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 Mizutani
Kenshi 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/
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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/
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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’s version of the song is set to hit shelves tomorrow on January 22, and in the run up to its release, the group just dropped a world edition of the music video. Foorin team E - "Paprika" World Video
The music video begins with the Foorin team E members at Shibuya's famous Scramble Crossing, and we also see them dancing on the grass with Mount Fuji in the background. Throughout the video, we see children from 29 different cities from 27 countries around the world perform the Paprika dance, including from France, Greece, Singapore, Australia, Africa, South Africa, Brazil, and elsewhere. Foorin’s Paprika music video has broken 160 million views on YouTube and won the 61st Kagayaku! Japan Record Award. The English version of the original music video was released in December last year and has amassed almost 3 million views on YouTube. The English version of the song was conceived as a chance for Japanese children to come together with the children of the world. The choreography was created by Tomohiko Tsujimoto and Koharu Sugawara. Photo by Takako Noel
The song is available to download and stream worldwide. Those who pick up a first press edition of the CD when it releases tomorrow will also get a DVD featuring the World Video.Information
Foorin team E – “Paprika” (CD Single)
Release Date: January 22, 2020
First Press Edition (CD+DVD+7-Inch Packaging): ¥1,364 (Before Tax) [SECL-2540~41]
Regular Edition (CD-Only): ¥636 (Before Tax) [SECL-2542]
Download/Stream Links: https://smej.lnk.to/s-Eba
Bonus Magnet (team E version) – Participating Stores
https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Info/foorin/shoplist/200122/
NHK “Paprika” Homepage: https://sports.nhk.or.jp/dream/song/
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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's version of the song is set to hit shelves on January 22, and in the run up to its release, the CD covers as well as the bonus item included with the CDs have been unveiled.
First Press Edition
Regular Edition
The CDs are being released in First Press Edition and Regular Edition copies. First Press copies are packaged in a 7-inch cardboard jacket and include a poster-size card with the lyrics on them as well as a DVD featuring the song's music video. The CD covers as well as Kenshi Yonezu's music video for Paprika were drawn by Japanese artist Ryu Kato.Bonus Item
Additionally, select participating stores will couple their CDs with the above-pictured magnet.All royalties made from both Foorin and Foorin team E's versions of the songーboth the physical and digital releasesーwill be donated to the Japan Sports Promotion Centre which helps train next generation athletes. Foorin's Paprikamusic video has broken 160 million views on YouTube and won the 61st Kagayaku! Japan Record Award. The English version of the music video was released in December last year and has amassed almost 3 million views on YouTube. Photo by Takako Noel
Be sure to check out both music videos and support Foorin and Foorin team E's future endeavours!Information
Foorin team E – “Paprika” (CD Single)
Release Date: January 22, 2020
First Press Edition (CD+DVD+7-Inch Packaging): ¥1,364 (Before Tax) [SECL-2540~41]
Regular Edition (CD-Only): ¥636 (Before Tax) [SECL-2542]
Download/Stream Links: https://smej.lnk.to/s-Eba
Bonus Magnet (team E version) – Participating Stores
https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Info/foorin/shoplist/200122/
NHK “Paprika” Homepage: https://sports.nhk.or.jp/dream/song/
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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/
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‘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/