starRO is the first Japanese electronic artist to be nominated for a Grammy
His remix of Heavy Star Movin’ was nominated for Best Remixed Recording
Shinya Mizoguchi, who performs under the alias starRO, recently became the first ever Japanese electronic artist to be nominated for a Grammy. His remix of Heavy Star Movin’ by The Silver Lake Chorus was nominated for Best Remixed Recording.
starRO is a self-taught, multi-instrumentalist from Tokyo known for his diverse and soul-driven sound that is easily reminiscent of DJ Krush. His music blends elements of jazz, hip-hop, ambient, post-rock, folk and R&B with electronic music.
He moved to LA over a decade and a half ago, leaving behind a career as a salary man where he worked from 8.30am to 230am, leaving little time for music. He even sold off all his music gear to pay for the move because at the time he didn’t see music as a viable way of life. Even more recently than that, it was only a year ago that Mizoguchi was driving an Uber to pay rent.
But during his time in LA he discovered Low End Theory, an LA based hip-hop and electronic music night, which inspired him to continue with music and he soon found his SoundCloud getting more attention. What followed was the Komorebi EP in 2011, a Soulection White Label: 004 in 2013, Emotion EP in 2015 and finally his first full album in 2016 called Monday.
Have a listen to ‘Heavy Star Movin’’ by The Silver Lake Chorus (starRO remix) below and wish starRO luck at Grammy’s on February 12th.
