Photo Credit: DALI, Nerdie, Rako, Goyo, Pokari (1300)

Universal Music Korea inks Korean-Australian alternative hip-hop group 1300, placing them alongside a roster that includes other acclaimed Korean artists.

Universal Music Korean (UMK), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), has announced the signing of Korean-Australian alternative hip-hop group 1300 (pronounced “one-three hundred”). The signing places 1300 alongside a roster that includes other acclaimed Korean artists, including DEAN, Okasian, Bryan Chase, LIM KIM, and HEYOON.

“We’re excited to work with Universal Music Korea on this new chapter of 1300,” the group said. “UMK shares our vision for the next phase of our careers—making art that draws from the past and makes us excited for the future. With the help of UMK’s global presence, we hope to reach more people and use the power of music to connect the dots across cultures.”

Composed of rapper DALI, Goyo, Rako, and producers Nerdie and Pokari, 1300 will be releasing their debut album ILLSAMGONGONG this July via UMK. Known for their genre-blending style that fuses rap, abrasive SoundCloud beats, 90s breakbeat, and electronic music, 1300 have steadily built an international following through their high-energy sound and explosive live performances. The group has completed two sold-out national Australian tours and reached a global audience of over 425 million viewers following their appearance on the 2025 ABC New Year’s Eve broadcast.

“We’re delighted to welcome 1300 to UMK. They combine a fresh, alternative sound with a dynamic energy that resonates instantly. I look forward to helping them create new opportunities, connect with fans, and together take their music across Asia and the rest of the world,” said Calvin Wong, CEO of Universal Music Group Southeast Asia and Korea, and SVP of Asia.

Over the past several years, 1300 have shared stages with internationally acclaimed artists including Jay Park, Audrey Nuna, Genesis Owusu, and Confidence Man. The group’s rapid rise has earned recognition across both the Korean and international music scenes. Their music has been featured across major global platforms, including Netflix, Apple TV, NBA 2k24, Disney+, Paramount+, and more.

The group’s growing catalog includes standout releases such as “Lalaland,” “Brr,” “No Caller ID,” “Smashmouth,” “Oldboy,” “Rocksta,” and “Steve Jobs” featuring Kwame, alongside projects like the mixtape Foreign Language, their Valentine’s Day EP <3, and sophomore mixtake GEORGE. Throughout their career, the group has collaborated with artists including Ninajirachi, Kian, Taka Perry, Mung Mung, SOLLYY, and Ta-ku, while earning co-signs from respected Korean artists like giriboy, Qim Isle, SUMIN, sokodomo, APRO, Ron, Ugly Duck, and Lil Boi.

Their signing signals a significant next step for 1300 as they continue expanding their global reach and introducing their genre-defying sound to audiences worldwide. Ahead of their forthcoming album, 1300 will unveil the project’s first pre-release single on June 24.