ONE OR EIGHT is on the rise worldwide, and amNewYork got an exclusive look at their journey to the top as New York City served as the first stop for their fan meeting, SHUKAI, on April 20 in Racket NYC.
From the streets of Chelsea to the top of the Empire State Building, ONE OR EIGHT members Souma, Mizuki, Tsubasa, Reia, Ryota, Takeru, Yuga, and Neo dominated the concrete jungle for their first visit to North America meeting international fans. Their journey began with an intimate fan experience at Racket NYC, where attendees did more than simply watch the group perform; they also interacted with the idols through various games. The jam-packed venue showcased that ONE OR EIGHT are monster rookies on the path to making a big name for themselves around the globe.
“[It’s been] one day after the show, we still feel very buzzed about it,” Takeru told amNewYork. “From a very young age, I’ve always wanted to perform in the entertainment capital of the world [New York.] So, making that happen was amazing, especially as a group. Also, the fact that the fans were the ones who wanted us to come to New York, and we were able to achieve that in a very short time, means a lot to us.”
The moniker ONE OR EIGHT comes from the Japanese idiom, “Ichi Ka Bachi Ka,” which translates to “All or Nothing.” This aptly describes the group’s drive to put everything on the table for the sake of their artistry–a bet they do not take lightly.
“The meaning behind [our name] is for a group from Japan to take on a big global challenge in terms of music,” Souma said.
ONE OR EIGHT debuted on April 25, 2024, after participating in a Japanese audition show entitled WARPS DIG. After they launched, these rookie pop stars were making big waves with the release of “KAWASAKI” featuring rapper Big Sean, which was then followed by their single, “Don’t Tell Nobody.” Music is a form of creating something new and fresh, and ONE OR EIGHT showcased this with the release of their single “DTSM,” which samples Rihanna’s popular hit “Don’t Stop the Music.” In just one year, these J-Pop idols have catapulted through the music industry like shooting stars, and they are not stopping. With their motto, “BET ON YOURSELF,” ONE OR EIGHT has asked fans to take a chance on them.
“Just hearing the fans enjoying our music and being inspired by our global challenges means a lot to us,” Mizuki said, adding that he hopes that their success inspires others to take a chance to pursue their dreams. “The fans also feel they can bet on themselves to take on new challenges.”
The concept of betting everything on themselves underscores the gamble of working in the entertainment business. While some may lead a life of hedging their bets, ONE OR EIGHT says they are cashing in on their hard work and talent, placing all bets on the table with the determination to become known as global superstars.
While each member’s motivation to become an artist varied, they shared with amNewYork that the common thread between them was an undeterred passion for music and the significance of how it could transcend language.
For Reia, becoming a musician began with listening to K-pop hit band BTS and, in turn, watching their global impact. Similarly, Neo wanted to leave an imprint on the world by composing his own music, which was influenced by East Coast Hip-hop and rap, and he saw the opportunity to pursue this dream through ONE OR EIGHT.
“During my elementary school period, I went through some tough times, but was very much saved by the music I was listening to, so that inspired me to want to become an artist, so that I could be that kind of artist for other people,” Tsubasa said.
Michael Jackson was another icon the group revered, stating that he pioneered a form of dance and music unlike any other. Ryota and Souma drew inspiration from Jackson’s dance style and wanted to emulate that talent. While Yuga, who also had a homelife centered on music, said that his parents’ eclectic taste and consumption of live concert videos broadened his perspective on art.
Mzuki recalls watching a Japanese vocal group perform live when he was younger. Seeing the neon lights, the roar of the crowd, and the passion in the performers’ eyes, he knew that this was the career for him. Similarly, Takeru was drawn to the life of an artist after watching dance performances, but he also found that writing music enhanced that experience.
“I was also initially a dancer, but then, along the way, I found that through lyrics, being able to have a positive effect on listeners was also very interesting. I also had an insecurity because of my height. But through this journey, I want to prove to people that as long as you believe in your dreams, you can make it anywhere,” Takeru shared.
Working in New York City was the first step in their journey, where they culminated their visit by climbing to the 103rd floor of the Empire State Building. Squeezing through the spire’s narrow catwalk, ONE OR EIGHT looked out into the city skyline, feeling that they had both metaphorically and literally made it to the top. In the Big Apple, the group told amNewYork that they rode the subway and Staten Island Ferry, crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, and danced in Times Square.
“I love movies, so to know that I was able to be in the same spot as these famous movies got me hyped, especially when we reached the very top outside section of [the Empire State Building] because I love King Kong. It made me just want to yell joyfully because this was something I always wanted to do,” Ryota said, smiling brightly.
As ONE OR EIGHT continues on their voyage visiting parts of North America, they told amNewYork that they are eternally grateful to their fans and will continue to work on releasing more music.
“I’m extremely happy to have come to New York for the first time, and I definitely want to come back as a group. Until then, ONE OR EIGHT will work on more music. But please stay tuned for all the releases that we have, and we’ll definitely come back soon,” Tsubasa said.
