Amoeba Culture

Amoeba Culture was founded in August 2006 by Dynamic Duo members Gaeko and Choiza, as well as current CEO Go Kyung-min. The label held open auditions in late 2007 in order to expand its roster.{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopplaya.com/magazine/article/view.html?category=2&page=1&sort=1&num=2827|title=아메바컬쳐, 공개 오디션!|date=November 4, 2007|website=HiphopPlaya Magazine|language=ko|trans-title=Amoeba Culture Open Auditions!|accessdate=April 4, 2016}} In 2008, composer and producer Primary and hip hop duo Supreme Team joined the company.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/amoeba-culture-dynamic-duo-korean-rap-atlanta-concert-review/|title=Korea's Most Influential Hip-Hop Label Played at the Center of America's Rap Universe|date=March 31, 2015|website=Vice|access-date=April 4, 2016}}

In 2011 the label released a series of toy figurines and started the "AMOEBAHOOD" project to promote exhibits and other cultural art projects. They also established the Amoeba Culture recording studio in October 2011. In 2012 the label held the first "Amoebahood Concerts" at Daegu Exco and KBS Busan Hall in February, as well as the House of Blues in LA and the Showbox at the Market in Seattle in April with Kero One.{{cite web|title=Amoeba Culture History|url=http://www.amoebaculture.com/business/front/aboutAC/company.do|website=Amoeba Culture|accessdate=5 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830182733/http://www.amoebaculture.com/business/front/aboutAC/company.do|archive-date=2016-08-30|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Join Dynamic Duo, Simon D, & Kero 1 at the 'Amoeba Culture and Kero 1′ concert in Seattle!|url=http://www.allkpop.com/2012/03/join-dynamic-duo-simon-d-kero-1-at-the-amoeba-culture-and-kero-1-concert-in-seattle|publisher=Allkpop|accessdate=28 January 2013|date=2012-03-13}} Zion.T also announced that he had signed with the label that summer.{{cite web|title=자이언티, 아메바컬쳐 전속 계약 체결 Zion.T, Amoeba Culture signed an exclusive contract|url=http://hiphopplaya.com/magazine/article/view.html?category=rcmd&category2=&mode=basic&page=1&sort=&num=9583&keyfield=&key=|website=HiphopPlaya Magazine|accessdate=5 August 2014|language=ko}}

In 2013 all of the label's artist participated in the 'NOWeekend' project which culminated in an album.{{cite web|title=얀키, 'NOWorkend' 프로젝트 두 번째 주자 28일 음원 공개|url=http://www.hiphopplaya.com/magazine/10429|website=HipHopPlaya Magazine|accessdate=5 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808052028/http://www.hiphopplaya.com/magazine/10429|archive-date=8 August 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} The group also held the "2013 Amoebahood Concerts" on March 16 and 17.{{cite web|title=Amoeba Artists for 'NOWeekend' Project, First Up: Gaeko|url=http://www.mtvk.com/blog-posts/amoeba-artists-for-noweekend-project-first-up-gaeko/|website=MTV K|accessdate=5 August 2014|archive-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808141355/http://www.mtvk.com/blog-posts/amoeba-artists-for-noweekend-project-first-up-gaeko/|url-status=dead}} On July 19, 2013, Supreme Team disbanded when member E-Sens's contract ended.{{cite web|title=Supreme Team on the Splits: E-Sens Leaves Amoeba Culture|url=http://www.mtvk.com/blog-posts/supreme-team-on-the-splits-e-sens-leaves-amoeba-culture/|website=MTV K|accessdate=5 August 2014|archive-date=27 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027030232/http://www.mtvk.com/blog-posts/supreme-team-on-the-splits-e-sens-leaves-amoeba-culture/|url-status=dead}} That summer E-Sens released tracks alleging the company had offered him a slave contract and that they had stolen money which the label denied.{{cite web|last1=Hong|first1=Grace Danbi|last2=Hyoun|first2=An So|title=E-Sens Releases Diss Track Concerning Dynamic Duo's Gaeko and Amoeba Culture|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/44152/e-sens-reveals-diss-track-towards-former-company|website=CJ E&M enewsWorld|accessdate=5 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214527/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/44152/e-sens-reveals-diss-track-towards-former-company|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}} In January 2014 the other former Supreme Team member, Simon D, left the label as well.{{cite web|title=Simon D Goes Solo – Former Supreme Team Member Joins Jay Park's New Label AOMG|url=http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/82859/20140309/simon-d-joins-aomg.htm|website=KpopStarz|date=9 March 2014|accessdate=5 August 2014}}

