KiTbetter is announcing its latest service for DIY independent artists: an upgraded, easy-to-use do-it-yourself platform to create and release KiTalbums. This distinctive music format has already been adopted by major artists ranging from Public Enemy to BLACKPINK, combining the tangible value of physical collectibles with the limitless possibilities of digital access. Quietly launched in 2024, KiTbetter’s self-serve platform has empowered over 1,000 artists worldwide to date, and has recently expanded to offer even more creativity and functionality. This latest expansion includes a new step-by-step upload process, clearer visibility into how artists’ assets will translate into a final product, enhanced crediting tools, and the ability to upload videos directly or via YouTube links.
 

Artist-first and collector-driven, KiTalbums combine a physical collectible with a digital experience designed to restore music’s value as something to own, keep, and connect with. Every KiTalbum includes a patented, pocket-sized KiT device that allows fans to unlock music, videos, lyrics, and credits on any smart device.
 

Now, any artist can release a KiTalbum and earn an average of $5-$10 per unit sold, the equivalent of thousands of streams. In a music industry where revenue from streaming is often minimal, KiTbetter offers an essential solution, allowing artists to take control of their income and create tangible value for their fans. All artists need to do is go to kitbetter.com and upload their artwork, audio files (WAV, FLAC/lossless, and/or Dolby Atmos), lyrics, optional videos, and metadata and credits to get started. KiTbetter will guide them as they customize their custom-designed jewel box, art cards, and stickers, with optional add-ons possible upon request.
 

KiTbetter has quickly become a go-to resource for independent artists seeking a low-risk, high-reward way to release music. The platform allows for small runs starting at just 30 units or on-demand fulfillment at no upfront cost, eliminating the financial barriers that have traditionally made physical music releases inaccessible for many. This flexibility gives artists the freedom to create meaningful, premium products without the economic burden of large-scale production.

“We handle everything for the artist, allowing them to focus on their creativity while we manage the details. From design to production, packaging to fulfillment, we provide all the tools they need to create a meaningful release and a new revenue stream,” says Jennifer Sullivan, KiTbetter CMO and President, North America. “KiTalbums give independent artists a powerful way to offer music as a premium, collectible experience. It is something fans can truly see, hear, and hold. In today’s fast-moving market, it’s about delivering value quickly and authentically, while deepening fan engagement in a way that lasts.”

About KiTbetter

KiTbetter, a subsidiary of South Korean media technology company Muzlive, is rethinking music ownership through the KiTalbum, a patented physical and digital format that gives fans something to hold and artists a more direct, profitable way to share their work. Each KiTalbum is a keepsake box filled with collectible artwork and a pocket-sized KiT device that unlocks access to high-fidelity audio, video content, and exclusive fan experiences on any modern smartphone or tablet. (Compatible with iOS and Android.) Since releasing the world’s first connected album in 2012, KiTbetter has sold over 10 million KiTalbums worldwide and holds multiple patents on its proprietary U-NFC (Ultrasonic Near-Field Communication) technology. Trusted by major labels, independent artists, and fans alike, KiTbetter bridges the convenience of streaming with the permanence and collectibility of physical media. It delivers a more complete audiovisual album experience and returns music to something you can see, hear, and hold.

KiTbetter and Rhino Records have partnered to release special edition KiTalbums for three landmark titles: Stone Temple Pilots’ Purple, Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill, and The B-52’s’ Cosmic Thing. Each reissue is presented in a collectible keepsake box that combines tangible physical elements with a connected digital experience.

Presales begin on each album’s anniversary: Purple on June 7, Jagged Little Pill on June 13, and Cosmic Thing on June 27. All titles start shipping June 27.

The KiTalbum format brings together the tangible and the digital, combining premium physical packaging with layered audiovisual elements. Each release was created in collaboration with the artists to present the album as it was meant to be experienced. The Purple KiTalbum includes rarely seen photos by Chris Cuffaro and acoustic versions of “Big Empty” and “Pretty Penny.” Jagged Little Pill features official music videos, lyrics, and a wearable “Ironic” button designed with the same care as the original release. These are curated special editions that restore the full creative context around each album.
 

KiTalbums also offer artists new ways to understand how their work resonates over time. The format provides visibility into how listeners engage with both music and supporting content, opening up opportunities for reaching fans in new ways.
 

“These albums helped define a generation, and now they’re reimagined in a format that honors the past while meeting fans where they are today,” said Jennifer Sullivan, President, North America, KiTbetter. “Working closely with Rhino, the artists, and their teams, we shared a vision of the album as a complete artistic statement that blends sound, visuals, and storytelling. These iconic releases, born in the MTV era, finally bring all of that into one place, in one beautifully designed package.”

