1.4* TOKYO'S REVENGE + HIS SINGLE GOTHAM

photo credit: Cian Moore

Who is Tokyo's Revenge?*

Renown for his single "GOODMORNINGTOKYO" going viral on Tik Tok and reaching #1 on Spotify's Global Viral 50, Tokyo's Revenge continues to embody his identity through his music. Instead of allowing his social media presence to determine his identity, he allows his listeners to form their own perception of who Tokyo's Revenge really is. The diverse variety of music he creates ranges from heavy metal music to Tyler the Creator, Slipnot, and Jay-Z esque music, which is reflective of the variance of his interests and creative muses. An affinity for art, videogames, and anime allows him to be able to continuously be inspired and find ways to incorporate intricacies and references into his music. Tokyo's roots run deep into high school learning how to rap, freestyle, and battle rap as he said "in order to fit into certain friend groups at first", but then further pursuing rap after highschool. His beginnings were rocky, as when he released his first song he was homeless, crashing at friend's houses, whilst working at a pizza shop and security jobs. Though, due to his persistence and work-ethic towards his passion, Tokyo's gone from an underground SoundCloud rapper to a label signed rapper with 43 million streams to his name.

Gotham: The bass ridden beat intertwined with his free-flowing lyrics, Gotham is a hype song for any occasion. Listening to the complimentary beat and lyrics spark energy within me that makes me get up and want to envelope myself in a world of action. The integration of his interests is observed throughout this song with references to "Attack on Titan" all the way to the discord samples incorporated. Aside from the fire song, the heat only intensifies with the music video. Electrifying with subtle hints of nostalgia, the Sky High x My Hero Acadamia type beat radiates the overall spirit of Gotham. I already know this song is going to that go to when I need a bump of energy whether that be in the gym or in the car pummeling down the freeway. Go stream Gotham!

INTERVIEW*

by Chloe Docto

TB: Initially when you first released “GOODMORNINGTOKYO”, do you feel like your intuition at that moment had any idea of what the song would be capable of?

TR: Yeah, I knew from the day that I made it what it was for, what I was gonna use it for, how long I was gonna sit on it for until I wanted to release it, you know what I mean. I tweeted a while before that I'm willing to bet both my testicles that this is gonna be my first song to hit a million. It was a dumb tweet but I was right. I like to create music in this little mental vacuum that is like I am at this moment and I want to do this for this reason and even if I record sessions days apart I'll know what the vibe the second I go into it. That song was like today I'm gonna make a song that'll change a lot of things, and that's what I did.

TB: There are a lot of aspiring teen Soundcloud rappers that put their all into creating music in hopes to make a name for themselves but at the end of the day don’t reap as much as they sow. What advice do you have for them?

TR: There is absolutely no reason to stop. Even if you're not reaping as much as you sow even if you're not collecting as much as you're putting in, there's no reason to stop because if you're constantly releasing or improving on something you'll get better. Getting better is all that matters. Whether you're getting better at learning how to mix your music or getting better at having a less awkward delivery when you rap, whatever it is just keep going and going and going. Eventually, you'll get to that point to get that one extra experience point that'll get you to that point where you're like, I love listening to this songs but now I want my friends to listen to it too. There are a lot of people like that in the underground who have listeners that love them as an artist and their music but it's not at the point where they're comfortable sharing it with others or throwing it on in the car. Keep swinging at the dark you'll hit something, promise.

TB: When you’re freestyling how would you describe the headspace that you’re in? Are there any environmental factors that have to be just right in order for you to have a good session or help your flow?

TR: I don't know, it's all situational. I don't like freestyling when I'm around other people, that's also when I usually go the hardest, but I just don't like it. When it's around a few people that's when I'll say the dumbest like goofiest stuff. I'll also freestyle the majority of the music that I record. Instead of writing, I have this weird thing where I'll go in, throw on the beat, set it to record, and freestyle sounds instead of words. I'll come up with the flow and cadence before I come up with the lyrics sometimes. Then I'll go back and listen to it and start filling it in like madlibs. Really weird. Super unorthodoxed.

photo credit: Cian Moore

booking agency: https://mn2s.com/booking-agency/live-roster/tokyos-revenge/

STREAMING PLATFORMS*

SOCIALS*