Karakui

It’s almost the end of the year 🎊 so here’s our favorite releases from 2023 🔥. We’re keeping to songs that are readily available on streaming services outside of Okinawa and Japan so sadly this leaves out all(?) of the shimauta music 😥

Favorite Rock Song: “Yoake” by seven oops (released on 3/26/2023) — This is also our favorite overall song 🔂 from 2023. The song is amazing. The music video is just as amazing. Word has it that they’re working on a new album 😯

Favorite Rap Song: “Rasen in Okinawa” by Awich, Tsubaki, OZworld, and Chico Carlito (released on 5/11/2023) — Awich is the Queen of all music from Okinawa 👑

Favorite Pop Song: “Usukaji” by Canae (released on 11/24/2023) — OK, this can technically be Shimauta Pops but we already have a song in that category further down below 😅

Favorite Dance Song: “Sheep” by Miura Daichi (released on 11/27/2023) — With a new album set to be released in January 2024, he’s the most consistent artist on this list 💪

Favorite Punk Rock Song: “pray” by MONGOL800 (released on 7/12/2023) — The veterans of the Okinawa music scene still got it! 🤩

Favorite Shimauta Pops Song: “Minazuki no Hana” by Ishimine Airi (released on 6/23/2023) — While she mostly does covers, this original song for Okinawa’s Memorial Day (Irei no Hi) blew us away 🥹

Favorite Cover Song: “Ryukyu Aika Remix” by Awich (released 3/14/2023) — Original is by MONGOL800 and is one of our all-time favorite songs 🏆

Favorite Collaboration Song: OKIDOKI by CHOUJI, Grace Aimi & Deigo Musume (released on 10/2/2023) — Grace Aimi is an artist to keep your eyes on 👀

Favorite Fun Song: “Timing” cover by Nanaironote (released on 6/6/2023) — Original is by Black Biscuits it’s awesome that they mimicked the original music video’s quality and aesthetics 👏

Favorite New Artist Song: “Hoshizukiyo” by YU-KA (released on 2/8/2023) — OK, by now she’s not necessarily a new artist but she’s only now releasing her first album next month (January 2024) 🆕

Favorite Indie Artist (Group) Song: “Cinnamon Roll” by HoRookies (released on 8/25/2023) — This band is the next BEGIN. It’s only a matter of time till they have their big break 🥺

Favorite Indie Artist (Solo) Song: “Borderless” by Rude-α (released on 11/30/2023) — We may be related to him 🥰

Favorite Album Release: 26ml by Anly (released on 10/17/2023) — We’re featuring the song “Dear” which is one of our favorites from the album 💿

Check back as the year isn’t over yet so we may still add on to this list ❤️