Exclusive Interview
Happy New Year, #SoundLovers🎶! We are excited to begin 2025 by introducing a uniquely curated Japanese rock group! Making their Canadian debut at Anime North in Toronto that May of 2024, MADKID will proudly make their return to the U.S. with their first North American tour, commencing on January 24, 2025! Ahead of their tour, K Fuse was presented with the honor to talk with the members of this incredibly talented group. Check out our exclusive interview with MADKID as we discuss their upcoming tour and look back on the past 10 years.
In celebration of their tenth anniversary, MADKID, a Japanese vocal and dance unit of five members, skillfully blends new wave trap, glitch hop, and rock to produce a distinctive musical style. With two bilingual rappers -- LIN and Yuki -- and three vocalists -- YOU-TA, SHIN, and Kazuki -- MADKID presents a unique configuration compared to conventional J-Pop groups. Their debut was the digital single, "i don't CARE 'MADKID'." At that time, SHIN was not yet a member, and Rikito was part of the group. Following four more singles and an eleven-track self-titled album, SHIN joined MADKID in 2017 with the single album, 'PARTY UP/Faded away.' On January 31, 2018, MADKID made their major debut with Nippon Columbia, who continues to handle record production, while the group releases music through their own company, Future Notes.
MADKID's successful foray into the anime world began in 2019 with their single, "RISE," the opening theme for the first season of 'The Rising of the Shield Hero.' "FAITH" later appeared in the second half of that season. Their 2020 single, "Get up," served as an event song for the mobile game 'Dragalia Lost: Scars of the Syndicate.' "Reboot," their final 2020 release, marked a period of transition, notably featuring LIN's rap in the chorus, followed by a decrease in releases during 2021. MADKID's "Bring Back" served as the opening theme for the second season of 'The Rising of the Shield Hero' in 2022, with "Fight It Out" used in promotional materials, and "Change the World" featured in 'Beast Tamer Expelled from the Hero Party Meets the Strongest Cat Girl.' In January 2023, "PARANOID" was released for the Netflix series 'Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre,' and "SIN" became the opening theme for Season 3 of 'The Rising of the Shield Hero' in October. December 2023 saw the release of "FLY", the opening theme for 'Sasaki and Peeps,' which premiered in January 2024. "Futatsu no Kotoba" followed in April 2024, as the opening theme for 'TADAIMA, OKAERI.' Finally, "Chaser" was released in October 2024 as the opening theme for 'Haigakura.'
Happy New Year, MADKID! Thank you for speaking with us at K Fuse and giving us the chance to share your story with our readers. Today's interview aims to introduce you to new readers, reconnect you with longtime fans (AXCEL), and discuss your upcoming North American tour. Would you please introduce yourselves—as a group and individually—to our readers who may not be familiar with you?
YOU-TA (Leader): We are a Japanese boy band who consists of two rappers and three vocals. We are in charge of various anime songs, including the anime, 'The Rising of the Shield Hero.'
What were your initial impressions of the other members?
LIN: Our member, KAZUKI, said, "I can't dance quite well" even though he had never danced before. I was nervous and wondered how his dance would be, but I was surprised that he couldn't actually dance at all!
What factors influenced your decision to pursue a career in music?
SHIN: When I saw the DVD of the artist that was popular when I was student, I wanted to become a musician.
YUKI: It was Michael Jackson who originally inspired me to become an artist. After that, I was influenced by many other artists -- including BIGBANG.
How would you characterize your musical style for those unfamiliar with your work?
SHIN: We are a group of dance vocalists. However, since 2019, we have started expressing music with a more rock sound. I think the band sound matches our music the best.
Which songs would you suggest to introduce MADKID to new listeners?
LIN: If you don't already know "RISE," that is always my first suggestion to new listeners! "RISE" is our signature song and is the opening theme of the anime series 'The Rise of the Shield Hero.' This song is what inspired us to incorporate rock into our music.
What has been the most significant obstacle you've encountered since your debut?
YOU-TA: Definitely during the pandemic. I was frustrated because we couldn't do any live performances, or activities that allowed us to meet AXCEL. However, the fact that we started our own management company during that time is what led us to where we are now.
You recently celebrated your 10th anniversary. What is MADKID's growth trajectory over the past decade?
