Rina Sawayama

Rina Sawayama (Japanese: リナ サワヤマ; born 16 August 1990) is a Japanese-born British singer, songwriter and model. Born in Niigata, she was raised from a young age in London, where she currently resides. While studying politics, psychology and sociology at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Sawayama was a member of a hip hop group called Lazy Lion, which also had Theo Ellis from the indie rock band Wolf Alice. She began her solo career in 2013, with the single "Sleeping in Waking." Her debut extended play, Rina, was released in 2017, before her debut studio album, Sawayama, was released on 17 April 2020. Sawayama was widely acclaimed by music critics.

Rina Sawayama
Sawayama in 2018
Background information
Born (1990-08-16) 16 August 1990
Niigata, Japan
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • model
Years active2013–present
LabelsDirty Hit
Associated actsClarence Clarity

Early life

Rina Sawayama was born 16 August 1990 in Niigata, Japan.[1] She lived there until the age of five when her family decided to move to London, England, where she was raised and lives.[4] She holds an indefinite leave to remain (ILR) visa in the UK.[5] While studying politics, psychology and sociology at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge,[6] she decided to pursue music and modelling. During her time at university, she was in a hip hop group called Lazy Lion with Theo Ellis from the indie rock band Wolf Alice.[1] She graduated from the university with a degree in political science.

Career

2013–2017: Early career

Sawayama began her solo career in 2013, with the single "Sleeping in Waking." In June 2015, she released a music video, directed by Arvida Byström, to her track "Tunnel Vision." In 2016, she released the single "Where U Are," with an accompanying music video co-directed by Alessandra Kurr.[7] The single explored human interaction with digital media, with Sawayama explaining: "Online you can present your best edited self [and] your overheating phone substitutes human warmth. Weirdest of all—you're together, but also very alone."[8] The song has been described as "nostalgic greatness... ultra-sweet and shimmering pop",[9] and "90s R&B pop perfection".[10]

2017–2019: Rina and touring
Sawayama at Heaven in 2018

In March 2017, her single "Cyber Stockholm Syndrome" premiered on The Fader.[11] Sawayama described the genesis of the themes of the track as: "the digital world can offer vital support networks, voices of solidarity, refuge, escape. That's what 'Cyber Stockholm Syndrome' is about: pessimism, optimism, anxiety, and freedom."[11] In 2017, the singles "Alterlife" and "Tunnel Vision", a duet with Shamir, were released, followed by her debut mini-album Rina.[12][13] Sawayama was then an unsigned artist, and Rina was released independently; she confirmed on Twitter that she worked for two to three years in order to save money to release the EP. The Guardian deemed the album "bracing and modern" and Sawayama as having proven she can shepherd pop into the future, too."[14] Pitchfork ranked the album in its list of best pop and R&B albums of the year.[15] In 2018, she released the single "Valentine" on Valentine's Day.[16] The music video for album track "Ordinary Superstar" was released in June 2018. In August 2018, Sawayama released the track "Cherry", in which she explores her sexual identity.[17] Sawayama embarked on her Ordinary Superstar tour across the UK and America in late 2018.[18] In 2019, she was the support act for Charli XCX's tour across the UK.[19]

2020–present: Sawayama and the Dynasty Tour

In 2020, after signing to Dirty Hit records, she released the singles "STFU!", a nu metal, heavy metal, pop and avant-pop song, and "Comme des Garçons (Like the Boys)", an "homage to early 2000s dance tracks", both from her then-upcoming debut album.[20] A third single, the rock and 2000s R&B inspired "XS" was released on 2 March.[21] The following month, Sawayama released another single from the album titled "Chosen Family."[22] Her debut album Sawayama was released on 17 April to widespread critical acclaim.[23][24] On 29 June 2020, British singer-songwriter she released a cover of the Grammy-nominated Lady Gaga song, "Dance in the Dark" (2009) as part of Spotify's Singles series. The song was recorded in Sawayama's home studio and is an electropop composition with production handled by Clarence Clarity, her version replacing the Europop sound of the original song with nu metal-influenced electropop.[25]