In November 2017, CJ E&M acquired Amoeba Culture. CJ E&M official stated that, "We are investing to support the development of hip-hop music and free creative activities by artists".{{Cite web|url=http://m.news.naver.com/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=101&oid=018&aid=0003969020|title=[단독]Cj E&M, 다듀·크러시 속한 아메바컬쳐 마저 품는다}}

On July 7, 2023, it was announced that Go Kyungmin had died on July 6 at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital. {{Cite web|url=https://v.daum.net/v/20230706135322853|title=[부고] 고경민(아메바컬쳐 대표)씨 별세}}

For the 2013 Infinity Challenge Music Festival, Primary collaborated with Park Myeong-su and label mate Gaeko (Dynamic Duo) for the song "I Got C". Later, netizens noticed similarities between "I Got C" and Dutch singer Caro Emerald's "Liquid Lunch." Rumors of plagiarism later followed.{{cite news|url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2013/11/primary-addresses-plagiarism-controversy-between-his-i-got-c-and-caro-emeralds-liquid-lunch|title=Primary addresses plagiarism controversy on his Infinity Challenge song I Got C|author=alim17|date=November 6, 2013|work=Allkpop|publisher=6Theory Media LLC|accessdate=August 8, 2014}}

In an interview by Seoul Shinmun NTN's "Dispatch," Caro Emerald's production team member David Schreurs said, "[Primary] uses our music as a template to create his own, which is an honor but on some songs he’s just going too far with it. I would like to say he should start trusting his own talent, because he sure is a good producer.”{{cite news|url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2013/11/dispatch-interviews-david-schreurs-who-shares-his-thoughts-on-primary-plagiarism-controversy|title=Dispatch interviews David Schreurs who shares his thoughts on Primary's plagiarism controversy|author=alim17|date=November 6, 2013|work=Allkpop|publisher=6Theory Media LLC|accessdate=August 8, 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.dispatch.co.kr/r.dp?idx=20748&category=5&subcategory=14|script-title=ko:(단독) "아이갓씨, 내 노래 참조"…'에메랄드'가 밝힌 표절논란 (인터뷰)|author=Kim Hyo-eun, Kim Hae-won|date=November 6, 2013|work=Dispatch|publisher=Seoul Shinmun NTN (via Wyzmob)|accessdate=August 8, 2014|language=ko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822004944/http://dispatch.co.kr/r.dp?idx=20748&category=5&subcategory=14|archive-date=2014-08-22|url-status=dead}} As a result, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), the network behind "Infinity Challenge," as well as KT Music, the publisher of the album and songs from the "2013 Infinity Challenge Music Festival," ceased online sales of "I Got C."{{cite news|url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2013/11/infinity-challenge-cease-online-sales-of-i-got-c|title=Infinity Challenge to cease the online sales of I Got C + Primary apologizes|author=starsung|date=November 13, 2013|work=Allkpop|publisher=6Theory Media LLC|accessdate=August 8, 2014}}

Another Primary composition, Park Ji-yoon's Mr. Lee (featuring San E) was also later accused of plagiarism.{{cite news|url=http://www.soompi.com/2013/11/06/primarys-i-got-c-mr-lee-under-scrutiny-for-possible-plagiarism-of-dutch-artist/|title=Primary's "I Got C," "Mr. Lee" Under Scrutiny for Possible Plagiarism of Dutch Artist|author=jnkm|date=November 6, 2013|work=Soompi|publisher=Soompi, Inc.|accessdate=August 8, 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://omonatheydidnt.livejournal.com/12074896.html|title=Decoding Primary 'I Got C' Plagiarism Allegations + Caro Emerald team's response|author=morgenderper|date=November 7, 2013|work=Omona They Didn't|publisher=LiveJournal|accessdate=August 8, 2014}}

