VIBE ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF “URBAN ASIA VOL. 1”, A COMPILATION SERIES OF TOP ASIAN HIP-HOP AND RAP

New York— May 4, 2018— VIBE, the global leader in hip-hop & rap news, business and lifestyle announced today the launch of the first in a series of compilation albums featuring the hottest hip-hop and rap music from across Asia, in connection with VIBE’s Hong Kong-based partner, b2 Talent Asia.  The compilation album, VIBE presents Urban Asia Vol. 1, to be released worldwide on April 15, is the first in a series of albums showcasing talent from across Asia.

VIBE presents Urban Asia Vol.1 features many of the leading stars, including Higher Brothers and Bohan Phoenix from China, Thai hip-hop pioneers Thaitanium, Raja Kumari and DIVINE from India, as well as artists from Mongolia, Korea and Japan. The album contains four exclusive tracks, including Youth Anthem featuring China’s Boss X and Can’t Breathe featuring K-Pop idol Jackson Wang from Got7.

“We are thrilled to launch this album series with b2”, said Datwon Thomas, Editor-in-Chief of Vibe.  “Through these compilations, worldwide fans will be able to follow the developments and growth for Rap and Hip Hop in Asia, one of the fastest growing – and most exciting – markets in the world.”

Jonathan Serbin, Head of Asia for Billboard, stated, “The diversity of Rap and Hip-Hop in the region is astounding.  From local Chengdu dialect rap to cross-border collaborations with international stars, the region is producing an exciting range of music. This series will provide exposure to the world-class artists developing in this part of the world.”

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About Vibe

VIBE is part of the The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group. Billboard is the world’s largest voice in music, built on the most complete and well-respected database of charts across all music genres.  The Billboard charts define success in music.  From the iconic Billboard magazine to Billboard.com, the ultimate consumer facing destination for millions of passionate music fans, to the industry’s most elite conference series and influencer events including the Power 100 and Women in Music – the Billboard brand has unmatched authority among fans, artists and the industry alike. Billboard has a social media footprint of 16.4 million social followers across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube, and creates more than 200M cross-platform video views per month.  Billboard magazine has published major news-generating covers recently including Travis Scott, Zayne, Lorde, Marshmello, Demi Lovato, Cardi B, Selena Gomez, Emimem, DJ Khaled, Charlie Puth, and an open letter to Congress signed by 180+ of the music industry’s biggest stars and executives.   In 2017, the Women in Music ceremony, which honored Selena Gomez as Woman of the Year, was live-streamed globally on Twitter.  In 2016, the The Hollywood Reporter- Billboard Media Group acquired SpinMedia’s storied music assets SPIN, VIBE and  Stereogum, establishing the world’s largest music brand by digital traffic, social reach and audience share.   The combined entity of music and entertainment properties now reaches 47 million unique visitors, and one in every three millenials.

About b2 Holdings Ltd.

b2 Holdings Ltd. is a Hong Kong-based talent management company, record label and entertainment advisory firm.  b2 represents established and emerging Asian talent, as well as Western talent and music management companies seeking opportunities in the Asian market.  Additionally, b2 Music, the music label focuses on presenting the best Asian music to an international audience. See www.b2music.asia.

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