Stone Temple Pilots – Purple

Presale Begins: June 7, 2025 | Buy Here
Originally released in 1994, Purple debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and helped shape the sound of '90s rock. The KiTalbum edition includes acoustic versions of “Big Empty” and “Pretty Penny,” seven official music videos, and rarely seen photography by Chris Cuffaro. Physical contents include liner note cards, a ball chain, and band photos, all packaged in a custom-designed box.

Alanis Morissette – Jagged Little Pill

Presale Begins: June 13, 2025 | Buy Here
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Jagged Little Pill returns in a hybrid format that brings the full visual and lyrical experience of the original release into focus. The KiTalbum includes five official music videos, a wearable “Ironic” button, collectible stickers, and expanded access to album art and liner notes.

The B-52’s – Cosmic Thing

Presale Begins: June 27, 2025 | Buy Here
First released in 1989, Cosmic Thing marked a defining moment for The B-52’s with hits like “Love Shack” and “Roam.” The KiTalbum edition includes four official music videos, original artwork, photo cards, and branded collectibles, all housed in a custom-designed box.

About KiTbetter

KiTbetter (www.kitbetter.com), a subsidiary of South Korean music tech company Muzlive, is reshaping the future of music ownership through the KiTalbum, a patented hybrid physical-digital product that gives fans something to hold and artists a more direct, profitable way to share their work. Each KiTalbum combines premium packaging and collectible artwork with digital access to high-fidelity audio, video content, and exclusive fan experiences via the KiTplayer app. Since releasing the first connected album in 2014, KiTbetter has sold over 10 million albums worldwide and holds multiple patents on its proprietary technology. Trusted by major labels, independent artists, and music lovers around the world, KiTbetter bridges the gap between the convenience of streaming and the emotional connection of physical media, returning music to something lasting.

About Rhino Entertainment

Rhino is the catalogue development and marketing division of Warner Music Group. Founded in 1978, Rhino continues to set the standard for excellence in the reissue business it pioneered in both the physical and digital worlds with an emphasis on flawless sound quality, bonus tracks, informative liner notes, award-winning creative packaging, and a strong social conscience. Rhino has also expanded the definition of what a catalogue music company is, as evidenced by the label’s name and likeness representation deal with Frank Sinatra, its multi-faceted relationship with the Grateful Dead, and releasing new albums by heritage artists such as Jeff Beck and Cyndi Lauper. The catalogue of more than 5,000 releases includes material by Led Zeppelin, Eagles, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, The Doors, Chicago, Ray Charles, Black Sabbath, John Coltrane, Yes, Phil Collins, The Ramones, and The Monkees, among many others.

Analog or digital? Why choose? 

In a digital-first world, artists are searching for more meaningful ways to reach their audiences, and fans are looking for something tangible they can keep. The revival of vinyl, CDs, and even cassettes, reveals how intensely music lovers long to hold a symbol of their devotion in their hands. KiTbetter meets both needs with the KiTalbum, a collectible format that combines premium physical packaging with digital access to high-fidelity music, video, lyrics, and other album elements. At the center of each album is the KiT, a patented physical key that uses ultrasonic near-field communication (U-NFC) to connect fans to a rich digital experience with a simple click.

Each album is packaged in a keepsake box and includes high-quality components like photo cards, album credits, and stickers. When fans click the button on the KiT device near their phone’s microphone, it emits a uniquely coded ultrasonic signal, verifying the album's authenticity and connection to the user. In seconds, the digital album experience is unlocked on nearly any smart device. No Bluetooth, no NFC reader, no login required.

KiTalbums are designed to support artists at every stage of their careers. With production runs starting at just 30 units, creators can release high-quality, collectible albums without the high costs or long lead times. KiTalbums can be fully customized, and artists decide what their fans see, hear, and experience, whether it's high-fidelity audio, behind-the-scenes video, or a deluxe edition with exclusive extras.

As the music industry adapts to new demands for speed, sustainability, and direct fan engagement, KiTalbums offer a practical alternative. Optimized production allows releases to be completed in weeks. Unnecessary waste is minimized, making the KiTalbum a flexible option for independent artists and major labels alike.

Each KiT is uniquely coded, giving artists and their teams access to more than 30 categories of data, including geographic trends, repeat engagement, and content interactions. It’s the only physical music release providing insight after purchase. This data helps artists understand how their fans engage and gives them the tools to shape future releases.

“Artists are often asked to choose between the scale of digital and the impact of physical,” says Jennifer Sullivan, CMO and President, North America,“ KiTalbums offer the best of both worlds. Artists can create something collectible that fans can hold, while giving them access to rich digital content in a way that feels direct, immersive, and personal.” 