In late July 2020, Sawayama made a public tweet about her ineligibility to be nominated for major British music awards, such as the Mercury Prize and Brit Awards, due to the fact that she does not hold British citizenship.[5][26][27][28] The hashtag #SawayamaIsBritish became trending on Twitter on the UK shortly after.[29] Sawayama's movement gained major support from Sir Elton John online,[30] who wrote that he is "happy to hear that the [BPI] are reviewing the rules that led to Rina Sawayama’s well-deserved album being snubbed from this year’s [Mercury Prize] list of nominees."[31]

Other ventures

Modelling career

Sawayama has been signed to Anti Agency and Elite Model Management. In 2017, she was chosen for Versus x Versace's fall winter campaign.[32] She has also starred in campaigns for Jourdan Dunn's Missguided,[33] and wrote and performed an original track for Nicola Formichetti’s MAC x Nicopanda.

Collaborations

In 2016, Sawayama collaborated with Taiwanese visual artist John Yuyi on a visual series critiquing Asian, and Japanese, beauty standards. Subsequently, she was profiled in Vogue. In the interview, Sawayama described the genesis of the idea and collaboration: "For a lot of women in Japan, these are the expectations people put on them, from anime culture, kawaii culture... that can really put women at a disadvantage, objectifying and infantilizing them."[4] Sawayama has worked with Nicola Formichetti for MAC x Nicopanda. Formichetti also directed the music video for Sawayama's track "Ordinary Superstar". The genesis of the partnership was outlined in i-D.[34]

Artistry and public image

Her main influences came from '90s and '00s acts such as Lady Gaga,[35][36][37], Avril Lavigne,[38] Hikaru Utada,[39] Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, JoJo, Gwen Stefani, Evanescence and Limp Bizkit among others.[40][41][42] In 2017, Sawayama was ranked in The Guardian's 18 for '18 list as well as Dazed's 100 list.[43][44] She has used Lady Gaga's vocal training method, bel canto, an Italian operatic exercise, to gain more treble and make her voice breathy.[35]

Personal life

In August 2018, Sawayama came out during an interview with Broadly, declaring: "I've always written songs about girls. I don't think I've ever mentioned a guy in my songs, and that's why I wanted to talk about it." She identified as both bisexual and pansexual.[45]

In July 2020, she signed an open letter to the UK Equalities minister Liz Truss calling for a ban on all forms of LGBT+ conversion therapy.[46]

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2019 Turn Up Charlie Layla Valentine Recurring role; 2 episodes

Discography

Studio albums
List of albums, with selected details, chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
JPN
Dig.
[47]		 SCO
[48]		 UK
Down.
[49]		 UK
Indie
[50]		 US
Current
[51]		 US
Indie
[52]		 US
Heat
[53]
Sawayama 656730882436

Extended plays
List of extended plays, with selected details, chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
JPN
Dig.
[47]
Rina
  • Released: 27 October 2017
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats:
    • Digital download
    • streaming
    • 12" vinyl
 40

Singles
Title Year Album
"Sleeping in Waking" 2013 Non-album singles
"Where U Are"[7] 2016
"This Time Last Year"[54]
"Cyber Stockholm Syndrome"[55] 2017 Rina
"Alterlife"[12]
"Tunnel Vision"[13]
(featuring Shamir)
"Valentine (What's It Gonna Be)"[16] 2018 Non-album singles
"Cherry"
"Flicker"
"STFU!"[56] 2019 Sawayama
"Comme des Garçons (Like the Boys)"
(solo or Brabo Remix featuring Pabllo Vittar)		 2020
"XS"
(solo or remix featuring Bree Runway)
"Chosen Family"
"Bad Friend"
"Dance in the Dark" (Spotify Singles) Non-album single

Tours

Headlining

  • Ordinary Superstar Tour (2018)
  • The Dynasty Tour (2020)

Supporting

gollark: I could probably do that.
gollark: The best OS.
gollark: My toaster runs *Potat*OS.
gollark: 🌵 ⭐ 🙊 🙈
gollark: I run Windows 11.

