K-Pop Singer Somi Signs With Interscope, Teases New Single “What You Waiting For”
The rising star and former I.O.I. member joins Blackpink on the roster of K-Pop stars signed to Interscope
Interscope is expanding its promising roster of K-Pop stars with its newest signee, rising star and former I.O.I. member, Somi.
The idol’s current company, The Black Label — a subsidiary label of YG Entertainment who manage the likes of Blackpink, BigBang, and iKon – has partnered with Interscope, who will represent the 19-year-old, bilingual singer worldwide, outside of Asia.
The Canadian-Korean singer, Jeon Somi, first came to prominence after winning the survival reality program Produce 101 and later as a member of the girl-group I.O.I. She made her solo debut in 2019 with her single “Birthday.” Along with the news of her US-label signing, she also released a teaser trailer of the music video for her forthcoming single “What You Waiting For,” set for release on July 22.
“I’m very excited to join the Interscope and Universal Music family,” Somi said of the signing, speaking with Variety. “They have a great roster of artists I love and a long history of breaking acts. I’m looking forward to the next steps in my career and can’t wait to share my music with the world!”
SOMI – ‘What You Waiting For’ M/V TEASER 3
2020.07.22 6PM(KST)#SOMI #전소미 #WHATYOUWAITINGFOR#WWF #COMEBACK#SINGLE#RELEASE #THEBLACKLABEL #더블랙레이블 pic.twitter.com/SwQpbT8C34— SOMI (@somi_official_) July 21, 2020
YG Entertainment veterans Blackpink have found extraordinary success with Interscope thanks to their overseas promotions, blazing the path for fellow K-pop talent to follow. Labelmates Somi and Blackpink have been supportive of each other’s activities even before Somi signed with IGA.
Somi shared Blackpink’s single “How You Like That” on her Instagram, while Blackpink member Lisa appeared on Somi’s webshow “I am Somi” earlier this year.
Sam Riback, EVP and Head of A&R at Interscope, adds, “Somi stands-out with her unique and worldly approach to pop music. She is poised to be the next international breakout artist and is yet another great addition to the blossoming relationship we continue to build with [Black Label co-founder] Teddy Park, Black Label and the entire YG family.”
At just 19-years-old, Somi has already had a prolific career in music and television. She got her start in 2013 appearing on the Children’s Day special of Let’s Go! Dream Team Season 2, and later competed in the reality survival program Sixteen, but was eliminated in the final round. She later placed first in Produce 101, another survival reality show, and subsequently joined the girl group I.O.I. under YMC Entertainment. In 2017, it was revealed she would be exiting I.O.I. to pursue her solo career with YG Entertainment.
“What You Waiting For” is out tomorrow and can be pre-saved here.
