G-Dragon’s comeback: What is Empire and who is Ghazi Shami?

Empire, the independent music powerhouse founded in 2010 and based in San Francisco, is expanding its influence in Asia with the appointment of Jeffrey Yoo as Senior Vice President for East Asia as of Oct 31.

Founded by Palestinian-American Ghazi Shami, Empire is known for championing multiculturalism and diversity in music, having worked with renowned artists like Rich Brian and Adam Lambert.

The label recently made headlines by signing the legendary South Korean artist G-Dragon, who broke a long hiatus with his new single ‘Power’ under Empire.

The release has sparked interest as G-Dragon joins a pro-Palestinian label, alongside major players like YG Entertainment and SM.

Empire’s signing of G-Dragon, a symbolic figure for many, aligns with Ghazi's mission of using music to raise awareness on social issues, particularly the Palestinian cause.

As Ghazi encourages voices in music to speak out on global issues, the addition of Yoo, an Asian-American, to Empire's leadership signals further commitment to Asian representation and cross-cultural collaboration in the industry.

"Empire has always embraced diversity, and I am excited to be joining a team that values authentic representation,” said Yoo.

With a successful career launching international stars like South Korean Dean and Chinese Jackson Wang, Yoo brings a wealth of experience in developing Asian talent.

He hopes to boost G-Dragon’s international presence through Empire, reflecting the label’s dedication to creating meaningful cross-cultural exchanges through music.

Meanwhile, Ghazi highlighted the strategic importance of Yoo’s appointment, noting, "The goal at Empire has always been to bridge music and culture globally, and expanding into Asia is a vital part of that vision. Jeffrey’s expertise and respect in the industry are unparalleled, making him the perfect fit to lead our efforts in Asia.”