Rina Sawayama facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rina Sawayama
リナ・サワヤマ
Sawayama performing at Primavera Sound in 2022
Born	(1990-08-16) 16 August 1990 (age 34) Niigata, Japan
Education	Magdalene College, Cambridge (BA)
Occupation	Singer actress model
Years active	2013–present
Works	Discography live performances
Musical career
Origin	London, England
Genres	Pop rock R&B
Instruments	Vocals guitar harmonica flute
Labels	Dirty Hit Make Mine House of Us The Vinyl Factory 88rising 12Tone Different
Signature

Rina Sawayama (リナ・サワヤマ, born 16 August 1990) is a Japanese singer, actress, and model. She lives in the United Kingdom. Rina was born in Niigata, Japan. When she was five years old, she moved to London with her parents.

In 2017, Rina released her first collection of songs, called Rina. She later signed with Dirty Hit records in 2020. Her first full album, Sawayama, came out that year and was very popular. Her second album, Hold the Girl, was released in 2022. Rina is known for singing many different styles of music. She also uses her music to share messages about fairness and equality. Besides music, Rina has worked as a model for fashion brands. She also started acting in movies, like John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023).

Rina Sawayama's Early Life

Rina Sawayama was born on August 16, 1990, in Niigata, Japan. She lived there until she was five years old. Then, her family moved to London, England. She grew up there and still lives there today. Rina has a special visa that lets her live in the UK permanently.

When Rina first moved to London, it was hard for her. She could not speak English well. It was tough to understand her teachers and friends. But she found a way to connect with others through pop music. When she was 16, Rina started sharing her music covers on Myspace. Later, in high school, she formed a hip hop group called Lazy Lion.

Rina went to Magdalene College, Cambridge, a famous university. She studied subjects like politics, psychology, and sociology. She earned a degree in political science.

Her Music Career Journey

Starting Out: 2013–2016

Rina Sawayama began her solo music career in February 2013. Her first song was "Sleeping in Waking." Later that year, she released another song called "Terror." For a short time, she used only her first name, "Riina," as her stage name. She later shared that her last name was "an inconvenience" at the time.

In 2015, Rina released a music video for her song "Tunnel Vision." In 2016, she put out the single "Where U Are." This song talked about how people interact with digital devices. Rina explained that online, you can show your "best edited self." She noted that sometimes, your phone can feel like human warmth. She also said it's strange to be together online but still feel alone. People described the song as "ultra-sweet and shimmering pop." They also called it "90s R&B pop perfection."

First Albums: Rina and Sawayama

In March 2017, Rina's song "Cyber Stockholm Syndrome" was first heard on The Fader. Rina said the song was about how the digital world can help people. It can offer support, friendship, and a way to escape. She said it explores feelings of worry, hope, and freedom.

Sawayama at Heaven nightclub in 2018

In 2017, Rina released more songs like "Alterlife" and "Tunnel Vision," a duet with Shamir. After these, her first collection of songs, Rina, came out. Rina released this music on her own. She worked for two to three years to save money for it. The Guardian newspaper called the album "modern." They said Rina showed she could lead pop music into the future. Pitchfork listed Rina as one of the best pop and R&B albums that year.

In 2018, Rina released the song "Valentine" on Valentine's Day. She also released a music video for "Ordinary Superstar." In August 2018, Rina released "Cherry." She went on her Ordinary Superstar Tour in the UK, US, and Canada. In 2019, she opened for Charli XCX on her tour in the UK. That same year, Rina acted in the comedy TV show Turn Up Charlie.

In 2020, Rina signed with Dirty Hit records. She then released the songs "STFU!" and "Comme des Garçons (Like the Boys)." These songs were from her first full album. "STFU!" mixed different styles like nu-metal and pop. "Comme des Garçons (Like the Boys)" was a tribute to early 2000s dance music. A third song, "XS", came out in March. It mixed rock with 2000s R&B. The next month, Rina released "Chosen Family." Her first album, Sawayama, was released on April 17. It received great reviews.

In June 2020, Rina covered Lady Gaga's song "Dance in the Dark." She recorded it in her home studio. Her version changed the original song's sound to a more electropop style. Most of the album and this song were produced by Clarence Clarity.

Later in 2020, Rina spoke out about not being able to be nominated for big British music awards. This was because she was not a British citizen. Many people supported her, including Elton John. The rules were later changed. This allowed anyone who had lived in the UK for a certain time, like Rina, to be eligible. In October 2020, Rina performed "XS" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. This was her first time on TV. In November, she released "Lucid." A special version of Sawayama was released in December 2020.

