K-Pop Group ATEEZ Signs With RCA Records: Exclusive

Eight-member K-pop boy band ATEEZ has signed with RCA Records, Billboard can exclusively announce today (July 24).

The group, whose name stands for “ATEEnagerZ” and represents “everything about the Teenagers from A to Z,” released its debut EP Treasure EP.1: All to Zero last October. Since then, it has rapidly gained a fervent following.

ATEEZ tells Billboard: “We are so excited about this new journey with RCA Records. We already feel the love from our ATINY fans in the U.S. and can’t wait to continue to showcase our music and powerful, energetic performances to them and are looking forward to gaining new fans along the way.”

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The act, which is known for a dynamic performance style and propulsive dance tracks, debuted on the Billboard charts earlier this year with the release of their Treasure EP.2: Zero in January. It premiered at No. 5 on the World Albums chart and No. 7 on the Heatseekers Albums chart, both dated Jan. 26. In April, as their 15-city sold-out world tour came to an end, ATEEZ debuted at No. 49 on the Social 50 chart and have frequently appeared ever since; they reached their current peak of No. 12 on the chart dated June 15. 

“We’ve been watching the success of ATEEZ build for the last few months and are excited to partner with Sony Korea and KQ Entertainment to help take them to the next level,” says John Fleckenstein, co-president, RCA Records. “K-pop is undeniable and ATEEZ is stepping out as a frontrunner in the space.”

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ATEEZ, which is under South Korean company KQ Entertainment, is among one of several K-pop groups to have signed with American representation over the past few months as the Korean music industry increasingly seeks partners in the Stateside market. The act most recently performed at KCON 2019 NY earlier this month at Madison Square Garden, and will appear at the West Coast counterpart KCON 2019 LA in August.

“It has been our privilege to be part of ATEEZ’s journey with KQ Entertainment from the very beginning,” says Joseph Chang, managing director, Sony Music Entertainment Korea. “ATEEZ’s management, KQ Entertainment, led by Sean Kim (CEO), includes visual creative, A&R, in-house producers and more, which enabled ATEEZ to be successfully formed. KQ and ATEEZ have pursued an original sound and style, and with the immense support from their ATINY fanbase across the globe. We are thrilled to continue this journey to international stardom with RCA Records in the US.”?

ATEEZ most recently released their EP Treasure EP.3: One to All in June, fronted by the songs “Wave” and “Illusion.”