Captivating dramas unfold hand in hand with the steadily shifting flow of time. Fascinating scenery transforms from moment to moment. By its very nature, Tokyo is a city situated at the crossroads of countless such moments.
We can only wonder how SIRUP, an artist whose exploits reach across the boundaries of genre in pursuit of new musical sound to pioneer the era, deals with the element of time in the environs of Tokyo. Just what is the nature of the Tokyo Time that SIRUP strives to expand from Tokyo to the world at large?
Original Remix Music Giving Expression to Time
The SLGC001 worn by SIRUP is Grand Seiko’s first mechanical chronograph. Retaining the tradition of the enduring pursuit of high precision as a mechanical timepiece free of compromise, this wristwatch shines as an innovation with its 10-beat frequency, as well as a signpost pointing to the next era born of insatiable challenge.
Such Grand Seiko craftsmanship conjures images of the graceful character of SIRUP’s musical pursuits which, while stressing his roots in R&B, hip-hop and other genres, are also steeped in innovation unbound by any genre.
The musical compositions created by SIRUP as remixes in collaboration with Shin Sakiura and Goro Kumai feature added arrangements in mashup intervals, reportedly inspired by the distinctive ticking sounds of timepieces.
According to SIRUP: “On this occasion, I have selected three songs with links to time. The first is a special arrangement of my debut song, ‘Synapse.’ The second is ‘Loop,’ in which I endeavor to convey the casual joys of the continuous flow of time. The third is ‘Speed Up,’ stressing the importance of forging ahead rooted in the reality that once it is gone, time never returns. I hope that these songs will create ripples that inspire audiences to spring into action and move ahead in concrete expressions of the sense of speed befitting Tokyo.”
SIRUP’s Tokyo Time is Rooted in Tradition and Innovation
“Time as it’s experienced in Tokyo is dense and imbued with a sense of speed. Because of its stimulating nature, I’m conscious not to be swept along with the tide. That is, protecting one’s individuality while continuing to rise to the challenges of pursuing a newly budding self. From that perspective, there may be vital links between Tokyo, a city where tradition and innovation intricately coexist, and the essence of spirituality.”
“When I am not working, I often go out drinking with various types of people. By joining in sessions with persons excelling in fields outside of music who possess different perspectives and thoughts, we strive to mutually grow and elevate our thinking. Tokyo is a city rich in opportunity for such infinite expansion.”
According to SIRUP, “At the root of this lies the urge to create things the world has not yet seen.” In that sense, the source of innovation can be the Tokyo Time he spends with his beloved comrades. One can only look forward to his further evolution, wondering what types of scenery SIRUP will manifest in the future.
▼Profile
SIRUP is an artist who has perfected a vocal style that moves freely between rap and singing. He fuses neo-soul and R&B, which are his own musical roots, with gospel and hip-hop, generating a sound unrestricted by any one genre to create music that makes everyone feel good. Besides releasing songs based on collaborations with artists from the U.K., South Korea, Greece, Taiwan and other nations, he has also teamed up for campaigns with Jameson Irish Whiskey, audio brand BOSE and automaker MINI. SIRUP played the famed Nippon Budokan for the first time in 2022, while continuing to grow his exploits as one of Japan’s premiere R&B singers beyond music to an ever-expanding range of fields.