From anime to irezumi (traditional Japanese tattoos) and serene minimalist decor, Japanese culture has been a source of inspiration for a handful of Latin artists, as well as a pillar of peace. With Japan’s thoughtful aestheticism and a philosophy rooted in Zen, musicians such as Tainy, J Balvin, Rosalía and Young Miko have turned their creative wanderlusts to express their fascination for East Asian art.
For instance, last week (June 30) Tainy released his debut LP Data, a meticulous avant-pop opus that doubles as a love letter to Japan, reggaetón, and sonic experimentation. The album cover features a pink-haired manga character — comparable to Tainy’s current hair color — drawn by influential Japanese artist Hiromasa Ogura.
“Japanese culture has always been special and influential in my life, even before I started making music,” the Puerto Rican super producer tells Billboard Español. “Seeing [anime] movies opened up my imagination at an early age, seeing how detail-oriented they are, as well as in [other artforms] in Japan. I think animation helps you expand your imagination to try whatever you want, to create something out of this world … different from reality.”
In June, Rosalía also dedicated a song to the eastern country called “Tuya,” where in its music video the Spanish singer is seen strolling around Tokyo and enjoying a bowl of ramen. But it’s not just a trend — Japanese culture has been infiltrating Latin music in the mainstream for over a decade. Look no further than Juan Luis Guerra’s seminal hit “Bachata en Fukuoka” (2010).
Below discover more Latin musicians that have channeled their artistic musings towards the Land of the Rising Sun, in no particular order.
