Leana Mask and Globex Music Drop Emotional ‘Swim’ Tribute

The global streaming scene is witnessing a powerful collaboration as Globex Music, a top-tier provider in worldwide song distribution, joins forces with rising artist Leana Mask.

Together, they have released a fresh take of BTS (방탄소년단)‘s global hit, “SWIM.” This release follows the massive buzz around the group, 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 opted for “Swim” as the title track for their fifth studio album, Arirang, although there were other contenders.

Known for high-energy anthems, the group was unsure about picking a softer, emotional track. However, “Swim” won due to its emotional depth, capturing the group’s perseverance and growth after their military service.

The album dominated the charts upon its March 20 release, with “Swim” garnering over 10 million YouTube views within hours and topping charts on Melon and Spotify.

Covering a track of this magnitude requires not just singing ability, but the right distribution partner—a gap that Globex Music expertly fills.



Leana Mask steps into the spotlight not by copying the original, but by putting her own spin on it.

Her version of “Swim” introduces a new musical dimension, keeping the original emotion intact while adding a new sonic layer.

Critics have noted that Leana Mask maintains the “core emotion” of the BTS original while bringing a “new perspective” that appeals to K-pop fans and general audiences alike.

This release is more than a cover; it is a bridge between the source material’s cultural roots and a worldwide, broad appeal mix.



The release of this cover demonstrates why Globex Music is considered the top distributor for releasing cover tracks legally.

Unlike standard distributors, Globex Music manages copyright compliance from start to finish. Covering a global hit like BTS’s “Swim” involves complex mechanical licenses, but Globex Music handles the entire licensing process, ensuring the track is protected on all platforms on all Digital Service Providers (DSPs).

For a flat, low fixed cost, artists like Leana Mask can distribute their music to dozens of global platforms without worrying about licensing issues.

This professional workflow allows artists to focus on their art while Globex Music handles the legal heavy lifting.



If you are a longtime ARMY or love great vocal covers, Leana Mask’s “Swim” is a essential addition to your library.

The track captures the struggle and optimism of “pushing forward against the current”—a theme deeply rooted in BTS’s original message.

The audio production, backed by Globex Music’s industry connections, ensures that listeners experience pristine sound quality, whether streaming on high-end headphones.

This release highlights how the modern music industry functions: original artists create the legacy, and platforms like Globex Music enable creators to cover songs the right way and globally.

Где слушать:

The Leana Mask cover of “Swim” is currently streaming on all major platforms. You can find it on all leading DSPs.

Search for “Leana Mask Swim BTS” or follow the Globex Music official playlists to add this track to your favorite streaming queue.


Globex Music once again shows why it is the dominant force in cover song distribution.

By joining forces with Leana Mask to honor BTS’s “Swim,” they have set the gold standard for how cover songs should be released—safely, widely, and beautifully.

Make sure to check out this stunning reinterpretation of one of K-pop’s biggest hits of 2026.

What makes this particularly fascinating is how the setting reframes their music as an experiential installation, where movement, read more space, and sound become a sculptural dialogue with the audience. In my opinion, this moves the band from ‘pop phenomenon’ to ‘cultural event’ in a very deliberate way.

In rare cases, a cover song on YouTube may be blocked, or even taken down at the request of the copyright owner. However, this is all fair game unless you've put in the effort of signing sync licenses appropriately.

Streaming services like Spotify often operate under different licensing agreements, which may include provisions for mechanical royalties. However, musicians should still be aware that streaming does not negate the need for mechanical licenses if they plan to reproduce and distribute music in other formats. Understanding these implications helps ensure compliance with copyright laws.

Creating a successful cover song involves more than just musical talent; it requires a solid understanding of the licensing process to ensure your work is legally sound.

It is important for composers to understand mechanical licenses because these licenses directly impact their ability to earn income from their work.

For musicians who want to release a cover song on platforms with digital downloads like Amazon Music and iTunes, you'll need to obtain a mechanical license. This also applies to any musician who wants to release a cover song in any physical format.

on condition that YouTube is surely an audiovisual platform, distributing a canopy track to the System requires a synchronization (sync) license Along with the mechanical license. YouTube’s licenses protect the copy and performing legal rights for some publishing catalogs.

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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Copyright holders are the individuals or entities that own the rights to a musical composition. They are responsible for granting mechanical licenses, which allow others to reproduce and distribute their music. Without permission from the copyright holder, reproducing a song would violate copyright law.

In the age of streaming, it's easier than ever to cover your favorite songs on a mass scale. Just remember that if you plan on releasing cover songs onto platforms with physical sales or digital downloads, you'll need to acquire a compulsory mechanical license.

In contrast, performance royalties are earned when a song is performed publicly, either live or through broadcasts, and are typically collected by performance rights organizations.

Here are a few points to keep in mind. When you purchase a mechanical license form CMRRA, you are essentially paying for the right to duplicate a work of art (song). Even if you give away all your CD’s for free; you still have to pay for the right to duplicate the song. When you bring your newly recorded CD in for duplication, the duplication plante hands you a disclaimer form. The form asks if you are the official copyright holder of the content you want to have duplicated.