MEET THE JAPANESE POP STAR COLLABORATING WITH TY DOLLA $IGN
Japanese pop star Sena Kana is shaking up the music industry with her angelic voice, uplifting lyrics, lineup of star-studded collaborations, and genre-defying hits. Her latest single, “Show Me,” with Ty Dolla $ign and mega-producer Poo Bear, is no exception. The song is the perfect blend of pop, R&B, hip-hop and electric with lyrics promoting sincerity, intentions, and commitments to your loved ones.
“‘Show Me’ is all about that magic that happens in collaboration. It was originally brought to me through my brother Poo Bear and with his incredible production merging with Sena’s one and only voice, I knew it was a hit the moment I heard it,” says singer and songwriter Ty Dolla $ign.
As the first Japanese female solo pop artist to hit gold status in the United States, Sena Kana’s signature sound first found popularity with her 2019 breakthrough single “Up” with rapper and singer Wiz Khalifa and pop band Sheppard. Her message continues to resonate with listeners, with over 50 million YouTube views and 100 million collective streams across her discography.
Sena Kana sat down with us in New York on September 17 to share more about her single “Show Me,” her billboards in Times Square, and what fans can expect from her for the rest of 2021.
What is one message you hope your fans will understand after listening to your newest single,
“Show Me”?
This song is meaningful to me, as it symbolizes who I am today. It’s about exposing yourself and trying your best to convey your feelings to others, even if you are in a difficult situation where the future is uncertain. I sing this song with the hope that if you do that, you will surely see the light. I want to see a world where everyone has confidence in themselves and where that confidence is respected.
How was working with mega-producer Poo Bear and artist Ty Dolla $ign? What was the creative process like?
Ty Dolla $ign was introduced to me by my close friend, Poo Bear, and creating “Show Me” with him was a smooth process. Last year, the single was born when Poo Bear and I were working on my debut EP, “Serenity.” I remember how excited we both were about the power of this song right after we finished recording it. Poo Bear played the recording to one of his best friends, Ty Dolla $ign, who liked the song so much that he recorded a demo on the spot. Poo Bear and I felt that he was the perfect feature for this record, so we happily said yes. He took this song to the next level!
How does it feel to be the first solo female Japanese pop artist to hit gold status in the United States?
“Up” was a very special song for me, as I was able to work with two amazing artists, Wiz Khalifa and Sheppard. Seeing the impact of the song’s release in the US made me extremely happy. It was amazing to see how much of a hit it was and how people connected to the music video. I would like to continue to aim higher and sing in the hope that my songs will cheer up as many people as possible. I hope that the success of “Up” will give courage to other Japanese artists who dream of going global. If we keep working, I have faith the light will surely shine!
Whom would you like to collaborate with next?
My music is not bound to any specific type of genre or artist. When choosing someone to collaborate with, I look for artists and producers who can reach audiences globally. My goal in finding the right feature is to make sure they can take my music to the next level and present my message accurately. Most of my features come through personal recommendations like with Poo Bear and Ty Dolla $ign or through a friend.
If I had to suggest anyone, I would love to collaborate with The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, or Troye Sivan.
On Sunday, September 19th, a billboard will be up in Times Square promoting your newest single. How does that feel?
I just arrived in the States and am still a bit jet-lagged. I haven’t been able to explore much but I was able to see the actual screen where it will be in Times Square. It was unreal and hard to actually imagine myself being there. I grew up seeing pictures of TImes Square and it’s always been a dream of mine to see myself in the big city lights. It truly is a dream come true!
I am very excited and very thankful for the opportunity. I want to thank my fans and the people who have supported me along the way.
Are there any places you are excited to see while you’re here?
It isn’t my first time in New York, so I have a lot of favorites. I am excited to go to the Whitney Museum, the galleries in Chelsea, the Frick Collection, and the Met. I know it is sort of cliche to go to the Met in New York but it is a place I revisit every time. I would like to be exposed to a variety of art, experiences and find some new inspiration. I am very fond of impressionist art and the different types of fashion that only New York has to offer.
What can fans expect next from Sena Kana?
I can’t say for sure what will happen to the world in the future, but I believe that a new standard will be set after this worldwide pandemic. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to sharing big things with my fans before the year ends, and I’ll be using social media to connect with them as much as possible!