Bold, intense, and pared to the essentials, “APORIE VIVANT” is the second full album from alternative R&B singer VivaOla, and is the purest expression of his vision of music yet. In this wide-ranging interview, we talk to VivaOla about his musical roots, the background to “APORIE VIVANT”, and his personal values through his lyrics.
Read MoreBlessed with a distinctive, rich voice and having grown up as a dancer listening to 90’s hip-hop and R&B, reina is at the forefront of the nascent Japanese alternative R&B/neo-soul scene, rapidly attracting fans across all ages and cultures. We speak to reina about her unique background, her new EP “A Million More” and her reflections on her career so far.
Read MoreJulia Takada is a Japanese-American singer-songwriter and freelance model associated with the creative label w.a.u, characterized by her positive yet delicate singing voice and musings on modern life. We talk to Julia about her background, her first EP “Manifest Girl”, and her zine project VIRIDIAN.
Read MoreZIN is an R&B/soul singer-songwriter based in Tokyo who also writes and produces for other artists. Through his original and intricate sound, ZIN’s tracks resonate with your deepest thoughts. Fresh off his successful tour in promotion of his landmark first album Curve, ZIN speaks candidly to Tokyo ON about the album, his background, and being true to himself.
Read MoreLil Summer is a singer-songwriter and DJ from Fukuoka with a sweet and soulful singing voice influenced by classic and modern R&B artists. She released her first EP “Rojo” in 2023 in digital and vinyl formats, and has been busy performing both at festivals in Japan and abroad. Speaking exclusively to Royce Leong of Tokyo ON, we hear about her background, the EP, and her current activities.
Read MoreBorn in Tokyo, Lil Leise But Gold is an alternative R&B artist and singer/songwriter who released her first album 喧騒幻想 (kenso genso) at the end of 2022. She also happens to be married to super producer KM. In this exclusive interview, Royce Leong of Tokyo ON inquires about her musical background and her relationship with KM, and explores the meaning and emotions behind 喧騒幻想.
Read MoreFrom Oita to Colorado and now weaving through the chaos of Tokyo, bilingual rapper Wez Atlas combines an international background with the everyday hustle of Japan, telling insightful, personal stories which resonate naturally with ordinary folks. Following the release of his second mini EP “This Too Shall Pass”, we catch up with Wez to find out what made him the me he is today.
Read MoreIf you’re looking for someone to make a track for you, why not start your search here with this shortlist of Japanese female music producers? Spanning genres from R&B and pop to electronica and house, major label to indie, make that dream collab come true!
Read MoreBlessed with a smooth, mellow voice influenced by classic soul and R&B, Tokyo-based singer-songwriter sangdei is looking to make his mark on the Japanese music scene. In this exclusive interview for Tokyo ON, we learn the experiences that shaped him as an artist and where he’s heading next
Read MoreProducer, DJ and founder of Kawasaki Records, DJ KAWASAKI has just released “One World”, his first album of all new material since 2010 featuring vocalists from all over the globe and recorded fully with live instruments. Fellow disco/soul fan Royce Leong of Tokyo ON gets up to speed with DJ KAWASAKI to find out how we got here.
Read MoreSnowk is a special side project from Japanese producer/DJs Yutaka Takanami and Fuminori Kagajo, who both hail from "snow country". While they each have made their names in soulful house, Snowk has a cutting edge sound incorporating the latest trends and talents in international music. Fresh off the release of their debut album “Powder”, Royce Leong of Tokyo ON talks to the masters at work.
Read MoreKeita Keith is a singer-songwriter, composer, producer and engineer born in Fukuoka, Japan but left home for the shores of Australia when he was just 19 years old. Now back in Japan, he’s working on his music career here with the release of his first full album “Somewhere in the World.” In this exclusive interview, Keita Keith tells us about his music, his time in Australia and some of the challenges he has faced to get here.
Read MoreCOMA-CHI is respected as one of the first female Japanese rappers to break into a traditionally male-dominated genre from the early 2000’s, but in recent years she has returned to her spiritual roots, exploring aspects of Japanese history and culture through music on her latest album “Jomon Green” and her collaboration with Uyama Hiroto on the EP “Japanoia”. In this exclusive interview she candidly discusses her career, Japanese society, touring Australia and the Japanoia EP.
Read MoreNatsu Summer (ナツ・サマー)is a city pop/reggae singer in Tokyo who often DJs and sings in luxury hotels and clubs such as Ginza Music Bar, Nine Bar in Shinagawa Prince Hotel and EXBar Tokyo. Working in record shops and boutiques by day, she is well versed in the classics of city pop and her sound perfectly captures the beauty of an endless deep blue summer sky and glamorous city life. Here she talks to Tokyo ON all about her music, city pop and summer in Japan.
Read More1983 is a 6-piece ensemble based in Tokyo led by Yoshihito Shinma with their foundation in roots music but tastes stretching across electronica, AOR, bossa nova, jazz and big band for a complex, rich sound. Tokyo ON catches up with them following the release of their excellent 3rd album “渚にきこえて・Passes On the Other Ocean” and successful promotional tour.
Read MoreLEVELCORE are a 2MCs+1DJ hip-hop unit from Fukuoka consisting of MCs dprcoco and baby t-rex who rap in both English and Japanese over hypnotic beats made by DJ Nylon. Tokyo ON talks to dprcoco about their background, their latest release EXPLORE, and a bit about the future.
Read MoreTaichi Ro is a Japanese singer-songwriter from Okinawa who recently started his own solo project with the release of his song Masquerade Dancing and its follow-up LIGTM. With a promising career ahead, Royce Leong of Tokyo ON catches up with Taichi over hot chocolate to find out what his next moves are.
Read MoreMiyuki Kudo AKA Chocoholic is an up and coming producer/songwriter based in Tokyo, working with the likes of SIRUP, LULU X, Mark Redito and kev as well as regularly writing for TV commercials. Royce Leong of Tokyo ON catches up with her over a café mocha to find out more about her origins, influences and life in Tokyo
Read MoreYutaka Takanami AKA Namy is an internationally successful producer and DJ who specializes in soulful house music. Originally from Niigata, he currently resides in Tokyo where he still performs, while also managing a media company called Play Today Inc., which not only has divisions for media, events and weddings, but also a record label Play Records to which rising star AmPm (Best Part of Us, I Don’t Wanna Talk) belongs. He has his own soulful house music label Spirit Soul as well.
Namy graciously sat down with Royce Leong of Tokyo ON to discuss his origins, his music and his business ventures.
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