ホーム » Interviews » 【HIPHOPCs Exclusive Interview】KIRA : From Osaka Clubs to Macau, ‘Omotenashi’ with Yosuke Kubozuka’s Legacy
From the club culture of Osaka’s Amemura district to the casino stages of Macau, effortlessly crossing the boundaries of hip-hop, R&B, and reggae—KIRA has continuously redefined what it means to “live through music.”
Behind her glamorous career lies physical trials such as vocal cord nodules and endometriosis, along with the courage to bare her authentic self. Yet she never let go of music, because music had always saved her.
From her collaboration “TERRY JANE” with 卍LINE (Yosuke Kubozuka), to the reggae classic “FANTASY,” and now her new EP ‘Omotenashi’ with MICHVEL JVMES, released on December 12th—we sat down with KIRA to discuss her origins, her determination as a professional, the connections with mentors and collaborators, and her ever-evolving present.
KiRA/CHEHON – I’m So Good
Origins and Journey into Music
Cook – Thank you for joining us! Could you tell us about what inspired you to pursue music and your origins as an artist?
KIRA – Ever since I can remember, singing loudly was part of my daily routine. In middle school, my brother, who was DJing in Amemura at the time, got me interested in Black music. I started going to events, and eventually began singing at clubs and live houses, making tracks with beatmakers my age.
My first regular gig was at a hip-hop event hosted by a senior mentor at ItoI on Thursdays. The friends I met there became my back DJs, performed with me, and organized events where I could sing. I even hosted my own events at SAM2, learning from my seniors.
Cook – Since middle school! Before your debut, you made history as the first Japanese singer to perform at Macau’s casinos. How did that experience shape your later music career?
KIRA – Before Macau, I was just going to clubs like it was school, performing casually. I never thought of making singing my profession. But there, I experienced earning a living through singing for the first time. I remember thinking, “When I go back to Japan, I want to make a living from my own songs, not covers.”
The shows in Macau were 2 hours a day, 6 days a week. There were days when my voice completely gave out on stage, days when nobody paid attention. The pressure and homesickness were brutal, but what I gained far outweighed it.
A talent scout named Nakamura-san came all the way to Macau and introduced me to my beloved producer (KAZUHIKO MAEDA, who produced “TERRY JANE” and “I’m So Good”). That connection eventually led me to reggae. Both as an experience and as fate, it was the biggest catalyst for becoming a professional.
Cook – Amazing. That’s where your professional consciousness was forged.
On Songwriting
Cook – Many fans have requested we ask about “TERRY JANE,” your collaboration with 卍LINE (Yosuke Kubozuka). How did this project come about? Please share any memorable episodes from the production and the emotions behind the song.
KIRA – Even after my debut, I stayed based in Osaka. One day, WAKA-kun from 420RECORDZ / WAKAJAPAN approached me about creating a heartfelt song for TERRY THE AKI-06’s tenth memorial.
So we brought together Yosuke-kun (卍LINE), Terry-san’s best friend; Hammer Nao-kun, Terry-san’s back DJ; and KAZUHIKO-san, one of Terry-san’s most trusted producers.
During production, strange things happened that made us feel like Terry-san was there with us. My throat was in terrible condition and shouldn’t have worked, but somehow my voice came out perfectly—like magic. (laughs)
Everyone involved was so close. The production and recording sessions were full of laughter and joy. After release, we did a signing event at Michikusa Apartment and premiered the song at the 0831 party at joule.
We held a remix contest on social media, received dozens of entries, and everyone involved selected the winner together. The winning remix was released and included on my album.
The people around me—WAKA-kun, Narama-kun, KAZUHIKO-san, Yosuke-kun—are all incredible people that Terry-san loved. Sometimes I feel like Terry-san is watching over us.
Cook – What an incredible story. I’ve been listening to “Shōnenba” and “Iyashi” for so long. It’s “healing that lives on in your heart forever.” I was personally saved many times by “Ari no Mama” (As I Am) during tough times. What mindset were you in when creating this song? What kind of response did you receive from fans?
KIRA – That makes me so happy.
At the end of 2019, I did a solo show at Osaka’s Quattro. My major label contract had ended, and songs I released independently barely sold. My popularity dropped, and I was hit with reality for the first time. Until the day of the show, I kept having nightmares where I’d walk on stage and only 3 people would be there. (laughs)
Then a band member got furious at me for being slow to respond. (laughs) That pushed me to an ultimate breaking point. (laughs) Instead of the polished, sparkling KIRA-chan I’d been showing fans, I wanted them to know the real me. That’s when I wrote this song—the first time I truly opened up to my fans.
Cook – That song truly gave me courage. And “FANTASY,” a defining track in the reggae scene—please tell us about the production background and how you feel looking back on it now.
KIRA – After returning from Macau, I started working with Yamamoto-san from Yamato Recordings. On a beat by SNOW BEATZ-kun, who was living in NY at the time, Yamamoto-san suggested, “KIRA-chan, why don’t you try singing with HISATOMI?”
