YG Entertainment
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| YG Entertainment Inc. | |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Founder | Yang Hyun Suk |
| Headquarters |  Seoul, South Korea |
| Key people | Yang Hyun Suk Chief Executive Officer |
| Industry | Music & Entertainment |
| Products | Music & Entertainment |
| Services | Music & Entertainment |
| Owner | Yang Hyun Suk |
| Website | www.ygfamily.com |
YG Entertainment (Korean: YG 엔터테인먼트) is a record label from Korea. YG Entertainment specializes in producing R&B and hip hop music. Before YG Entertainment was formed, hip hop music was an unknown and unpopular genre in Korea. YG stands for Yang Goon and are also the initials of the chief executive officer, Yang Hyun Suk.
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[edit] Company
YG Entertainment was founded in 1996 by Yang Hyun Suk, who was a member of Seo Tai-ji & Boys. After the group's break-up in 1996, he produced Keep Six and created hits with debuting musicians Jinusean, 1TYM, Se7en, Big Bang, Lexy and Wheesung. His direct experiences from having been a singer himself has propelled him to gather a formidable team of the strongest producers, lyricists, composer groups, singers, planning team, and PR teams to provide the best environment in ensuring high quality music for YG Entertainment.
[edit] Partnership
[edit] Domestic
In the domestic region, YG has had partnerships with M-Boat Entertainment (produces Wheesung, Gummy and Big Mama) since 2002, EunGun Entertainment (produces Soul Star), Yamazone Music (produces Bounce and PSY) and Booda Sound (produces 45RPM). After the contracts for Wheesung, Big Mama, and Soul Star ended, EunGun and M.Boat have ended their activities with YG Entertainment.
[edit] International
Starting in 2005, YG has expanded its market into the foreign market. Se7en is the first YG artist to expand into Asia. YG has partnerships with Nexstar Records in Japan, 21 East Entertainment in China and GMMInternational in Thailand. As well, Se7en is currently preparing for his debut in the United States. YG plans to build offices in the United States and Japan named YG America and YG Japan.
[edit] Roster
- YG Family
YG Family was created in 1999 and refers to the artists under the label. YG Family have made 4 collaborative albums and have performed in Seoul, (Korea), Tokyo and Osaka, (Japan), Los Angeles, New York City and Washington D.C., (U.S.) for their 10th anniversary world tour in 2006 [1].
[edit] Current artists
- Yang Goon
Yang Goon (양군) is the president and founder of YG Entertainment. He is a former member of Seo Tai-ji & Boys (서태지와 아이들), one of the most influential groups in Korean music history. In 1998, Yang Goon released his solo album. Soon after, he formed the project group ‘YG Family’ which displayed the power of family unification.
- 1TYM
1TYM is a hip-hop group consisting of Danny Im (a.k.a. Taebin), Park Teddy, Song Baek Kyoung and Oh Jin Hwan. The group is YG's second act, which debuted in 1998. All four members are capable of writing lyrics, composing, and producing. 1TYM is one of the biggest hip-hop artists in Korea; all five albums released show high sales and popularity amongst the Korean public.
- 45RPM
45RPM is YG’s underground group that consists of Park Jae Jin, Choi Kyung Wook and DJ DOC’s brother, Lee Hyung Bae. They have been widely known at Korean clubs. 45RPM’s general music style is funny and sometimes realistic, unlike other dark underground hip hop songs.
- Big Bang
Big Bang (빅뱅) is a five-member hip-hop and R&B group composed of T.O.P., Seung Ri and Dae Sung and GDYB’s G-Dragon and Tae Yang (a.k.a. YB Taekwon). Big Bang debuted in August of 2006 and gained huge popularity with their songs “거짓말” (Lies) and “마지막 인사” (The Last Farewell) which topped many Korean music charts and gained many end of year music awards.
- Gummy
Gummy (거미) is a solo R&B singer. Before Gummy made her debut in February of 2003, she worked as Wheesung’s vocal trainer. Gummy’s first album didn’t gain as much success because fellow label-mates Se7en, Big Mama and Lexy gained much attention during that year. However, Gummy became immensely popular in 2004, winning top spots in ten music charts and receiving an award for Top artist award of 2004. Gummy was under YG/M-Boat’s joint venture before she fully entered as a YG artist.