References
  1. "Introducing: Rina Sawayama". Vibes of Silence. 4 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  2. Daw, Stephen (21 February 2020). "Rina Sawayama Recruits Pabllo Vittar For Infectious Brabo Remix of 'Comme Des Garçons': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  3. Piccirillo, Angie (13 April 2020). "Artist of the Month Rina Sawayama on Aughts Pop, Fan Projects, and Having the Hottest Record on BBC 1". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  4. Kim, Monica (17 October 2016). "Meet the Tangerine-Haired Model and Singer Who's Taking On Asian Beauty Standards". Vogue. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  5. Tsjeng, Zing (29 July 2020). "'It's Othering' – British-Japanese Artist Rina Sawayama Can't Enter British Awards". Vice. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  6. "Pixelated People: Rina Sawayama Interviewed". 8 February 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  7. "Where U Are - Single by Rina Sawayama on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  8. "Rina Sawayama streams smooth new track "Where U Are" - C-Heads Magazine". C-Heads Magazine. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  9. http://thefourohfive.com. "Rina Sawayama's 'Where U Are' is ultra-sweet". The 405. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  10. "Fall for the Smooth Curves of Rina Sawayama's "Where U Are"". Noisey. 28 January 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  11. "Rina Sawayama's Glitchy R&B Captures The Realities Of Living & Loving Online". The FADER. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  12. "Afterlife - Single by Rina Sawayama on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  13. "Tunnel Vision (feat. Shamir) - Single by Rina Sawayama on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  14. Aroesti, Rachel (21 December 2017). "Rina Sawayama: Rina review – R&B-fuelled peek into the pop future". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  15. "The 20 Best Pop and R&B Albums of 2017". Pitchfork. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  16. "Valentine (What's It Gonna Be) - Single by Rina Sawayama on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  17. "Singer Rina Sawayama Is Ready to Rep Her Pansexuality". Broadly. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  18. "Watch Rina Sawayama's new video for "Ordinary Superstar"". The Fader. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  19. "Charli XCX Teaming Up With Tove Lo, Rina Sawayama and More For Second Week of Livestreams". Billboard. 30 March 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  20. "Rina Sawayama Announces Tour and Debut Album, Shares New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  21. "Rina Sawayama "mocks capitalism" on new track 'XS'". DIY. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  22. Bloom, Madison; Monroe, Jazz (3 April 2020). "Rina Sawayama Shares New Song "Chosen Family": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  23. Hilton, Robin; Powers, Ann; Thompson, Stephen; Huizenga, Tom; Fernández, Stefanie (17 April 2020). "New Music Friday: The Top 7 Albums Out On April 17". NPR. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  24. Maitland, Hayley (30 April 2020). "Tramp Stamps, "Sapiens" & Tinned Mackerel: Inside The Mind Of Rina Sawayama". British Vogue. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  25. Subscribe. "Rina Sawayama, Orville Peck and Joesef unveil three new covers for Spotify Singles x Pride". diymag.com. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  26. Lewis, Isobel (29 July 2020). "Rina Sawayama 'heartbroken' at being ineligible for Mercury Prize and Brit Awards". The Independent. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  27. Moore, Sam (29 July 2020). "Rina Sawayama criticises eligibility rules of Mercury Prize and the BRITs: "I fundamentally don't agree with this definition of Britishness"". NME. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  28. Murray, Robin (29 July 2020). "Rina Sawayama Deemed 'Not British Enough' For Mercury Prize, BRIT Awards". Clash. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  29. RINA SAWAYAMA [@rinasawayama] (29 July 2020). "we're trending #SAWAYAMAISBRITISH ! @MercuryPrize @BRITAwards @bpi_music revise your eligibility criteria to include immigrants !" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  30. Matozzo, Marissa (29 July 2020). "How Is Rina Sawayama Not 'British Enough' for the British Awards?". Paper. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  31. John, Elton (1 August 2020). "@eltonjohn on Instagram: " I'm happy to hear that the @bpi are reviewing the rules that led to Rina Sawayama's well-deserved..."". Instagram. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  32. Bateman, Hilary Whiteman, CNN | Kristen. "Pop singer Rina Sawayama says 'STFU!' to stereotypes". CNN. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  33. Holt, Bethan (10 March 2017). "Jourdan Dunn on her empowering new collection - and what a supermodel really wears on the school run". