Japanese dance-music legend Shinichi Osawa’s duo RHYME SO released a new lyric video for UNFOLLOW YOU, featuring a rare sample of Seiko Matsuda’s classic hit Akai Sweet Pea
RHYME SO, a duo comprising Japan’s leading dance-music producer/MONDO GROSSO member Shinichi Osawa and Australian poet, DJ, trackmaker and performer RHYME, have released a lyric video for UNFOLLOW YOU, taken from their 2023 album IAFB.
The song includes samples from the 1982 classic hit single Akai Sweet Pea, which Seiko Matsuda initially performed. It has lyrics by pioneering Japanese rock musician and Happy End member Takashi Matsumoto and music by singer-songwriter/national treasure Yumi Matsutoya. This is the first time a Seiko Matsuda song has ever been sampled, Osawa made this possible by sending letters directly to lyricist Matsumoto and composer Matsutoya to request their permission.
The chorus to Akai Sweet Pea features the lyric “I will follow you,” which, back in 1982, was meant to express affection for someone special. In the modern age of social media, a “follow” is simply a number to show popularity. RHYME SO’s track leans into this wordplay to warn of an era in which human beings and entertainment alike are at the mercy of the cynical pursuit of follows and likes.
Comment from Shinichi Osawa
“This song is intended to sound an alarm about the current state of the music scene. How can we express individuality in an era where algorithms are standardizing everything? With these thoughts in mind, I wrote letters to Takashi Matsumoto and Yumi Matsutoya, and against all odds, they permitted me to sample their song ‘Akai Sweet Pea.’ I hope you will take a deeper look at the meaning behind the lyrics.”
RHYME SO – IAFB
Download & streaming links
https://streamlink.to/RHYME_SO_IAFB
Tracklist:
1. ACT THE SAME
2. #ITSME
3. DON’T’ VIDEO ME
4. PIC ME UP
5. SILENT
6. SHIBUYA PARAPARA
7. IMAIYAM
8. PICTURESQUE
9. CINORTCELE
10. UNFOLLOW YOU
11. I’m Sooooo (interlude)
12. I AM FUCKIN’ BRILLIANT
13. IAFB MATSURI (outerlude)
About RHYME SO
RHYME SO is a dance music duo consisting of Shinichi Osawa, one of Japan’s leading DJs and music producers, who also performs as MONDO GROSSO and Australian poet, performer, DJ, and trackmaker RHYME.
Combining beats based on Osawa’s ample experience rocking dancefloors with RHYME’s witty lyrics that sharply interpret modern life,
the duo has an avant-garde club sound that has heralded a new era of electronic sound.
RHYME SO’s 2019 debut single, Just Used Music Again, was released by 88rising and included in 88rising’s compilation album, Head In The Clouds II.
The track was added to influential playlists on multiple streaming services and attracted media attention worldwide. In 2020, they released Fashion Blogger, a disco track featuring RHYME’s irreverent and cynical lyrics.
The music video depicting a fictional figure-skating contest featuring drag artist Milk from RuPaul’s Drag Race has been viewed over 2 million times on YouTube.
During the pandemic, they released the singles Psyche and HOT, while their recent single, POSEABLE, was released on 88rising’s new imprint 88infinity.
RHYME SO continues to transmit cutting-edge music from Tokyo to the world.
Further information
