Today, Tokyo’s premier creative collective MILLENNIUM PARADE shares their brand new single “KIZAO” featuring global Latin superstar Rauw Alejandro and 2-time GRAMMY-winning producer and artist Tainy. Stream the song HERE.
A meeting of the minds that fuses together cultures and smashes barriers, “KIZAO” is notably one of the first major collaboration between Japanese and Latin artists on a large scale. The song fuses together the DNA of several genres and touchdowns of the music of MILLENNIUM PARADE, Rauw Alejandro and Tainy and turns into something brand new, ultra-modernly global, and truly forward-looking.
MILLENNIUM PARADE leader Daiki Tsuneta says, “meeting Rauw Alejandro and Tainy during a recent stay in Miami became the driving force behind us coming together to create ‘KIZAO.” The song has hints of their reggaeton roots mixed in with the vibe of Japanese city pop, making it a perfect blend of our cultures, and something we are all super proud of.”
“It was always a goal of mine to be able to do music in Japan, so to finally do it with MILLENNIUM PARADE and Daiki feels amazing,” adds Tainy. “Happy to be a part of this amazing track and to have my brother Rauw Alejandro on it, too, makes it even better. Hope everyone enjoys it.”
“I’m excited about the collaboration with MILLENNIUM PARADE, Daiki, and my brother Tainy on this new project,” Rauw Alejandro concludes. “It’s been a fusion of our different worlds—bringing together the energy of Japan’s innovative sound and the rhythms of Puerto Rico. The creative chemistry has been unreal, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear what we’ve crafted.”
The song’s title “KIZAO” takes inspiration from Japanese slang and encapsulates the spirit of a true romantic—somebody who feels without prejudice, is loyal, and uplifts those around them. The music video, directed by MILLENNIUM PARADE Art Director Cota Mori and Creative Director Shu Sasaki, showcases this vibe by pairing Rauw Alejandro and Tainy together as a dynamic duo out to save a woman in danger from an unexpected explosion during a car chase with the one-eyed AISA character—one of the many characters that feature throughout MILLENNIUM PARADE’s art. It mixes the nostalgia of 80’s city pop Japan with MILLENNIUM PARADE’s take on the future of Japanese pop music, creating something that is truly neo-city pop on the world’s stage.
MILLENNIUM PARADE is a vibrant collective from a variety of creative fields including music, film direction, visual effects, design and illustration. They are led by Tokyo-based producer/songwriter Daiki Tsuneta, who also fronts one of Japan’s biggest bands King Gnu. The group’s vision strives to present Tokyo’s new values to the rest of the world. Emerging in 2019 with single “Veil,” their innovative launch party utilized 3D technology and live shows which rapidly sold out. In 2020, their single “Fly With Me” was the main theme song for Japanese animation “Ghost In The Shell” which was remixed by acclaimed DJ & producer Steve Aoki. Daiki’s creative prowess has helped MILLENNIUM PARADE work with some of the biggest names in J-pop, including heavyweights such as Sheena Ringo and Chara. Furthermore, the group have been presented with unique opportunities such as composing the theme song for director Mamoru Hosada’s acclaimed 2021 film Belle, which emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of the year. In 2024, they kicked off a new era in a first of its kind three-way partnership between Sony Music Japan, Epic Records US, and RCA Records UK, and released the singles “GOLDENWEEK” and “M4D LUV.” With “KAIZO,” the collective is on their way to becoming a true creative force, pushing the culture forward on a global scale.
Already established as one of the premier collectives in Japan, this new phase of MILLENNIUM PARADE aims for something bigger. Daiki Tsuneta says. “We’re ready to bring the sound of Tokyo to international listeners… From the beginning of MILLENNIUM PARADE we’ve been thinking about the perception of international listeners and what they think about Japan.”