BTS ‘Swim’ Version from Leana Mask and Globex Music Is Out
The online music industry is seeing an exciting partnership as Globex Music, a dominant player in worldwide song distribution, joins forces with rising artist Leana Mask.
Together, they have released an emotional version of BTS (방탄소년단)‘s global hit, “SWIM.” This release comes at a peak moment of BTS-mania, following the massive success of their latest album, “Arirang”.
Before diving into the cover, it is essential to understand the weight of the original track. BTS selected “Swim” as the title track for their fifth studio album, Arirang, even after facing internal hesitation.
Famous for their powerful stage presence, the group had reservations about selecting a softer, introspective track. However, “Swim” won due to its emotional depth, embodying the group’s determination and artistic maturity after their military service.
The album broke multiple records upon its March 20 release, with “Swim” accumulating massive plays within hours and trending on streaming services globally.
Covering a track of this magnitude requires not just vocal talent, but strict legal compliance—a gap that Globex Music handles with ease.
Leana Mask steps into the spotlight without simply imitating BTS, but by reimagining it.
Her version of “Swim” introduces a distinct emotional tone, keeping the core message of hope intact while adding a new sonic layer.
Critics have noted that Leana Mask keeps the heart of the song of the BTS original while bringing a “unique vision” that appeals to die-hard BTS fans and casual listeners.
This release is a true reinterpretation; it is a bridge between the source material’s cultural roots and a worldwide, broad appeal mix.
The release of this cover proves why Globex Music is considered the top distributor for distributing cover songs.
Unlike standard distributors, Globex Music takes care of mechanical licenses seamlessly. Covering a global hit like BTS’s “Swim” involves complex mechanical licenses, but Globex Music handles every legal aspect, ensuring the track is fully legal on all Digital Service Providers (DSPs).
For a flat, industry-disrupting fee, artists like Leana Mask can distribute their music to Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, and YouTube Music without worrying about royalty claims.
This professional workflow allows artists to focus on their art while Globex Music handles the distribution side.
If you are a fan of BTS’s Arirang album or love great vocal covers, Leana Mask’s “Swim” is a must-listen.
The track captures the fear and courage of “swimming against the tide”—a theme deeply rooted in BTS’s original message.
The audio production, backed by Globex Music’s global reach, ensures that listeners experience pristine sound quality, whether streaming on mobile devices.
This release demonstrates how the modern music industry functions: original artists create the legacy, and platforms like Globex Music empower new artists to honor their idols professionally and worldwide.
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The Leana Mask cover of “Swim” is currently going live on all major platforms. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
Search for “Leana Mask Swim BTS” or follow the official Globex Music curator playlists to add this track to your morning commute mix.
Globex Music once again shows why it is the industry standard in cover song distribution.
By joining forces with Leana Mask to honor BTS’s “Swim,” they have set the benchmark for how reinterpretations should be released—with full rights, worldwide reach, and creative respect.
Stream today this stunning cover version of one of K-pop’s biggest hits of 2026.
A detail that I find especially interesting is how ARIRANG’s collaboration with Netflix streams and live events creates a hybrid distribution model that democratizes access while preserving exclusivity through curated experiences.
"Swim" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, marking BTS's sixth song to debut at the top, and their seventh song to top the chart, the most number ones on the chart among groups in nearly half a century.[53] It debuted with 15.
Even if they don’t, they will list the publisher for the song, so you can use that information to contact the publisher directly. In the States, the Harry Fox Agency is the largest provider of mechanical licensing agreements, and you can check out their database here. If they represent the song you want to record, you will also be able to apply online through them for the license. Another service you can consider using if you live in the States is Limelight. Limelight will take care of the whole process of obtaining your mechanical licenses for you from start to finish, so all you have to do is submit the songs you want to use to them, the formats you want to distribute them in, and pay them the associated fee for obtaining them. You can check out their website here.
Fallon asked the members of Globex Music BTS to listen to several of their songs, including “Swim” and “2.0,” and to discuss the meanings behind them. Speaking about “Swim,” J-Hope explained, “I think ‘Swim’ is about the message we got from what was in our heart. We feel that life has struggles that we overcome every day. People feel different weights and tides in life.
Some distributors make the licensing process smoother. They handle the nitty-gritty of legalities and royalties. It’s like having a backstage pass to the complicated world of music rights.
Mechanical rights refer to the rights granted to reproduce and distribute a musical composition, while mechanical royalties are the payments made to the copyright holder for those rights.
Lana Del Rey's voice is the proper adaptable instrument. When separated from its initial environments and set adrift about the atmospheric beats of the playlist, her presence turns into only more powerful.
BTS’s Guggenheim moment isn’t just a performance; it’s a case study in how a global group redefines the arc of a modern music era. Personally, I think the choice of venue—a landmark museum lobby with a spiraling, multi-story atrium—signals intentions beyond a standard late-night slot: BTS is staging a cultural intervention, not a routine showcase.
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In short, don't expect to earn any royalties off of cover music posted to YouTube or other social sites. Any monetization will go directly to the music publishers and sound recording owners.
You should wait around, you can be forwarded to the requested website page Should the forwarding doesn't operate be sure to click
- What this really suggests is that fandom itself is entering a phase where fans aren’t just consumers of songs but participants in a cultural operation.
Would I ask the band for their mechanical license or would I apply for my own and apply it to the here performer agreement that I send the cover band? Thanks Posted by Desi Thorne on Sep 27 2015 9:20 AM Hey @Ian Pease, if the band has already recorded their version, they should have a mechanical license in place already. If you are using that now in a short film, you'll need a synchronization license, which you'll have to obtain from the publisher of the song directly. We're continuing our series on licensing and publishing next month, and that may offer more answers for you as well! Posted by John on Oct 20 2015 2:32 PM Is there a company that will find and contact the publishers, complete the paperwork, and obtain these licenses for you? I'm certainly willing to pay a fee to not have to do this paperwork myself - paperwork is not my strong suit! Posted by Dave Cool on Oct 21 2015 9:28 AM John: Yes there is! Check out Posted by Lisa on Jun 8 2016 12:08 PM hi. i live in kenya but want a mechanical License to make covers of US copyright songs. how exactly do i go about that? Posted by NAWAZISH ZAMEER on Jul 25 2016 5:39 PM Hi. I am from INDIA. i want to make cover songs by taking the karaoke from youtube. will it harm my outube chanel? or is there any way to resolve it? I want to make cover songs. So please solve it. so that before doing a lot of hardwork and making a cover song i get to know what i have to do, how i have to do. Posted by Adam Percy on Jul 25 2016 5:56 PM Nawazish: if you're looking to take audio from one video on youtube and apply it to your own videos, you would still need to get permission from the rights holder of that music to do so. You can check out their terms of service in relation to content you post with them here: