There’s a new boy group in town. Friday (August 16) is the official launch of the newly formed Japanese band ONE OR EIGHT. The eight-member group – consisting of Mizuki, Neo, Reia, Ryota, Souma, Takeru, Tsubasa and Yuga – is releasing their debut single with the energetic “Don’t Tell Nobody” and the accompanying music video.
The song follows their pre-release performance video “Kawasaki” – a hip-hop-inflected track inspired by the Japanese car brand of the same name – which the group released at their Instagram launch in June. The performance video they shared has since been viewed more than 10 million times.
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Backed by entertainment company Avex in Japan and the US (with Brandon Silverstein’s S10 as Avex’s partner in the US), ONE OR EIGHT stands out not only for its fusion of hip-hop and pop, but also for the way the band celebrates its Japanese culture through lyrics, choreography and the members’ streetwear-inspired aesthetic. Even the name hints at the group’s roots, as it is derived from the Japanese phrase “Ichi ka Bachi ka,” which roughly translates to “all or nothing.”
“We are very excited to present ONE OR EIGHT as the first collaboration of its kind, combining the musical, cultural and innovative resources of Avex’s US and Japanese offices and launching a lasting mission for a new cross-generational hybrid model to advance Japanese music as a global phenomenon,” says Naoki Osada, CEO of Avex US
Takeya Ino, label president at Avex Japan, adds: “At Avex, we embrace challenges and respect US music culture. Our members leverage the creative networks we have built in the US and, after years of preparation, are ready to embody the spirit of ‘All or Nothing.'”
“Don’t Tell Nobody” was co-written with David Stewart and co-produced by Stewart and hitmaker Ryan Tedder.
Watch the music video below.
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