Naoki Osada Launches Nebula17 to Take Japanese Artists Global

Former Avex USA CEO Naoki Osada has launched Nebula17, a company containing label, publishing, management, international strategy and venture capital arms.

The operation:

• Nebula17 will be based in West Hollywood.

• As per its statement, the company aims “to develop the next wave of US talent and, by leveraging its creative and business resources, to serve as a launchpad for culturally progressive Japanese artists expanding into the US and global markets.”

Background:

• As CEO of Japan-headquartered entertainment company Avex, Osada led the company’s expansion into the US.

• During his time with the company he launched a publishing JV with Silverstein, while also teaming with Ryan Tedder’s Runner Music.

• He also helped introduce up and coming Japanese acts such as ONE OR EIGHT to the US market.

Backing:

• Nebula17 is backed by a raft of investors, including Japanese Entertainment company Akatsuki Inc. and angel investor Paul Bragiel, an early investor and advisor to Uber and Unity.

Existing roster:

• Nebula17 is working with Japanese hip-hop artist Awich, who’s collaborated with RZA (Wu-Tang Clan) and A$AP FERG.

• In the publishing space Nebula17 represents writer-producer Marcus Munroe, whose credits include GENERATIONS and BALLISTIK BOYS from EXILE TRIBE.

• On the venture side, Nebula17 participated in early-stage financing for Indify, the James Blake-approved company that connects independent artists with music services.

• The Nebula17 studio is led by head engineer Oscar Cornejo, who works closely with Tyla, Quavo, Rich The Kid and others.

What they said:

• Naoki Osada: “There couldn’t be a more perfect time to bring this vision to life. The world is finally ready to hear these voices, and Nebula17 is here to amplify them – with [the] right A&R strategies, global management expertise, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Our goal is to build a new bridge between Japanese culture and the global mainstream – one artist at a time, powered by top US creatives and business leaders.”