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K-pop Group Monsta X Signs To Epic Records

This article is more than 4 years old.

South Korean boy band Monsta X are making moves toward an overseas crossover, and they just inked a high-profile record deal.

The seven-piece joined the LA-based Epic Records to cover their English-language recordings and worldwide distribution outside of Korea. Back home, they are part of Starship Entertainment’s artist roster alongside Cosmic Girls, Soyou, and Jeong Sewoon.

“We are thrilled to join the Epic Family alongside some of the artists we admire the most,” the boy band said in a statement, according to Billboard. “This is like a dream come true and we still can’t believe that this is happening to us. We can’t thank our [fandom] Monbebe enough for their endless support and for making everything possible.”

Epic is home to some of the biggest names in the U.S. music industry, including Mariah Carey, DJ Khaled, 21 Savage, Camila Cabello, and Busta Rhymes.

Fans have already gotten a taste of Monsta X’s English-language music as they collaborated with Steve Aoki on “Play It Cool” earlier this year.

"K-pop has indelibly impacted the global conversation and influenced culture everywhere," Epic Records Chairman and CEO Sylvia Rhone said in a statement. "At the top of that conversation, you’ll find Monsta X. They’re ushering the genre into the future with an original style befitting of their experience, passion, and diverse influences. We’re honored to welcome them to the Epic Records family."

Their campaign for entering the American music market ramped up last year, when they reached milestones like becoming the first K-pop group to perform at iHeartRadio’s annual Jingle Ball event. Later this year, they’ll become the first K-pop group to perform at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, sharing the lineup with big names like Billie Eilish, Juice WRLD, and Maren Morris.

While Monsta X is no stranger to U.S. TV appearances, they recently made their animated debut on Cartoon Network’s We Bare Bears on May 27.

The septet also kicked off their We Are Here world tour in Seoul last month, and the six-city American leg will begin in Dallas on July 25.

Monsta X is the latest K-pop act to sign a deal with an American record label. Rookie group TOMORROW X TOGETHER — who are labelmates with BTS — inked a distribution deal with Republic Records this year. Last year, BLACKPINK signed to Interscope and Universal Music Group. Meanwhile, NCT 127 partnered with Capitol Music Group and Caroline for distribution and global marketing.

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