• July 19 – E-Sens (Supreme Team) left Amoeba Culture.{{cite news|url=http://www.soompi.com/2013/07/21/hip-hop-duo-supreme-team-disbands-e-sens-wants-to-go-solo/|title=Hip Hop Duo Supreme Team Disbands, E-Sens Wants to Go Solo|author=halves in unison|date=July 21, 2013|work=Soompi|publisher=Soompi, Inc.|accessdate=August 9, 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.soompi.com/2013/08/26/a-concise-guide-to-the-diss-battles-involving-e-sens-amoeba-culture-simon-d-and-more/|title=A Concise Guide to the "Diss" Battles Involving E-Sens, Amoeba Culture, Simon D and More|author=asteriskrolled|date=August 26, 2013|work=Soompi|publisher=Soompi, Inc.|accessdate=August 9, 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://news.nate.com/view/20130826n12294?mid=e0100|title=(DISS+patch) "All That Diss"…2013 디스전, 완전분석 (종합)|date=August 26, 2013|work=Dispatch (Seoul Shinmun NTN)|publisher=Nate (SK Communications)|accessdate=August 9, 2014|language=ko}}
• August 12 – American hip hop artist Big Sean released a promotional single called "Control", with a verse from Kendrick Lamar that called on all hip hop artists to "step up and save hip hop".
• August 21 – Swings, the Korean American rapper affiliated with Illest Konfusion, UPT and Overclass, released the diss track "King Swings" through the YouTube channel of his agency at the time, Brand New Music. It was met with responses from Ugly Duck, Takeone and Deepflow.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ozXM5rInT8|title=스윙스(Swings) – King Swings (Explicit)|language=ko|work=Brandnewmusickorea|publisher=YouTube|date=August 21, 2013|accessdate=August 9, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://board.hiphopplaya.com/bbs/?cate=&cate2=&no=939190|title=(핫이슈) Control 국내 뮤지션 곡 모음|language=ko|work=Hiphop Playa|publisher=Genuine Music Inc.|date=August 22, 2013|accessdate=August 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809204803/http://board.hiphopplaya.com/bbs/?cate=&cate2=&no=939190|archive-date=August 9, 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.asianjunkie.com/2013/08/korean-rap-clusterfuck-is-in-full-swing-started-because-swings-probably-missed-the-point-of-control/|title=Korean rap clusterf**k in full "swing", started because Swings missed the point of Control|author=IATFB|date=August 25, 2013|work=Asian Junkie|accessdate=August 9, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140812014300/http://www.asianjunkie.com/2013/08/korean-rap-clusterfuck-is-in-full-swing-started-because-swings-probably-missed-the-point-of-control/|archive-date=2014-08-12|url-status=dead}}
• August 22 – E-Sens shocked the Korean hip hop community when he released "You Can't Control Me", dissing his former agency and label mate Gaeko (Dynamic Duo).{{cite news|url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2013/08/e-sens-stirs-up-controversy-with-a-new-song-targeting-his-former-agency-amoeba-culture-and-dynamic-duos-gaeko|title=E-Sens stirs up controversy with a new song targeting his former agency Amoeba Culture and Dynamic Duo's Gaeko|author=serendipity|date=August 22, 2013|work=Allkpop|publisher=6Theory Media LLC|accessdate=August 9, 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/44152/e-sens-reveals-diss-track-towards-former-company|title=E-Sens Releases Diss Track Concerning Dynamic Duo's Gaeko and Amoeba Culture|author=Hong, Grace Dan-bi and An So-hyun|date=August 23, 2013|work=Mnet enewsworld|publisher=CJ E&M|accessdate=August 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214527/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/44152/e-sens-reveals-diss-track-towards-former-company|archive-date=March 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}
• August 23 – Swings released another diss, "Hwang Jung-min (King Swings Part 2)". He dissed Simon Dominic (Supreme Team) this time.{{cite news|url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2013/08/hip-hop-battle-heating-up-in-korea-swings-lashes-out-at-simon-d-in-his-newest-track|title=Hip Hop Battle heating up in Korea, Swings lashes out at Simon D in his newest track|author=jennywill|date=August 23, 2013|work=Allkpop|publisher=6Theory Media LLC|accessdate=August 9, 2014}}
• August 24 – Gaeko broke his silence and released "I Can Control You", then E-Sens responded with "True Story". Meanwhile, Simon Dominic answered back at Swings through "Control".{{cite news|url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2013/08/dynamic-duos-gaeko-fires-back-at-e-sens-with-track-i-can-control-you|title=Dynamic Duo's Gaeko fires back at E-Sens with track I Can Control You|author=serendipity|date=August 24, 2013|work=Allkpop|publisher=6Theory Media LLC|accessdate=August 9, 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2013/08/e-sens-responds-to-gaeko-with-true-story-and-simon-d-drops-control-in-response-to-swings|title=E-Sens responds to Gaeko with True Story and Simon D drops Control in response to Swings|author=serendipity|date=August 24, 2013|work=Allkpop|publisher=6Theory Media LLC|accessdate=August 9, 2014}}
• August 26 – Swings lashed back at Simon Dominic with "New World". Meanwhile, Amoeba Culture issued a statement saying "it respects the opinions of its artists and will let them handle it themselves (in regards to Gaeko and Simon Dominic's disses)".{{cite news|url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2013/08/swings-snaps-back-at-simon-d-with-new-world|title=Swings snaps back at Simon D with New World|author=jennywill|date=August 26, 2013|work=Allkpop|publisher=6Theory Media LLC|accessdate=August 9, 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://news.nate.com/view/20130826n16761?mid=n1008|script-title=ko:아메바컬쳐 측 "개코-쌈디 맞디스, 아티스트 의견 존중"|author=Lee Jeong-a|date=August 26, 2013|work=SBS funE|publisher=Nate (SK Communications)|accessdate=August 9, 2014|language=ko}}
• August 27 – The exchange of diss tracks came to an end.{{cite news|url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2013/08/swings-announces-his-diss-tracks-have-come-to-an-end|title=Swings announces his diss tracks have come to an end|author=starsung|date=August 27, 2013|work=Allkpop|publisher=6Theory Media LLC|accessdate=August 9, 2014}}

