mosi mosi, kikoeteru?
That’s a phrase you’ve probably heard all over your TikTok and social feeds. It’s part of Japanese singer sasane’s debut song, “mosi mosi?” which quickly became a viral hit earlier this year, attracting millions of streams worldwide.
She got her start in music thanks to her mother’s advice: stick with at least one thing. That encouraged sasane to pick up a guitar at home and begin uploading videos every day of her singing while playing. “As I kept posting videos every day, more and more people, not only in Japan but also overseas, started looking forward to my songs. That was a huge source of motivation,” she shared. “I still love doing covers, but over time I developed a stronger desire to share music that expresses my own unique world and artistic vision.”
When it came to selecting the right song to make her official debut, sasane said “mosi mosi” was the clear choice: “It represents me as an artist better than any other.” She explained, “At its core, it’s about wanting to meet someone who is on the same wavelength as me. It’s not just about romantic love; I also wanted the song to resonate with people who are searching for someone who truly understands them, or for a place where they feel they belong.”
Going viral wasn’t what the artist was expecting though. “At first, I honestly couldn’t believe it was happening. It felt almost like a dream,” she began. “But when I saw people from all over the world posting videos using the song and leaving comments in many different languages, I finally felt that the song had truly reached someone.”
One country that the song became particularly popular in was Korea. It gave sasane the opportunity to not only travel to the country, but also collaborate on a remix with LEESOL from K-pop girl group, KiiiKiii. “I was already a fan of KiiiKiii, and I had always been drawn to LEESOL’s voice, so I had hoped that we could work together someday,” she revealed. “When we actually met, she was truly kind and even more wonderful than I had imagined from seeing her through a screen. I especially love the part in the remix where our voices interact as if we’re having a phone conversation. It’s one of my favorite moments in the song.” That trip also marked the young artist’s first live performance, held at a local school. “Even though most of the audience didn’t understand Japanese, everyone sang along with me. It made me realize that music can connect people beyond language barriers.”
“mosi mosi” has proven that sasane can reach listeners all over the world. And if she could call anyone right now, she’s actually hoping to reach someone who’s out of this world. “I would call an alien! After all, they are the beings I want to meet the most. I would love to ask what they do in their daily lives, what kind of scenery they see, and what kind of music they listen to. If I could actually connect the call, I would definitely want to have a conversation with them at least once.”
In July, sasane teamed up once more with songwriter and producer Tamico Mukoda, who was behind “mosi mosi,” for her follow-up single, “otukare.” The gentle, comforting pop song complements the title which means “good work” in English. Regarding the collaboration process, sasane first shares a number of ideas based on her feelings, experiences, and what she wants to express. From there, Mukoda transforms those feelings and personal stories into music. For this particular track, it serves as a helpful reminder to busy people to take it easy. “When people listen to my music, I hope that, even just for that moment, they can take a break from life and enjoy a more colorful, pop-filled experience. That feeling is something I want to keep at the core of my music moving forward.”
As sasane continues to shape her artistic identity, she sees it as rooted in playfulness, nostalgia with a fresh perspective, and curiosity. “Playfulness is something I value throughout my work, whether it’s in my lyrics, melodies, visuals or the overall experience of my creations,” she began. “Nostalgic yet new reflects my love for older music and culture. I want to take that nostalgic atmosphere and express it in a way that feels relevant to today’s generation.
And curiosity represents my desire to explore and challenge myself — not only through music, but through many different experiences and interests. By incorporating new encounters and discoveries into my work, I hope to continue sharing music that feels true to who I am.”
sasane’s ambitions extend far beyond reaching listeners through social media and screens. “I want to deliver my songs directly through live performances and share the same moments with my listeners,” she said. “Moving forward, my goal is to continue sharing my music and become an artist who can perform live for people all around the world.”
