Kenshi Yonezu Included in RIAA's Class of 2023 for Historic Gold Certified Track "Kick Back"
J-POP HITMAKER INCLUDED IN RIAA'S CLASS OF 2023
FOR FIRST-TIME GOLD CERTIFICATION FOR “KICK BACK”
HISTORIC CERTIFICATION MARKS THE FIRST-EVER JAPANESE-LANGUAGE
SONG TO BE GOLD-CERTIFIED BY THE RIAA – LISTEN HERE
GLOBAL SUPERSTAR WRAPS UP A MASSIVE 2023 WITH “SPINNING GLOBE”
THE OFFICIAL THEME TO HAYAO MIYAZAKI'S THE BOY AND THE HERON
LISTEN HERE | WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO
NEW YORK, NY (December 11, 2023) – Rounding out a landmark year, J-pop superstar KENSHI YONEZU has been named a member of the Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA)'s Class of 2023, joining a group of 57 artists who earned their first Gold and Platinum certifications this year. The distinction arrives in the wake of the history-making success of his global smash hit “KICK BACK,” which became the first-ever Japanese language song to be certified Gold by the RIAA. Yonezu is also the only Japanese artist to be recognized in this year's class, which boasts an international roster of musicians across genres, including Ice Spice, Jung Kook of BTS, PINKPANTHERESS, Peso Pluma, TOMORROW X TOGETHER and more.
Of the achievement, Yonezu says, “I owe this absolutely to Chainsaw Man. Not that it feels real yet, but I was just happy to receive this news. I have listened to American pop music a lot since I was a child, and being embraced over here is really a pleasure for me. If people who don't understand Japanese can listen to this song and feel something good about it, I think my work has paid off.”
The opening theme to last season's breakout anime hit Chainsaw Man, “KICK BACK” began breaking records immediately upon its release, landing on Spotify's Global Top 50 chart and making Yonezu the first-ever J-pop artist to appear on the chart. The J-pop hitmaker has continued to reach international audiences with musical contributions to some of the year's biggest titles. His most recent release, “Spinning Globe,” features as the official theme song to the new Studio Ghibli film The Boy and the Heron, with legendary director Hayao Miyazaki specifically enlisting Yonezu for the project. Also extending his talents to the gaming world, Yonezu provided the official theme song to the new Final Fantasy XVI entitled “Tsuki Wo Miteita - Moongazing.”
Since 1958, the Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA) has celebrated artists whose music captivates generations and hits significant U.S. streaming and sales thresholds as fans engage in more ways than ever before. Today marks a special year-end moment when the top albums, singles and first-timers are recognized for their massive achievements. #RIAAClassOf 2023 touts 57 breakout artists who earned their first Gold & Platinum certifications in 2023* with a list spanning three albums and 48 singles. See the full list HERE and join the conversation online with #RIAAClassOf and #LabelsAtWork in celebration of 2023's first-timers.
ABOUT KENSHI YONEZU
After posting a series of Vocaloid tracks under the moniker Hachi , Kenshi Yonezu distinguished himself from the crowd with remarkable results. He later began releasing material under his real name Kenshi Yonezu, in 2012. He has since gained wide-known recognition as a multi-talented creative, not only for his music but also for his album cover illustrations and music productions.
The music video to his smash hit, “Lemon,” is still the most-viewed music video in Japan. The song topped Billboard Japan's year-end charts for 2 consecutive years, leaving its mark on music history, nationally and internationally. His album, STRAY SHEEP, released in 2020, sold over 2 million units. Yonezu remained engaged and productive and produced results throughout the pandemic. He performed in a virtual concert hosted by the online game Fortnite, collaborated globally with UNIQLO on their UT collection, participated in the GIVENCHY 21SS collection Instagram project alongside other celebrities from around the world, was awarded an AAC Award and Best Newcomer, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Art Department Prize, and was listed in Forbes' 100 Asian Digital Stars amongst other achievements.
“KICK BACK,” the opening theme to the anime series Chainsaw Man, entered Spotify's Global Top 50, a first-ever by a Japanese artist. Kenshi Yonezu goes from strength to strength, proving he is not just a national superstar but an artist with a dynamic international presence.
In 2023, Yonezu wrote “LADY” for the TV commercial of “Georgia” coffee product line, followed by “Moongazing,” as the theme song of the action role-playing game FINAL FANTASY XVI. And this time, he wrote “Spinning Globe” for The Boy and the Heron, the new movie directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
Kenshi Yonezu appears in fashion brand LOEWE's FW23 men's collection campaign, coinciding with the brand's 50th anniversary in Japan.
