Native name
브랜뉴 뮤직
Private
IC Entertainment
Brand New Production
Brand New Stardom
17 May 2011
Rhymer (founder & CEO)
- Music production
- licensing
- publishing
Korean Roulette
History[edit]
2003–2012: Founding and first-generation artists[edit]
Kim Se-hwan (Korean: 김세환), known as Rhymer, founded the record label IC Entertainment in 2003 after having failed to establish a career as a rapper since his debut in 1995.[1][2] The label later changed its name to Brand New Production.[3] In 2009, Brand New Production merged with Future Flow, a record label owned by rapper and producer Cho PD. The combined company was named Brand New Stardom.[1][3]
Brand New Stardom split into two companies in 2011, with Cho PD founding Stardom Entertainment and Rhymer founding Brand New Music. Artists Verbal Jint, Tae Hye Young, BNR, Keeproots, A-Man, and Miss S followed Rhymer to the new label.[1][3]
Following the split of Brand New Stardom in 2011, the newly founded Stardom Entertainment sued Brand New Music, saying that Oh Yoo-mi, a member of Miss S, was still contracted with Stardom. According to Brand New Music, the two companies had previously agreed that "neither company would restrict Miss
2013–2016: second-generation artists[edit]
In January 2013, Brand New Music launched its own Internet show, Brand New Live.[7] That summer, rapper San E left major music label JYP Entertainment and joined Brand New Music.[8] He has since become one of the most awarded artists in the label and one of the most successful rappers in Korean mainstream media.[9][10]
In early 2014, the label released its second collaboration, "You Make Me Feel Brand New", featuring Verbal Jint, San. E, Bumkey, Kanto, Swings and Phantom. The song samples the 1974 American soul hit song of the same name by The Stylistics.[11] The single reached #13 on the Gaon Digital Chart.[12] Later that year, R&B singer C-Luv (now known as Taewan) joined the label, having debuted ten years prior under Rhymer's Brand New Production label.[13] A few months later, rapper Swings left the label to focus on his own record label, Just Music Entertainment.[14] In December, the label released "Brand New Day," its third collaboration, which featured Verbal Jint, San E, Phantom, As One, P-Type, Taewan, Kang Min-hee (of Miss $), Kanto, Champagne & Candle, Yang Da-il and DJ IT.[15] The song reached #30 on the Gaon Digital Chart.[16] The year ended with Bumkey of the group Troy being indicted for dealing illegal drugs. Bumkey denied the allegations and was found not guilty in a trial the following year.[17][18]
Several artists joined Brand New Music in 2015, including Eluphant, Gree, Pretty Brown, and Unpretty Rapstar 2 contestant KittiB.[19][20][21][22] Brand New Music released its fourth label collaboration, "Heat It Up" in December. The song featured San E, Verbal Jint, Bumkey, Hanhae, Kanto, Kang Min-hee, Yang Da-il and Candle.[23]
2016 saw new additions to the label including the Esbee, Chancellor, and actor Yang Dong-geun who raps under the name YDG.[24][25][26]
2017–present: Sub-label and third-generation artists[edit]
In 2017, Brand New Music launched its indie sub-label "Korean Roulette", led by Kiggen as president. The first act to sign under it was the duo SBGB.[27] In July 2017, Brand New formed a duo MXM.[28]
On May 22, 2019, Brand New debuted their first idol group AB6IX, with Lee Dae-hwi, Park Woo-jin, Kim Dong-hyun and Jeon Woong among the members.[29] On October 29, Brand New debuted BDC.[30] On December 26, Han Dong-geun signed an exclusive contract with the company.[31]
On August 31, 2020, artist Lee Eun-sang, formerly of X1, made his solo debut.[32]
On April 20, 2022, Brand New debuted their third boy group Younite.[33]