The Ambition of Kazuo, a DIY Artist Born in NY and Raised in Yokohama

Kazuo’s thoughts on the charms of Tokyo as he travels back and forth between the U.S. and Japan

Celeina (MC): I usually call you “Kazuo,” so can I stop calling you “san”?

Kazuo: That’s fine.

Takano (MC): FIST BUMP is a corner where we connect our friends, and a miracle happened. By chance, I am now connected to Celeina’s friend.

Celeina: That’s right. I’m so happy to be able to introduce my friend to you. First of all, let me introduce my profile. Born in New York and raised in Yokohama. She is a rapper, vocalist, songwriter, sound producer, video producer, and DIY artist of the next generation who produces all of her own works.

Kazuo: You do a lot. Sometimes it’s a hassle (laughs).

Celeina: It’s hard when you’re doing it all on your own.

Takano: It’s a great thing, really. And I’m personally curious, how did you two meet?

Celeina: Five or six years…… maybe even longer ago, we all happened to see a music video that Kazuo put out together in the studio. I said it was so good with the people involved, and I put it up on Instagram Stories and tagged Kazuo, and I guess that’s when we connected and started DMing.

Kazuo: I don’t remember. I don’t remember at all (laughs).

Takano: So it was a social networking connection.

Celeina: That’s right. From there, we actually started working on a song, went out as friends, and hung out.

Takano: It was like a miracle how we met. It was like an Internet story.

Kazuo: It’s very modern.

Takano: Has it been a long time since you met?

Celeina: It’s been about 2 years.

Kazuo: It doesn’t feel like two years.

Takano: You met on the Internet?

Celeina: Kazuo, I’ve been living in the U.S. for a long time.

Kazuo: Yes, I have lived in the U.S. for a long time.

Celeina: I was in Tokyo at that time.

Takano: At first, you exchanged information between the U.S. and Tokyo.

Kazuo: That’s right.

Celeina: Kazuo, when did you start rapping?

Kazuo: I started when I was 14 years old, just for fun, and my music career started in earnest when I was 19 years old.

Takano: I see. You are really cool. I had a chance to listen to your music, and you are bilingual. He uses both Japanese and English. What’s going on in your brain? I think the same is true for you, Celeina.

Kazuo: They are very different from each other.

Takano: For example, when something happens, do you speak English?

Kazuo: Yes, I do. I sometimes have a New York accent.

Takano: Which way do you talk in your sleep?

Kazuo: Probably depends on the day (laughs).

Takano: It’s just a blend of the two, which is also reflected in the music. Do you usually live in the U.S.?

Kazuo: Half and half. I’m based in Japan now, but I go back and forth as much as possible.

Takano: I see. When did you come back to Japan?

Kazuo: December 2020, about two and a half years.

Celeina: Kazuo, you have lived in New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. What do you find attractive about Tokyo?

Kazuo: Chaos (laughs). Yokohama, where I am from, feels more relaxed, and it is easier to sleep (laughs). Tokyo is very close to New York, isn’t it?

Takano: There are all kinds of people. It’s a city with a lot of stimulation.

Celeina: I would like to hear some bilingual rap music from Kazuo.

Kazuo: This is a great song that I want everyone to hear. It’s called “BANZAI!”

Performances at some of the biggest outdoor festivals in Europe

Celeina: Kazuo’s major debut single “BANZAI!

Takano: It’s really cool.

Celeina: Kazuo directed the music video, didn’t he?

Kazuo: Yes, Kazuo also edited the music video.

Takano: The YouTube credits say something like “DIRECTED BY: KAZUO / WRITTEN BY: KAZUO / EDITED BY: KAZUO”. It’s amazing, really.

Kazuo: It’s true.

Takano: He is so versatile. Kazuo-san did the mixing and mastering, didn’t he?

Kazuo: It was a lot of work.

Takano: The music video is really good.

Kazuo: Thank you very much.

Takano: You can see Kazuo in various outfits. Like the pink full-body tights.

Kazuo: Like a high school girl’s outfit. He was cute (laughs).

Celeina: Kazuo, when did you start making videos?

Kazuo: Since high school.

Takano: That’s early.

Kazuo: No one was doing it for me. I didn’t have any friends. I used my cell phone camera to take self portrait music videos.

Celeina: Did you shoot music videos of other artists?

Kazuo: Yes, I did. But I haven’t uploaded them yet.

Celeina: I see. So you will be moving up to that stage as well.

Takano: You are not only a musician but also a multi-talented person. The comments on the YouTube page of “BANZAI! Do you mean that all the listeners are from overseas?

Kazuo: Yes, they are. I sometimes write songs in Japanese, but I try to make them as much as possible for overseas listeners. Like people who like anime.

Takano: There was a comment that you wanted us to make an opening song for an anime.

Kazuo: I would like to do it.

Takano: I am very excited about your future activities. In August, you will be participating in “Sziget Festival 2023,” one of the largest outdoor festivals in Europe, in Budapest, Hungary.

Celeina: That’s amazing!

Kazuo: I was so surprised when they booked us. I thought it was a big surprise. Why me? (Laughs)

Celeina: Have you been doing a lot of overseas gigs lately?

Kazuo: Most of them are in Japan. This will be my first time in Europe.

Takano: I hope you will have a lot of fans in Europe as well.

Kazuo: I will be representing Japan.

Takano: Please do.

Kazuo: I will sing “Kimigayo” when the encore comes.

Takano: That’s a real representative (laughs).

Celeina: Lastly, what are your goals for the future?

Kazuo: I want to be an artist representing Asia” or “make a lot of money.

Takano: Not “&” (laughs).

Kazuo: I’ll do both (laughs).

Celeina: That made me laugh a little (laughs).

Takano: Since they are friends, the atmosphere was very friendly, and I enjoyed watching their conversation.

Kazuo: I’m glad.

Celeina: FIST BUMP” is pleased to have musician Kazuo here with us today. Thank you very much.

Kazuo: Thank you.