Japanese pop culture is definitely considered "cool" in a way nowadays. Tokyo is a desired place to travel, Japanese sub-cultures that have their roots in the 80s spread in Europe and the language is studied by an impressive amount of non-native speakers. There also seems to be a growing need for contemporary bands to have a version of one of their most famous songs sung in Japanese language (among other), as did some bands already decades ago. The results are more or less entertaining, here are some examples:
Wir sind Helden - Von Hier an Blind
Tokio Hotel - Durch den Monsun
Avril Lavigne - Girlfriend
Avril Lavigne - Hot
Good Charlotte - Predictable
Carpenters - Sing
The Police - De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
Martika - Toy Soldiers
Frank Sinatra - My Way (reinterpreted
Sixpense Non The Richer - Kiss Me
What is more, there seems to be a really strange phenomenon going on in Japan right now. An Africa-American singer appears to be the new hope of Japanese traditional music, so-called Enka. A black guy calling himself Jero ジェロ is singing Japanese Enka in combination with American hip-hop elements. What some would consider a joke for an Aprils fools day seems to become quite popular by singing the song 海雪, Ocean-Snow.
ジェロ ー 海雪
When I first saw this guy he appeared on a big commercial at Yotsuya-station advertising for Kirin Fire Coffe. But what I first considered a rather rassist commercial turned out to be one of the strangest things one can encounter in this country. Here is a very interesting interview about Jero and his background. Only time will tell wether he will be remembered a one-time wonder or fulfill the hopes of all the other Enka singing musicians who are not able to build a fanbase consisting of mainly younger people.
Wir sind Helden - Von Hier an Blind
Tokio Hotel - Durch den Monsun
Avril Lavigne - Girlfriend
Avril Lavigne - Hot
Good Charlotte - Predictable
Carpenters - Sing
The Police - De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
Martika - Toy Soldiers
Frank Sinatra - My Way (reinterpreted
Sixpense Non The Richer - Kiss Me
What is more, there seems to be a really strange phenomenon going on in Japan right now. An Africa-American singer appears to be the new hope of Japanese traditional music, so-called Enka. A black guy calling himself Jero ジェロ is singing Japanese Enka in combination with American hip-hop elements. What some would consider a joke for an Aprils fools day seems to become quite popular by singing the song 海雪, Ocean-Snow.
ジェロ ー 海雪
When I first saw this guy he appeared on a big commercial at Yotsuya-station advertising for Kirin Fire Coffe. But what I first considered a rather rassist commercial turned out to be one of the strangest things one can encounter in this country. Here is a very interesting interview about Jero and his background. Only time will tell wether he will be remembered a one-time wonder or fulfill the hopes of all the other Enka singing musicians who are not able to build a fanbase consisting of mainly younger people.
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