HYBE Expands Its Footprint in Latin America: A Strategic Move to Nurture Tomorrow’s Superstars

HYBE Ventures into Latin America with New Label and Rebranding Efforts to Amplify Regional Talent

Bangtan Updates
5 min readJul 3, 2024
HYBE Label Headquarters exterior
HYBE LABELS is Expanding in Latin America

Synopsis:

HYBE is expanding its presence in Latin America with new offices in Mexico City, Miami, and Los Angeles. The expansion includes the introduction of a new label, DOCEMIL MUSIC, and the rebranding of Exile Music to ZARPAZO and Exile Podcasts to Ajá Podcasts. Led by CEO Jonghyun ‘JH’ Kah, General Manager Fernando Grediaga, and COO Jeremy Norkin, HYBE Latin America aims to nurture and promote Latin American talent. This strategic move comes at a time when the Latin American music market is booming, offering significant opportunities for growth and innovation.

HYBE Expanding into Latin America

In a bold and strategic move, HYBE has announced its expansion into Latin America, marking a significant milestone in the global music industry. With new offices in Mexico City, Miami, and Los Angeles, HYBE is set to revolutionize the Latin American music scene. This expansion includes the introduction of a new label, DOCEMIL MUSIC, and the rebranding of Exile Music to ZARPAZO and Exile Podcasts to Ajá Podcasts. Under the leadership of CEO Jonghyun ‘JH’ Kah, General Manager Fernando Grediaga, and COO Jeremy Norkin, HYBE Latin America aims to make a profound impact on the region’s music industry.

Strategic Leadership and Expertise

HYBE Latin America is poised for success, thanks to its seasoned leadership team. CEO Jonghyun ‘JH’ Kah brings decades of global management expertise, having previously worked with YG Entertainment and HYBE-Geffen. His vision and experience are instrumental in driving HYBE’s expansion strategy. General Manager Fernando Grediaga, with over 23 years of industry experience at EMI Music and Universal Music, has a proven track record of championing Latin American artists such as Molotov, Belanova, Café Tacvba, and RBD. COO Jeremy Norkin, recognized twice as a “Billboard Latin Power Player” and named in Billboard’s “30 Under 30,” has over twenty years of experience with major agencies like William Morris and United Talent Agency. Together, they form a powerhouse team dedicated to fostering Latin American creativity and talent.

The Launch of DOCEMIL MUSIC

DOCEMIL MUSIC, HYBE’s newly introduced label, is set to become a significant player in the Latin American music industry. This label aims to discover and promote Latin American talent, providing a platform for artists to showcase their creativity and reach a global audience. While specific artists associated with DOCEMIL MUSIC have not been disclosed yet, the label’s focus on nurturing emerging talent promises exciting developments in the near future. Fernando Grediaga expressed his enthusiasm for this initiative, stating, “HYBE Latin America’s goal is to build an inclusive company that promotes Latin American creativity and talent. With ZARPAZO, DOCEMIL MUSIC, and Ajá Podcasts, we’re excited to amplify voices and foster innovation across the region.”

Rebranding of Exile Music to ZARPAZO

As part of its expansion strategy, HYBE has rebranded Exile Music to ZARPAZO. This rebranding represents a fresh start and a renewed commitment to promoting Latin American talent. ZARPAZO aims to discover and promote artists, leveraging HYBE’s global resources and expertise to make a significant impact on the region’s music scene. CEO Jonghyun ‘JH’ Kah’s leadership and vision will be crucial in guiding ZARPAZO to success.

Introduction of Ajá Podcasts

In addition to its music labels, HYBE has rebranded Exile Podcasts to Ajá Podcasts. This rebranding reflects HYBE’s commitment to amplifying diverse voices and fostering innovation in the podcasting space. Ajá Podcasts covers a wide range of topics, catering to diverse audiences across Latin America. By leveraging HYBE’s global resources, Ajá Podcasts aims to engage listeners in meaningful conversations and promote Latin American creativity and talent.

Latin American Music Market Potential

HYBE’s expansion into Latin America comes at a time when the region’s music market is experiencing remarkable growth. In 2022, the Latin American music market reached $1.3 billion, driven by the increasing popularity of Spanish-language talent dominating the charts and expanding its worldwide market share. This growth presents a significant opportunity for HYBE to tap into a vibrant and dynamic market. COO Jeremy Norkin highlighted the importance of this expansion, stating,

“With Spanish-language talent dominating the charts and expanding worldwide market share, now is the ideal time for a global powerhouse like HYBE to enter the Latin space. Combining HYBE’s resources with specialized Ibero-Americas knowhow is a failsafe formula to nurture tomorrow’s superstars.”

Nurturing Tomorrow’s Superstars

HYBE is strategically positioning itself to nurture tomorrow’s superstars through its expansion into the Latin music space and the rebranding of Exile. By establishing HYBE Latin America as a central hub for discovering and nurturing new talents, HYBE aims to create a localized training and development system. This comprehensive approach includes artist management and the development of emerging artists, ensuring that they receive the necessary support and resources to succeed.

Isaac Lee, the founder of Exile Content and Chairman of the Board at HYBE Latin America, brings valuable experience and expertise to this initiative. His involvement further strengthens HYBE’s commitment to fostering creativity and innovation in the Latin American music industry. With the launch of DOCEMIL MUSIC, the rebranding of Exile Music to ZARPAZO, and the introduction of Ajá Podcasts, HYBE is set to amplify voices and make a positive impact on the region’s music and podcasting space.

Impact on the Music Industry

HYBE’s expansion into Latin America is expected to have a profound impact on the region’s music industry. By combining its global resources with specialized Ibero-Americas knowhow, HYBE is poised to nurture and promote Latin American talent on a global scale. This expansion will not only provide opportunities for emerging artists but also contribute to the growth and development of the Latin American music market.

With the leadership of CEO Jonghyun ‘JH’ Kah, General Manager Fernando Grediaga, and COO Jeremy Norkin, HYBE Latin America is well-positioned to achieve its goals. Their collective expertise and vision will be instrumental in driving the success of DOCEMIL MUSIC, ZARPAZO, and Ajá Podcasts. As HYBE continues to expand its footprint in Latin America, it is clear that exciting times lie ahead for the region’s music industry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, HYBE’s expansion into Latin America represents a strategic move to nurture tomorrow’s superstars and promote Latin American creativity and talent. With the launch of DOCEMIL MUSIC, the rebranding of Exile Music to ZARPAZO, and the introduction of Ajá Podcasts, HYBE is set to make a significant impact on the region’s music and podcasting space. Under the leadership of CEO Jonghyun ‘JH’ Kah, General Manager Fernando Grediaga, and COO Jeremy Norkin, HYBE Latin America aims to foster innovation, amplify voices, and contribute to the growth and development of the Latin American music market. Exciting times lie ahead as HYBE continues to expand its footprint and shape the future of the music industry in Latin America.

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