TOKiMONSTA breaks the codes

Originally from South Korea, Jennifer Lee grew up in California. Her mother decided to introduce her to the piano at the age of 6, but instead of playing what was asked of her, she tinkered with pieces and was discouraged from doing so by her teacher. In middle school, she tried downloading music creation software, but was intimidated and gave up, she confided to The Fader. The turning point came when, as a freshman in college, a friend introduced her to Fruity Loop (FL Studio).

At the end of 2007, Jennifer Lee became a regular at Project Blowed, the iconic underground hip-hop club in Los Angeles. And by 2010, TOKiMONSTA made a name for herself with her blend of hip-hop and electronica, earning her an invitation to the Red Bull Music Academy in London. She then released her debut album Midnight Menu on Brainfeeder, a label founded by Flying Lotus.

After Half Shadows, released by Ultra Records, she decided in 2014 to set up her own label for her mini-album Desiderium, featuring Anderson .Paak and Joyce Wrice. By founding Young Art Records Jennifer Lee has established herself as a highly successful female record label owner. This label allows her to remain independent while supporting a roster of accomplished artists, such as Cakes da Killa, Rochelle Jordan, or Suzi Analogue: “Young Art Records started as a way of sharing exciting music from incredibly special musicians that I truly believe in.”

As one of the few female electronic DJ/producers to achieve stardom, TOKiMONSTA has not only defied industry norms but has also carved a distinctive niche for herself. Her third studio album Lune Rouge was nominated for a 2018 Grammy Award in the “Best Electronic Album” category, propelling her to become the first Asian-American producer to receive a nomination in this category.

Besides her prowess as a musician, she stands as a symbol of empowerment, serving as a role model for aspiring female artists. Since Oasis Nocturno, her album released in 2020, TOKiMONSTA has been awarded Best of North America 2023 by DJ Mag for her remix of Sia’s ‘Manchild‘ and been inducted to the Asian Hall of Fame.

Taking innovation to the next level, she has recently unveiled her own music streaming platform, Sonu. This move showcases her commitment to pushing boundaries and embracing the digital landscape. Sonu not only represents a technological leap but also reflects her strategic foresight in adapting to the evolving dynamics of the music distribution landscape.

Looking ahead, Jennifer Lee shows no signs of slowing down. With a promising trajectory marked by a string of accomplishments, her journey as an artist, entrepreneur, and innovator is poised to reach even greater heights. As she continues to break barriers, she remains a trailblazer, leaving an indelible mark on the global music landscape.

Commenting on the partnership with IDOL, TOKiMONSTA said:“ Being an artist-run label, Young Art focuses on highlighting and lifting up musicians so they can do what they do best — make amazing music. Knowing that IDOL trusts us and understands the importance of each musician magnifies this amazing partnership. I’m looking forward to the added infrastructure and support behind each of our artists and future endeavours.”

Lewis Kunstler, co-founder at Young Art Records, commented: “As Young Art Records celebrates its 10th anniversary, we are pleased to announce our partnership with IDOL. This collaboration will empower our team, expand our reach, and enhance our presence on a global scale. We look forward to this new chapter as well as the opportunities it will bring to share our passion for music with an even wider audience.”

Thomas Sharp Maxwell, US General Manager at IDOL, added: “We’ve been fans of Young Art as well as TOKiMONSTA’s own projects for several years, and as IDOL continues to develop in North America, this partnership serves as an important benchmark for the company’s global ambition. We’re proud to welcome such a forward-thinking label that shares a similar ethos to ours being home to such a diverse roster of artists. The Young Art team comes with a reputation that is beyond reproach and we’re excited to help further develop the culture they’ve fostered while executing on the label’s vision for the future.”

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Official website / Instagram/ Twitter / Facebook / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5YQVOAMgbIBDYTfdBBDYSQ