Epik High to Start Their Own Label Backed By YG Entertainment and Headed by Tablo

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

Hip hop group Epik High is starting their own label, which will be backed by their current label YG Entertainment.

CEO and founder of YG Entertainment Yang Hyun Suk said, “Be it 1TYM or Jinusean, YG’s roots have always been hip hop. YG feels deeply indebted but on the other hand grateful to all of the artists doing hip hop in this country.”

He expressed regret at not being able to take in the many aspiring hip hop artists who want to come to YG Entertainment. The plan is for Epik High, who has the greatest understanding of the underground hip hop scene of the artists in YG Entertainment, to spearhead the new label with Tablo as president.

Yang Hyun Suk judged Tablo to be the most suitable candidate for the position as he is a multi-talented rapper, lyricist, and producer and has a strong understanding of the Hongdae underground scene.

“We will do our best to support the establishment of this hip hop label so that it can become a good opportunity to all underground hip hop artists,” Yang Hyun Suk said.

Who’s excited about Epik High’s new label?

Soompi

Comments

[bunica1990.livejournal.com]

Good.

[lilmissniza.livejournal.com]

So this answers my question in the previous post. Save the dungeon kids, Tablo!!

[bugchan.livejournal.com]

get that $$ tablo

[bloodyhanie.livejournal.com]

what happened to map the soul tho?
I remembered they founded (??) map the soul after parted way with woolim.

[ashiva.livejournal.com]

Apparently someone Epik High trusted betrayed* them and they had to merge Map The Soul with Woollim, which obviously didn't last long 'cause Taijinyo thing hit them and they had to leave Woollim.

Source: http://www.icaruswalks.com/epik-high-map-soul/

*Probably someone stole their money

[ashiva.livejournal.com]

I'm really disappointed this sub label being only for hip hop as AKMU and Lee Hi could have benefited of being on sub label.

[ah-mui.livejournal.com]

Well considering Tablo's the one heading it, I feel like it's pretty expected that it's going to be hip hop (based on his SXSW interview).

AKMU has been handled great so far by YG so I'm not concerned. Lee Hi on the other hand... Tablo and Masta Wu contributed a couple of tracks each for Lee Hi's first album. So who knows, perhaps some artists from the new sub label could do the same for her.

[ashiva.livejournal.com]

I just don't trust YG to handle AKMU this great in the future as also Lee Hi had the great start with first single release of 1,2,3,4 and then later with a full album. Although the fact that Lee Chanhyuk pretty much produces AKMU's stuff on his own (he only seems to need help with the arrangement) makes AKMU less likely recipient of YG's dungeon treatment than Lee Hi.

[squeedunk.livejournal.com]

IA with this comment. With the release of Time and Fallen Leaves/I'm Different/that Masta Wu track I was really getting my hopes up that YG would begin to do some smaller, less-hyped releases, as well as the big comebacks. I mean, it actually worked really well for AKMU even before they signed with YG (I Love You charted really well, and so did Time and Fallen Leaves!) Too bad it wasn't meant to be, I guess - it would have been a great way to pad out this first quarter.

(As a well-liked duet filling a pretty specific niche in K-pop, though, I at least have faith that AKMU will be a little better off than Lee Hi when it comes to needing hype before their releases.)

[sub-divided.livejournal.com]

Is he a businessman though? Or is someone else handling that part?

But very cool... Tablo must be pretty happy about his label switch, he's getting so much support.

[ah-mui.livejournal.com]

There's probably going to be some hand holding involved by YG, at least in the beginning. A team would be in place to help Tablo too.

They were so indie before with Map the Soul. I think this sub label is a great idea, he has the perfect amount of direction control with a safety net of being under YG's umbrella.

[ashiva.livejournal.com]

He will probably have somewhat similar role as Yang Hyun Suk has on YG (he's responsible of artist development and is the face of the company, and is called president, while his brother is responsible of business side and is the actual CEO.)

[pseudo-shigure.livejournal.com]

excited with this sub label bc we know yg can't handle them all and would give them more mainstream influence

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

Officially confirmed now...nice

[sand-nicky.livejournal.com]

Things are going to become really hectic for them now, all the best to them!

[undeniablysarah.livejournal.com]

Cool! I am looking forward to what Tablo and this new sub-label will bring to the table.

[seroquels.livejournal.com]

Congrats!

[beanii.livejournal.com]

This is very exciting and also a great benefit for YG.

[doren-e.livejournal.com]

well, I know for wich company I'm audicioning o/

[atelierlune.livejournal.com]

This seems like a very good thing. Good for Tablo/Epik High, good for future entertainers too.

[elementree.livejournal.com]

good thing giriboy is already in just music because i'd hateLOVE to see tablo continue his unrequited love.

[x3raindropsx3.livejournal.com]

omg lmaooo

damn i should have asked him about giriboy at sxsw. missed opportunity!