- Ji Eun
Ji Eun (지은) is a female R&B singer who debuted in 2007. Her first album "Rain" was praised by many critics. She was recently featured in Lexy’s “Into The Sky” along with label-mate, Tae Yang, G-Dragon and T.O.P. of Big Bang. She has been featured in songs for her label-mates since 2002.
- Jinusean
Jinusean is YG’s first production, which debuted in 1997. Jinusean consists of Jinu and Sean. They have released a total of four albums and have come to be known as the pioneer of hip hop music, selling 700,000 copies of their albums. Their third album The Reign featured US rappers Cypress Hill and Mobb Deep, and famous Japanese hip-hop group M-Flo. The easy-to-follow and catchy “A-yo!” became a public favorite.
- Masta Wu
Masta Wu debuted in June of 2003. He produced and wrote the lyrics for his debut album with his signature in-depth lyrics and melodious flow.
- MooGaDang
MooGaDang (무가당), 舞歌黨 in Chinese, is a four-member mixed group consisting Song Baek Kyoung of 1TYM, Lee Eun Ju of Swi.T, VJ Phryme of Soul Food and Kim Woo Geun of Bounce. MooGaDang debuted with a single in 2006.
- Perry
Perry is a solo artist, more often known as YG’s producer and composer, who debuted in 2001. He is usually featured in other YG artists' songs. Most recently, he has composed songs for Big Bang’s first mini album, Always.
- SE7EN
Se7en (세븐) is a multi-talented R&B artist who debuted in 2003 and became successful throughout Asia. He is the first YG artist to enter foreign markets. So far he has released four full-length Korean albums and two digital singles, one full-length Japanese album and six Japanese singles. Se7en has also acted as the lead role for the Korean drama Goong S, a spinoff of the popular drama Goong. Se7en is currently preparing for his American debut which is to happen in 2008.
- Stony Skunk
Stony Skunk consists of Skull and S-Kush and was one of the first Korean reggae groups in Korea. Stony Skunk is YG's second underground music group. In 2003, they released an album that mixed the style of reggae and hip-hop. Stony Skunk recently released their fourth album in September of 2007. Most recently, Skull made a solo debut in the US with his single "Boomdi Boomdi". The song has ranked 16th on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales chart and climbed to the 10th on the same chart dated August 4, 2007.[2] Skull's manager in the US is the brother of pop star Mariah Carey, Morgan Carey. Although he gained much success, Skull has gone to serve his mandatory military service in Korea.
[edit] Current actors/actresses
- Koo Hye Sun (구혜선)
- Kang Hye Jung (강혜정)
[edit] Former artists
- Big Mama
Big Mama is a four member female R&B group from M-Boat, the sister company to YG Entertainment. YG helped promote artists under M-Boat like Gummy, Big Mama, and Wheesung. Gummy renewed her contract with YG; however, Big Mama and Wheesung left YG/M-Boat in 2006. After Big Mama's departure, YG and M-Boat's affiliation also ended.
- GDYB
GDYB, which is composed of GD (a.k.a. G-Dragon) and YB Taekwon (a.k.a. Tae Yang), were featured in their senior labelmates' albums. GDYB have never officially released an album but took part in YG Family’s second album. Both members are now part of Big Bang, which debuted in 2006. GD was the youngest rapper ever to be featured in the album "2001 Korea Hip Hop Flex," at the age of twelve. GD has collaborated with many artists such Wheesung and Perry. After his debut act as little Jinusean, YB Taekwon appeared on Swi.T’s performances as a guest rapper. Since then, YB Taekwon showed a lot of potential during his performance with Masta Wu’s "Troublemaker" and his featured part in Wheesung’s second album.
- Lexy
Lexy, who debuted in 2003, is the first female artist in YG Family. On September 12, 2007, Yang Goon announced that Lexy left YG Entertainment. Lexy's contract actually ended October of 2006. Because of the disappointing results of her second album, it was mutually decided that there wouldn't be any re-signing of a contract, but they had still wanted to carry out the third album.
