Philippine Concerts

Tag: Rol3ert

  • Maya and Rol3ert, Two of Japan’s Most Exciting Young Voices, Come Together on Striking New Duet “ROMANTICIZE”!

    Maya and Rol3ert, Two of Japan’s Most Exciting Young Voices, Come Together on Striking New Duet “ROMANTICIZE”!

    U.S.-based singer-songwriter Maya releases “ROMANTICIZE,” a new collaborative digital single with rising Japanese singer-songwriter Rol3ert, out 13 May 2026. The official music video premieres the same day at 8pm JST on Maya’s official YouTube channel.

    A fully English-language mid-tempo ballad built around the concept of romanticizing the past, “ROMANTICIZE” was co-written and co-produced entirely on the day of Maya and Rol3ert’s very first session together. The track is produced by Tokyo-based beatmaker and producer A.G.O, anchored by floating synths and minimal beats that give space for Maya and Rol3ert’s interlocking vocals to take centre stage.

    Written from the perspective of two people on either side of a relationship that has already ended, “ROMANTICIZE” draws on intimate, everyday details — a guitar, polaroids, a hair tie, a bunk bed — to ground a deeply emotional story in something tangible and real. The song captures the quiet human tendency to polish painful memories until they become beautiful, and to long for moments that once hurt.

    The vocal interplay between Maya and Rol3ert is central to the song’s emotional architecture. Maya’s fragile, transparent tone opens the story; Rol3ert’s voice carries a quiet heat that shifts the perspective. In the chorus, the male voice reaches out — “do you feel the same?” — and receives only an ambiguous response. The back-and-forth mirrors the push and pull of memory itself: unresolved, bittersweet, and impossible to let go.

    The music video, directed by Taichi Nakazawa and set in an airport, extends this nostalgic, in-between feeling — a location that inherently evokes departure, distance, and the bittersweet weight of goodbye.

    MAYA ON THE SONG: “This song is built around the concept of romanticizing the past, with a strong sense of narrative throughout. As a songwriter, I care most about how much of myself I can weave into a piece. I intentionally incorporated everyday objects from my own life — like a guitar, a hair tie, polaroids, and a bunk bed — while crafting a fictional story about two people whose relationship has fallen apart, leaving space for listeners to imagine parts of their story. The past is fragile — it fades over time. Even memories filled with complicated emotions begin to look beautiful as they lose their sharpness. You may even find yourself longing for moments that once hurt.”

    ROL3ERT ON THE SONG: “We completed both the lyrics and the track on the spot during our very first session with Maya. So we really valued those in-the-moment flashes of intuition and impulse, and carried that mindset through to the very end of the process. Through our conversation, we quickly recognised shared feelings between Maya and me, and the theme fell into place right away. Because of that, I think the song clearly captures the necessity — and the power — of people from the same generation coming together to create and express something collaboratively.”

    Rol3ert has been building rapid and organic momentum across Southeast Asia. His breakout single “(how could i be) honest?” charted on viral charts in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, earned heavy rotation on Singapore’s 987FM, and peaked at No.5 on Singapore’s Shazam charts — resonating especially with younger listeners for its emotionally direct songwriting in English, a quality that cuts across language barriers in the region.

    His subsequent single “savior” was selected for Spotify’s New Music Friday in 22 countries, and his sold-out headline show at Shibuya WWW X in Tokyo underlined his growing status as a live artist. He performed at MUZ’POP JAM 2026 in Seoul in March, his first overseas performance, and is set to perform at SUMMER SONIC 2026 in Tokyo on the Spotify Stage. He has also been named one of Japan’s 25 representatives in Rolling Stone’s global “Future of Music” project, and was selected for Spotify Japan’s RADAR: Early Noise 2026.

    With listeners spanning Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, the United States, Brazil, and beyond, Rol3ert continues to establish himself as a Japanese artist with genuine global reach.

