Rina Sawayama (born 16 August 1990 in Niigata, Japan) is a Japanese-British… Read Full Bio ↴Rina Sawayama (born 16 August 1990 in Niigata, Japan) is a Japanese-British London-based singer, songwriter, producer, model, and actor. Born and raised in Japan until moving to the UK at the age of 5, Rina would go on to study politics at Cambridge University. At university, she decided to pursue both modeling and her love for singing. She would go on to experiment in a hip hop group before deciding to pursue her interest in R&B and pop music.
Rina began collaborating with London-based producer Hoost and released her debut single āSleeping In Wakingā in 2013. In 2016, she was included in The Fader's 13 Artists You Need To Know About In 2017. Her debut EP āRINAā was released in 2017.
In 2018, she released the new single āValentineā on Valentineās Day. The music video for album track āOrdinary Superstarā was released in June 2018. In August 2018, Sawayama released the track āCherryā, in which she explores her sexual identity. Sawayama embarked on her āOrdinary Superstar Tourā across the UK and United States in late 2018.
In 2019, Rina began to rollout of her debut full-length album, starting with the single āSTFU!ā, which is based on her experiences of micro-aggressions as an Asian woman. The album's third single āXSā, which serves as a satirical criticism of modern capitalism, was released in March 2020, and was well received, helping her get her name more known. The album, āSAWAYAMAā was finally released on April 17, and went onto become one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year. It was praised for its mix of genres, wide range of influences and vocal performances. The project made multiple end-of-year lists, notably ranking #1 on The Line Of Best Fit's list. The album was also loved by musical icon Elton John, who would then go on to feature on a new duet version of the single āChosen Familyā.
Rina would embark on the āDynasty Tourā for the album in 2021 after being delayed a year. Soon after in May 2022, Rina announced her sophomore album āHold The Girlā, scheduled for a September 2nd release, along with the lead single āThis Hellā, which puts a fun spin on negative stigma towards the LGBTQ+ community. The album's release was pushed back to September 16th, with the singles āCatch Me In The Airā, the title track, āPhantomā and āHurricanesā being released in the run up. The record also garnered positive reviews upon release, and debuted at #3 on the UK charts, Rina's first time charting this high. The āHold The Girl Tourā began in October 2022, and ended in February of the following year. This tour was followed up by a second run of North America, titled āHold The Girl Tour - Reloadedā, beginning in June 2023, and rounding up the tour and era in October of the same year.
Many of Sawayamaās tracks are co-written and produced by Clarence Clarity. She has also collaborated with the likes of Shamir, Bree Runway, and Charli XCX, the latter of which's collaboration āBeg For Youā gave Rina her first top 40 hit in the UK. In September 2023, Empress Of released her single āKiss Meā featuring Sawayama.
Rina began collaborating with London-based producer Hoost and released her debut single āSleeping In Wakingā in 2013. In 2016, she was included in The Fader's 13 Artists You Need To Know About In 2017. Her debut EP āRINAā was released in 2017.
In 2018, she released the new single āValentineā on Valentineās Day. The music video for album track āOrdinary Superstarā was released in June 2018. In August 2018, Sawayama released the track āCherryā, in which she explores her sexual identity. Sawayama embarked on her āOrdinary Superstar Tourā across the UK and United States in late 2018.
In 2019, Rina began to rollout of her debut full-length album, starting with the single āSTFU!ā, which is based on her experiences of micro-aggressions as an Asian woman. The album's third single āXSā, which serves as a satirical criticism of modern capitalism, was released in March 2020, and was well received, helping her get her name more known. The album, āSAWAYAMAā was finally released on April 17, and went onto become one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year. It was praised for its mix of genres, wide range of influences and vocal performances. The project made multiple end-of-year lists, notably ranking #1 on The Line Of Best Fit's list. The album was also loved by musical icon Elton John, who would then go on to feature on a new duet version of the single āChosen Familyā.
Rina would embark on the āDynasty Tourā for the album in 2021 after being delayed a year. Soon after in May 2022, Rina announced her sophomore album āHold The Girlā, scheduled for a September 2nd release, along with the lead single āThis Hellā, which puts a fun spin on negative stigma towards the LGBTQ+ community. The album's release was pushed back to September 16th, with the singles āCatch Me In The Airā, the title track, āPhantomā and āHurricanesā being released in the run up. The record also garnered positive reviews upon release, and debuted at #3 on the UK charts, Rina's first time charting this high. The āHold The Girl Tourā began in October 2022, and ended in February of the following year. This tour was followed up by a second run of North America, titled āHold The Girl Tour - Reloadedā, beginning in June 2023, and rounding up the tour and era in October of the same year.
Many of Sawayamaās tracks are co-written and produced by Clarence Clarity. She has also collaborated with the likes of Shamir, Bree Runway, and Charli XCX, the latter of which's collaboration āBeg For Youā gave Rina her first top 40 hit in the UK. In September 2023, Empress Of released her single āKiss Meā featuring Sawayama.
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