Japanese visual artist Takashi Murakami was already respected for his colorful paintings
and sculptures, but thanks to some notable friends, Murakami is now a popular figure
in hip-hop.
Murakami’s been mentioned in lyrics going back to 2009 with Lupe Fiasco’s remix of
Clipse’s “Popular Demand” which also namedrops the superflat art movement that
Murkami came up with.
Takashi Murakami spoke with Genius News to break down his many music collaborations from
Drake to Billie Eilish and to explain his role in music over the last decade.
Why do you think you've become such a big figure in hip-hop and rap?
Takashi Murakami, so Murakami is like top three pop artist, and he’s a good friend
of mine.
Kanye West’s 2007 album 'Graduation' with its Murakami-designed cover was many fans’
first introduction to the Japanese artist.
We grabbed a sheet of paper and started drawing things on the sheet of paper instantly, the
first day I met him, together.
And I said, “Yo, we should do more stuff together.”
And we decided we should work on an album.
The result was a new interpretation of the Kanye Bear, a character important to the making
of West as a brand who graced his first two albums ‘The College Dropout’ and ‘Late
Registration.’
On ‘Graduation’ – the Kanye Bear was reborn in an anime style.
The bear also appeared in the animated music video for “Good Morning” which Murakami
directed.
With his attention to detail, he also designed a custom Jesus piece for Kanye, just like
the one the bear wears.
This set off an ongoing trend of custom ice made after Murakami’s characters.
A$AP Rocky compares his own multi-colored rocks to Murakami’s artwork on the track
“Bad Company.”
Most recently, Travis Scott gifted his team Jesus pieces based on Murakami’s designs.
More than a decade after ‘Graduation’ – Kanye made an impromptu trip to Japan,
this time with Kid Cudi, to link up with Murakami once again.
Murakami redesigned his Mr. Cloud character to appear on the cover of West and Cudi’s 2018
joint album ‘KIDS SEE GHOSTS.’
A year later the super duo dropped the surprise trailer for a ‘Kid See Ghosts’ cartoon,
featuring the Kanye Bear and Cudi as Kid Fox.
But as far as an actual release date, once again, director Murakami’s on standby.
Murakami’s name has become a symbol of luxury, now synonymous with his pricey Louis Vuitton,
Off-White, and OVO collaborations.
Drake made headlines when he allowed a look into his 50,000 square foot home and custom
grand piano designed by Murakami and Ferris Rafauli.
Which musician do you think owns the most of your art?
While plenty love to buy and own his art, longtime friend Pharrell Williams actually
created an exhibition with Murakami.
Murakami, obviously, he’s like the king of kings to me.
Skateboard P also remixed the song “Last Night, Good Night” from Murakami’s
feature film debut ‘Jellyfish Eyes.’
It’s just good for the culture.
And we love that you continue to do things for the culture.
Despite Murakami’s position in American hip-hop, it actually took longer for his art
to catch on in Japan.
So when Murakami was opening his first Japanese exhibition in 14 years, Pharrell helped to
promote it.
Here to celebrate his exhibition of ’500 Arhats’ – the Mori Museum.
Like myself, I think we live out our imaginations without age.
Young at heart, it was natural for Murakami to collab with Billie Eilish, one of this
generation’s most creative artists.
As soon as we got to Tokyo, we just went to his studio,
most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
Murakami directed Billie’s 2019 music video for “you should see me in a crown” bringing
his signature smiling flowers to life and using motion capture technology to turn a
dancing Billie into an anime character and a spidery monster.
While Murakami helped execute the visuals, he says much of the concept came from Billie.
A year later, the pair dropped a clothing line together for Uniqlo.
Murakami’s even made an impact in the Spanish-speaking music world, enough to get his name dropped
by Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin, who flexes the price of his art on “Medusa.”
In 2020, Balvin dropped his album ‘Colores’ and named every track after a different color.
With such a vibrant theme, it only made sense to employ Murakami’s colorful aesthetic.
This is a collaboration that I did with Master Murakami.
What other best way to have flowers and represent different colors.
He did myself right here.
Despite the countless musicians he’s worked with, there is one person he missed out on.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to finish the horror-style anime project with Juice
WRLD as the 21-year-old rapper passed away unexpectedly
in 2019, just weeks after his visit to Japan.
Musicians are always reaching out to work with the imaginative Takashi Murakami, who
has more collaborations dropping soon.
Is there any artist, musician, or rapper that you still want to work with that you haven't
yet?
I wasn't expecting that answer.
Thank you, Takashi.
I’m Russel Abad for Genius News, bringing you the meaning and the knowledge behind the
music.