• Dynamic Duo

• Gummy
• Snzae (선재)
• Huh (허성현)
• Since(신스)

• Padi

• 0CD
• J-Tong
• Supreme Team (2009–2013)
• Simon Dominic (2009–2013)
• E-Sens (2009–2013)
• Zion.T (2013–2016){{Cite web |last= |date=2016-03-17 |title=자이언티, 아메바컬쳐 떠난다…YG 레이블로 이적(종합) |trans-title=Zion.T is leaving Amoeba Culture... transfers to YG label (full) |url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20160317046151005 |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Yonhap News Agency |language=ko}}
• Crush (2014–2019){{Cite web |last= |date=2019-06-04 |title=[이슈종합] 크러쉬, 아메바컬쳐 떠난다…"매니저 김현수와 1인 기획사行" (전문) |trans-title=[Issue Summary] Crush is leaving Amoeba Culture… "Manager Kim Hyun-soo and a one-man agency" (Full Story) |url=https://www.topstarnews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=632793 |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Top Star News |language=ko}}
• Bang Jae-min (2017–2019){{cite web|last=Gong|first=Mi-na|date=May 1, 2019|url=https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2019050114194341319|script-title=ko:방재민, 아메바컬쳐와 전속계약 해지 "건강상의 이유"|trans-title=Bang Jae-min terminated his exclusive contract with Amoeba Culture. "Healthy reasons".|website=Starnews|access-date=December 22, 2021|language=ko}}
• Primary (2008–2020){{cite web|script-title=ko:아메바컬쳐와 전속종료 프라이머리, "새로운 시작" 다짐|url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20200324175000005|website=Yonhap News Agency|date=March 24, 2020|access-date=March 24, 2020|language=ko}}
• Rhythm Power (2010–2020){{Cite web |date=2020-07-23 |title=리듬파워, 레이블 '팀플레이 뮤직' 설립 "계약금보다 꿈" |trans-title=Rhythm Power establishes label 'Teamplay Music' "Dream Over Downpayment" |url=https://v.daum.net/v/20200723085705253 |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Star News |language=ko |via=Daum}}
• Ha:tfelt (2017–2023){{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-01-17 |title=핫펠트, 아메바컬쳐와 전속계약 종료 "다듀 오빠들 감사" (전문) |trans-title=Ha:tfelt terminates exclusive contract with Amoeba Culture, "Thank you to DaDuo oppas" (full text) |url=https://star.ytn.co.kr/_sn/0117_202301171453477483 |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=YTN Star |language=ko}}
• Sole (쏠)
• Thama (따마)

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Amoeba Culture}}

{{Official website|http://www.amoebaculture.com/business/front/main.do}}

{{Amoeba Culture}}

{{K-pop}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Labels distributed by CJ E&M Music and Live

Category:Labels distributed by Kakao M

Category:Talent agencies of South Korea

Category:South Korean hip-hop record labels