When a rookie group can get an approved Rihanna sample of one of her most iconic tracks, you know they’re ones to watch out for.
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For rookie Japanese boy group ONE OR EIGHT, the sky’s the limit. While they are only less than a year old (their official debut was in August 2024), members MIZUKI, NEO, REIA, RYOTA, SOUMA, TAKERU, TSUBASA, and YUGA are coming hard as part of the new generation of Japanese groups making a name for themselves not just in their native country, but the world.
The group’s name is inspired by a Japanese idiom meaning “All or Nothing,” embodying their bold, fearless approach to both life and music. “We are truly grateful to have had the opportunity to perform in various countries since our debut, experiencing many new discoveries, challenges, and seeing landscapes we’ve never seen before,” shares REIA in an interview with NYLON Manila. “We learn something new every day. Although we are still inexperienced, we will do our best to meet the expectations of the fans who support us, and we genuinely want to continue working hard together with our fans in the future.”
Fusing hip-hop and pop, ONE OR EIGHT combines their Japanese heritage with lyrics, choreography, and a distinctive streetwear aesthetic that aims at a global audience. To that end, their latest single, DSTM, embodies that energy as it samples Rihanna’s legendary smash, Don’t Stop The Music, for the first official time. To have an approved Rihanna sample is no easy feat and the fact that it’s a reinterpretation of one of her most iconic bops, ONE OR EIGHT means business.
“[T]here was definitely some pressure in re-arranging a song like Don’t Stop The Music,” admits NEO. “It’s such an iconic track, and Rihanna’s fans have a strong connection to it. So, the challenge was making sure we stayed true to the original vibe while also bringing something fresh to the arrangement. It was important to honor the song’s essence, but also take it in a new direction that would excite both old fans and new listeners.” That direction meant combining rap, melodic hooks, and hip-hop beats while working alongside the song’s producer, Stargate, to update it for the 2020s.
This is par for the course for ONE OR EIGHT, who are currently busy traveling the world for their ONE OR EIGHT FAN MEETING: SHŪKAI. As they continue making a name for themselves, they’ve been working with creatives and collaborators around the world, such as our very own FELIP of SB19 on a remix to their song KAWASAKI with Vietnamese-American artist thủy (other remix collaborators include Big Sean and pH-1).
On how this link-up came about, TSUBASA explains that it bore from a desire to work with Southeast Asian artists following their travels to the region. “For this remix, we were fortunate to have Felip, a member of the popular Filipino P-POP group SB19, and thủy, a Vietnamese-American artist who became the first to perform at Coachella, join us. Felip’s cool and powerful low-end rap, thủy’s beautiful voice, and the groove of ONE OR EIGHT blend so well together, creating a completely different and amazing version of the song.”
In case you haven’t been paying attention, Japanese groups have been doing it as of late, and ONE OR EIGHT is entering that conversation. Get to know more about ONE OR EIGHT, their latest release, and more in our exclusive interview with the group below.
If you were to describe ONE OR EIGHT to someone who hasn’t heard of you yet, what would you say?
RYOTA: Taking a chance without fear, always moving forward, challenging the world, and eight individuals with unique personalities who are deeply rooted—when we come together on stage, we create a world that can only be brought to life by ONE OR EIGHT: a world of a unique, happy yet bad dry flower. That’s ONE OR EIGHT.
You guys are coming up on the one year anniversary of your official debut this August. How has the journey been so far?
REIA: We are truly grateful to have had the opportunity to perform in various countries since our debut, experiencing many new discoveries, challenges, and seeing landscapes we’ve never seen before. We learn something new every day. Although we are still inexperienced, we will do our best to meet the expectations of the fans who support us, and we genuinely want to continue working hard together with our fans in the future.
How did DSTM come about and what was it like getting to reimagine Don’t Stop The Music?
TSUBASA: As you know, DSTM is a remix of “Don’t Stop The Music,” and we feel incredibly honored to be able to arrange a song that is loved by so many people. At the same time, there’s also a lot of pressure that comes with it.
Rihanna’s Don’t Stop The Music is one of her most iconic songs. Was there any pressure reimagining a classic like that?
NEO: Yes, there was definitely some pressure in re-arranging a song like “Don’t Stop The Music.” It’s such an iconic track, and Rihanna’s fans have a strong connection to it. So, the challenge was making sure we stayed true to the original vibe while also bringing something fresh to the arrangement. It was important to honor the song’s essence, but also take it in a new direction that would excite both old fans and new listeners.
If there’s a song that would have you saying “please don’t stop the music”, what would that song be?
SOUMA: It’s Michael Jackson’s Love Never Felt So Good! This is the song that really got me immersed in music!
You’ve released a few remixes of your single KAWASAKI featuring different artists, and one of them is Felip from the Filipino boy group SB19. Could you share how this collaboration came about?
TSUBASA: Before our debut, we traveled around Southeast Asia and performed in various places. During that time, I developed a desire to collaborate with Southeast Asian artists. For this remix, we were fortunate to have Felip, a member of the popular Filipino P-POP group SB19, and thủy, a Vietnamese-American artist who became the first to perform at Coachella, join us. Felip’s cool and powerful low-end rap, thủy’s beautiful voice, and the groove of ONE OR EIGHT blend so well together, creating a completely different and amazing version of the song. I believe we were able to express the unwavering confidence that is the theme of the track.
With so many new artists on the scene, what do you think ONE OR EIGHT brings to the table?
TAKERU: Our strength lies in the fact that each of us has a completely different personality, but when it matters, we come together as ONE OR EIGHT. I think one of the highlights for those watching us is getting to see many different sides of each of us. And no matter what happens, I truly believe that these eight people can always overcome it with smiles and have fun doing it!
Your tagline is “BET ON YOURSELF”, so what do you think is the secret to attaining that self-confidence to pursue your dreams?
MIZUKI: By constantly putting in the effort and challenging ourselves, even when things seem impossible, I believe we can gradually gain confidence through the results we achieve!
What can fans and listeners expect from ONE OR EIGHT this 2025?
YUGA: In 2025, we plan to tour different countries, holding fan meetings and having plenty of opportunities to connect with our fans. We want to create fun and memorable moments for all the fans who always support us.
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