SOCAN and Create Music Group hold their first K-pop/J-pop Song Camp in L.A.

PHOTO GALLERY BELOW

In a bid to foster new co-writes, collaborations, and connections, SOCAN – in partnership with The Create Music Group (CMG) – organized a unique song camp in Los Angeles focused on creating music for the K-pop (Korean) and J-pop (Japanese) markets. The  K-pop/J-pop SOCAN L.A. camp gathered a diverse group of songwriters, producers, and music industry professionals to apply their musical skills together at CMG’s five stunning studios in the heart of Hollywood, on June 4-6, 2025,

The song camp’s 33 participants – 19 of them SOCAN members –  created more than 24 songs in three days. CMG have been championing SOCAN members with K-pop/J-pop cuts, so this collaboration was a natural next move – and the first-ever K-pop/J-pop-focused song camp in SOCAN’s history.

Participants crafted original songs tailored to briefs provided by two entertainment companies, Hybe (based in Korea) and SM (based in Japan). Following three days of intensive creativity, the event concluded with a playback session on June 6, showcasing the newly-minted demos. Judging from the session, SOCAN is confident that many of the songs will be recorded by K-pop and J-pop artists. It’s an example of how SOCAN gets our members’ music out to a global audience, and gets the subsequent royalties flowing to them.

The camp boasted an impressive lineup of SOCAN member songwriters: Aviella, Julia Gartha, Emily Reid, KALLITECHNIS, Kirsten Collins, Jahson Paynter, JJ Adrian, Naiim, Kareem James, Lilliana Wilde, Delaney Jane, and Amanda Frances.

Complementing them were top-tier SOCAN member producers Eli Brown, MAJR, TJ Whitelaw, Aaron Paris, Adam Josh Pondang, Corin Roddick, and Dan Vucko, all of whom enhanced the creative process with their expertise and talent.

Non-SOCAN members at the camp were Lost Boy, Rufio Hooks, Kyra Machida, Tempest, Jake “Rudebrat” Bratrude, Kyla Imani, Wasteland, Celeste Scott, Cesar, Aston, Chloe Tang, ManMade, Leonardo Pierre, and Jintae Ko.

Curating, executing, and supporting the event on the ground were SOCAN Creative team members Racquel Villagante, Associate Director, Creative Executives, L.A.; Liam Russell, Creative Executive, Nashville/L.A.; and Lord Quest, Creative Executive, Black Music, Toronto. They ensured smooth operations, and fostered an environment conducive to collaboration.

“This song camp was a game-changer,” said Villagante. “Each of the songs showcases the incredible talent we brought together over three days, and the energy and caliber of skill in the rooms was unmatched. SOCAN is looking forward to witnessing the impact of these fresh collaborations, and realizing the potential of the new demos.”