After 15 years with King Records, AKB48 has moved to Universal Music

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AKB48 has left King Records, where they belonged for about 15 years and transferred to Universal Music.

It was announced on the group’s official YouTube on the 27th.

The new song (title undecided) will be released on April 26 and will be the first single after the transfer, and Honda Hitomi (21) will serve as the center.

The transfer destination is the Japanese subsidiary of the world’s largest Universal Music Group (UMG), which has bases in more than 60 countries and regions.

AKB has been affiliated with King since 2008 and has earned millions.

Sister groups HKT48, NGT48, and NMB48 are also affiliated with Universal, and synergistic effects are expected when AKB joins.

Honda Hitomi is the center for the second time since “Moto Kare Desu”. “I love this song more than anyone else, and I want to be able to deliver the lyrics and the feelings contained in the song to as many people as possible,” Honda said.

UMG Chairman and CEO Lucien Grainge said, “We are delighted to welcome AKB48, one of Japan’s most successful female groups, into the UMG family. AKB48 is entering a new chapter. Together with UMG’s team around the world, we look forward to helping them achieve even greater success and connect with more fans.”

Fujikura Hisashi, President and CEO of Universal Music, also said, “We at Universal Music are very happy to welcome AKB48’s new start. AKB48 has songs that are loved by a wide range of generations, and their success is indispensable to the Japanese entertainment scene. We are looking forward to working together with AKB48 to support the idol culture of the new era.”

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