Universal Music Korea, a division of Universal Music Group, has signed hip-hop artists Okasian and Bryan Chase.
The signing coincides with a rebranding of the company’s local Artist & Label (A&L) division.
Okasian, a veteran with more than a decade in the industry, first gained prominence as part of The Cohort hip-hop crew alongside Keith Ape and Bryan Chase. His reputation earned him a spot on XXL’s “Top 10 Must-Know Rappers from Korea” list alongside BTS’s RM. His distinctive sound has led to collaborations with The Blacklabel (home to Blackpink’s Rose and Taeyang), along with releases through Interscope and 88rising.
“I am truly delighted to embark on this new journey with Universal Music Korea, collaborating to create great music and authentic works together,” Okasian said.
Chase brings his versatile style and melodic flows to UMG after making a name for himself with his 2015 breakout “No Flex Zone (remix).” His collaborative resume includes work with The Blacklabel, Interscope, 88rising, K-pop star Taeyang on “Nightfall,” and U.S. rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie on “2U.”
“Joining UMG is an incredible honor. We’ve built this from the ground up with love and belief in the music. Now with this partnership, we’re ready to share our sound with the world. This is a new beginning and we’re expecting great things ahead,” Chase said.
The pair recently collaborated on “LOV3,” a track from Sik-k and Lil Moshpit’s EP “K-FLIP+” released in March.
“We are thrilled to embark on this new chapter with two exceptional artists who have earned widespread recognition in Korea’s and Asia’s hip-hop scene,” said Calvin Wong, CEO of Southeast Asia and Korea for Universal Music Group. “Their expertise and fresh perspective promise to inspire and elevate the current music landscape, and we are fully committed to supporting their artistic journey.”
With these signings, Universal Music Korea expands a roster that previously featured artists Dean and Heyoon. The company has also launched a dedicated Artist & Label Instagram channel to keep fans updated on their growing slate of talent.
