Universal Music Korea Signs Hukky Shibaseki

Universal Music Korea signs award-winning producer, composer, and hip-hop artist Hukky Shibaseki to a management deal.

Recognized for his distinctive approach to experimental hip-hop, electronic textures, and alternative homegrown rap, the South Korean creative has established himself as one of the market’s leaders in contemporary hip-hop.

Across his career, Shibaseki has collaborated with such local talents as E SENS, B-Free, J-Tong, JJANGYOU and numerous independent musicians, all the time bridging “traditional hip-hop sensibilities with forward-thinking production,” reads a statement from the major music company, creating works that are both rooted in Seoul’s underground culture and the international alternative music scene.

“Hukky Shibaseki is a visionary and one of the Korean music industry’s most influential creative leaders, recognized for elevating the artistry and careers of exceptional talent,” comments Calvin Wong, CEO of Universal Music Group Southeast Asia and Korea, and senior VP of Asia.

At UMK, the hip-hop standout joins a roster that includes DEAN, Okasian, Bryan Chase, LIM KIM, 1300, and HEYOON.

With this new management partnership, announced Friday, Aug. 7, UMK will work closely with its new signing to expand his creative endeavors, strategic collaborations, and international opportunities.

Thanks to a combination of the K-pop phenomenon, its burgeoning hip-hop culture, and a mature, domestic streaming music space, South Korea’s recorded market is a powerhouse, a global top 10 market, coming in at No. 7 in the IFPI’s Global Music Report 2026.

To tap into that vibrant scene, Billboard Korea, together with Billboard, launches two new songs charts in Korea to more precisely capture the momentum and influence of K-Music — the Billboard Korea Global K-Songs and Billboard Korea Hot 100.

Shibaseki has his own lane, UMK reckons. “His production seamlessly balances raw underground aesthetics with melodic, cinematic sound design,” reads a statement, “resulting in a style that is both sonically adventurous and emotionally resonant.”