid growth in the process. BNM’s success is due, in large part, to its industry-leading in-house production capacity that has yielded a string of hits for the 19 hip-hop and R&B artists on its roster, including Sanee and Verbal Jint, as well as for many other leading domestic stars.
 
Clayton Jin, Managing Director, Warner Music Korea, said: “This landmark deal marks a significant partnership for WMG in the strategically important Korean market. I admire Rhymer’s creative vision and have great respect for the community of ground-breaking artists that call BNM home. Together, we will work to take BNM and its artists to the next level and help build a bigger global audience for Korean music.”
 
Rhymer added: “I have built up BNM to become one of the most influential independent labels in Korea. We’ve helped drive the success of Korean hip-hop and introduced amazing artists to local music fans. Our partnership with WMG will provide our artists with a fantastic range of new global opportunities, while they continue to benefit from our unique approach to career development.”
 
Clayton Jin was appointed MD of Warner Music Korea in 2016, signaling WMG’s desire to step up direct investment in local artists and repertoire, as well as to secure strategic deals with independent label partners.