Rina Sawayama is a singer, songwriter, and model who recently gained a significant amount of attention with her debut album, "SAWAYAMA." The London-based artist has been praised for her unique blend of pop, R&B, and rock, as well as her outspokenness on issues related to race and identity.
During her set at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2019, Sawayama revealed that one of the tracks on her album, "STFU!," was inspired by the microaggressions she experienced at her label. Microaggressions refer to everyday insults, slights, and invalidations that people of marginalized groups experience in their daily lives.
In an interview with The Guardian, Sawayama explained that she wrote "STFU!" after her label told her to "tone down" some of her lyrics. "It just really f**king irritated me," she said. "It's like, 'What part of the lyrics do you want me to tone down? The fact that I'm talking about being Asian? The fact that I'm talking about homophobia? The fact that I'm talking about misogyny?'"
The song, which features powerful lyrics like "I don't belong to your scene / Your scene belongs to me," has been praised for its unapologetic and confrontational approach to issues of racism, homophobia, and sexism.
Sawayama's willingness to speak out about her experiences with microaggressions is not new. In a 2018 interview with Nylon, she discussed how her upbringing as a Japanese-British woman in the UK had influenced her music. "I don't want to make the same mistakes as my parents and be silent," she said. "I want to be heard."
Sawayama's boldness and honesty have earned her a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim. Her music has been described as "genreless" and "boundary-breaking," and her lyrics address important issues that are often ignored in mainstream pop music.
In a time when discussions about race and identity are more important than ever, artists like Rina Sawayama are leading the charge, using their art to challenge societal norms and break down barriers. With her powerful voice and unrelenting spirit, Sawayama is sure to continue making waves in the music world and beyond.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to Contact Us
Back to Online Trends