    About Maya
    Maya is a high school singer-songwriter currently based in the United States. She first gained wide attention through acoustic cover videos on TikTok — her rendition of Vaundy’s “napori” exceeded 7.15 million streams, while her cover of Grover Washington Jr.’s “Just the Two of Us” surpassed 5.12 million streams — reflecting a fanbase with strong resonance across Asian music communities globally.
    In 2024, her voice caught the attention of renowned Japanese composer and producer Yoko Kanno, leading to her feature on “Blue feat. Maya” for Honda’s global campaign. She was also featured on m-flo’s revival single “HyperNova” and performed for a crowd of approximately 20,000 at SUMMER SONIC 2024.
    Her debut single “Red Lights,” released in August 2025, reached No.4 on J-WAVE’s SAISON CARD TOKIO HOT 100. She has since continued to expand her profile, performing on the soundtrack of director Mamoru Hosoda’s film alongside Ayumu Matsuda of RIKON.

    About Rol3ert

    Born in the United States in 2005 and raised in Japan, Rol3ert debuted in 2025 with a cross-cultural sound blending English lyricism and Jpop-influenced melodies. Over the summer of 2025, he performed at major festivals, including FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ’25 and SWEET LOVE SHOWER 2025, and in October, he was honored with the Best Breakthrough Artist award at the Tokyo Alter Music Awards.

    Following viral covers surpassing 4 million views, he broke through with “(how could i be) honest?” and “savior”, both regional viral hits with over 500,000 Spotify streams in the first month. His latest single “savior” achieved #1 on the Billboard Japan Heatseekers Songs chart.

    In 2026, Rol3ert was selected for Spotify Japan’s RADAR: Early Noise 2026, selected as one of Japan’s 25 representatives in Rolling Stone’s global “Future of Music” project and was just nominated for the final 5 of the Music Awards Japan (MAJ) Radio Award (Rookie of the Year). He also sold out his first full-band headline show at Shibuya WWW X and will be performing at SUMMER SONIC 2026 in Tokyo.

    At just 20 years old, Rol3ert is emerging as one of Japan’s most exciting new talents, drawing attention for his bold vision and growing presence on the global music stage.

  • Rol3ert Reimagines Breakout Hit “(how could i be) honest?” with Korea’s DAUL & THAMA in New Cross-Border Collaboration!

    Rol3ert Reimagines Breakout Hit “(how could i be) honest?” with Korea’s DAUL & THAMA in New Cross-Border Collaboration!

    Credit: Exciter Records

    Rising Japanese singer-songwriter Rol3ert continues his rapid ascent globally and across Asia with the release of “(how could i be) honest? – DAUL mix (feat. THAMA),” a newly reimagined version of his breakout track, created in collaboration with Korean producer DAUL and acclaimed R&B artist THAMA.  Recently selected for Rolling Stone’s “Future 25” as one of 25 artists representing Japan, Rol3ert is quickly emerging as one of the country’s most promising new voices on the global stage.

    Originally released in December 2025, “(how could i be) honest?” quickly gained global attention, landing on Spotify’s official playlists across 18 countries. Across Asia, the track saw strong regional traction, charting on viral charts in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, earning heavy rotation on Singapore’s 987FM, and peaking at No.5 on Singapore’s Shazam charts. On Spotify, the song surpassed 500,000 streams within its first month, becoming Rol3ert’s fastest-growing release to date. Across his recent releases, including “(how could i be) honest?” and “savior,” user-generated content has continued to spread organically, amplifying his reach among younger listeners across the region.

    This new version sees the track reconstructed rather than traditionally remixed—expanding its emotional and sonic identity across cultures. Featuring newly written Korean lyrics and vocals from THAMA, the song retains the emotional core of the original while introducing a new dimension through DAUL’s electronic production and THAMA’s distinct artistry. The result is a version that feels both familiar and entirely reimagined, bridging Japanese and Korean music sensibilities within a global pop context.

    DAUL shares, “when I first heard the original track, what stood out most was the vocal melody. It has a strong hook that stays with you, and I felt the natural energy and dynamism of the band sound. Rather than drastically changing the song, I focused on preserving its emotional core and melody while expanding that energy through electronic elements. By reconstructing it around synthesizers and electronic drums, I aimed to create a denser, more three-dimensional soundscape.

    With THAMA joining, the color of the track became even richer. The combination of Rol3ert and THAMA’s distinct styles, along with the production, creates a piece that reveals more depth the more you listen.”

