SUPER BEAVER’s Ryuta Shibuya Discusses Inequality and the Soulful Message of Kabukicho
The band “SUPER BEAVER” has an unforgettable singing voice, straightforward and passionate lyrics that can be listened to by anyone, and a rock sound that frees you from oppression. …… The band “SUPER BEAVER” continues to deliver one-of-a-kind, supportive songs.
This summer, they made a big splash on the recently broadcast “Music Day 2024” (TBS, July 13), where they sang “Small Revolution” with young people in a rousing chorus. They are scheduled to perform at outdoor festivals such as “SUMMER SONIC 2024” (August 17 at ZOZO Marine Stadium/August 18 at Expo ’70 Commemorative Park) and “SWEET LOVE SHOWER 2024″ (August 30 at Lake Yamanaka Koryu Plaza Kirara). SUPER BEAVER” is the band that most captures the hearts of young people today.
In 2009, they made their major label debut, but after failing to achieve satisfactory results, they left their agency and label in 2011 and returned to the world of indie music. However, their music with a strong message continued to gain fans, and in 2006 they held a solo concert at the Nippon Budokan, which was immediately sold out. The single “Premonition,” released at the same time, was used as the theme song for a TV drama.
In April of the previous year, Ryuta Shibuya (37), who had taken the stage as frontman and was well known for his audience-appealing MC, was selected as a personality for “Nippon Broadcasting System All Night Nippon 0 (Zero)”. Then, in ’20, he re-signed a major contract.’ In 2009, their song “Namae wo Yobuyo” became the theme song for the live-action movie “Tokyo Revengers,” based on a popular manga and TV anime, and became a mega-hit, catapulting them to stardom.
(A music magazine editor) “FRIDAY” conducted an interview with vocalist Ryuta Shibuya to find out about his roots. What did Shibuya, who continues to be at the forefront of music as a one-of-a-kind existence, feel about music and society?
The sense of human “inequality” he felt from his time in Kabukicho
Shibuya, who was born in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, and spent his youth in Kabukicho until he became an adult, says that Kabukicho formed the foundation of who he is.
I was born in a small hospital in Kabukicho and have lived in Kabukicho ever since. Of course, I have the “dark” image that everyone has of Kabukicho. But I have a stronger sense of “hometown” than that. When I was a student, more than 20% of my classmates were foreigners, and I had many friends who grew up in a variety of environments, such as single mothers and children, and friends whose parents were in the water business. Nowadays, people often talk about diversity, but I had a sense of diversity in Kabukicho since I was a child. What I realized there was that “people are not equal.
I remember now, when I went to visit a friend’s house, it was a huge mansion. Then, the next day, I went to another friend’s house and found four people living in a small, shabby house.” There is a beautiful saying that “all people are equal,” but in reality, there is an absolute difference from the moment you are born. The experiences I felt because I grew up in Kabukicho are at the core of who I am, and I think they live on in my songs and in my expression.”
Shibuya’s passionate MCing, which reaches out to each and every one of his fans from the stage, is one of his charms, but it is his awareness of “inequality” that is at the core of what he wants to convey.
When asked why he accepted the offer to be interviewed by “FRIDAY,” he grinned and began, “When my interview becomes an article, it will be a good opportunity for me to share my thoughts and ideas with the public.
When my interview is published in an article, if I just write on SNS that I am going to be in FRIDAY, the readers will misunderstand (laughs). (Laughs) Also, the readership of FRIDAY is different from the people we have approached in the past. I don’t think they know about us or the activities of “SUPER BEAVER. But I thought it would be a good opportunity for them to get to know us. But above all, I am looking forward to seeing your reactions when I write that we are going to appear in FRIDAY (laughs).
Laughing mischievously, Shibuya’s eyes were on all music lovers, young and old, male and female.
In the paid version of “FRIDAY GOLD,” Ryuta Shibuya talks about “the appeal of MC,” “the roots that govern his own words,” and “the kind of person Shibuya is aiming for.
PHOTO： Takehiko Kohiyama
