blackx and Japanese Music Icon Haruomi Hosono Begin a New Chapter in Sound and Legacy

APAC - English

• Japan - Japanese

 Partnership includes future tours, merchandise and archival projects

SINGAPORE and TOKYO, July 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- blackx, a leader in music-focused investments across Asia, has entered a landmark partnership with Japanese music icon Haruomi Hosono, one of the most influential figures in modern music. Across more than five decades, Hosono has shaped the sound of Japan and inspired generations of artists worldwide from defining Japanese folk rock with Happy End, to pioneering electronic music with Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) and building a genre-defying solo career including ambient, exotica and sound collage.

"Hosono-san's legacy is unmatched, he is a true pioneer and a legend in Japan," said Hiroki Shirasuka, Head of Japan for blackx. "We are honoured to support his next chapter to expand and cement his musical legacy for new generations of audiences worldwide."

Through this partnership, blackx will work closely with Hosono to bring his legacy to new audiences around the world. The collaboration marks his return to Europe with a live show in London and a Dover Street Market (DSM) Pop-Up partnership in Paris in July 2025 (see appendix) and will expand into a broader slate of creative projects including merchandise, reissues, exhibitions, and a digital museum experience that captures Hosono's influence.

A limited-edition Hosono capsule collection, designed by icon Kiko Mizuhara and designer Hijiri, will also be released. Featuring apparel and accessories, the debut line will launch exclusively at DSM in Paris.

"blackx suddenly appeared before me like an angel and decided to support my future activities overseas. What incredible luck! All the best!" Haruomi Hosono said.

A Legacy of Firsts

Born in Tokyo in 1947, Haruomi Hosono began his musical journey with the psychedelic rock band Apryl Fool. He went on to co-found Happy End with Takashi Matsumoto, Eiichi Ohtaki, and Shigeru Suzuki, a band that broke from convention by singing folk rock in Japanese. Their track "Kaze wo Atsumete" from album Kazemachi Roman (1971) gained global recognition after its inclusion in Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation.

In 1978, Hosono formed the legendary YMO with Ryuichi Sakamoto and Yukihiro Takahashi. Their use of synthesizers, sequences, drum machines and 8-bit samples helped lay the foundation for video game music, synth-pop and techno. In May this year, YMO was honoured as a "Symbol of Music" at the inaugural Music Awards Japan as a tribute to their lasting cultural impact.

Hosono's solo work is a lifelong study in exploration and reinvention. Hosono House (1973) fused Japanese folk with American country, Paraiso (1978) delved into exotica and Cochin Moon (1978) broke open psychedelic electronic music. Across the  decades, he has influenced and collaborated with artists across genres and generations.

From Japan to the World

blackx's partnership with Haruomi Hosono is the second collaboration in Japan this year, following the March announcement to lead the global expansion of J-pop with ASOBISYSTEM. These partnerships signal deepening trust and creative alignment within one of the world's most influential music ecosystems, as well as a joint belief in the global resonance of Japan's music culture.

"It's truly a privilege to partner with one of the most important artists of all time. Hosono-san's music transcends time and borders, and he sits among the few in the pantheon of music legends," said blackx's CEO Tan Chee Meng. "blackx is proud to play a part in the stewardship of his legacy, introducing his lifeworks to new generations of fans around the world and creating further value by supporting his upcoming creative endeavours as he continues to break new ground."

Hosono's journey has been one of curiosity, creativity and experimentation. His legacy is not just a catalog of music but a blueprint for how sound can evolve, inspire and endure. This reflects blackx's broader ambition to partner and invest in Asian artists and cultural works that transcends borders, genres and generations.

About blackx
blackx invests in music royalties and related intellectual property (IP) assets across Asia. With a comprehensive approach to IP management, creation and distribution, blackx acquires, partners with, and supports artists and rights holders to unlock growth, expand reach, and deliver sustainable returns. Led by experienced music industry insiders in Asia, blackx stays ahead of the evolving landscape and embraces technology to connect the region's rich and diverse music heritage with a global audience, fostering greater appreciation for Asian music and culture worldwide.

About Haruomi Hosono
Haruomi Hosono is one of Japan's most influential musicians with a career spanning more than five decades. From founding folk rock band Happy End to establishing the electronic trio Yellow Magic Orchestra, Hosono has continually pushed the boundaries of sound. His genre-defying solo work explores everything from ambient and exotica to experimental pop and sound collage. A quiet radical with a global influence, Hosono's music has shaped generations of artists from Tatsuro Yamashita and Cornelius to Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Afrika Bambaataa, Harry Styles, and Mark Ronson and his work remains a living archive of innovation.

For further information, please contact: [email protected]

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Appendix: Haruomi Hosono – Live in Europe 2025

SOURCE blackx