BrandNew Music

BrandNew Music Co., Ltd.
Native name
브랜뉴 뮤직
TypePrivate
Industry
Genre
Predecessor
  • IC Entertainment
  • BrandNew Production
  • BrandNew Stardom
FoundedMay 17, 2012; 14 years ago (2012-05-17)
FounderRhymer [ko]
Headquarters
Seoul, South Korea
Number of locations
Bangbae, Seocho District
Key peopleRhymer (founder and CEO)
Services
  • Music production
  • Licensing
  • Publishing
SubsidiariesKorean Roulette
Websitewww.brandnewmusic.co.kr Edit this at Wikidata

BrandNew Music Co., Ltd. (Korean: 브랜뉴 뮤직, initialized as BNM) is a South Korean hip hop company founded in 2011 by rapper Rhymer [ko].

History

2003–2012: Founding and first-generation artists

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. The label later changed its name to BrandNew Production.[unreliable source?] In 2009, BrandNew Production merged with Future Flow, a record label owned by rapper and producer Cho PD. The combined company was named BrandNew Stardom.

BrandNew Stardom split into two companies in 2011, with Cho PD founding Stardom Entertainment and Rhymer founding BrandNew Music. Artists Verbal Jint, Tae Hye Young, BNR, Keeproots, A-Man, and Miss S followed Rhymer to the new label.

Following the split of BrandNew Stardom in 2011, the newly founded Stardom Entertainment sued BrandNew Music, saying that Oh Yoo-mi, a member of Miss S, was still contracted with Stardom. According to BrandNew Music, the two companies had previously agreed that "neither company would restrict Miss $'s movement."[unreliable source?]

BrandNew Music released its first label collaboration, "Happy BrandNew Year," at the end of 2012. Artists Verbal Jint, Phantom, As One, Miss S, Swings, Shijin, and Bumkey all contributed to the single.[unreliable source?] It reached #24 on Korea's Gaon Digital Chart.

2013–2016: second-generation artists

In January 2013, BrandNew Music launched its own Internet show, BrandNew Live.[unreliable source?] That summer, rapper San E left major music label JYP Entertainment and joined BrandNew Music.[unreliable source?] He has since become one of the most awarded artists in the label and one of the most successful rappers in Korean mainstream media.[unreliable source?]

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.[unreliable source?] The single reached #13 on the Gaon Digital Chart. Later that year, R&B singer C-Luv (now known as Taewan) joined the label, having debuted ten years prior under Rhymer's BrandNew Production label.[unreliable source?] A few months later, rapper Swings left the label to focus on his own record label, Just Music Entertainment.[unreliable source?] In December, the label released "BrandNew 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.[unreliable source?] The song reached #30 on the Gaon Digital Chart. 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.[unreliable source?][unreliable source?]

Several artists joined BrandNew Music in 2015, including Eluphant, Gree, Pretty Brown, and Unpretty Rapstar 2 contestant KittiB.[unreliable source?][unreliable source?] BrandNew 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.[unreliable source?]

2016 saw new additions to the label including the Esbee, Chancellor, and actor Yang Dong-geun who raps under the name YDG.[unreliable source?][unreliable source?][unreliable source?]

2017–present: Sub-label and new generation artists

In 2017, BrandNew Music launched its indie sub-label "Korean Roulette", led by Kiggen as president. The first act to sign under it was the duo SBGB. In July 2017, BrandNew formed a duo MXM.

On May 22, 2019, BrandNew debuted their first idol group AB6IX, with Lee Dae-hwi, Park Woo-jin, Kim Dong-hyun and Jeon Woong among the members. On October 29, BrandNew debuted BDC. On December 26, Han Dong-geun signed an exclusive contract with the company.

On August 31, 2020, artist Lee Eun-sang, formerly of X1, made his solo debut.

On April 20, 2022, BrandNew debuted their third boy group Younite.

Artists

Soloists

  • Bumkey (since 2013)
  • DJ It
  • DJ Juice
  • Gree (since 2014)
  • Hanhae (since 2011)
  • Lee Eun-sang (since 2019)
  • Muzie (since 2023)
  • Rhymer (since 2011)
  • Taewan (since 2014)
  • Verbal Jint (since 2011)
  • Vincent Blue (since 2019)

Groups

Producers

  • 9999
  • Dong Ne-hyeong
  • LISHBEATS
  • MasterKey
  • NOMAD
  • On The Road
  • Won Young-heon
  • XEPY
  • Yellow Willow

Entertainers

  • Lee Dae-woo

Former artists

Soloists

Groups

Members of current groups

  • Hyeunseung (Younite, 2022–2024)
  • Lee Min (As One, 2012–2025)
  • Lim Young-min (MXM and AB6IX, 2017–2020)

