KOZ Entertainment Audition 2026 — How to Apply to ZICO's Hip-Hop/R&B Label

🏢 About KOZ Entertainment

Item	Detail
Founded	2019
CEO	ZICO
Parent company	HYBE (acquired 2021)
Main genres	Hip-hop, R&B, urban pop
Representative artists	ZICO, DVWN

KOZ has the most independent creative direction among HYBE's labels. It tends to develop artists as soloists or small units rather than through idol-style group debuts.

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🎤 What KOZ looks for

Core skills

1. Rapping ability — flow, diction, rhyme structure
2. Self-creation — a strong plus if you have experience writing original lyrics or beats
3. Genre understanding — genuine interest in the hip-hop/R&B scene
4. Storytelling — expressing personal narrative through lyrics and performance
5. Stage presence — energy that translates from small clubs to major festivals

What sets it apart

Other HYBE labels prioritize polished performance, but KOZ places higher value on raw creativity. An applicant with a distinct, unfinished style can outshine one with only refined technique.

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✅ Eligibility

Basic requirements

• Age: Follows HYBE's global standards
• Gender: Open to all (soloist/small-group track)
• Nationality: No restrictions
• Language: Korean-language rap is preferred, but rap in English or other languages will also be reviewed

Skills that stand out

• Experience with a DAW (Logic Pro, Ableton, FL Studio, etc.)
• A track record of releasing original tracks on SoundCloud or YouTube
• Freestyle cypher experience
• Combined R&B vocal + rap ability

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📊 HYBE label comparison

Label	Genre direction	Group style
BIGHIT MUSIC	Boy-group pop	Large groups (BTS, TXT)
PLEDIS	Self-producing pop	Large groups (SEVENTEEN)
BELIFT LAB	Global pop	Survival-based (ENHYPEN, ILLIT)
KOZ	Hip-hop/R&B	Solo/small units
SOURCE MUSIC	Girl-group pop	Girl groups (Le Sserafim)

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📹 Application video guide — KOZ-specific

A special guide for hip-hop/R&B track applicants:

1. Original vs. cover — if you have an original song, include it. If not, let your song choice show your personality
2. No beat is fine — showing your flow a cappella is also a strength
3. Video tone — KOZ values authenticity over polish. Raw energy beats over-editing
4. Multiple skills — if you can both rap and sing, show 30 seconds of each

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🌐 Apply now

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❓ FAQ

Q: Does KOZ also hold group auditions? A: KOZ has operated primarily around soloists so far. A group debut isn't ruled out, but the label's current direction leans toward developing individual artists.

Q: Can I apply without hip-hop scene experience? A: Yes. That said, applicants who genuinely connect with KOZ's creative philosophy and have real interest in the genre have an advantage. Having your own style matters more than imitating others.

Q: Is non-Korean rap accepted? A: Since this is a HYBE global audition, multilingual applicants are reviewed too. You can submit videos rapping in English, Japanese, or your own native language.

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📌 Related posts

• PLEDIS Entertainment Audition 2026 Guide
• BELIFT LAB Audition 2026 Guide
• K-Pop Big4 Audition Comparison 2026