KiTbetter is built on a decade of innovation from its parent company, MUZLIVE, a pioneering South Korean tech company specializing in connected media experiences. In 2012, MUZLIVE launched Smart Media Cards (SMC), the world’s first NFC-enabled music format, allowing fans to access digital content through physical collectibles. Two years later, it introduced the first connected album with K-pop group Girl’s Day, marking a significant shift in how music could be experienced. In 2017, the technology advanced with the introduction of U-NFC (Ultrasonic Near-Field Communication), allowing access to any smart device with a microphone, not just those that are NFC-enabled. This next-generation platform became the KiTalbum.

Since then, KiTbetter has powered releases from a broad range of influential artists, including BLACKPINK, Seventeen, Snoop Dogg, Duran Duran, and Weezer, while supporting a fast-growing community of independent creators. Today, KiTbetter has sold more than 10 million KiTalbums worldwide. 

“We’ve seen major artists use KiTalbums to reimagine what a release can look like, and we’ve seen independent creators use the same tools to build deeper relationships with their fans,” says Sullivan. “This format was built to scale with the artist, not the other way around.”

Music has always led the way in shaping how people connect through art. Today, it's leading an ongoing transformation in art and expression as media merge. Albums are visual. Films and games have iconic soundtracks. Even comics and books are embracing interactivity, audio, and layered storytelling. As media continues to evolve across senses and formats, KiTbetter is building a platform that supports it all.

“We’re creating a new way to experience stories,” says Sullivan. “Whether it begins as music, film, a podcast, or a visual narrative, we help creators deliver that work in a format that fans can hold, explore, and return to. It’s about giving creative work a lasting place in people’s lives.”

About KiTbetter

KiTbetter, a subsidiary of South Korean music tech company Muzlive, is reshaping the future of music ownership through the KiTalbum, a patented hybrid physical-digital product that gives fans something to hold and artists a more direct, profitable way to share their work. Each KiTalbum combines premium packaging and collectible artwork with digital access to high-fidelity audio, video content, and exclusive fan experiences via the KiTplayer app. Since releasing the first connected album in 2014, KiTbetter has sold over 9 million albums worldwide and holds multiple patents on its proprietary technology. Trusted by major labels, independent artists, and music lovers around the world, KiTbetter bridges the gap between the convenience of streaming and the emotional connection of physical media, returning music to something lasting.

Fans can experience TWS’s New Album ‘TRY WITH US’ in Dolby Atmos Through KiTalbum

LOS ANGELES, CA / SEOUL, KR (April 30, 2025) — KiTbetter, the music technology brand pioneering hybrid physical-digital music experiences, today announced Dolby Atmos® is now available through KiTbetter’s flagship product, KiTalbum.

The first album to launch as a KiTalbum with Dolby Atmos is TWS’s third mini album, TRY WITH US, which was made available globally on April 21 (KST). It is the first album to launch in the KiTalbum with Dolby Atmos, enabling immersive audio in a tangible, collectible, and digitally enhanced product.

Dolby Atmos is a completely new way to create and experience music that delivers artistic expression at its fullest capacity, forging a deeper connection between artists and their fans. Music in Dolby Atmos goes beyond the ordinary listening experience by putting listeners inside the song, revealing every detail of the music with unparalleled clarity and depth. Whether it’s hearing the layers of instruments move all around, catching the subtle breath a singer takes between lyrics, or being enveloped in a wave of melodies, nothing compares to hearing music in Dolby Atmos.

“This collaboration redefines what physical music can offer,” said Jennifer Sullivan, Chief Marketing Officer and President, North America at KiTbetter. “We’re combining the beauty and permanence of a collectible album with cutting-edge immersive audio and digital interactivity. With Dolby Atmos, we’re elevating the artist-fan experience to a new dimension - one you can see, hear, hold, and feel.”

Fans can experience Dolby Atmos directly through the KiTplayer app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices, making the experience accessible to a global, mobile-first audience.

TWS, the breakout K-pop group known for their vibrant energy and distinctive “boyhood pop” sound, is the first artist to debut this advancement. Their new release, TRY WITH US, includes six tracks, including “Aren’t You Cool for Following Your Heart?” and explores growth, identity, and ambition. As of April 9, the album had surpassed 500,000 pre-orders.

About KiTbetter

KiTbetter, a subsidiary of South Korean music tech company Muzlive, is reshaping the future of music ownership through the KiTalbum, a patented hybrid physical-digital product that gives fans something to hold and artists a more direct, profitable way to share their work. Each KiTalbum combines premium packaging and collectible artwork with digital access to high-fidelity audio, video content, and exclusive fan experiences via the KiTplayer app. Since releasing the first connected album in 2014, KiTbetter has sold over 9 million albums worldwide and holds multiple patents on its proprietary technology. Trusted by major labels, independent artists, and music lovers around the world, KiTbetter bridges the gap between the convenience of streaming and the emotional connection of physical media, returning music to something lasting.