Naoki Osada Launches Nebula17, a Global Creative Venture

16 July 2025 - Press release

Bridging Japanese Talent to the World
Backed by Top Industry Leaders
 

Naoki Osada, former CEO of Avex USA, has launched Nebula17, a next-generation creative ecosystem that integrates label, publishing, management, international strategy, and venture capital under one roof. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Nebula17 is built to both develop the next wave of U.S. talent and, by leveraging its creative and business resources, to serve as a launchpad for culturally progressive Japanese artists expanding into the U.S. and global markets—amid rising international demand for contemporary Japanese music. A new studio house in West Hollywood will anchor the company's operations, serving as a hub for songwriting, artist development, and cross-border collaboration.

Nebula17 has begun working with acclaimed rapper Awich, a leading voice in Japanese hip-hop known for collaborations with global icons like RZA (Wu-Tang Clan) and A$AP FERG. She was recently featured on GRAMMY.com and performed at Expo 2025 Osaka, further cementing her position as a globally oriented artist with deep cultural roots. 

On the publishing side, Nebula17 represents rising writer-producer Marcus Munroe, whose credits include GENERATIONS and BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE, and who is currently collaborating with hitmakers like David Arkwright (Bella Poarch "Build a Bitch") and Jahnei Clarke (6ix9ine feat. Nicki Minaj "TROLLZ"). 

In the venture space, Nebula17 participated in the early-stage financing round for Indify, a platform connecting forward-thinking independent artists with labels, which recently gained momentum following a spotlight post by James Blake. The Nebula17 studio is led by head engineer Oscar Cornejo, who works closely with Tyla, Quavo, Rich The Kid, and other top global artists. The company is actively developing multi-platform IP and preparing its first slate of international releases, set to launch later this year.

Nebula17 is backed by a group of strategic investors contributing multi-million-dollar funding across entertainment, culture, and technology. Leading the round is Akatsuki Inc., one of Japan's top entertainment companies known for gaming hits, with the investment led by Director, Executive Vice President, CFO & CSO Kazuhiko Ishikura. 

Other key backers include some of Japan's most influential next-generation management companies such as BMSG, a breakout force founded by SKY-HI, who was recently featured on the cover of Forbes Japan as one of the "NEXT 100"; ASOBISYSTEM, the tastemaking force behind ATARASHII GAKKO!, founded by Yusuke Nakagawa, a major driver of contemporary Japanese pop culture; and And Music, the management home of Awich, founded by renowned cultural entrepreneur Toyoki Tanizaki. Angel investors include Paul Bragiel, an early investor in and advisor to Uber and Unity, as well as a serial entrepreneur and global startup mentor; the co-founders of Decima Fund, a crypto-focused VC bridging Japan and the global market; and C-suite executives from Gumi, a global leader in gaming and Web3 innovation.

"There couldn't be a more perfect time to bring this vision to life," says Osada. "The world is finally ready to hear these voices, and Nebula17 is here to amplify them—with right A&R strategies, global management expertise, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Our goal is to build a new bridge between Japanese culture and the global mainstream—one artist at a time, powered by top U.S. creatives and business leaders."

Osada spent over two decades at Avex, most recently serving as CEO of its U.S. division, where he led the company's expansion into the American market. During his tenure, Avex made a strategic investment in Brandon Silverstein's S10, forming a global alliance with Roc Nation that united some of the industry's most influential management firms. Osada also launched a publishing joint venture with Silverstein, signing top talent including Harv (Justin Bieber "Peaches"), Jasper Harris (Tate McRae "greedy"), and GENT! (Doja Cat "Agora Hills"). In a separate JV with Runner Music, he signed rising producer Grant Boutin (Tate McRae "Sports car"). He also played a pivotal role in introducing Japanese acts such as ONE OR EIGHT to the U.S. market, facilitating collaborations with Tedder, David Stewart, and Big Sean. One creative milestone saw Avex team up with Stargate on a crossover track that blended Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music" with a Michael Jackson sample—eventually making ONE OR EIGHT the first Japanese boy group to break into Mediabase's Top 40.