I didn’t have any reggae songs back then, and Yamamoto-san probably never intended for me to do reggae. But even after the song was finished, it took over a year to release because he was so particular about the lyrics and rollout. I had started living alone, working part-time, broke, single, and in a really dark place. (laughs)
That’s when HISATOMI-senpai took me to JUNIOR-kun’s (RED SPIDER) studio. Recording my first dub there (“RED SPIDER no Mahō” from ‘Gyakugire Ouch’) became the catalyst for finally releasing the original.
Yamamoto-san passed away in 2019. Without him, there would be no KIRA today. There were hard times, but he taught me the most important things—how to write lyrics, how to approach recording and songs. He was my super mentor, full of memories. “F.A.N.T.A.S.Y” is a treasure he left me for life.
Cook – I see… This song brings back my youth. It’s a treasure to me too.
Recent Activities and Future Aspirations
Cook – In recent years, you’ve overcome vocal cord nodules and endometriosis, inspiring many fans through your continued activities. What drives you to keep making music?
KIRA – I’m still dealing with health issues, and I worry about them often.
Ever since I can remember, I grew up amid my parents’ constant fighting. The complex about my family made me unable to talk about myself to anyone, secretly hurting as I grew up.
During those times, music was my only support. I’d dig into hip-hop and R&B that nobody else knew, and that became my refuge.
Giving back through the music that saved me. No longer denying myself or my life—overcoming it. That’s what I always keep in my heart.
The more unfortunate you are, the more you’re tested on how important it is to believe. Thanks to my mother, my brother, my friends and companions—the people who truly give me love—I’ve been able to keep chasing this dream for so long.
Cook – “Music as a refuge”—those words feel so real and heavy. I hope they reach every fan.
New EP ‘Omotenashi’ by KIRA & MICHVEL JVMES, Released December 12th!
Cook – Finally, what I’ve been most eager to ask about—KIRA & MICHVEL JVMES released the new EP ‘Omotenashi’ on December 12th! With 5 tracks including impressive collaborations, I felt a different side of KIRA’s artistry. Please tell us about the theme behind the work and any new challenges in its creation.
KIRA – MICHVEL-kun and I met through SNOW BEATZ-kun around my debut. He gave me a beat back then, but it was too hip-hop for me at the time, so I couldn’t release it. But I kept pulling it out and listening to it over the years—I always had lingering feelings about it. Years later, we reunited in Tokyo and started making music within 2 seconds. (laughs)
Cook – That’s fast! (laughs)
KIRA – This EP is rooted in my absolute favorite music at my core. It feels like I resolved years of dilemma with this one release. MICHVEL-kun is a true craftsman, and I think he has as much passion as I do. This is a work that only he could produce.
The EP theme “Omotenashi” comes from the track “Omotenashi feat. Mummy-D.”
A few days before this song was born, I did my 10th anniversary live at Lexus Nishinomiya. All the Lexus cars in the showroom had “KIRA” on their license plates. (laughs) That incredible surprise moved me deeply, but beyond that, the staff’s perfect hospitality completely won me over.
As someone from Kansai, as a Japanese person, I always believe that spirit of service is the most important thing. Thank you so much.
Cook – Thank you so much for this interview!
KIRA / Omotenashi
MICHVEL JVMES
Reflections on the Interview
What struck me most about the Lexus story was how deeply KIRA is loved as a person.
KIRA’s words are consistently rooted in “the scene” and “people.” What left the strongest impression was how she spoke more about her doubts, pain, and moments of salvation than about success stories—the night in Macau when she first learned what it meant to “earn a living through singing.”
The behind-the-scenes story of “TERRY JANE,” created in honor of Aki-06-san, where she somehow sang perfectly despite her voice being unable to work. The circumstances when she created “Ari no Mama,” baring everything.
And ‘Omotenashi,’ filled with respect for mentors, companions, places, and culture. These aren’t just episodes—they’re a record of what KIRA believes in and what she holds dear as an artist.
For her, music is an escape, a home, and a means of giving back. That’s why both strength and vulnerability coexist in her voice.
Even after more than 10 years in her career, KIRA continues to be tested on the “power to believe” while moving forward. That attitude is exactly why she continues to touch so many hearts. I’m certain her next music will become part of someone’s life memories—just as it has for me.
KIRA: YouTube
KIRA: TuneCore
KIRA: Instagram
KIRA: Spotify
■ Release Information
Title: Omotenashi
Release Date: December 12, 2025
■ Tracklist
1. GLG
Miyabizm
Omotenashi feat. Mummy-D
boyfriend
Yakusoku (Promise)
■ Streaming Link
https://linkco.re/uq6UbNqz
■ “Omotenashi feat. Mummy-D” Music Video
https://youtu.be/oD939qKehWI?si=gGmlkMQvWUPsr_qT
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