    THAMA adds, “the original track had a rock texture that I don’t usually work with, which made it feel very fresh. Rol3ert’s voice and melody were especially memorable—they reminded me of the emo rock bands I listened to growing up.

    During production, I focused on preserving the tone, rhythm, and lyrical appeal that Rol3ert brings, while adding a new interpretation on top of that foundation. The synth-forward sound is a key element of this version. I’d also love for listeners to pay attention to the newly written first verse, which wasn’t in the original. I hope people enjoy hearing how the song transforms through my voice.”

    Rol3ert reflects, “the main thing I focused on was creating something completely different while still inheriting the original’s charm—its slightly absurd, chaotic, and imperfect qualities in a good way. I referenced sounds from ’80s video games to bring in a bit of playfulness.

    When I first heard DAUL’s demo, I was really happy to hear how that sense of playfulness was already embedded in the track. By combining that with THAMA’s voice and the addition of Korean lyrics—which was a completely new challenge for me—I think we were able to create something that feels like a different song, while still preserving what made the original special.”

    Accompanying the release, a music video featuring Rol3ert and THAMA, filmed in Korea, further brings this cross-cultural collaboration to life. In parallel, Rol3ert has also unveiled a live performance video for “savior,” captured during his sold-out headline show Rol3ert Live “katachi” in Tokyo, offering a glimpse into the growing scale and energy of his live performances.

    Further expanding his connection with fans, Rol3ert has also launched his official Discord community,[1]  creating a dedicated space for global listeners to engage, connect, and access exclusive content. He is also set to make his Singapore debut at Mediacorp’s Cloud 9 Festival on May 9, marking another key milestone as his presence continues to grow across Southeast Asia.

    With momentum building across Japan, Southeast Asia, and Korea, Rol3ert continues to emerge as one of the region’s most compelling new voices—bridging cultures, languages, and sounds with a distinctly global perspective.

    STREAM (how could i be)honest? – DAUL mix(feat. THAMA) HERE

    WATCH “(how could i be)honest? – DAUL mix(feat. THAMA) OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO HERE

  • Rol3ert Reimagines Breakout Hit “(how could i be) honest?” with Korea’s DAUL & THAMA in New Cross-Border Collaboration!

    Rol3ert Reimagines Breakout Hit “(how could i be) honest?” with Korea’s DAUL & THAMA in New Cross-Border Collaboration!

    Rising Japanese singer-songwriter Rol3ert continues his rapid ascent globally and across Asia with the release of “(how could i be) honest? – DAUL mix (feat. THAMA),” a newly reimagined version of his breakout track, created in collaboration with Korean producer DAUL and acclaimed R&B artist THAMA.  Recently selected for Rolling Stone’s “Future 25” as one of 25 artists representing Japan, Rol3ert is quickly emerging as one of the country’s most promising new voices on the global stage.

    Originally released in December 2025, “(how could i be) honest?” quickly gained global attention, landing on Spotify’s official playlists across 18 countries. Across Asia, the track saw strong regional traction, charting on viral charts in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, earning heavy rotation on Singapore’s 987FM, and peaking at No.5 on Singapore’s Shazam charts. On Spotify, the song surpassed 500,000 streams within its first month, becoming Rol3ert’s fastest-growing release to date. Across his recent releases, including “(how could i be) honest?” and “savior,” user-generated content has continued to spread organically, amplifying his reach among younger listeners across the region.

    This new version sees the track reconstructed rather than traditionally remixed—expanding its emotional and sonic identity across cultures. Featuring newly written Korean lyrics and vocals from THAMA, the song retains the emotional core of the original while introducing a new dimension through DAUL’s electronic production and THAMA’s distinct artistry. The result is a version that feels both familiar and entirely reimagined, bridging Japanese and Korean music sensibilities within a global pop context.

    DAUL shares, “when I first heard the original track, what stood out most was the vocal melody. It has a strong hook that stays with you, and I felt the natural energy and dynamism of the band sound. Rather than drastically changing the song, I focused on preserving its emotional core and melody while expanding that energy through electronic elements. By reconstructing it around synthesizers and electronic drums, I aimed to create a denser, more three-dimensional soundscape.

