Universal Music Korea Signs Hukky Shibaseki
Universal Music Korea has signed Hukky Shibaseki, an award-winning South Korean producer, composer and hip-hop artist, to a management deal. The partnership is intended to develop his creative projects, collaborations and international opportunities, reflecting continued major-label interest in Korea’s growing hip-hop and alternative music scene.
Shibaseki is known for combining experimental hip-hop, electronic elements and alternative rap, and has worked with artists including E SENS, B-Free, J-Tong and JJANGYOU. He joins a Universal Music Korea roster featuring DEAN, Okasian, Bryan Chase, LIM KIM, 1300 and HEYOON; the announcement was made on Friday, 7 August. Billboard noted that South Korea ranked seventh globally in recorded-music markets in IFPI’s 2026 report.
In short
- Universal Music Korea signs producer and rapper Hukky Shibaseki.
- The deal aims to expand his international creative opportunities.
- Shibaseki is recognised for experimental Korean hip-hop production.
Explained simply
Universal Music Korea is the South Korean arm of the global record company Universal Music Group. It works with artists in South Korea and can help develop their music, connect them with collaborators and reach audiences abroad.
Hukky Shibaseki is a South Korean producer, composer and hip-hop artist whose music blends experimental rap with electronic and alternative sounds. He has worked with artists including E SENS, B-Free, J-Tong and JJANGYOU.
South Korea has a large and increasingly influential music industry, spanning pop, hip-hop and alternative music. Its recorded-music market ranked seventh worldwide in the IFPI’s 2026 report, helping explain why international labels are interested in developing Korean artists.
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