Interscope Records is expanding into the Brazilian music market through a strategic launch announced on Friday, Nov. 6. The expansion establishes a joint venture and distribution deal with urban label Supernova Entertainment alongside the signing of prominent hip-hop artist BK.
The new joint venture with Supernova encompasses the urban label’s catalog as well as a partnership for future signings. For his first release under the label, BK will debut a remix of his debut album, Castelos & Ruinas, featuring new production and collaborations to coincide with the record’s 10th anniversary.
Executives Praise Signing Brazilian Artist BK to Label Deal
Interscope Capitol Miami executive vice president and general manager Jose Cedeño noted in a statement, Having BK as our first artist signing and Supernova as our first label deal, illustrate how serious our mission is to empower Brazilian artists to become global superstars.
Cedeño also stated that artists are attracted to the global artist development platform Interscope can provide, regardless of where they come from.
Interscope urban music co-presidents Laura Carter and Ramon Alvarez-Smikle praised BK’s career, stating, BK’s authenticity and distinctly Brazilian voice have made him one of the defining figures in Brazilian hip-hop.
Gustavo Pimentel serves as the founder and CEO of Supernova Entertainment, and Supernova artist Nagalli was also pictured alongside Laura Carter and Ramon Alvarez-Smikle.
Market Growth in Brazil
The label expansion arrives as major music companies increase their investments in Brazil amid rising subscription streaming and consumption. In March, the IFPI reported that the Brazilian music market grew by 14.1% year over year—surpassing the 6.4% growth rate of the global industry—to become the eighth-largest music market in the world, jumping ahead of Canada. IFPI CEO Victoria Oakley noted in an interview with Billboard that the music economy and the Brazilian economy are emerging at the same time, describing the nation as a place of phenomenal talent whose export story is increasingly successful despite the primary language being Portuguese rather than Spanish. Oakley also highlighted that the Brazilian government places culture as an important part of the education system from early on, which she described as an important first step whose benefits often appear much later.
