Biography

Was born to a black-American father who is a bassist from New York and a Korean mother born in Japan who is a singer.

Fleunt in English, Japanese and is currently studying French.

Graduated from Sophia University (2008).

Is of Korean & African-American descent.

Collaborated with Far East Movement with their single "Where the Wild Things Are" in their international album "Dirty Bass.".

[on how her exposure to international music at a young age shaped her musical style, June 2018] Music equaled the world to me, as a kid. [...] My dream has always been to be the bridge between the East and the West.

[on self-promotion in the American music industry, June 2018] I didn't have those skills-the hustle mentality-in me. So whenever I would have the chance to meet, I don't know, Gaga's manager or somebody important in the industry, I wouldn't be able to pitch myself.

[on her struggles with racism and her cultural identity] I remember going to a summer camp and that sucked. I couldn't make friends and was kind of bullied. It was just things like 'you're black' and 'your hair's strange,' so I wasn't depressed by it or anything, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me. Of course, it can be advantageous to be 'unique' in the music industry, but I never saw it that way. It felt more like people couldn't relate to me. Japan's a largely homogeneous country and I was nothing like the performers they were used to. There were negative comments online; I was called the N-word, and derogatory things were said about my Korean heritage. Being a sensitive soul, it did get to me. As you get older you realize you've got to go your own way, and if people still say [racist] things that's their problem. I feel there's more acceptance now and a growing sense that it's cool to be multi-cultural and multilingual in Japan. Having so many positive role models in various industries has certainly helped. You've now got [mixed-race] actors thriving Hollywood, and sports stars such as [tennis player] Naomi Osaka and [sprinter] Sani Brown doing well. There are also many biracial musicians. It's inspiring for younger generations.

[on the layers of challenges faced by her mother, June 2018] Growing up as a Korean in Japan, marrying a black man, and raising me on her own...and taking care of me as a manager and as a CEO of our management company back in the day...she had to be a mom, a dad, a manager, a boss-all of that.

I had something that felt like a quarter-life crisis around the age of 25, and then another one three years later. I think most people go through it, especially women. Though I've never considered changing careers, I was questioning where my life was going when everyone else seemed to be on the right path. It's tough, but you find your way and these difficulties can be a catalyst for good music. That said, my songs are usually positive and uplifting.