HYBE America is a company run by Bang Si-Hyuk, and Scooter Braun. The latter is a veteran music executive who is the manager of Justin Bieber. He also manages Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato. Braun was also the manager of the Migos who is part of the QC roster.
Braun talked about the partnership in a statement he released.
“I am so proud and honored to have Coach and P join Bang and I as our partners. QC is one of the most significant independent labels in the world, working with incredible artists who are, and remain to be, the voices of culture. I’ll never forget riding around Atlanta over 20 years ago with Coach discussing our dreams and ambitions and how we said ‘If they let us in the game, we are never going to give it back.’ Now, all these years later, we are joining forces to make these dreams a reality.”
QC was started by Kevin “Coach K” Lee in 2013. Pierre “Pee” Thomas later joined him and the two have a roster that includes some of the top artists in the music industry. The two released statements talked about the acquisition by HYBE America.
“HYBE are perfect partners for Quality Control as we come together to take our story and work global, Pee said. All of HYBE’s leaders are entrepreneurs with phenomenal combined history finding talent and taking it to the highest levels. Taking QC worldwide requires key partners like this who understand building something from the bottom and aiming sky high. It matters to us greatly their grasp of culture and acutely seeing what QC has built and the limitless path of where it can go.”
He added: “Over many years Scooter and I have cultivated real trust and a common way of looking at the world and culture. An added bonus of this partnership is the fact that both QC and HYBE have existing relationships with the UMG family and that will create an easy flow that will benefit the artists. The artists of QC are our focus and their best interests will be incredibly supported with this partnership.
While Coach K said: “P and I are ecstatic about this partnership with Scooter and HYBE and are confident they can get us to our global ambitions we’ve had in our scope since the beginning of our company as nothing means more than our artists impacting world-wide.”
It’s not too often that Black-owned businesses get an opportunity to cash out on their investments at the level of the business deal between QC and HYBE America. However, it seems Coach K and Pee have received some backlash from people accusing them of “selling out.” Pee responded to the criticism with a post on Instagram.
“I don’t usually post long notes but I recorded some thoughts tonight. There’s no value in separation. There is so much more value when people are working together and not hating and taking each other down. Especially when you come from nothing. Stop thinking people are selling OUT.”
P continued:
“Instead see people are selling IN and see that you are building something to create more-for everybody. Black entrepreneurs are not getting these opportunities on a regular basis and they should be.”
He concluded:
“Let’s stay inspired and celebrate the blessings and leveling up and breaking of barriers. Ready For The Next Chapter.”
I have to agree with P, although the sale of QC might mean one less Black business, it increases the chance of those brothers to invest in something else. For instance, Coach K has already invested in the purchase of the restaurant chain Bojangles. That move made him and his partner Mel Carter the largest Black franchise owner in the country.
It is moves like this that will not only expand these brothers’ business portfolios but give opportunities to other Blacks. For that, I don’t think they should be criticized but applauded.