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An ordinary superstar…

Rina Sawayama was born on August 16, 1990 in Niigata, Japan and lived there until her family decided to move to London, England when she was five. Her relationship with music comes from her university times when she was in a hip-hop group called Lazy Lion, while she was studying politics, psychology, and sociology at Cambridge University and decided to pursue the music and modelling industry. She started her solo career in 2013 with the release of her debut single "Sleeping In Waking", which was available as a vinyl with the b-side "Who?".

In 2017, she released her debut mini-album Rina, to positive reviews. The album produced three singles—including "Cyber Stockholm Syndrome". Her debut album, Sawayama was released in 2020 to widespread acclaim from music critics. The album produced five singles–including "XS" and "Chosen Family". The latter was updated with a feature of iconic English musician Elton John, released in 2021. To promote Sawayama, the singer embarked to the critically acclaimed Dynasty Tour from November 2021 to May 2022 in Europe and North America, with all 23 dates sold-out.

In 2022, Sawayama announced her sophomore album titled Hold the Girl, which was released on September 16, 2022. The album was preceded by the singles "This Hell", "Catch Me in the Air", "Hold the Girl", "Phantom" and "Hurricanes", and the associated tour began in October 2022 and concluded in February 2023. A revamped version of the tour with American dates went through June 2023 to October of the same year.

Rina Sawayama also appeared as Akira in the fourth instalment of the iconic John Wick franchise, which premiered in March 2023 and stars Keanu Reeves. She will reprise her role in an upcoming and untitled spin-off of the movie. In 2025, the singer, alongside American actress Chloë Grace Moretz, co-founded Godmode Beauty, a cosmetics brand that fuses video game culture with beauty through "immersive" storytelling, collectible packaging and community-driven world building.

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Discography

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Akira Shimazu

Akira Shimazu is a fictional character in the John Wick franchise, introduced in John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) and portrayed by Rina Sawayama in her feature film debut. As the disciplined concierge of the Osaka Continental Hotel, Akira is fiercely loyal to her father, Koji Shimazu, and committed to the rules of the assassins' underworld, until tragedy pushes her toward vengeance.

Sawayama was cast after director Chad Stahelski was reportedly "impressed" by her music videos. The character was well received for her emotional arc and intense action sequences, and Sawayama's performance was praised by film critics. Akira is set to return in the upcoming Caine spin-off film.

Rina Sawayama graced the cover of Vogue Japan's December 2025 issue, marking her debut with this edition of the magazine, her fourth Vogue cover overall. In an interview with Rieko Shibazaki, she opened up about her time beyond music, including filming John Wick: Chapter 4, her role in the upcoming series Prodigies, and her work with Godmode Beauty alongside Chloë Grace Moretz. She also revealed that her third studio album was already in the works.

Photograph credit: Sean & Seng
Stylist: Gerry O'Kane

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Did you know...

Sawayama holding her Bachelor of Arts degree certificate at the University of Cambridge, 2012.

…that she graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in politics, psychology, and sociology in 2012?
…that the 17 November 2021 Dynasty Tour show was officially recorded and issued as a limited-edition live CD, included exclusively with selected Hold the Girl vinyl purchases at Rough Trade? (See Live at the Roundhouse, London)
…that she has contributed vocals to tracks by Charli XCX, Pabllo Vittar and Lady Gaga?
…that her song "Bad Friend" from Sawayama explores personal conflict and guilt in friendships?
…that she is openly pansexual? She has also spoken about LGBTQ+ representation in her work.
…that she has performed at major festivals such as Coachella, Primavera Sound, and Glastonbury?
…that she often writes or co-writes her songs, contributing heavily to production and creative direction?
…that when she was first introduced to Clarence Clarity, she initially thought his production was "too much" and "so extra" until she heard his work on "Alterlife"?

What's new?

Rina is reportedly working on her third album! Further details are available on the RS3 page.
Caine, the John Wick spin-off, is currently in production, with Rina set to reprise her role as Akira Shimazu.
"Genesis", the first chapter of GODMODE Beauty, is out now!
Prodigies is reportedly in post-production. Rina Sawayama will appear as Hana in a recurring role!

23 June

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Hold the Girl (Bonus Edition)
(8 December 2023)

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"Hurricanes"

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