SXSW Artist Spotlight: Jay Park

Jay Park is an artist that needs very little introduction. His rise from idol group notoriety to the first Asian-American artist signed to one of hip-hop’s biggest labels is a master class on drive, ambition, perseverance, and work ethic.

About Jay Park

Most will remember Jay Park as an original member of JYP group 2PM. However, he got his start in Seattle as one of the earliest members of b-boy crew Art of Movement (AOM). AOM made quite a name for itself in b-boy circles. It remains one of Seattle’s most easily recognizable crews. Along with Massive Monkees, AOM was certainly one of the most popular crews on the scene in the early 2000s.

After his stint with AOM, Jay Park signed with “Big 3” label JYP Entertainment as part of former septet 2PM. On the heels of some controversy, Park eventually departed the group to pursue his solo career. A misunderstanding among fans saw him leave South Korea to get away from some unfortunate ugliness. However, upon his return, he quickly made a name for himself as one of Korea’s most widely recognizable R&B artists.

Jay Park has never rested on his laurels. His former crew and personal motto — “Always On My Grind” — served as the inspiration that propelled him to create his first record label in 2013. The aptly titled AOMG has the dual effect of giving Park 100 percent creative control and an outlet for his music. But it’s his ability to source and hone talent that has made AOMG one of Korea’s most highly lauded record labels. With co-founder Simon Dominic, AOMG has set the standard of R&B and hip-hop talent from the label’s inception. Housing vocalist Hoody, singer/producer Gray, and former AOM crewmember Cha Cha Malone, AOMG has established itself as a premier stable of talent. He’s taken his keen ear for talented artists to television. He acted as a producer on MNET’s hit reality survival show Show Me the Money for both seasons four and six.

With such success, Park and Malone founded H1GHR MUSIC. Established just last year (2017), the longtime friends created the label with the intention of branching out globally. Their roster currently includes international artists Avatar Darko, Phe R.E.D.S, Raz Simon, Jarv Dee, and another JYPE alum, R&B vocalist G.Soul.

Park had established himself as a force to be reckoned with in South Korea. With such success it was only a matter of time before Western labels began calling. Sure enough, at the tail-end of 2017, Park was signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, making him the first Asian-American artist on the label.

This will mark his second appearance at South by Southwest as part of its Korea Showcase, 2014 his festival debut. On the back of so much success, he’s sure to draw one of the festival’s largest crowds.