International R&B superstar The Weeknd held his first ever Japanese concert at the huge Makuhari Messe on December 18, 2018. One glace at this performance is all it took to see the fire he kindled in the crowd.
Japanese singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu appeared as a special guest to open the concert.
Yonezu added fuel to the excitement with his hit track Flamingo and followed it up with Shunrai during which colourful visuals filled the eyes of fans in the crowd. He then gave his respect to The Weeknd: “Although I was thinking of buying tickets [for this show], something bizarre happened and now I’m standing up there. If we continue I think we’ll have something really great. I’ve never had such an honour as to intrude on concert from The Weeknd who’s a global artist. So I’m going give it my all in these last few songs before leaving. I hope you join me.”
He went on to bewitch the crowd with the R&B and trap numbers Moonlight and fogbound before singing his heart out for his 2018 hit Lemon.
The venue cut to black before the stage was lit up with a kaleidoscope of lights to reveal the man everyone had been waiting for: The Weeknd.
The Canadian singer-songwriter kicked off his set with Pray for Me. Fans were taken in by a string of tracks from his album The Weeknd in Japan (Singles Collection) which dropped on November 21 and which this concert was in promotion for. They shot off into the crowd like fireworks, one by one: Starboy, Can’t Feel My Face and so on.
The Weeknd dominated the stage as he moved up and down, shouting to fans “Japan!” and “Tokyo!” who were treated to a dazzling show from start to finish. His love towards Japan was evident throughout―even changing up the lyrics to Wasted Times from “without you” to “without you Tokyo.”
He has been dubbed “the return of Michael Jackson” and his beautiful voice and performance indeed got Makuhari workin’ night. The Weeknd concluded his first concert in Japan with The Hills.
For the latest news on The Weeknd be sure to check out his social media pages and official website.
Photography
Kenshi Yonezu ⇒ Hirohisa nakano
The Weeknd ⇒ ©Masanori Naruse
Information
The Weeknd in Japan (Singles Collection)
Now on Sale.
Price: ¥2,376 (Tax Included)
The Weeknd Official Japan Website: www.universal-music.co.jp/the-weeknd/
The Weeknd Official English Website: https://www.theweeknd.com/
RELATED ENTRIES
-
UNIQLO is collaborating with Kenshi Yonezu for the first time for their graphic T-shirt brand "UT." The collection will first drop in Japan on August 14, 2020 before rolling out to UNIQLO stores in New York, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. This also marks Yonezu's first foray into an apparel collaboration, who has brought his unmatched creativity born from his talent as one of the top Japanese singer-songwriters in the industry as well as being an illustrator. It's a must-grab for fans of Yonezu and style.
Kenshi Yonezu's Unique Illustrations & Fantastical Pictures
The clothing line-up sees a range of original character designs including Kenshi Yonezu's trademark cat. Designs include the characters printed large on the T-shirts, designs featuring whimsical photos, and more, all of which were supervised by Yonezu himself. The collection is made up of a range of base colours including black, white, green, pink, and more. Special Store Decorations
UNIQLO 5th Ave in New York has been decorated in an illustration created by Kenshi Yonezu. This design is set to roll out at 8 UNIQLO branches around the world, including UNIQLO PARK Yokohama. The artist also took to the stage in a video premiere concert for Fortnite on August 7, 2020. US: New York 5th Ave | August 7, 2020 - August 18, 2020 China: Shanghai (Video Monitor), Guangzhou | August 11, 2020 - August 24, 2020 Japan: UNIQLO PARK Yokohama Bayside | August 10, 2020 - August 24, 2020 Canal City Hakata | August 12, 2020 - August 31, 2020 Sendai Izumi | August 13, 2020 - August 16, 2020 Harajuku | August 14, 2020 - August 28, 2020 Shinsaibashi | August 14, 2020 - August 27, 2020 Kenshi Yonezu | Comment
"UNIQLO is a store that has always been there since I was a kid [...] and I want to give my respect to them for taking responsibility for always being there."Information
