Soka Records Launches as Independent Artist Studio and Label Under Founder James Dai

The 28-Year-Old Executive Behind keshi, BoyWithUke, and Other Multiplatinum Acts Expands His Vision Through a Hands-On Artist Development Model

(New York, NY - May 28th) Soka Records officially launches as an independent 'artist studio' and label under founder and CEO James Dai, known for previously being the longtime manager to global breakout artists keshi and boywithuke.

Inspired by classic development systems (Motown, K-Pop, etc) that prioritized artistry, identity, performance, and community, Soka Records aims to cultivate the next generation of globally impactful talent. The company's growing roster currently includes newly announced singer/songwriter Karlo Gutierrez and viral EDM creator Kassie (who's racked up over 40 million views on Tik Tok in the last two months), as well as upcoming projects from Cleffy and indie R&B songstress Yel. Soka is also credited with discovering and developing Chezile, who's hit song "Beanie" is approaching 1 billion streams. *More to be announced soon*

Based out of its Los Angeles headquarters, Soka Records is quickly establishing itself as a haven for forward-thinking artist development and culture-shifting talent.

"As the music landscape grows to be increasingly focused on distribution and marketing, I want to offer a different approach that prioritizes creative development," stated Dai. " It's almost like a return to tradition. Taking inspiration from classic developmental labels like Motown while using updated marketing practices."

Following years of success in artist management, Dai is stepping back from day-to-day management responsibilities to focus on expanding Soka Records. Brandishing a lifelong passion for music, fresh perspective on the business, and boundless vision, he represents a new generation of music executives equally attuned to artistry and strategy. Through Soka's hands-on studio model, he will now prioritize long-term artist development, artist identity, and infrastructure-building across music, visuals, performance, and community.

A Michigan native, Dai attended Soka University of America in Orange County, California, before leaving school to fully immerse himself in the music industry. During that time, he gained hands-on experience across multiple facets of the business, working at a local radio station, promoting nightclub events, and interning in music publishing.

An internship under Motown Records' Kerry Gordy, the son of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, encouraged him to pursue management. In 2018, at just 20-years-old, he discovered and began managing Houston-born singer-songwriter keshi. Over the next seven years, Dai helped shepherd keshi from headlining a 150-capacity venue in Houston to selling out Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles' Kia Forum, while delivering consecutive Billboard 200 Top 30 albums with Gabriel [2022] and Requiem [2024].

Beyond keshi, Dai played a pivotal role in the rise of BoyWithUke, whose breakout hits include the Double Platinum-certified "Toxic," Platinum-certified "IDGAF" [feat. blackbear], and Gold-certified "Two Moons." His management successes also include Xavier Weeks' Gold-certified "Team" and Chezile's Billboard Hot 100/Gold certified "Beanie." Across his career, artists under Dai's direction have cumulatively generated more than 9 billion global streams, achieved eight RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications, and sold out arenas around the world.

ABOUT JAMES DAI

Brandishing a lifelong passion for music, fresh business perspective, and boundless vision, James Dai exemplifies a new vanguard of music executives equally attuned to artistry and strategy. At just 28-years-old, the Soka Records Founder and C.E.O. is just as comfortable in the studio as he is in deal negotiations. This combination of love for the artform and proven business acumen has yielded multiplatinum success and household name recognition for a bevy of genre-busting acts. Attending Soka University of America in Orange County, CA, the Michigan native did everything he could to begin a career in music, working at the local radio station, promoting for a nightclub, and interning in music publishing. An internship with the Gordy Family proved particularly inspiring as Kerry Gordy encouraged him to pursue management. He spent countless hours looking for new music online, discovering keshi and assuming management duties in 2018. He shepherded keshi from headlining a 150-cap Houston venue to selling out Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles's Kia Forum within seven years together. Under his watch, keshi delivered the acclaimed Gabriel [2022] and Requiem [2024], scoring consecutive Top 30 debuts on the Billboard 200. He ignited the rise of BoyWithUke who took flight with the Platinum-certified "IDGAF" [feat. blackbear], Double Platinum-certified "Toxic," and Gold-certified "Two Moons." He also discovered & developed Chezile, who's hit song Beanie is approaching 1 billion streams. In total, his clients have cumulatively generated over 9 billion worldwide streams, achieved 8 RIAA-Certified Gold or Platinum Records, and sold out over a dozen arenas globally. Following a successful joint venture with Mercury Records/REPUBLIC, James officially launched Soka Records as a wholly independent company in 2026.

ABOUT SOKA RECORDS

Founded by music executive James Dai, Soka Records is an independent Los Angeles-based 'artist studio' and record label focused on holistic artist development, creative collaboration, and culture-shifting talent. Following an earlier joint venture with Mercury Records/REPUBLIC, Soka officially launched as a wholly independent company in 2026. With a hands-on approach inspired by classic artist development systems, Soka is committed to building the next generation of globally impactful artists across pop, alternative, R&B, and beyond.

For more information on James Dai/ Soka Records, contact Alena Joyiens ([email protected]) and Mikaela Duhs ([email protected]) at Shore Fire Media.