CONNECT WITH KENSHI YONEZU: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE
FOR FIRST-TIME GOLD CERTIFICATION FOR “KICK BACK”
HISTORIC CERTIFICATION MARKS THE FIRST-EVER JAPANESE-LANGUAGE
SONG TO BE GOLD-CERTIFIED BY THE RIAA – LISTEN HERE
GLOBAL SUPERSTAR WRAPS UP A MASSIVE 2023 WITH “SPINNING GLOBE”
THE OFFICIAL THEME TO HAYAO MIYAZAKI'S THE BOY AND THE HERON
LISTEN HERE | WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO
NEW YORK, NY (December 11, 2023) – Rounding out a landmark year, J-pop superstar KENSHI YONEZU has been named a member of the Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA)'s Class of 2023, joining a group of 57 artists who earned their first Gold and Platinum certifications this year. The distinction arrives in the wake of the history-making success of his global smash hit “KICK BACK,” which became the first-ever Japanese language song to be certified Gold by the RIAA. Yonezu is also the only Japanese artist to be recognized in this year's class, which boasts an international roster of musicians across genres, including Ice Spice, Jung Kook of BTS, PINKPANTHERESS, Peso Pluma, TOMORROW X TOGETHER and more.
Of the achievement, Yonezu says, “I owe this absolutely to Chainsaw Man. Not that it feels real yet, but I was just happy to receive this news. I have listened to American pop music a lot since I was a child, and being embraced over here is really a pleasure for me. If people who don't understand Japanese can listen to this song and feel something good about it, I think my work has paid off.”
The opening theme to last season's breakout anime hit Chainsaw Man, “KICK BACK” began breaking records immediately upon its release, landing on Spotify's Global Top 50 chart and making Yonezu the first-ever J-pop artist to appear on the chart. The J-pop hitmaker has continued to reach international audiences with musical contributions to some of the year's biggest titles. His most recent release, “Spinning Globe,” features as the official theme song to the new Studio Ghibli film The Boy and the Heron, with legendary director Hayao Miyazaki specifically enlisting Yonezu for the project. Also extending his talents to the gaming world, Yonezu provided the official theme song to the new Final Fantasy XVI entitled “Tsuki Wo Miteita - Moongazing.”
Since 1958, the Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA) has celebrated artists whose music captivates generations and hits significant U.S. streaming and sales thresholds as fans engage in more ways than ever before. Today marks a special year-end moment when the top albums, singles and first-timers are recognized for their massive achievements. #RIAAClassOf 2023 touts 57 breakout artists who earned their first Gold & Platinum certifications in 2023* with a list spanning three albums and 48 singles. See the full list HERE and join the conversation online with #RIAAClassOf and #LabelsAtWork in celebration of 2023's first-timers.
ABOUT KENSHI YONEZU
After posting a series of Vocaloid tracks under the moniker Hachi , Kenshi Yonezu distinguished himself from the crowd with remarkable results. He later began releasing material under his real name Kenshi Yonezu, in 2012. He has since gained wide-known recognition as a multi-talented creative, not only for his music but also for his album cover illustrations and music productions.
The music video to his smash hit, “Lemon,” is still the most-viewed music video in Japan. The song topped Billboard Japan's year-end charts for 2 consecutive years, leaving its mark on music history, nationally and internationally. His album, STRAY SHEEP, released in 2020, sold over 2 million units. Yonezu remained engaged and productive and produced results throughout the pandemic. He performed in a virtual concert hosted by the online game Fortnite, collaborated globally with UNIQLO on their UT collection, participated in the GIVENCHY 21SS collection Instagram project alongside other celebrities from around the world, was awarded an AAC Award and Best Newcomer, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Art Department Prize, and was listed in Forbes' 100 Asian Digital Stars amongst other achievements.
“KICK BACK,” the opening theme to the anime series Chainsaw Man, entered Spotify's Global Top 50, a first-ever by a Japanese artist. Kenshi Yonezu goes from strength to strength, proving he is not just a national superstar but an artist with a dynamic international presence.
In 2023, Yonezu wrote “LADY” for the TV commercial of “Georgia” coffee product line, followed by “Moongazing,” as the theme song of the action role-playing game FINAL FANTASY XVI. And this time, he wrote “Spinning Globe” for The Boy and the Heron, the new movie directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
Kenshi Yonezu appears in fashion brand LOEWE's FW23 men's collection campaign, coinciding with the brand's 50th anniversary in Japan.
CONNECT WITH KENSHI YONEZU: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE
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