UNIQLO UT x Kenshi Yonezu Collaboration
Initial Release Date: August 14, 2020 (In-Store/Online)Price: ¥1,500 Each (Before Tax) *Japan
Sizes: XXS-4XL (XXL-4XL available online only) *Japan
Product Page: https://www.uniqlo.com/jp/ja/spl/ut-graphic-tees/kenshi-yonezu/men
*UNIQLO Harajuku and UNIQLO TOKYO are also selling Regular Edition copies of Kenshi Yonezu’s latest album STRAY SHEEP -
Kenshi Yonezu's song Paprika has become a hit amongst the children of Japan since its release, even taking home the top award at the 61st Kagayaku! Japan Record Awards. Its music video has garnered over 70 million views on YouTube, and tomorrow (February 3) the song will be released digitally. This version of the song is a "self-cover" in which Yonezu sings. The original version was written and produced by Yonezu but he did not actually sing in it. In July 2018, he announced a new project to cheer on the people of the world in 2020 and beyond. It began with the formation of Foorin, a group of child singers who sang the original Paprikamusic video which Yonezu wrote the lyrics for as well as composed and produced the music. A was released in July 2018 which has amassed over 164 million views (as of January 1, 2020), which features Foorin performing choreography created by Tomohiko Tsujimoto and Koharu Sugawara. At the end of 2019, Foorin had already performed on numerous music television programmes, and a new group was formed called Foorin team Eーa group of international children who performed Paprika in English. Thus began the worldwide phenomenon of Paprika. Within just 4 days and 9 hours of its release, Kenshi Yonezu's self-cover version released on YouTube had already surpassed 10 million views. Now, the self-cover is set to be released digitally on February 3, 2020. The artwork for the digital release was created by Ryu Kato. Paprika will be used for NHK's TV and radio program Minna no Uta ("Everybody's Song") throughout February and March. Kenshi Yonezu's 2020 "HYPE" tour in Japan and Asia has finally kicked off. Find the full schedule below.
Information
“Paprika” Digital Single
Released: February 3, 2020
Digital Download: https://smej.lnk.to/9MqZk
NHK – “Minna no Uta”
Paprika will be used on air February-March 2020
Minna no Uta Official Website: http://www.nhk.or.jp/minna/
Kenshi Yonezu 2020 HYPE Tour Schedule
2020/2/1 @ Wakayama Big Whale, Wakayama Prefecture
2020/2/2 @ Wakayama Big Whale, Wakayama Prefecture
2020/2/8 @ Sun Dome Fukui, Fukui Prefecture
2020/2/9 @ Sun Dome Fukui, Fukui Prefecture
2020/2/15 @ Yokohama Arena, Kanagawa Prefecture
2020/2/16 @ Yokohama Arena, Kanagawa Prefecture
2020/2/22 @ Hiroshima Green Arena, Hiroshima Prefecture
2020/2/23 @ Hiroshima Green Arena, Hiroshima Prefecture
2020/2/27 @ Sekisui Heim Super Arena, Miyagi Prefecture
2020/2/28 @ Sekisui Heim Super Arena, Miyagi Prefecture
2020/3/7 @ Mie Prefectural Sun Arena, Mie Prefecture
2020/3/8 @ Mie Prefectural Sun Arena, Mie Prefecture
2020/3/11 @ Osaka-jo Hall, Osaka Prefecture
2020/3/12 @ Osaka-jo Hall, Osaka Prefecture
2020/3/17 @ Saitama Super Arena, Saitama Prefecture
2020/3/18 @ Saitama Super Arena, Saitama Prefecture
2020/3/25 @ Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture
2020/3/26 @ Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture
2020/4/4 @ Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center, Hokkaido
2020/4/5 @ Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center, Hokkaido
Taipei Concert
Concert Name: Kenshi Yonezu 2020 TOUR / HYPE IN TAIPEI
Date: April 18, 2020
Time: 16:00 OPEN / 17:00 START
Venue: Taipei ArenaTicket Prices: NT$4,500 / 3,900 / 3,600 / 2,400 / 1,800 / 800
Promoters: 超級圓頂娯樂 / 大鴻藝術BIG ART
Enquiries: https://www.facebook.com/bigart.tw/Shanghai Concert
Concert Name: Kenshi Yonezu 2020 TOUR / HYPE IN SHANGHAI
Date: April 29, 2020
Time: 18:30 OPEN / 20:00 START
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Arena ShanghaiTicket Prices: 1680元 / 1280元 / 780元
Promoters: STAR GROUP上海星族文化艺术发展有限公司
Enquiries: http://www.newstargroup.com.cn/Kenshi Yonezu Official Website: http://reissuerecords.net/
-
Kenshi Yonezu's 2018 single Lemon has broken many milestones to date, and today marks yet another etching in history.