Recent Music and Acting: 2021–Present

In April 2021, Rina released a new version of "Chosen Family" with Elton John. In August 2021, Newsweek Japan listed Rina as one of the "100 Japanese people respected by the world." Rina also covered the Metallica song "Enter Sandman" for a special album. This album was released in September 2021. In the same month, a remix of Lady Gaga's "Free Woman" by Clarence Clarity and Rina appeared on Gaga's remix album.

Rina started working on her second album in 2021. In November 2021, she began The Dynasty Tour to support her first album. She also sang on songs with other artists. These included "Beg for You" by Charli XCX and "Follow Me" by Pabllo Vittar. On May 16, Rina announced her second album, Hold the Girl. It was released in September 2022. The first song from the album, "This Hell", came out in May. Other songs like "Catch Me in the Air," "Hold the Girl," "Phantom," and "Hurricanes" were also released.

Rina made her first movie appearance in John Wick: Chapter 4. The movie came out in March 2023 and received good reviews. Rina also released a song called "An Eye for An Eye" for the film.

Other Activities

Modelling Work

Rina Sawayama is signed with Anti-Agency and Elite Model Management. In 2017, she was chosen for Versus x Versace's fashion campaign. She has also been in campaigns for Jourdan Dunn's Missguided. Rina wrote and performed a song called "Play on Me" for Nicola Formichetti's MAC x Nicopanda. In September 2021, she walked the runway for Balmain. This was to celebrate ten years of Olivier Rousteing leading the fashion house. Rina was featured on the cover of British Vogue in June 2023.

Working with Others

In 2016, Rina worked with Taiwanese artist John Yuyi. They created a visual series that looked at beauty standards in Asia, including Japan. Rina explained that for many women in Japan, there are certain expectations. These come from anime and kawaii culture. She said this can make women feel like objects or children. Rina has also worked with Nicola Formichetti for MAC x Nicopanda. Formichetti also directed the music video for Rina's song "Ordinary Superstar."

Her Artistic Style

Rina Sawayama shared that she started singing after her family often went to karaoke. She first sang "Automatic" by Hikaru Utada in front of her parents. She said Utada was why she "started doing music." Rina has also said that Madonna and Lady Gaga are big inspirations for her. She learned a vocal technique called bel canto after studying Lady Gaga's singing. Rina admires vocalists like Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé, Janelle Monáe, Alicia Keys, and Karen O.

When she was 12, Rina convinced her dad to give her a guitar. She started listening to Avril Lavigne and taught herself to play chords. After that, she began writing her own songs. Other artists who have influenced Rina include Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Evanescence, NSYNC, Kylie Minogue, Limp Bizkit, Pink, Ringo Sheena, and Taylor Swift.

Messages in Her Music

Rina Sawayama's music is seen as groundbreaking. It helps break down barriers for Asian American women. It also helps advance the movement for fairness and equality. Experts say Rina's songs and performances challenge old ideas. Her music shows that pop music is a powerful way for women to share their voices.

Rina has also spoken about the importance of fairness in the music industry. She has noted that unfair treatment is common. In 2017, Rina spoke up when pop star Madonna showed Asian American women as quiet workers in a nail salon. Rina said Madonna made them seem like "silent stereotypical accessories."

Rina is also against the idea of competition among female artists. She believes that women in the music industry should support each other. She wants to create a welcoming space for everyone.

Many of Rina's songs are seen as anthems for female empowerment. For example, "STFU!" is a powerful song. It responds to unfair comments made towards Asian American women and other BIPOC individuals. Another song, "Comme Des Garçons (Like The Boys)", is perfect for lifting up women of all ages.

Rina's unique sound mixes 2000s rock, pop, and metal. Her ability to switch between music styles and her relatable lyrics make her impact even greater. She uses her music to address issues like unfair treatment, discrimination, and LGBTQ+ topics.

Film and TV Appearances

Film

Television

Rina Sawayama's Music Albums

• Rina (extended play, 2017)
• Sawayama (2020)
• Hold the Girl (2022)

Awards and Nominations

Concert Tours

Headlining Tours

• Ordinary Superstar Tour (2018)
• The Dynasty Tour (2021–2022)
• Hold the Girl Tour (2022–2023)
• Hold the Girl Reloaded Tour (2023)

Opening for Other Artists

• Palo Santo Tour (with Years & Years) (2018)
• Charli Live Tour (with Charli XCX) (2019)

See also

In Spanish: Rina Sawayama para niños