Lofi Girl (formerly ChilledCow until 2021) is a French YouTube channel and music label established in 2017 by Dimitri Somoguy in Paris. It provides 24/7 livestreams of lofi hip-hop music accompanied by a Japanese-style animation of a girl (officially named Jade) studying or relaxing in her bedroom with a cat on the window. Lofi Girl has 15.8 million YouTube subscribers (as of July 2026), over 3 billion streams across all platforms, and over 200 artists from around the world. Its 2026 releases include the Summer Collection 2026 (July 6, 2026) with 28 tracks from artists including Torsten Hentschel, Spastic Stoner, Cris Valerio, Ross Llewallyn, Patrick Wozniak, Toxic Orochi, Guido's Lounge Cafe, S and M Cavanaugh, JR Conlin, and Stephen Dickason.
Lofi Girl's creator, Dimitri Somoguy, originally used the character Shizuku Tsukishima from the Studio Ghibli film Whisper of the Heart (1995) as the face of the channel. When the popularity of the streams led to the channel being taken down for copyright violations, Somoguy decided to maintain the Ghibli-esque aesthetic but with an original character. Juan Pablo Machado, a Colombian artist who moved to Lyon in 2013 to study at the Ecole Emile-Cohl, responded to a call for tenders from ChilledCow in September 2018 and created the iconic Lofi Girl character. The Lofi Girl channel is ranked number 3 in France and 787th globally on YouTube, with 2.6 billion total views and 426 videos published over 11 years of continuous activity. Lofi Records has 1 to 10 employees, with its workforce distributed across Australia, France, India, and the United States.
How Lofi Girl Operates
Lofi Girl runs dedicated A&R under founder Dimitri Somoguy from its Paris headquarters, with a workforce distributed across Australia, France, India, and the United States. It operates the Lofi Girl, Lofi Records, and Lofi Studio YouTube channels. The label has produced over a hundred albums with its artists, giving them a space to create and share their voice with the world. Its 2026 strategy is focused on growth, exploration, and experimentation, with a commitment to bringing the best sounds to its community without using AI-generated music. The label's strength is its massive YouTube audience (15.8 million subscribers) and its 24/7 livestream model.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you make lofi hip-hop, chillhop, or instrumental hip-hop, Lofi Girl is one of the largest lofi labels in the world, with 15.8 million YouTube subscribers and over 200 artists on its roster. Its 24/7 livestream provides continuous exposure for its roster. Its commitment to no AI-generated music signals a continued focus on human producers. Its global workforce (Australia, France, India, US) gives it a global perspective on lofi music.
Drawbacks and Things to Consider
- Lofi focus: Lofi Girl signs lofi hip-hop and chillhop. Artists in other genres should look elsewhere.
- No unsolicited demos: Lofi Girl does not accept cold submissions.
- Large roster: With over 200 artists, individual attention may be limited.
- YouTube-first model: Lofi Girl's model is built around its YouTube livestream, which means revenue is heavily tied to YouTube streaming.
Notable Artists and Releases
| Artist | Release | Year | Chart Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| WYS | Snowman (single) | 2023 | First official Lofi Records music video; featured on 1 A.M Study Session compilation |
| City Girl | Neon Impasse (album) | 2018 | 4.9 million YouTube views on full album stream; distributed by Lofi Records |
| Powfu | the life of a lofi boy (album) | 2025 | Released through Lofi Girl; Powfu previously charted on Billboard Hot 100 with "Death Bed" at #23 |
| Various Artists | Spring Collection 2026 | 2026 | 28-track compilation with limited edition 12-inch vinyl; includes artists Doktor K, Baptiste, S and M Cavanaugh |
| Various Artists | Summer Collection 2026 | 2026 | 28-track compilation released July 6, 2026 |
| Swink | moments i forgot (album) | 2026 | Released June 16, 2026 on Lofi Records |
| Simone | Raw Hope (album) | 2026 | Released January 21, 2026 on Lofi Records |
| Living Room and Max Merseny | City Whispers (album) | 2025 | Released September 1, 2025; 16-track collaborative album |
Videos
Deal Structures
Lofi Records operates two parallel ownership models. For tracks released through Lofi Records, the label owns or co-owns the master recordings outright. For music from independent artists featured on the livestream, the label secures licenses that allow broadcast without triggering copyright strikes. Payment structures vary by artist: some receive flat fees, while others participate in revenue sharing based on stream performance.
In February 2024, Warner Chappell Music France signed a publishing administration deal with Lofi Records. Under this agreement, Warner Chappell administers the majority of Lofi Records' artists and pursues sync opportunities. The publishing administration model allows songwriters to retain 100% of their copyright ownership while the publisher handles administration rights.
Lofi Records uses LabelWorx for distribution and royalty accounting. The label accounts to its artists on a monthly basis through RoyaltyWorx, an industry-leading commitment for a label of its size. The company operates as Lofi Girl SAS, a French simplified joint-stock company, with Lofi Records SAS as the record label entity founded in 2019.
For independent creators, Lofi Girl offers a free-to-use license for non-commercial use with proper credit. Commercial use requires a separate commercial license obtained through the company's licensing form.
How Artists Get Signed
Lofi Girl does not accept unsolicited demos. Founder Dimitri Somoguy runs A&R operations from Paris, with a workforce distributed across Australia, France, India, and the United States. The label signs lofi producers through A&R scouting and its existing network of over 200 artists.
Artists who want to be considered should build a strong lofi production profile first. This means releasing music independently, building a streaming audience, and establishing a presence in the lofi hip-hop community. Lofi Girl's A&R team scouts producers who fit the label's sound and aesthetic, typically discovering them through Spotify playlists, YouTube, Bandcamp, and the broader lofi community.
The label has produced over a hundred albums with its artists. Its 2026 strategy focuses on growth, exploration, and experimentation, with a commitment to bringing the best sounds to its community without using AI-generated music. This human-only approach means producers who work with hardware instruments, live recording, and traditional production methods have an advantage.
Similar Labels
- Chillhop Music - Netherlands-based lofi and chillhop label with a similar YouTube-first model
- Monstercat - Canadian electronic label built on a YouTube-first distribution approach
- Ninja Tune - UK independent label with electronic and instrumental roots
- Ghostly International - US electronic and ambient label with a curated roster
Related Resources
- Record Label Contracts Explained - What a Lofi Girl deal contains
- Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The YouTube-first label model
- How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building a lofi production profile
- Chillhop Music - A related lofi label
- Lofi Girl Official Site - Livestream and roster