The music video for Lemon officially broke 500 million views on December 17, 2019 at 10:08am (JST), which marks one year and 295 days since it was released on YouTube. Yonezu now holds the record for most viewed Japanese artist on the video platform. Photo by Tomokazu Yamada
Yonezu’s other music videos have also garnered huge views: Uchiage Hanabi is on 327 million, Aine Kuraine is on 236 million, and LOSER is on 228 million (as of December 17, 2019). All nine of his music videos total over 1 billion views (the aforementioned four, orion, Peace Sign and Haiiro to Ao (+Masaki Suda), Flamingo, and Paprika), and he has 4.59 million subscribers, making him the most subscribed-to Japanese music artist. His channel also has over 2.4 billion views, and the numbers continue to soar.Lemon enjoys yet another year of success following its overwhelming popularity upon its release in 2018. To thank fans for its success, a billboard has been put up at the Hachiko Exit of Shibuya Station in Tokyo, which reads "Kenshi Yonezu" on the left and "Music Carries On" on the right. It will be up until December 29, 2019. Information
Kenshi Yonezu – “Lemon”
Released: March 14, 2018
Lemon Edition (First Press) (CD+Letter Set): ¥2,000 (Before Tax) [SRCL-9745~9746]
Video Edition (First Press) (CD+DVD): ¥1,900 (Before Tax) [SRCL-9747~9748]
Regular Edition (CD-Only): ¥1,200 (Before Tax) [SRCL-9749]
Digital Release
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/id1354291125?at=10lpgB&ct=4547366354904_al&app=itunes
Recochoku: http://recochoku.com/s0/kenshiyonezu-lemon-disc/
mora: http://mora.jp/package/43000001/4547366354904/
Kenshi Yonezu Official Website: http://reissuerecords.net/
-
‘Lemon’ by Kenshi Yonezu the First Song to Lead Billboard Charts in Japan and the U.S. for Two Consecutive Years
Particularly over the past two years, Kenshi Yonezu has been making history in the charts. His song Lemon was highlighted as song of the year on Billboard JAPAN Hot 100 of the Year 2019 and the U.S Billboard HOT 100 for two consecutive years in a row, making Yonezu the first ever artist to top the Billboard charts for two consecutive years in a row with the same song.Photo by Tomokazu Yamada
Following the release of Lemon in March 2018, its digital and physical downloads scored ranks in the charts 25 times, pushing Yonezu onwards to continue his streak into 2019 where he saw more no.1s, 3 million downloads on his song Lemon, which set the record for fastest downloaded song in Japan, and now almost half a billion views on the official music video for Lemon. The song's overwhelming popularity even scored it no.1 in Japan's karaoke rankings where it reigned for a whole 85 weeks: the longest of any song.Yonezu dominated the Billboard JAPAN Hot 100 of the Year 2019 download rankings for two consecutive years in a row and four of his ten songs made it onto the charts, including Lemon at no.1, Uma to Shika at no.5, Machigai Sagashi at no.6 (performed by Masaki Suda, written by Yonezu) and Paprika at no.7 (performed by Foorin, written by Yonezu). His achievements even stretch to producing and he is loved by children and adults in Japan alike. Information
Kenshi Yonezu: ‘Lemon’
Release Date: March 14, 2018
Lemon edition (first limited edition)：CD＋letter set ￥2,000+tax / SRCL-9745～9746
Video version (first limited edition)：CD+DVD ￥1,900+tax / SRCL-9747～9748
First limited edition/normal edition：CD only ￥1,200＋tax / SRCL-9749
<Digital＞
【iTunes】
https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/id1354291125?at=10lpgB&ct=4547366354904_al&app=itunes
【RecoChoku】http://recochoku.com/s0/kenshiyonezu-lemon-disc/
【mora】http://mora.jp/package/43000001/4547366354904/
Interview with Kenshi Yonezu by Billboard JAPAN (Japanese Only): http://www.billboard-japan.com/special/detail/2815
Kenshi Yonezu Official Website: http://reissuerecords.net/
-
