Fujii Kaze Billboard Japan
Fujii Kaze‘s rise to fame began when his 2020 release, “Shinunoga E-wa,” trended on TikTok. He now enjoys popularity in Japan and throughout Asia, and has recently released a new song, “Workin’ Hard.” The tune was developed in Los Angeles with audio manufacturer Dahi, that has actually additionally done audio manufacturing for Kendrick Lamar and also SZA, and also was made use of as the signature tune for Japanese programs of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, which was kept in the Philippines, Indonesia and also Japan. It isn’t simply a sporting activities battle tune, however a tune that invigorates and also motivates individuals throughout their everyday lives.
This summer season, Fujii started his initial global excursion — Fujii Kaze and also the piano Asia Tour — playing in 7 cities throughout Asia. Billboard Japan spoke to him regarding the enduring excursion and also his brand-new tune, which stands for a significant transition, in addition to the procedure of making the tune’s video along with its supervisor, videographer MESS.
You explored Asia from June to July. What was that experience like?
Fujii Kaze: More than in the past, I really felt a spiritual link that went beyond language. I’m so happy that they are taking note of the web content of my tracks and also attempting to see the humankind and also spirituality within. I intend to maintain attempting to take apart those obstacles in between me and also others. I don’t desire there to be this sensation that there’s some sort of range in between us. I desire all of us to seem like we are one.
Were there any kind of certain scenes that stick out in your memory?
Fujii Kaze: With each program, it seemed like I myself was additionally being freed. I was concentrated on my internal globe, so I might really feel the modifications taking place inside me. And in some way they made me really feel happy to be Asian. It seemed like my home town and also league was increasing. That sensation was brand-new to me.
Did you begin working with your brand-new tune, “Workin’ Hard,” after being come close to with a deal for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023?
Fujii Kaze: Yes. Basketball is the sport I have the closest individual link to, and also it has a precise hip-hop photo. The group desired me to make a tune motivated by the NBA, which combines the finest gamers from worldwide, much like the World Cup does. That’s why we mosted likely to Los Angeles to enjoy a game. The arena frequently resounded with the roaring bass of hip-hop, which’s when I made certain that I intended to develop a hip-hop passionate tune for the occasion.
You tackled a couple of brand-new obstacles with the tune, making hip-hop and also operating in a brand-new songwriting setting.
Fujii Kaze: When I launched my last tune, “grace,” it seemed like I’d stated whatever I intended to state and also done whatever I intended to do. I really felt stressed out. For a very long time, I didn’t understand what I ought to do next off, and also I didn’t really feel the requirement to develop even more songs. So when I obtained this wonderful deal, the power welled up within me to do something I’d never ever done previously, beginning with the ground up. I such as attempting brand-new points, however the message I require to share via my songs remains the very same. It’s primarily one solitary message. Because that message is so continuous and also unvarying, I wasn’t certain if there was any kind of area to check out brand-new strategies to sharing the message or any kind of brand-new techniques I might make use of. I was trying to find an entirely brand-new technique that wouldn’t simply be reworking what I’d currently done, and also this deal was the best fit.
You developed the trial and after that dealt with Dahi to flesh it out, right?
Fujii Kaze: I had actually the entire finished tune in my head, so I tried to find a person that might understand the tune as-is while including their very own unique magic. I just satisfied Dahi in-person when, however we did every one of the recording after that. Dahi maintained thinking of great concept after great concept, and also unless I stated “I like that!” he’d simply maintain going. I produced whatever that remained in me at that session, and after that we placed every one of the completing discuss online. The entire procedure was really smooth, and also the last tune entered an instructions that was also cooler, much more improved, and also much more elegant than I’d expected.
Singing and also rapping effortlessly mix right into each various other in the tune. What did you pay unique interest to when it pertained to vocal singing design and also circulation?
Fujii Kaze: Ever because “Matsuri,” my attitude has actually been everything about leisure and also being laid back. It’s been essential that the songs I develop doesn’t put excessive anxiety on audiences, which it shares to audiences the unwinded state of mind with which it was developed. With “Matsuri,” I really feel actually positive regarding the audio of the tune, the method I sing it, and also my circulation. When I made it, I understood that this was the audio I intended to have moving forward. I debuted with “Nan-Nan,” however when I launched “Matsuri,” I seemed like it was a “second debut song.” I wound up nearly right away shutting that phase with my following tune, “grace.” So with “Workin’ Hard,” I needed to restore a lot power and also enthusiasm that you could also call it a “third debut song.”
“Matsuri” and also “Workin’ Hard” were both transforming factors for you, however did you understand this while you were working with the tracks?
Fujii Kaze: Yes, I did. “Workin’ Hard,” particularly, followed “grace” and also after “Shinunoga E-wa” had actually come to be prominent also outdoors Japan, and also it was the initial tune I launched this year, so in numerous methods while I was developing it I seemed like I required to make it a clean slate and also to reveal individuals something brand-new.
It’s been a while because “Shinunoga E-wa” obtained extensive appeal. As its maker, what do you consider it currently?
Fujii Kaze: What took place was actually like a present from God. “Shinunoga E-wa” and also “Matsuri” were my faves, also. So the appeal of them offered me the self-confidence in sharing what I really really felt was awesome.
The video for “Workin’ Hard” additionally makes fairly an impact.
MESS: I started with this psychological photo of a trash collector hanging on to the rear of a trash vehicle as it drove down the road. From that beginning factor, I analyzed the message of the tune via its verses, and also I pertained to believe that revealing scenes of individuals operating in various offices would certainly be the most effective method to share the tune’s message. When I met Kaze and also spoke about it, he stated that was specifically what he had actually envisioned.
Fujii Kaze: I desired something which individuals that listen to the tune or enjoy the video clip might relate to their very own lives. I was wanting to aesthetically share that “this song belongs to you.”
MESS: I considered this tune as a tune for everybody. I don’t believe “work” ought to simply be made use of of one’s work, however ought to consist of the household chores in your life also, which is why ultimately of the video clip there are the scenes of him broadcasting out the futons and also hanging up the washing.
Fujii Kaze: Who would certainly have assumed I would certainly wind up defeating the futon at the last hook? I saw some remarks that they rejoice the video clip consists of tasks too. That hadn’t also struck me, so large congratulations to MESSY.
What’s the significance behind the art work image you made, MESS?
MESS: This cover art reveals all type of personalities caring for rubbish utilizing a pail brigade design to reveal that regardless of what our work are, regardless of what our atmospheres are, we’re all “Workin’ Hard.” If you look meticulously, you’ll see that the knots on the trash can are all hearts. The container brigade can additionally be viewed as just how our love, appreciation, and also factor to consider for others are handed down from one person to another, getting to individuals far. I believe I had the ability to make a video clip to also much better reveal this message.
Fujii Kaze: Without an uncertainty, the visuals actually increased the globe of the tune. I believe the tune has actually actually been sustained by the video clip, and also I believe they’ll remain to synergize and also aid spread this message.
—This meeting by Tomonori Shiba initially showed up on Billboard Japan