Discography

Title Year Artists Peak chart
positions		 Sales (DL)
KOR
"Happy BrandNew Year" 2012
  • Verbal Jint
  • Phantom
  • As One
  • Miss S
  • Swings
  • N-Son
  • Bumkey
 24
  • KOR: 292,674
"BrandNew Anthem"
  • Swings
  • Rhymer
  • P-Type
  • Heo In-chang
  • Bizniz
  • Kanto
 — N/a
"You Make Me Feel Brand New" 2014
  • Verbal Jint
  • San E
  • Bumkey
  • Swings
  • Phantom
  • Kanto
 13
  • KOR: 192,831
"BrandNew Day"
  • Verbal Jint
  • San E
  • Phantom
  • As One
  • P-Type
  • Taewan
  • Kang Min-hee
  • Kanto
  • Champagne & Candle
  • Yang Da-il
  • DJ It
 30
  • KOR: 100,723
"High" (잘 되길 바래)
  • Champagne & Candle
  • Hanhae
  • Kanto
 — N/a
"Heat It Up" (몸 좀 녹이자) 2015
  • San E
  • Verbal Jint
  • Bumkey
  • Hanhae
  • Kanto
  • Kang Min-hee
  • Yang Da-il
  • Candle
 40
  • KOR: 100,780
"BrandNew Shit"
  • Verbal Jint
  • San E
  • Phantom
  • P-Type
  • Eluphant
  • Champagne
  • Gree
  • DJ Juice
 — N/a
"Respect the Name" 2016
  • San E
  • Hanhae
  • P-Type
  • Gree
  • Minos
  • Kebee
  • KittiB
  • Kanto
  • DJ Juice
 —
"Already Christmas" (어느새 크리스마스)
  • Yang Da-il
  • Chancellor
  • Gree
  • As One
  • Kang Min-hee
 —
  • KOR: 13,992
"Better Tomorrow"
  • San E
  • Minos
  • Hanhae
  • Kanto
  • Champagne
  • Sanchez
  • Taewan
 — N/a
"Baby Can I" (너가 필요한 것 같아) 2017
  • Bumkey
  • Chancellor
  • Taewan
  • Sanchez
  • Yang Da-il
  • MXM
 —
"Fresh Air"
  • Verbal Jint
  • Eluphant
  • DJ Juice
  • Hanhae
  • Rudals
 —
"Do Your Thing" (다 해도 돼) 2018
  • Verbal Jint
  • Bumkey
  • Eluphant
  • Hanhae
  • Kanto
  • Gree
  • Yenjamin
 —
"Sweater" (스웨터)
  • Bumkey
  • Yang Da-il
  • Taewan
  • Kang Min-hee
  • MXM
  • Vincent Blue
 —
"Melting" 2019
  • Kanto
  • AB6IX
  • Kang Min-hee
  • Yo Da-young
  • BDC
 —
"Look Good"
  • Bumkey
  • Yang Da-il
  • Kebee
  • Kanto
  • KittiB
  • Gree
  • Yenjamin
  • Vincent Blue
 —
"Chandelier" (샹들리에) 2020
  • AB6IX
  • BDC
  • Lee Eun-sang
 —
"Better Days" (바래)
  • Bumkey
  • Yang Da-il
  • Han Dong-geun
  • Kang Min-hee
  • Yo Da-young
 —
"1 Year"
  • Eluphant
  • Hanhae
  • Kanto
  • Yenjamin
  • Rudals
  • Gree
 —