    With THAMA joining, the color of the track became even richer. The combination of Rol3ert and THAMA’s distinct styles, along with the production, creates a piece that reveals more depth the more you listen.”

    THAMA adds, “the original track had a rock texture that I don’t usually work with, which made it feel very fresh. Rol3ert’s voice and melody were especially memorable—they reminded me of the emo rock bands I listened to growing up.

    During production, I focused on preserving the tone, rhythm, and lyrical appeal that Rol3ert brings, while adding a new interpretation on top of that foundation. The synth-forward sound is a key element of this version. I’d also love for listeners to pay attention to the newly written first verse, which wasn’t in the original. I hope people enjoy hearing how the song transforms through my voice.”

    Rol3ert reflects, “the main thing I focused on was creating something completely different while still inheriting the original’s charm—its slightly absurd, chaotic, and imperfect qualities in a good way. I referenced sounds from ’80s video games to bring in a bit of playfulness.

    When I first heard DAUL’s demo, I was really happy to hear how that sense of playfulness was already embedded in the track. By combining that with THAMA’s voice and the addition of Korean lyrics—which was a completely new challenge for me—I think we were able to create something that feels like a different song, while still preserving what made the original special.”

    Accompanying the release, a music video featuring Rol3ert and THAMA, filmed in Korea, further brings this cross-cultural collaboration to life. In parallel, Rol3ert has also unveiled a live performance video for “savior,” captured during his sold-out headline show Rol3ert Live “katachi” in Tokyo, offering a glimpse into the growing scale and energy of his live performances.

    Further expanding his connection with fans, Rol3ert has also launched his official Discord community,[1]  creating a dedicated space for global listeners to engage, connect, and access exclusive content. He is also set to make his Singapore debut at Mediacorp’s Cloud 9 Festival on May 9, marking another key milestone as his presence continues to grow across Southeast Asia.

    With momentum building across Japan, Southeast Asia, and Korea, Rol3ert continues to emerge as one of the region’s most compelling new voices—bridging cultures, languages, and sounds with a distinctly global perspective.

    STREAM (how could i be)honest? – DAUL mix(feat. THAMA) HERE

    WATCH “(how could i be)honest? – DAUL mix(feat. THAMA) OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO HERE

    About Rol3ert

    Born in the United States in 2005 and raised in Japan, Rol3ert began his solo career in January 2025. Singing primarily in English while incorporating Japanese and J-pop-influenced melodies, he has developed a distinct cross-cultural sound. His cover videos have gone viral globally, with some exceeding 4 million views, and his original releases have been featured on playlists across Asia and beyond. With listeners spanning Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, the United States, and Brazil, Rol3ert is emerging as a new Japanese artist making a mark on the global music scene.

    About DAUL

    Producer DAUL is an artist who has secured a global listener base, recording approximately 170,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and continuing to deliver steady streaming performance. In particular, Fujii Kaze’s “Kirari (DAUL Remix)” surpassed 10 million streams on Spotify, proving his production capabilities. In addition, through an overseas tour with R&B artist JUNNY, he has experienced various global performance stages, and through collaborations with major domestic artists such as Lee Youngji, CHANGMO, and GRAY, he has expanded his presence as a producer.

    About THAMA

    THAMA is one of Korea’s leading R&B singer-songwriters and producers, known for his low, velvety vocals and a sound that naturally blends jazz, hip-hop, and neo-soul. He debuted in 2017 with the single “Fall In Love,” and has since expanded his musical presence through songwriting and featured appearances with major artists including Dynamicduo, EXO, NCT 127, george, and Kang Daniel. His 2021 full-length debut album, DON’T DIE COLORS, was widely acclaimed for its high level of craftsmanship, winning both the 19th Korean Music Awards for Best R&B/Soul Album and the Korean Hip-hop Awards for R&B Album of the Year. The record was also selected by Harper’s Bazaar (U.S.) as one of the “15 Best K-Pop Albums of 2021,” praised for its multi-layered sound that moves freely across R&B, hip-hop, soul, and jazz. This recognition further elevated THAMA’s international profile. In 2023, THAMA broadened his palette with his second album WOOOF!, embracing funk and neo-soul influences. That same year, he sold out his Hyundai Card Curated solo concert, cementing his reputation as a powerful live performer.