- Soul Star
Soul Star ended their contract with YG/Eungun Entertainment in 2006 and have now joined the label, Sidus HQ[3]
- Swi.T
Swi.T which stands for Song Will Tell consists of Lee Eun Ju, Ahn Nai Young, and Sung Mi Hyun. The three-member female group debuted in 2002 after four years of preparation. On February 25, 2004, Yang Hyun Suk left a message on the YG website updating fans with the status of all the YG artists, including Swi.T. In this message, he informed fans of the cancellation of the group's second album and the disbandment of the group. The reasons given were that member Ahn Nai Young moved to America with her family and that Sung Mi Hyun was having family troubles. Only Lee Eun Ju would stay with YG, and at the time would undergo training in Japan in preparation for a solo album.
- Wheesung
Wheesung's (휘성) contract with YG/M-Boat Entertainment ended March of 2006. Wheesung has discussed this issue with his previous management and has decided to transfer to another agency. The contract he now has with another label is worth 1,500,000 won.[citation needed].
[edit] Trainees
- CL (Chae Rim)
CL is a 16-year-old YG trainee who first appeared at the SBS Gayo Daejun Awards on December 29, 2007. Her special talents include her ability to speak French, English, Japanese and Korean, perform raps, sing and dance. She was featured in Big Bang's second mini album intro track, "Hot Issue".
- Park Bom
Park Bom (박봄) is a YG trainee that has been featured in Big Bang’s 2006 singles “We Belong Together” and ”Forever With You”. In 2007, she appeared in a music video with Lee Hyori for Anycall. She will debut in June of 2008 with her first single.
- Sandara Park
Park Sandara (박산다라) is a YG trainee and former celebrity in the Philippines. Sandara gained attention when she appeared in KBS’ documentary program, Human Theater.[4] She appeared in a 2004 Philippines program Star Circle Quest as a contestant. She will debut as a Korean actress in 2008[5]. Recently, Sandara and T.O.P of Big Bang acted in the music video, "Sorry" for labelmate, Gummy, who recently made a comeback with her fourth album, Comfort.
- Gong Min Ji
Gong Min Ji (공민지) is a YG trainee since 2005 and is related to the dance artist Gong Ok Jin. She is currently undergoing professional training and is to debut in the girl group along with CL and Park Bom. Gong Min Ji was discovered at an open audition.
- Mystery L
On Yenny's cyworld, she revealed in her Diary that her, doni, and Minji, along with another girl which she nicknamed "L" went to eat together after "Practice" she said that she was jealous of L's singing skills but also said She was jealous of Minji's dancing. Yenny is no longer in YG as a trainee.
[edit] Former trainees
- SO-1
SO-1(real name Jang Hyun Seung), was dropped from Big Bang in the ninth episode of Big Bang's documentary, which was shown on GOM Television. He was considered to be a great singer and had a "pretty face". Unfortunately, he did not pass the audition to become a member of Big Bang, due to his shyness on stage.
- Kim May Doni
May Doni (메이다니) is a former known YG trainee that was to debut in Japan. She was discovered by Park Jin Young’s SBS TV audition program. May Doni was originally in JYP Entertainment and then later joined YG around 2005 and left YG in 2007. She was getting her vocal training from Big Mama. Recently, May Doni made a debut on KBS as a feature for Cho PD of PDIS on March 8, 2008.
- Kim Yenny
Yenny is a former YG trainee who also happens to be the sister of May Doni, another former YG trainee. She left YG along with her sister. Recently, Yenny has become a back-up dancer for her younger sister May Doni.
- Honey Lee
[edit] Concerts
- YG Family One Concert 2003 (South Korea)
- YG Family & M-Boat Color of the Soul Train (South Korea)
- YG Family One Concert 2004 (South Korea)
- YG Family Thank U Concert 2005 (South Korea)
- YG Family One Concert 2005 (South Korea)
- YG Family 10th Anniversary World Tour 2006 (South Korea, Japan & U.S.)
- YG Family One Concert 2007 (South Korea)
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- (Korean) YG Entertainment Official Site
- (Japanese) YG Japan Official Site
- (Korean) YG Entertainment Audition Official Site
- (Korean) Yamazone Music Official Site
- (Thai) GMM GRAMMY International
Former Partnerships
- (Korean) M-Boat Entertainment Official Site
- (Thai) RS Promotion Official Site
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