Concerts

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Um, Dong-jin (May 4, 2015). "Rhymer finds success after years of struggle". JoongAng Ilbo. Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on August 10, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Rhymer". BrandNew Music (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "South Korean Rappers Verbal Jint And San E Plan Tokyo Showcase Concert For Next Month". KpopStarz. October 20, 2015. Archived from the original on April 16, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Stardom Entertainment files lawsuit against BrandNew Music over Miss $'s new single". Allkpop. Allkpop. September 27, 2012. Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  5. ↑ "BrandNew Music releases "Happy BrandNew Year" MV". Allkpop. Allkpop. December 5, 2012. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  6. ↑ "2012년 50주차 Digital Chart". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  7. ↑ "BrandNew Music launches the first episode of their reality series 'BrandNew LIVE'". Allkpop. January 31, 2013. Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  8. ↑ "San E signs with BrandNew Music after parting ways with JYPE + releases "Rap Circus" MV". Allkpop. June 3, 2013. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  9. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Hip hop getting more popular in Korea – San E". The Manila Bulletin. February 13, 2016. Archived from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  10. ↑ "San E and Raina achieve an all-kill with 'A Midsummer Night's Sweetness'". Allkpop. June 12, 2014. Archived from the original on June 12, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Verbal Jint, Phantom, San E, and Other Makes Us Feels "Feel BrandNew" in New MV". Soompi. January 13, 2014. Archived from the original on January 11, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Digital Chart, January 19-25, 2014". Gaon. Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  13. ↑ "C-Luv Joins BrandNew Entertainment with Verbal Jint, San E, and Bumkey". KpopStarz. April 8, 2014. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Swings Leaves BrandNew Music to Focus on His Own Agency Just Music". Soompi. August 29, 2014. Archived from the original on November 30, 2024. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Editor's Pick: On 'BrandNew Day' Verbal Jint And San E Join Forces With Their Labelmates To Create Greatness". KpopStarz. December 5, 2014. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Digital Chart, December 14-20,2016". Gaon. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Bumkey under suspicion of allegedly aiding in drug dealing + agency to issue official statement". Allkpop. December 10, 2014. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Bumkey Ruled Not Guilty on Drug Dealing and Administering Charges". Soompi. April 19, 2015. Archived from the original on April 15, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Hip-Hop Duo Eluphant Officially Joins Record Label BrandNew Music". KpopStarz. January 16, 2015. Archived from the original on January 22, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Kim Gu Ra's son Kim Dong Hyun to debut in the first half of this year as 'GREE' under BrandNew Music". Allkpop. February 25, 2015. Archived from the original on January 2, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Pretty Brown (프리티브라운)". KBS World Radio. Archived from the original on January 21, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Unpretty Rapstar 2 contestant KittiB signs with BrandNew Music". Hip Hop Kr. November 17, 2015. Archived from the original on November 18, 2015. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  23. ↑ "BrandNew Music's artists incl. San E, Verbal Jint and more 'Heat It Up' in new MV". Allkpop. December 8, 2015. Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Check out Esbee's MV for 'I Just Wanna Sing' feat. Hanhae!". Allkpop. February 16, 2016. Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Chancellor, Formerly Known As One Way Chance, Joins BrandNew MUSIC". Koreaboo. March 24, 2016. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Yang Dong Geun joins BrandNew Music for his activities as a rapper". Koreaboo. March 6, 2016. Archived from the original on October 29, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  27. ↑ "키겐, 팬텀의 리더에서 코리안룰렛 대표로(인터뷰②)". March 11, 2017. Archived from the original on April 4, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
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  29. ↑ (in Korean) AB6IX, 5월 22일 올림픽홀서 데뷔 앨범 쇼케이스 개최(공식) Archived 2019-05-02 at the Wayback Machine
  30. ↑ "BDC "그룹명은 'BOYS DA CAPO' 약자, 초심 잃지 않겠다는 포부 담아"" (in Korean). Joongbu Ilbo. November 7, 2019. Archived from the original on November 10, 2019. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
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  32. ↑ Park, Seo-yeon (August 31, 2020). "이은상, 첫 솔로 앨범 '뷰티풀 스카' 오늘(31일) 발매..화려한 솔로 데뷔(일문일답)". Herald Pop (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  33. ↑ "'브랜뉴뮤직 신인' 유나이트, 4월 20일 데뷔 확정..화려한 출격 [공식]". OSEN (in Korean). Naver. March 18, 2022. Archived from the original on March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  34. ↑ "범키, 전직 CIA인 매형과 인증샷 '미드급 인맥'" [Bumkey takes a photo with his brother-in-law, a former CIA agent, and boasts a "mid-level network."]. OSEN (in Korean). May 30, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  35. ↑ "'김구라子' MC그리 김동현, 브랜뉴뮤직 연습생 됐다" [Kim Gu-ra's son Kim Dong-hyun, aka MC Gree, has become a BrandNew Music trainee]. OSEN (in Korean). November 10, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  36. ↑ "팬텀 '얼굴 뚫어지겠다' 티저 잔혹성 논란 "진짜 뚫어…제정신?"". Sports Dong-a (in Korean). November 25, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  37. ↑ "'프듀X101' 방송 전 관심, 어떤 연습생이 받고 있나 [엑's 이슈]" [Which trainees are receiving the most attention before the broadcast of 'Produce X 101'? [X's Issue]]. Xports News (in Korean). April 10, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  38. ↑ "뮤지, 브랜드뮤직과 전속계약…"라이머와 신뢰 바탕"" [Muzie signs exclusive contract with BrandNew Music... "Based on trust with Rhymer"]. Top Star News (in Korean). April 25, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  39. ↑ "태완, 8년 만에 가요계 전격 컴백… 18일 'History' 선공개" [Taewan makes a surprise comeback to the music industry after eight years, pre-releasing "History" on the 18th]. Sports Dong-a (in Korean). April 25, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  40. ↑ "빈센트블루, 24일 전격 데뷔…'범키·양다일 잇는 브랜뉴 싱송라'" [Vincent Blue to make surprise debut on the 24th... BrandNew sing-songwriter following in the footsteps of Bumkey and Yang Da-il]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). March 22, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  41. ↑ 김현록 (July 22, 2026). "3000명 검거한 베테랑 형사, 정년퇴직 후 브랜뉴뮤직行...이대우 새출발[공식]". SpoTV News (in Korean). Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  42. ↑ "라이머 "이단옆차기 첸슬러와 계약, 그는 최고의 뮤지션"" [Rhymer: "I signed Chancellor, the next generation of musicians. He's the best."]. OSEN (in Korean). March 24, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  43. ↑ Park Ah-reum (April 4, 2022). "브랜뉴뮤직 측 "루달스와 전속계약 종료, 언제나 응원하겠다"[공식]" [BrandNew Music side “Exclusive contract with Rudals, we will always support you” [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved April 4, 2022 – via Naver.
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