YUKI: To be honest, 10 years have passed in no time, which is my honest impression. But, when I look back, the result of always doing what's in front of us is what I think has connected MADKID to the present.
What event would you identify as MADKID's pivotal moment?
KAZUKI: If we hadn't met the TV animation team for 'The Rising of the Shield Hero,' I don't think we would have entered the anime scene, and I don't think we would be where we are now -- fixing to hold our first North American live tour. So, meeting with 'The Rising of the Shield Hero' team is the most important moment for us!
What would you consider to be your personal turning point?
SHIN: I feel like joining MADKID in 2017 and meeting the members was a turning point for my musical journey.
If you didn't pursue a career as an artist, what alternative career path would you have pursued?
YOU-TA: It I wasn't an artist, then I would have found a job that allowed me to travel all over the world to work! But even if I didn't work as an artist, I will still be singing.
Your group's unique configuration—two rappers, three vocalists, and all members excelling in dance—is noteworthy. Was this always the envisioned structure? How were roles assigned? Did each member possess prior experience in their respective roles before the group's formation and debut?
KAZUKI: YUKI and LIN originally wanted to be rappers, so it naturally became our structure. None of the members had professional experience in their respective roles before joining MADKID.
Which song from your discography is your personal favorite, and why?
YUKI: "Gold Medal." Our member LIN composed the song and wrote the lyrics with all the members. I release the song during the time of the pandemic, so I have a lot of memories -- including the production process. It's a song that makes me feel happy while performing!
Each member plays a crucial role in the creation of MADKID's music and choreography. Could you elaborate on each member's role in the creative process?
YOU-TA: LIN and YUKI often write lyrics, but sometimes all the members write lyrics. The songwriting and arrangement are mainly done by LIN.
SHIN: For choreography, it is based on the image and theme of the song, so I don't usually think but about the difficulty level of the dance.
LIN: For production, arrangement, and lyrics, I often get inspiration by studying the tie-up anime thoroughly first.
January 31st marks your 7th anniversary of major-label debut under Nippon Columbia! Congratulations! You will soon embark on a joint tour with NANO across North America. How are you preparing for this tour?
KAZUKI: Thank you! I will continue to work hard to stay active for a long time!
YUKI: It's our first North American tour. We're preparing a lot so that there is something for everyone who comes out to catch one of our shows! I hope we can perform together with NANO, so please look forward to it!
Do you have any pre-show routines that you utilize?
SHIN: There is a routing where members shout and touch their backs before the show.
Might you be able to offer any spoilers of what attendees can anticipate?
YOU-TA: Attendees can always expect a performance of the opening song for 'The Rising of the Shield Hero!'
How was the setlist for this tour chosen?
LIN: We have selected songs that have proven to be popular overseas! Please come out and join us, as you won't want to miss the lineup that we have chosen!
Are there any stops that you are particularly looking forward to?
YUKI: I am looking forward to all the cities, but I have always wanted to go to Los Angeles, so I am looking forward to it (**this interview was conducted prior to the LA fires. Our hearts and prayers remain with those affected by these fires and the aftereffects.)
Are there any places you would like to visit while stateside?
KAZUKI: I would love to go to Times Square while we are in New York!
Are you currently working on any new projects? If so, could you provide us with some spoilers?
SHIN: Yes. We will also be touring Japan in 2024, and we are planning many more things beyond that. While I cannot say much more than that right now, I will be able to share soon, so please look forward to it!
With the New Year here, we want to inquire about your goals for this year?
Yuki: First of all, the important goal of this year is to make the North American tour a success!
We would like to once again thank you for taking the time to talk with us here at K Fuse. Before we wrap up our interview, is there a message that you would like to leave for AXCEL, and our readers?
YOU-TA: K Fuse readers, thank you for reading so far. We will continue to do our best to perform live in various parts of the world, so please support us.
Don’t miss your chance to see MADKID during their first North American Tour with NANO!
January 24 - Vancouver, The Pearl
January 25 - Seattle, Neumos
January 27 - San Francisco, Great American Music Hall
January 28 - San Diego, Observatory Park
January 29 - LA, 1720
February 1 - Mexico City, Circo Volador
February 2 - Monterrey, Showcenter Complex
February 4 - Dallas, Studio at the Factory
February 5 - Chicago, Park West
February 6 - New York, The Brooklyn Monarch
February 8 - Toronto, The Concert Hall
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