Rapper B.I signs contract with American agency Wasserman

Rapper B.I. [IOK COMPANY]

Rapper B.I has signed a contract with American agency Wasserman, according to his agency IOK Company on Thursday.

Wasserman represents global artists such as Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Ed Sheeran and Skrillex. It is known to be one of the most influential agencies in the American entertainment industry. Agent Tom Windish, who has worked with Billie Eilish, will be in charge of B.I.

On Jan. 4, the rapper performed for the Grammys’ new digital concert series titled “Global Spin,” becoming the first K-pop artist to make an appearance on the biweekly show. The show attempts to put a variety of music and artists in the limelight.

The rapper, whose real name is Kim Han-bin, was originally a member of boy band iKON, which debuted in 2015. He left iKon in June 2019 following reports of illegal drug use and his contract with YG Entertainment was terminated accordingly.

Kim was handed a three-year suspended prison sentence and four years of probation on Sept. 10 last year after being found guilty of smoking marijuana and purchasing and using LSD in 2016.

The rapper released solo album titled “Waterfall” in November last year.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]