Haruomi Hosono teams up with blackx to bring his musical legacy to the world

Japanese music pioneer Haruomi Hosono has entered a partnership with blackx to bring his expansive and genre-defying legacy to new global audiences.

Based on Singapore, blackx—known for its strategic investments in music royalties and intellectual property across Asia—partners with artists to build long-term value and global reach through touring, merch, archives, and digital innovation.

Hosono, who was born in Tokyo in 1947, has spent over five decades reshaping the sound of modern music.

He began with the band Happy End, known for using Japanese lyrics in Western-style folk rock. In 1978, he co-founded Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) with Ryuichi Sakamoto and Yukihiro Takahashi, who laid the groundwork for genres like synth-pop, techno, and video game music through their use of synthesizers, drum machines, sequencing, and early sampling techniques.

His solo work expanded further into ambient, exotica, and sound collage, influencing artists including Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Mark Ronson, and Cornelius.

Most recently, his second solo album ‘Tropical Dandy’ was reissued on June 25, 2025, marking 50 years since its first release.

Read this next: The amazing history of Yellow Magic Orchestra: Unpacking Japan's most influential electronic music band

Speaking on the collaboration, Hosono shared: “blackx suddenly appeared before me like an angel and decided to support my future activities overseas. What incredible luck!”

The partnership begins with his return to Europe: a DJ set at Dover Street Market Paris today (July 11) and a live show at London’s Royal Festival Hall on July 19.

There will also be a limited-edition capsule collection, created with Kiko Mizuhara and Hijiri, launched at Dover Street Market.

Read this next: Yellow Magic Orchestra’s 1980 Tokyo show to broadcast for the first time in 43 years

“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,” he adds

Beyond the events in Europe, blackx will support tours, reissues, exhibitions, and a digital museum to preserve and expand Hosono’s global footprint.

Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.

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