Grammy-winning artists and leading Asian musicians have launched a new company aimed at the Asian music market.
Ne-Yo, Sonu Nigam, and MC Jin have teamed up with Jonathan Serbin, a veteran music industry executive and former co-president of Warner Music Group Asia, to establish a new entertainment company called 'Pacific Music Group (PMG)'.
Headquartered in Hong Kong, 'Pacific Music Group' aims to discover and nurture Asian artists and introduce them to the global market. The company plans to operate labels across various genres, including pop, R&B, hip-hop, and electronic, creating content that reflects the musical diversity of different Asian regions. Additionally, PMG will support artists' global expansion from countries like Korea, Japan, India, and China, while also helping Western artists enter the Asian market.
The involvement of global musicians as founding members is noteworthy. Ne-Yo, a three-time Grammy Award winner, is a global star known for creating hit songs for artists like Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Jennifer Hudson. MC Jin gained recognition through BET's '106 & Park' 'Freestyle Fridays' and became the first Asian-American solo hip-hop artist to sign with a major U.S. label. Sonu Nigam, a prominent Indian vocalist, has been active in Indian film and pop music for nearly 20 years and remains one of the most streamed artists in India.
Ne-Yo stated, “The launch of Pacific Music Group is not just a business venture but a personal mission. Having performed in various Asian regions, I've witnessed the changes in the music market firsthand. As someone of Chinese descent, I want to discover the next generation of pan-Asian superstars and showcase the rich culture of this region on the world stage.” MC Jin, who will lead the hip-hop label, added, “The global influence of hip-hop is undeniable. Asia has many artists with unique stories and styles, and they will connect with the world through their culture and creativity.”
Sonu Nigam also expressed, “Indian artists want to connect with a broader world beyond borders, and I want to help them grow in the global market through Pacific Music Group.”
Jonathan Serbin, with over 25 years of experience in the music and media industry, oversaw 11 countries and regions during his tenure at Warner Music Asia, discovering and signing various Asian artists. He also led the launch of the company's first K-pop dedicated label. Serbin emphasized, “Asia is one of the most dynamic markets in the global music industry. All three founders have experienced global success and know how to build international music careers.”
Meanwhile, 'Pacific Music Group' plans to gradually unveil its roster of artists and actively target the Asian music market.
Reported by Yeji Ryu, TenAsia ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr