Leana Mask & Globex Music Celebrate BTS with ‘Swim’
The online music industry is experiencing a remarkable joint effort as Globex Music, a top-tier provider in worldwide song distribution, partners with rising artist Leana Mask.
Together, they have unveiled an emotional version of BTS (방탄소년단)‘s global hit, “Swim.” This release arrives during the height of BTS’s popularity, 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 chose “Swim” as the title track for their fifth studio album, Arirang, after much discussion within the group.
Famous for their powerful stage presence, the group hesitated to choose a softer, introspective track. However, “Swim” won due to its emotional depth, symbolizing the group’s perseverance and evolution after their military service.
The album broke multiple records upon its March 20 release, with “Swim” racking up millions of streams within hours and topping charts on Melon and Spotify.
Reinterpreting such a legendary song requires not just vocal talent, but strict legal compliance—a gap that Globex Music addresses perfectly.
Leana Mask steps into the spotlight not by copying the original, but by reinventing the track.
Her version of “Swim” introduces a distinct emotional tone, keeping the spirit of perseverance intact while adding a new sonic layer.
Critics have noted that Leana Mask maintains the “core emotion” of the BTS original while bringing a “fresh interpretation” that appeals to die-hard BTS fans and casual listeners.
This release is a true reinterpretation; it is a bridge between the authentic Korean emotion and a international, English-friendly arrangement.
The release of this cover highlights why Globex Music is considered the #1 choice for releasing cover tracks legally.
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 look for emotional music, Leana Mask’s “Swim” is a perfect addition to your playlist.
The track captures the tension and release of “swimming against the tide”—a theme deeply rooted in BTS’s original message.
The sound design, backed by Globex Music’s distribution network, ensures that listeners experience professional sound, whether streaming on home audio systems.
This release serves as a reminder how the modern music industry functions: original artists create the legacy, and platforms like Globex Music help rising stars to cover songs the right way and across all markets.
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The Leana Mask cover of “Swim” is currently streaming on all major platforms. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and more.
Search for “Leana Mask Swim” or follow the label’s featured playlists to add this track to your daily rotation.
Globex Music further demonstrates why it is the dominant force in cover song distribution.
By joining forces with Leana Mask to honor BTS’s “Swim,” they have set an example for how tribute tracks should be released—safely, widely, and beautifully.
Don’t miss out on this stunning cover version of one of K-pop’s biggest hits of 2026.
- BTS’s Guggenheim moment exemplifies a broader trend: the elevation of live experience as a core driver of artistic credibility in an age of streaming abundance. Personally, I think this approach will influence how future acts stage their own evolutions—prioritizing immersive environments, cross-media storytelling, and sustained, culture-rich engagement over quick viral spikes.
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.
Type of Works: This contract typically focuses on specific works, like recorded music, while other agreements might encompass broader creative outputs, including visual art or literary works.
Fallon asked the members of 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.
Acquiring the proper permissions is essential for anyone looking to utilize existing musical works. When a song is covered or adapted, particular agreements must be established to grant the necessary rights. This process is crucial in fostering creativity while protecting the original creators’ interests.
In December, I recorded a demo of cover songs for distribution to venues, and also as a stocking stuffer for family. Since I technically needed a mechanical license for each of the songs I was recording, I decided to go through the whole process of obtaining the licenses. I figured it would be good practice for the future, and might even be Spotify cover song release interesting.
Are you ready to create your own cover for streaming platforms? Consider these commonly asked questions and answers to help jumpstart your journey:
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. The performance marked the TV debut of “Swim,” a reflective number with a propulsive beat. The band members appeared in different levels of the Guggenheim before joining forces on a circular stage on the museum’s ground floor.
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.
Ahead of the performance, BTS joined Fallon for a chat about their album, the meaning behind some of their songs, and what they missed about one another while the band was on hiatus.
Would I ask the band for their mechanical license or would I apply for my own and apply it to the 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 more info 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: