Producer Teddy's agency The Black Label has achieved significant recognition in the K-Pop scene, marking historic Grammy wins while competing with major agencies.
On February 1st, 2024, at the Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles, the song 'Golden' from the Netflix animation 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' made history by making The Black Label the first K-Pop agency to win a Grammy, with producer Teddy highlighting his management in his acceptance speech. This year, The Black Label made a notable impression at the Grammys, with two of its crafted songs including 'APART.' featuring Rosé and Bruno Mars nominated for the prestigious 'Song of the Year' category, showcasing the agency's growing impact in the global music landscape despite being smaller in size compared to giants like SM, JYP, and YG.
The Black Label was founded by Teddy in 2016 and has blossomed into a prominent player in the music industry, despite its relatively small scale of approximately 130 employees. Teddy himself, who transitioned from a rapper in YG’s hip-hop group 1TYM to a music producer, has shaped the K-Pop sound and is credited with many hits for groups like Big Bang, 2NE1, and BLACKPINK. His distinct production style, characterized by strong bass, direct hooks, and suspenseful buildups prior to beat drops, has taken K-Pop's global appeal to new heights.
Following their Grammy success, The Black Label's influence continues to expand. The song ‘APART.’ recently won the 'International Song of the Year' at the BRIT Awards, marking another milestone by making K-Pop history. Teddy's work on BLACKPINK's new mini-album 'Deadline' further highlights his ongoing significance in the international music scene, as the agency continues to discover and nurture new talent, maintaining its competitive edge in music production in a highly competitive industry.
