Jessi Announces Independent Label 'Unni Company,' Releases Comeback Song 'Newsflash'

Korean-American rapper Jessi has returned to the music scene with the announcement of her independent label "UNNI Company" and the release of her comeback single "Newsflash" on Friday.

The dynamic hip-hop track marks the artist's first release in approximately one year following a period of legal challenges and label transitions. "Newsflash" utilizes the concept of breaking news to narrate Jessi's personal comeback journey. In the accompanying teaser video, Jessi appears under dazzling spotlights while warning viewers, "Don't believe all the hype," cautioning against false narratives and sensationalism.

The music video teaser also features contrasting scenes of Jessi commanding the stage before a roaring crowd, combined with intimate moments from her everyday life and childhood, offering a more personal perspective beyond her glamorous image, per AllKpop.

With this comeback, Jessi officially begins her journey as an independent artist under her self-founded label UNNI Company. The establishment of the label represents a significant milestone in her career, providing her with complete creative freedom after experiencing multiple label changes in recent years. The name "UNNI," meaning "older sister" in Korean.

Jessi's independent venture follows a turbulent period in her career. After departing from Psy's P Nation in July 2022, she briefly joined Jay Park's More Vision label but ended that contract in January 2024. She subsequently signed with DOD Entertainment in September 2024 while launching UNNI Company, though she terminated that management contract in October 2024 following a fan assault controversy.

The issue stemmed from an incident in September 2024 when a teenage fan was assaulted by a member of Jessi's entourage while requesting a photo in Seoul's Gangnam district. Following a police investigation, authorities cleared Jessi of all charges in November 2024, finding insufficient evidence that she participated in the assault or assisted the perpetrator. The Seoul Gangnam Police Precinct dropped the case against Jessi, citing that there was little evidence indicating her involvement in threatening the victim or helping the perpetrator evade investigation.

The digital single "Newsflash" was released on major music streaming platforms worldwide at 1 PM Korean Standard Time on June 27.