Kuma Overdose, a modern-day bard, moves seamlessly between LA, London, and Tokyo as his creative hubs. An Asian-American artist, Kuma crafts captivating melodies that are both soothing and addictively powerful, each carrying a strong message. This journey explores the beauty of the East through Western eyes and the unique perspectives of the West through an Eastern lens.
A Mirror to a World Overdosing on Modern Excess
The name Kuma Overdose carries a meaning that reflects modern society, where those unfamiliar with certain events may not notice or question the underlying discomfort. Today, the world is overflowing with content, and people consume, absorb, and are overwhelmed by it daily. It’s not just alcohol or drugs—people are unconsciously overdosing on Instagram Reels, TikTok, overstimulating cities, crowded markets, and an excess of information of all kinds. That’s why I chose the name “Overdose”—to highlight how we are all over-consuming something every single day. As for “Kuma,” it comes from a nickname derived from my real name, “Barry,” which sounds similar to “bear” in English, and was adapted into Japanese as “Kuma.”

An artist and producer hailing from Los Angeles, Kuma Overdose crafts dreamy tracks that evoke the spirit of ’90s Japanese city pop, jazz, and old-school hip-hop. Writing, composing, and producing his own music, his song “Bike Lane” has surpassed 2 million streams on Spotify. The track has been featured in Wonderland magazine and numerous other publications, garnering attention not only in the West but also across Asia. Since relocating to London in 2020, Kuma has collaborated with UK hip-hop artist Lord Apex, as well as JNR CHOI, Bktherula, and Rico Nasty.
It All Began with Jazz Learned During My Formative Years
I started learning jazz piano and trumpet when I was 10 years old, and that was the beginning of my deep dive into music. While I often improvised during jazz performances, improvisation isn’t the same as composing, so I eventually wanted to try writing my own music. I began by composing sheet music for jazz piano and later added words to create lyrics. At 19, I wrote my first song. Honestly, it wasn’t very good, so I doubt anyone but me will ever hear it [laughs].
Music as a Tool to Balance My Shy Personality
I’m naturally more introverted, so I’ve never been great at expressing myself through spoken words. I rarely meet with large groups of people unless I’m performing or attending a concert. Even during concerts, I don’t have to face any one person directly, so it feels less overwhelming for me. Music has become a way to balance and compensate for my shyness. Rather than romanticizing life in my songs, I share the details and small moments of it through my music.
