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In a year when creative content from Japan is attracting attention in global markets, a singer with potential for international pop stardom has appeared in the J-pop scene. The budding artist’s name is Hibiki, and she sings the festival song “Desire” for the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF 2024), one of Asia’s largest film festivals.

Based in Kyushu in southern Japan, the young singer enrolled in university in April this year. She co-wrote “Desire,” her debut single released Oct. 23, an up-tempo dance track with Jersey club beat and lyrics all in English. “I know you are just a hater,” Hikibiki sings with her emotive, resonant voice, unleashing her thoughts on haters and online flame wars. A portrait of a strong young woman comes across from skillful vocalization and determined gaze, ready to step out onto the global stage.

Billboard Japan chatted with the rising star, who remains mostly shrouded in mystery with little background information available, about her musical roots and future goals as an artist.

What are you studying at university?

Sustainability tourism. Simply put, it’s about things like Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and regional development through tourism. Most of the students at my university are doing interesting things; I have friends who have launched student groups and businesses. A professor there is a former UN employee, so we get to hear the inside story of how the SDGs were created.

Were you drawn things like singing and entertainment from a young age?

Yes, I’ve loved music since I was little. I started fiddling with the Electone electronic organ when I was two and started learning how to play it properly when I was three. I apparently said I wanted to play music myself.

Which artist do you remember liking in a conscious way?

My dad would play music in the car, and I used to sing along to the Spice Girls’ “Wannabe.”

How did you learn English?

I started going to English conversation classes when I was a toddler, and used to enjoy English in a game-like way. But I was bad at it as a subject from junior high to high school and couldn’t keep up. I’m working hard now. [Laughs] I’ve been familiar with English for a long time, though, so I can pronounce words kind of like a native speaker.

What other instruments besides the electronic organ do you play?

When I was in junior high, I joined the brass band and played the flute and percussion for three years. There were only nine of us in the band, so we changed parts depending on the song. In first year junior high, our brass band was given the opportunity to perform as the opening act for [J-pop megastars] DREAMS COME TRUE. That was a wonderful experience.

What kind of music did you listen to growing up, starting with the Spice Girls?

In junior high, I listened to [J-pop] artists like Superfly and MISIA. I got into Western music in high school. I had the opportunity to go on a two-week homestay in Canada in my second year junior high. I found out about it through some flyers from school. But the cost of travel and such are quite expensive, you know? We weren’t a particularly wealthy family, but my mother said she wanted me to have an experience that will give me a broad perspective.

That’s something to be grateful for.

That was my first trip abroad. At the time, Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” was popular. The experience reminded me that I like English. You can communicate with people from different cultures, and above all, the music is so cool. At the time, I enjoyed music on YouTube.

What made you want to become an artist or singer?

I’ve always loved to sing. Then one day, I had a sudden urge to learn how to sing. I wanted to get a bit better at it, even as a hobby. I was in the chorus in high school and also started taking vocal lessons on the side. I started to think that singing on stage was fun, and that it’d be nice if I could make a career out of it.

In high school? That’s pretty recent.

Yes, it is. I started auditioning and entering contests from there. That’s how I first got started, which led to where I am today.

It goes to show that being able to take action and taking the first step is important.

Whether I passed or not, my views in terms of music broadened through the experience and left a deep impression on me. The fact that more and more people said they like my songs gave me confidence.

By the way, are there any singers you look up to as role models?

I’d say Dua Lipa. She has a voice that no one else can imitate, and her songs have a retro feel to them. I admired her amazing performance at the Grammys. Dua Lipa has this beautiful way of expressing things through the lingering sound at the end of her words. Also, if we’re talking about songs, Zedd is another favorite. I went to my first-ever music festival this year, GMO SONIC, and he was awesome. I also like Tyla and Sabrina Carpenter. I listen to them all the time while I’m going places.

What are you particular about in terms of your own singing and other aspects of your individuality?

I recently discovered that when I sing with feeling, I can make better use of the techniques I have. I try to focus on immersing myself in the world of the lyrics as I interpret them. I think my low voice is my strong point, and I’ve developed techniques that make the most of that.

When did you become interested in writing your own songs and lyrics? 

I recently began understanding the profundity of lyrics through co-writing. The lyrics of songs in Japan are so distinct. It feels so interesting to me.

How did your debut single “Desire” come about?

Producers Mitsu and hito and I made a rough demo in about an hour using “space language” [i.e. fitting random words into a melody], and when the entire co-writing team listened to it later on we all thought was good. So we worked together to make a full-length version straight away.

The opening line, “I know you are just a hater,” has quite an impact. How did you come up with it?

The song was already hard-hitting when it was still a demo, so when I was singing it in space language, I was thinking about making the most of that slightly hateful feel it had. We’d changed the song’s title to “Desire” from the temporary one and I’m glad the lyrics connected to that word.

How did “Desire” become the festival song for TIFF 2024?

While we were working on the song, hito, one of the producers, said, “I have a feeling this will work!” and pitched it. I was so happy when it was chosen. The entire process of the tie-in becoming a reality was really quick.

The timing couldn’t be better, since Hiroyuki Sanada’s SHOGUN won a record 18 Emmy Awards and global interest in talent from Japan is on the rise.

The media was filled with articles about that alongside the news about “Desire” being chosen as the TIFF 2024 song. That was amazing.

What sort of artist do you want to be in the future?

I want to become someone like the Asian version of Dua Lipa, but since I’ve loved singing since I was little and love music, I don’t want to end up just idolizing someone. I want to become someone else’s idol next.

—This interview by Fukuryu first appeared on Billboard Japan