Aiming to cheer everybody on in the runup to 2020 and beyond, Kenshi Yonezu formed two music groups consisting of young children called Foorin and Foorin team E to perform the Japanese and English versions of his song Paprika respectively as part of an ongoing music project. Foorin team E "Paprika" Dance Video
Check out the English version of Paprika performed by Foorin team E on YouTube. Paprika was dropped on digital services worldwide on December 2. Paprika will also be released on CD in First-Press Edition and Regular Edition copies on January 22 in Japan. The First-Press Edition comes in a seven-inch jacket containing the lyrics on a displayable card, a DVD of the music video and origami paper. There is also the chance to get your hands on a bonus Paprika dream magnet which will be in limited availability at selected music shops in Japan. Information on places to purchase will be revealed in the near future. The illustration for the CD jacket was created by Ryu Kato, who also created the illustrations used in the music video for Kenshi Yonezu's cover of Paprika and the illustrations for the jacket of Foorin's version of Paprika. As is the case with the Japanese version of Paprika, the royalties generated by Yonezu from the release of the English version of Paprika and its secondary usage will be donated to Independent Administrative Corporations and Japanese sports foundations in order to assist athletes of the future generations. Photo by Takako Noel
Paprika is working up a sensation throughout Japan as a break-through kid's song. When Foorin released Paprika in 2018, the dance music video was viewed over 140 million times on YouTube and Paprika-related videos on NHK's website generated over 260 million views. The song's lyrics and music writer and producer Kenshi Yonezu even released his own cover of Paprika earlier this year in August. In just four days and nine hours since its upload, the cover was viewed over 10 million times, which is the fastest record for any of Yonezu's music videos. Now the video has over 50 million views and is loved by people of all generations. Yonezu's projects are propelling forward full steam ahead. Who knows what he's got next up his sleeve?Information
Paprika by Foorin team E
Release Date: December 2, 2019
*The song may be released on different digital services at different times. Please confirm the song’s status after December 2, 2019
-
Foorin is a music unit made up of elementary school children with music and lyrics produced entirely by Kenshi Yonezu. Their single Paprika was released on August 15, 2018. Following auditions for native English-speaking children, Yonezu formed Foorin team E to create an English version of Paprika.
Since the debut of Foorin's song and dance video in 2018, the song appeared in collaboration with NHK Educational TV and has made multiple appearances in events across Japan, adding a sprinkle of fun to the lives of Japanese children. It has become one of the most phenomenal kid's songs of the century. Yonezu's cover of the song became an instant hit among people of all generations and was well-received overseas. With a desire to make singing and dancing to Paprika more of a global sensation, he set about creating an English version of the song with native English-speaking children. Foorin team E consists of main vocalists Jasmine (10) and Corban (8) and chorus and dancers Len (12), Evangeline (12) and Clara (6). Foorin team E's first-ever performance of Paprika will take place at ABU TV Song Festival in Tokyo on November 19 at NHK Hall and they will also perform alongside Foorin for the first time at Japan's 70th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen. Get together with your family and younger siblings to enjoy two exciting versions of this cheerful song. Foorin Artist Photo by Taro MizutaniKenshi Yonezu Artist Photo by Tomokazu Yamada Information
NHK Paprika Official Website: https://sports.nhk.or.jp/dream/song/
Kenshi Yonezu Official Website: https://reissuerecords.net/