"Free Yourself," an image song for NHK's "New Japonism," by BIGYUKI and the New School Leaders, will be released on Friday, April 11th, 2025.

BIGYUKI’s unique sound x the overwhelming energy of the new school leaders

“Free Yourself” was born as an image song for the new program “New Japonism,” which has been underway after 100 years of broadcast on NHK, and is an anthem of the era that leaps beyond genres and stereotypes and yells the importance of living as yourself. This song features the overwhelming energy and message of the new school leaders, with artists from different backgrounds in New York and Tokyo, and the sound of BIGYUKI intersecting jazz, hip-hop and electro.

The encounter between BIGYUKI and the new school leaders is at a certain launch. After hearing SUZUKA’s singing voice at karaoke, BIGYUKI fell in love with the talent and gave him a passionate offer, “Let’s write a song together.” The collaboration that began from there was a team of New York’s BIGYUKI team and the new school leaders who combined lyrics, melody and performance to sublimate them into a “genreless” sound.

The synth bass, which is the true essence of BIGYUKI, swells, and the percussive drums sprint. In a sophisticated and experimental groove that combines jazz, funk and electro, the vocal work that “extends freely” unique to the new school leaders is bursting with. The energetic and catchy melody is wrapped in the message “Free Yourself” and resonates from Tokyo to New York and into the world.

“Free Yourself”

This powerful message song calls for people to break the chain of ties and move forward into the future in their own way, despite their hesitation in “Black and White,” without giving in to the usual everyday situations and the pressure of society to conform to society.

BIGYUKI Message

“The idea came up at the very first strategy meeting after the start of the project. The chant-like melody that can be chorused at a soccer stadium, the slurping rhythm, and the presence of enthusiastic fans in Latin America of the New School Leaders. The song, inspired by Brazil’s Bailefanki, has become a grand modern cheer song that combines the earth-crazy synth bass and the harmony cultivated in New York, the heart-warming message and powerful performance of the new school Leaders. It would be great if the song were to encourage those looking to take a new step forward.”

Message from the new school leaders

“Free Yourself! I feel connected to our message “I spread out with my individuality and freedom.” Free yourself and grab freedom! Create energy! Enjoy BIGYUKI’s sound, our choreography, and performance!”

(Work information)

Artist: BIGYUKI feat. New School Leaders

Title: Free Yourself

Release date: Friday, April 11th, 2025

Radio On Air Release Date: Friday, April 11th, 2025

Information Release Date: Wednesday, March 19th, 2025, 18:00

Publisher/Label: REACHING RECORDS

Streaming link:

https://lnk.to/BIGYUKI_ATARASHII_GAKKO_FY

(Program information)

NHK “New Japonism Image Song SP”

[Broadcast]Tuesday, March 18th, NHK General TV 11:15pm-11:25pm

[Rebroadcast]Saturday, March 22nd, NHK General TV 11:30-11:40pm *Some areas may be separate programs.

Program URL:https://www.nhk.jp/g/music/blog/c6obg9et39v/

BIGYUKI

BIGYUKI’s musical journey began the moment she first touched the piano keys at the age of six. While attending Berklee College of Music, he already emerged as a session player in Boston, and after traveling to New York he took part in tours and recordings with Lauryn Hill, Kamashi Washington, Robert Glasper and J. Cole. The final album of A Tribe Cold Quest also participated in other performances and his musicality has been highly praised. While simultaneously with his success as a sideman, he pursued his own style and formed a band in New York. He has unleashed the music at festivals around the world, including Fuji Rock’s Red Marquee. His latest album, “Neon Chapter,” is a bold piece that symbolizes his evolution, and expanded the realm of expression through his tour of eight performances across Japan. As a composer, he continues to make a mark on the music scene in Japan and around the world, working on the image song for NHK’s 100th anniversary program “New Japonism.”

https://bio.to/BIGYUKI

(SNS)

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bigyuki/?hl=en

X:https://x.com/bigyuki

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@bigyuki5434

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@bigyukimusic

(Performance information)

Saturday, April 19th TSUKIJI JAM 2025

BIGYUKI Live at OPRCT, Sunday, April 20th

New School Leaders

He is the self-proclaimed “Japan Youth National Team.” The powerful dance and live performances featuring all the members choreography attracted attention, and made its world debut in 2021 by 88rising, a member of Asian culture. His signature song, “Adult Blue,” became a hot topic on TikTok, with a total of over 3.3 billion views and a total of over 15 million followers on social media. In 2023, he participated in the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, and in 2024 he made a solo appearance at Coachella in the US for two weeks as a headliner for the Gobi stage. It has also made progress both domestically and internationally, successfully carrying out a world tour that attracted a total of 110,000 people in 26 cities around the world and seven cities in Japan.

(SNS)

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@japanleaders

Twitter:https://twitter.com/japanleaders

Instagram:https://instagram.com/japan_leaders/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/japanleaders/

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ATARASHIIGAKKO

(Performance information)

Sunday, April 13th Day Day. SUPER LIVE 2024.

Tuesday, April 8th FC Tour @Zepp Nagoya

Wednesday, April 9th FC Tour @Zepp Osaka Bayside

Monday, April 14th FC Tour @Zepp Haneda (TOKYO) ⇒ Tokyo performance acceptance closed

Saturday, April 19th CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025@Zepp Taipei