Nebula17 has appointed former RCA Records executive Rob Inadomi as Founding Partner and President of Label and A&R.
Based in Los Angeles, Inadomi will report directly to Nebula17 founder and CEO Naoki Osada.
According to Nebula17, he will oversee the launch of the company’s US label operations while spearheading global A&R efforts to accelerate the international reach of “culturally progressive” Japanese artists.
Nebula 17 was founded earlier this year with multi-million-dollar backing from US and Japanese investors, and combines label, publishing, management, strategy, and venture capital.
Naoki Osada previously spent over two decades at Avex, most recently serving as CEO of its US division. He led Avex’s expansion into the American market, while forming alliances with Roc Nation and Brandon Silverstein’s S10.
In his global A&R role, Inadomi, alongside the team he and Osada are building, will curate songwriters and producers for Japanese artists targeting the US market. He is already working with Japanese acts on projects aimed at US audiences.
Inadomi is a fourth-generation immigrant of Japanese descent who, according to Nebula17, is “deeply connected to both Western and Asian music markets.”
He was previously Vice President of A&R at RCA Records, where he expanded the label’s footprint in dance/electronic music and K-pop.
There, Inadomi worked with artists including Kygo, Martin Garrix, Alan Walker, Oliver Heldens, as well as K-pop groups like ATEEZ and RIIZE, and is credited for A&R’ing Kygo and Whitney Houston’s global hit, Higher Love.
Rob Inadomi said: “Partnering with Naoki to launch Nebula17 is about building a culture that truly puts artists and their music first. I have always admired his vision and the thoughtful way he built Avex USA. Together at Nebula17, we’re committed to creating an environment where artists at every stage of their careers receive true support — from A&R to strategic marketing and long-term career development.
“Just as a nebula is a birthplace for stars, Nebula17 aims to spark the next generation of global music innovators.”
Naoki Osada added: “Rob is an exceptional executive who seamlessly blends creative intuition with a strategic mindset. His proven A&R success and genuine passion for artist development make him the ideal partner to shape the future of Nebula17’s label and create new opportunities for Japanese artists worldwide. I deeply respect his bold, mission-driven decision to join Nebula17 — a startup built with purpose — which I believe will lead to a defining moment in the future.”
Operating from a “cutting-edge studio house” in West Hollywood, Nebula17 offers boutique A&R and marketing services.
At Avex, Naoki Osada launched multiple publishing ventures, signing hitmakers including Harv (Peaches), Jasper Harris (greedy), and GENT! (Agora Hills).
He also brought Japanese acts such as ONE OR EIGHT to the U.S. market, securing collaborations with Ryan Tedder, David Stewart, and Big Sean, and achieving a Top 40 Mediabase entry with a Stargate-produced track.Music Business Worldwide
