Hakushi Hasegawa, the non-binary Japanese singer-songwriter and composer born in Tokyo on December 21, 1998, has carved a distinctive path in contemporary music with their experimental sound. Known for blending electronica, nu jazz, breakcore, J-pop, and progressive pop, Hasegawa’s unique artistry has garnered international attention and critical acclaim.
Hasegawa’s musical journey began with studies in Computer Music at Kunitachi College of Music. Their career officially launched with releases on SoundCloud, followed by the debut EP ‘iPhone Six Plus’ in 2016 and their debut full-length album, ‘Air Ni Ni,’ in 2019. These early works laid the groundwork for a sound that defies easy categorization, establishing Hasegawa as an artist unafraid to push boundaries.
International recognition soon followed, with key performances at Porter Robinson’s ‘Secret Sky’ in 2020 and Flying Lotus’s ‘The Hit’ in 2021. This exposure culminated in a significant milestone in July 2023, when Hakushi Hasegawa signed with Flying Lotus’s Brainfeeder record label, making them the first Japanese artist to join the prestigious imprint.
Following the soundtrack for the Japanese drama ‘I am Dead!’ in October 2023, Hasegawa released their Brainfeeder debut album, ‘Mahōgakkō’ (‘Magic School’), on July 24, 2024. This album is characterized by its experimental vocal work and an intricate blend of hyperspeed jungle, breakcore, and Tanzanian singeli, described as “more disorganized, distorted, and chaotic” than previous works. Preceding ‘Mahōgakkō,’ the singles ‘Boy’s Texture’ and ‘Departed’ were released in May 2024, with ‘Departed’ notably featured on Pitchfork’s ‘Selects.’ The year 2024 also marked a personal and artistic evolution for Hasegawa, who publicly revealed their face after previously performing masked due to appearance concerns. This coincided with their exploration of identity and gender themes in their work, influenced by philosopher Judith Butler. Further contributions in 2024 included music for noir kei ninomiya’s Paris collection and an appearance on the YouTube channel ‘THE FIRST TAKE.’
The momentum continued into 2026, with Hasegawa successfully completing their first Billboard Live tour as a trio in January, prompting an announced encore performance due to popular demand. Looking ahead, their next album, ‘Honest Feeling Album,’ is slated for release on August 28, 2026, also through Brainfeeder. This upcoming project features singles such as ‘The Owner Of Sweetness’ and ‘Suffocation Diary.’ The album’s artwork, created by manga artist George Asakura, offers a glimpse into Hasegawa’s everyday life, depicting them cooking okonomiyaki.
Hasegawa’s schedule for 2026 is packed with engagements, including a performance at the Future Frequencies Festival on July 12 and a collaboration with D.A.N. at Spotify O-EAST on August 21. Fans can also anticipate the six-city ‘Honest Feeling Tour 2026’ across Japan, running from October 25 to November 18.