When we talk about Korean music, the first thing that usually comes to mind is K-pop. Apart from being popular in Korea itself, K-pop has penetrated markets all over the world. Behind all of that, there's a music agency, company, or record label that oversees several musicians and singers to popularize K-pop music. There are so many K-pop agencies or companies that are hugely popular, including SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and HYBE Labels, which are widely very known as the BIG 4. There are also some middle-small agencies such as Starship, CUBE, RBW, FNC, IST, Woollim, and many more.

Currently, there are many Korean music companies that are developing various genres as their trademark. One thing that attracts some attention of music lovers is Hip-hop and RnB. Known since a long time ago, now hip-hop and RnB music is competing with other types of music on the global music scene. Likewise, music companies that focus on hip-hop and RnB music are no less good than other types of music companies in Korea. But unlike other music companies, hip-hop and RnB based music companies consist of small labels that only specialize in the genre.

In this post, I summarized seven Korean companies and record labels that more focused into Hip-hop and RnB music.

1. Amoeba Culture

A South Korean independent record label established in 2006 by Dynamic Duo (Gaeko and Choiza) and Go Kyung Min. The label is currently a home for music artists such as Dynamic Duo, SOLE, Thama, Snzae, Huh, and Padi. Some of former artists including Zion.T, Crush, Bang Jaemin, Primary, and HA:TFELT.

2. AOMG

Acronym for Above Ordinary Music Group, it's an independent hip-hop and R&B company. Founded by Jay Park in 2013, it was led by Jay Park (from 2014 until 2021) and DJ Pumkin. Described as "a small independent label with a big dreams and aspirations", AOMG's activities go beyond making music as the label is also designing clothes and graphic content. The company currently houses some musicians, including Loco, Simon Dominic, Ugly Duck, Hoody, Elo, CODE KUNST, Punchnello, DeVita, Coogie, Jvcki Wai, and GOT7's Yugyeom. Some artists that formerly under AOMG were GRAY, LeeHi, Woo Wonjae, GooseBumps, and meenoi.

3. Ambition Musik

A Hip-hop record label founded by Dok2 and The Quiett in 2016. Originally formed as an Illionaire Records sub-label in 2016, it became an independent label with The Quiett as CEO in 2020 after Illionaire closed operations. Some of the artists under the label include Changmo, Hash Swan, Ash Island, Way Ched, Leellamarz, ZENE THE ZILLA, Don Malik, and Paul Blanco.

4. H1GHR MUSIC

An international hip-hop and RnB company founded by Jay Park and American musician Cha Cha Malone in 2017. It's also marked as Jay Park's second label that he founded after AOMG. Even though it's stationed primarily in South Korea, the label was created with the intent to "bridge the gap" between American and Korean artists, with a focus on adjacent Seattle talent. It currently houses some artists such as BIG Naughty, pH-1, Woodie Gochild, Trade L, JMin, Lil Moshpit, and Park Hyeon Jin. Several former artists including G.Soul, Sik-K, HAON, Woogie, and also GOT7's JAY B.

5. Beautiful Noise

Founded in 2018 by rapper Mommy Son, the record label currently maintains several artists such as Zior Park, Sion, Chanju, Choi Eunseo, and Gyun. Some artists that were formerly under the label include Wonstein, Kim Seungmin, Bravo, Dilla, and Kash Bang.

6. GROOVL1N

South Korean hip-hop record label founded by former VIXX member Ravi after he left his previous agency, Jellyfish Entertainment, in 2019. It manages some artists, including Ravi, Nafla, Xydo, JUSTHIS, Suen, and dance crew PrimeKingz. Rappers Chillin Homie and Cold Bay were also formerly under the label.

7. AT AREA (@Area)

A record label founded by producer duo GroovyRoom in 2021. Several artists under the label are GroovyRoom, Blase, Boycold, Gemini, DAWN, HyunA, and Mirani.

Actually, there are still many more hip-hop and RnB-based agencies and record labels in South Korea. Is there any Hip-hop and RnB-based agency and record label that is your favorite? Or do you know any company else apart from the list above? Please let me know in the comment section!