Brand New Music (Korean: 브랜뉴 뮤직, also stylized asBrandNew Music and initialized asBNM) is a South Korean hip hop company founded in 2011 by rapperRhymer [ko].[1]
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][unreliable source?] In 2009, Brand New Production merged with Future Flow, a record label owned by rapper and producerCho PD. The combined company was named Brand New Stardom.[1][3]
Brand New Stardom split into two companies in 2011, with Cho PD foundingStardom Entertainment and Rhymer founding Brand New Music. ArtistsVerbal Jint, Tae Hye Young, BNR, Keeproots, A-Man, andMiss 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 $'s movement."[4][unreliable source?]
In early 2014, the label released its second collaboration, "You Make Me Feel Brand New", featuringVerbal Jint, San. E, Bumkey,Kanto, Swings and Phantom. The song samples the 1974 American soulhit song of the same name byThe Stylistics.[11][unreliable source?] 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][unreliable source?] A few months later, rapperSwings left the label to focus on his own record label, Just Music Entertainment.[14][unreliable source?] 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][unreliable source?] The song reached #30 on the Gaon Digital Chart.[16] The year ended withBumkey of the groupTroy being indicted for dealing illegal drugs. Bumkey denied the allegations and was found not guilty in a trial the following year.[17][unreliable source?][18][unreliable source?]
In 2017, Brand New Music launched itsindie 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 duoMXM.[28]
^"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. RetrievedOctober 22, 2025.
^"'김구라子' MC그리 김동현, 브랜뉴뮤직 연습생 됐다" [Kim Gu-ra's son Kim Dong-hyun, aka MC Gree, has become a Brand New Music trainee].OSEN (in Korean). November 10, 2014. RetrievedOctober 22, 2025.
^"'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. RetrievedOctober 22, 2025.
^"뮤지, 브랜드뮤직과 전속계약…"라이머와 신뢰 바탕"" [Muzie signs exclusive contract with Brand New Music... "Based on trust with Rhymer"].Top Star News (in Korean). April 25, 2023. RetrievedOctober 22, 2025.
^"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. RetrievedOctober 22, 2025.
^"빈센트블루, 24일 전격 데뷔…'범키·양다일 잇는 브랜뉴 싱송라'" [Vincent Blue to make surprise debut on the 24th... Brand New sing-songwriter following in the footsteps of Bumkey and Yang Da-il].Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). March 22, 2019. RetrievedOctober 22, 2025.
^"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. RetrievedOctober 22, 2025.
^Park Ah-reum (April 4, 2022)."브랜뉴뮤직 측 "루달스와 전속계약 종료, 언제나 응원하겠다"[공식]" [Brand New Music side “Exclusive contract with Rudals, we will always support you” [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. RetrievedApril 4, 2022 – viaNaver.
^"'BDC' 김시훈·홍성준·윤정환, 브랜뉴뮤직 떠난다" [BDC's Kim Si-hun, Hong Seong-jun, and Yun Jung-hwan are leaving Brand New Music].E Daily (in Korean). August 18, 2023. RetrievedOctober 22, 2025 – via Naver.
