Jay Park Steps Down as the CEO of AOMG and H1GHR Music

Spearheading major business and creative decisions at two of South Korea’s leading hip-hop and R&B labels, rapper-songwriter and producer Jay Park has announced he will be stepping down as CEO. The news comes a day after Park posted a cryptic tweet saying, “If I ever retire or disappear make sure to miss me.”

Taking to his social media accounts, the rapper wrote a heartfelt message addressing his fans in both Korean and English: “After a lot of thought and taking time to organize my emotions I’ve decided to step down as the CEO of AOMG and H1GHR MUSIC,” he wrote. Though Park will be taking a back seat from overlooking the operations at both labels, the entertainment business mogul will continue to work with the labels in an advisory capacity. “I know this may be shocking to a lot of people but I will remain as an advisor for both labels and we will continue to be a family and a crew,” he said.

Park, who founded AOMG in 2013 and H1GHR MUSIC in 2017 alongside American producer and childhood friend Cha Cha Malone, has played an integral role in shaping the labels, making them the most prominent Korean hip-hop and R&B labels in the world. Under Park’s leadership, both AOMG and H1GHR Music have been nominated for the Label/Crew of the Year award at Korean Hip-Hop Awards, with H1GHR MUSIC taking the title home this year. 

Today, both the labels house some of South Korea’s most sought-after producers and musicians such as GRAY, Punchnello, Hoody, GroovyRoom, Lee Hi, Code Kunst and Woogie. The latest additions to the roster include GOT7’s JAY B and YUGYEOM. Collectively, both labels represent a whopping total of 35 artists.

While no replacement for the title of CEO has been announced yet, Park will be releasing a new single “To Life” on January 1st, 2022 at 6 PM KST (2:30 PM IST); the teaser of which was posted on AOMG’s social media handles a few minutes after Park made his announcement. 

Read Jay Park’s full statement below:

“After a lot of thought and taking time to organize my emotions I’ve decided to step down as the CEO of AOMG and H1GHR MUSIC. I know this may be shocking to a lot of people but I will remain as an advisor for both labels and we will continue to be a family and a crew. I want to thank all the fans that have trusted in me and supported me in all my endeavors and I hope you guys continue to support AOMG, H1ghr Music, and I and all the things we do for many years to come. As for all the Artists and employees at AOMG and H1ghr music, I want to sincerely thank you guys for entrusting your futures at these two labels that I’ve founded and it’s really an honor to build this together and to continue to make history side by side. I don’t take it for granted for one second and it will always be near and dear to my heart. I’m not perfect but I’ve always tried my best and I will continue to try my best. I love you all. Thank you and happy new year.“