Se7en Set to Make U.S. Debut

Oct 17, 2006

Singer Se7en on Monday announced his plan to cooperate with the producer of American artist Usher to make his debut in the U.S. pop market. He made the announcement at a press conference in New York at the Imagine Asia TV Theater. Starting late this month, he will begin work on his first single album to be released in the U.S. early next year.

YG Entertainment, Se7en’s agency, said that it had signed a contract with a U.S. entertainment company to promote Se7en in the country. The company is headed by Mark Shimmel, the famous producer who produced records of such famous artists as Usher, Tony Blackstone, and TLC.

Shimmel designated Rich Harrison as a producer for the Korean singer. Harrison won the producer award at the Grammy Awards in 2004 by producing Beyonce Knowles’ "Crazy in Love." Other renowned singers he worked with include Janet Jackson, Usher, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Lopez.

"Mark Shimmel has seen Se7en’s great potential to succeed in the U.S. He took a close look at Se7en’s performances in Korea and said that he could not believe there was such a great singer so talented at both dancing and singing live in Asia," YG Entertainment said. "Rich Harrison also said that he could see why Shimmel decided to work with Se7en. A famous rapper will participate in Se7en’s U.S debut single."

Meanwhile, the Korean entertainment company will hold tour concerts to celebrate its 10th anniversary in three U.S. major cities–Washington D.C. on Oct. 18, New York at the Madison Square Garden on Oct. 19 and LA at the Grand Olympic Auditorium on Oct. 21. The two U.S. producers will attend the New York concert.

Source: KBS Global

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