As global music continues to blur borders and genres, KID PHENOMENON is stepping in with a sound entirely their own. The seven-member Japanese dance and vocal group, signed to Sony Music, is introducing the world to “TOKYO NEO POP,” a bold fusion of electronic pop, and cultural influences rooted in anime, gaming and Tokyo’s next-generation creative scene.
Fresh off their international debut at SXSW, the group is marking a major milestone as they expand their reach from Tokyo to a global stage. With new music on the way and a rapidly growing international fanbase, KID PHENOMENON is here to stay.
Sweety High had a chance to interview the group consisting of Sorematsu Kensuke, Endo Tsubasa, Yamamoto Kota, Suzuki Rui, Sato Shunnosuke, Okao Kohaku and Kawaguchi Soma following their SXSW debut. Read on to learn more about their dreams, aspirations and upcoming music.
Sweety High: For fans discovering you for the first time at SXSW, how would you describe the KID PHENOMENON experience?
TSUBASA: We brought a setlist that encompasses a variety of genres such as R&B, hip-hop and rock. In the same way that a lot of different cultures exist here, it’s the same in Tokyo as well. With love and respect, we incorporate aspects from all these different genres and cultures into our music and performances and recognize that we are building upon it. We would love to show the world what our TOKYO NEO POP is all about.
(Photo credit: LDH)
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SH: SXSW is known for introducing artists to the world. What did it mean to perform in the U.S. for the first time?
KENSUKE: Starting from our debut, we had already planned to go worldwide, and we had the privilege to perform at events in Vietnam and Thailand so far. Everything we’ve worked on from the start has been for milestones like this. Our showcase here is one of the biggest challenges we’ve taken on to date.
We are very grateful to see the support from SPINEL KIDS who knew about us and came just to see us, and for people who had showed up out of curiosity after hearing there would be a Japanese boy band performing.
There were also people from the music industry in the audience, and it was a very valuable opportunity to test ourselves and see how well we do on a global stage. That aspect of this particular showcase was very motivating and seeing that the performance was well received also gave us a lot of confidence.
SH: If someone saw your SXSW set and wanted to become a fan immediately, which song and music video should they listen to first and why?
KENSUKE: “Unstoppable.” It is a very good representation of what TOKYO NEO POP is, especially since the visuals of the music video are very surreal and extraordinary. I think it would be an intriguing look into what we’re all about.
SH: Is there a track that best represents who you are as a group right now?
SHUNNOSUKE: I’d like to recommend “Party Over There.” The music video incorporates a lot of Japanese elements and it’s significant for us because we’re representing Japan here at SXSW. We want people to feel and enjoy bits and pieces of the place that made us who we are.
In addition to that, the song itself shows off all seven of us, one by one, so in a way it’s also a fun and exciting self-introduction for people who are new to us.
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SH: What’s something fans would be surprised to learn about your group dynamic?
KENSUKE: I wouldn’t say there are many surprises, because we really put ourselves out there, so fans can get to know us as we are. There isn’t much that we keep hidden.
RUI: If I were to say something that can be surprising, out of everyone in this group, SHUNNNOSUKE and I have actually known each other for the longest—since we were in elementary school. We were originally from different parts of the country and grew up in different environments, so sometimes I look back and it feels a bit funny that we are now in the same group working towards the same goal
SH: If you had to describe each member with one word or phrase, what would that be?
SOMA: Kota’s word is “unexpected charm.”
KOTA: Tsubasa’s phrase is “super energetic.” Every day is Sunday for him.
TSUBASA: Shunnosuke’s is “fashion icon.”
SHUNNOSUKE: Rui would be “adventurer.”
RUI: Kohaku is “class clown.”
KOHAKU: Kensuke is “almighty.”
KENSUKE: Soma is “IKEMEN.” Japanese handsome boy!
(Photo credit: LDH)
SH: J-Pop and K-Pop fandom culture can be very passionate, which is the most memorable fan moment you’ve experienced so far?
TSUBASA: We have a song called “Existence,” which was used for the anime Rurouni Kenshin. As we all know, anime is very popular and well-known in many parts of the world beyond Japan, and I think that is part of why this song reached as many people as it did.
At the showcase, many people who came knew the song well enough to sing along with us from the start all the way through the chorus. It honestly caught us off guard. We were very moved and honored by the experience of being able to bask in that experience. It felt as if we received a gift from our fans through this interaction and it gave us even more motivation to keep brushing up our performances, so we can give back to them as well.
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SH: If KID PHENOMENON had a movie about your journey, what would the title be?
KOTA: Seven Super Heroes!
SH: Who would be an artist you’d love to collaborate with?
KID PHENOMENON: It would be cool to be able to work with SB19 or JUST B.
SH: Five years from now, what do you hope people around the world will say when they hear the name KID PHENOMENON?
KENSUKE: “The icon of this era.”
One of our aspirations from the formation of this group is to become the origin and core of fashion and music that would go on to become trends. That’s part of what we mean when we say we want to “create a phenomenon”. And in that way, we aim to carve out our own genre and become trendsetters for our generation.
For even more from our time at SXSW, click HERE to read our interview with School Spirits and Visitors actress Sarah Yarkin.