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  34. "read rina sawayama and nicola formichetti's texts to each other". I-d. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  35. Min, Lio. "Rina Sawayama Breaks Through The Simulation". Nylon. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  36. "Welcome to Rina's world: Rina Sawayama on Charli XCX, Cambridge and her pop icons". LOVE. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  37. "Rina Sawayama's Album Is a Hit With Critics, But It Wasn't Eligible for the Mercury Prize: What's the Problem?". Billboard. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  38. Barreto, Clyde (2013). "Rising Japanese London-based Artist Rina Sawayma Discusses Her Song Writing Influences". prefix. Retrieved 22 April 2020. It actually all started with Avril Lavigne. I was 12 when I saw her on TV and begged my dad for a guitar. He caved, and I taught myself chords and begun writing that way. It was then that I actually started looking for music myself, and all my pocket money went into buying CDs.
  39. "Rina Sawayamaさん、デビュー・アルバム『SAWAYAMA』制作秘話". J-Wave. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  40. Russell, Erica (April 2018). "Karaoke With Pop's Next Big Star: Rina Sawayama". Retrieved 22 April 2020. Sawayama is an unapologetic fan of her genre. As she gushes over Avril Lavigne ("I love her so much"), Mariah Carey ("'Emotions' is a perfect ballad") Minogue ("Her discography is bangers!"), and Beyoncé ("I'm a Beyoncé stan, I've seen her live DVD about 20 times"), I also learn that she is, much like myself, fascinated by the way "pop music reflects politics."
  41. Escalante, Shanti (17 April 2020). "RINA SAWAYAMA FINDS HER CHOSEN FAMILY". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 22 April 2020. I definitely want people to feel nostalgic. Maybe it's just hindsight, but I just feel like chart music back then was crazy diverse. There was obviously a huge thing of R&B that was going on. Then rock like No Doubt and then Limp Bizkit being number one for weeks in the UK. I remember that Evanescence was number one for weeks. Avril Lavigne, all these random people and then it was R&B and there was Justin Timberlake, Pharrell and Beyoncé and stuff. I just hope that people don't feel like it's being too referential. That's something I always want to try and stay away from. I always want to add something a bit new to the equation. Music from the 2000s was also the soundtrack to all this drama that I'm talking about the lyrics. I really wanted this record to sound like it was housed in the time when the things I'm talking about were happening.
  42. "Rising Star Rina Sawayama's Music & Style Make Major Waves". The Cool Hour. 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2020. She admits to falling in love with turn-of-the-century sensations like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne, and Pink, all who have had a positive influence on her own work
  43. Williams, Holly; Brinkhurst-Cuff, Charlie; Fox, Killian; Snapes, Laura; Joshi, Tara; Cumming, Laura; Hans, Simran; Empire, Kitty; Devlin, Hannah (31 December 2017). "18 for '18: the talent and trends tipped for the top in 2018". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  44. "100 people shaping culture in 2017". Dazed. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  45. Tsjeng, Zing. "Singer Rina Sawayama Is Ready to Rep Her Pansexuality". Broadly. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  46. "Ban Conversion Therapy on Instagram". Instagram. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020. Our letter to government urging for a ban of conversion therapy has complete backing from some incredible #LGBTQ+ public figures and allies. It's supported by every leading UK #LGBT charity and human rights organisation. And now we need you're help. Use our resources, educate yourselves, write to your MP, chat to your families and SPREAD 👏🏻 THE 👏🏻 WORD. #BanConversionTherapy #ConversionTherapy #ShitYouShouldCareAbout
  47. Peaks on the Billboard Japan Download Albums chart:
  48. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100: 24 April 2020". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  49. "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100: 24 April 2020". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  50. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50: 24 April 2020". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  51. "Heatseekers Albums: 2 May 2020". Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  52. "Independent Albums: 2 May 2020". Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  53. "Heatseekers Albums: 2 May 2020". Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  54. "This Time Last Year - Single by Rina Sawayama on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  55. "Cyber Stockholm Syndrome - Single by Rina Sawayama on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  56. "STFU! - Single by Rina Sawayama". Apple Music. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.