J-Pop artist Minami Minami chatted about my her new single and music video for “in my head.”
How did the song and music video for ‘in my head’ come about?
I was in a relationship for three years. We had just moved in together and were talking about marriage…or at least, that’s what I thought!
Shortly after, I found out he had cheated on me, and it broke my heart.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time this had happened. Since I was a teenager, I had repeated the same unhealthy relationship patterns and couldn’t understand why I didn’t have access to the answers that I needed to change my life.
I knew that I wanted to create something that could offer clarity, not just for myself, but for others too.
That was the moment that I thought of using Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s theory of the “7 stages of grief” as the foundation for my album: seven songs, each representing a different stage of grief.
I brought the concept to Fernando Garibay, who helped me shape the project, and together with Nasri Atweh, Ramiro Padilla, and Daniel Padilla, we brought it to life.
Once the music was created, it was time to bring the visuals to life.
I teamed up with Japanese director Mino to create a cinematic experience, drawing inspiration from Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions to guide the visuals. It truly takes a village.
What inspires your music and songwriting?
Real-life experiences are the biggest inspiration behind my music. Songwriting has always been a form of therapy for me and a way to process what I am going through.
I have always been drawn to creating concept albums, where each song ties into a larger theme or story. This project was no different, every track is connected to a specific emotion or moment that I have lived through.
How does it feel to be an artist in the digital age? (now with streaming, technology and social media being so prevalent)
I started my career during a time when physical CDs were still being sold, and iTunes was the only real monetizable digital platform.
It was a challenging era for artists. Since then, the music business has evolved dramatically, and it’s been both fascinating and demanding to keep up with the changes in the industry.
The digital age is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because we now have more tools, platforms, and opportunities than ever before. But it can also feel like a curse, because with so many talented artists out there, it’s become harder to truly stand out.
For me, the key has always been to stay true to who I am as an artist and use the platforms consistently and authentically.
What do your plans for the future include?
Right now, I’m focused on releasing my very first solo project seven, an album built around the 7 stages of grief: shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, reconstruction, and acceptance.
Each song represents one stage, taking listeners on a journey through emotional healing and transformation.
The first two songs for Shock (“how could you?”) and Denial (“in my head”), are already out and streaming. I’ll be releasing one song each month, leading up to the full album drop in November, when all seven stages and songs will be complete.
What is your advice for young and emerging artists?
Be consistent, and don’t stress if you can’t create exactly what you imagine in your head right away. Perfection is a process. Just keep showing up, keep creating. It takes time to develop your voice and craft.
Also, don’t be afraid to fail. Some of your best lessons will come from the moments that didn’t go as planned. Stay curious, stay open, and remember that your uniqueness is your superpower. No one can tell your story the way you can.
Which artists would you like to do a dream collaboration with someday?
Oh gosh so many. There are so many Anyma, Chain Smokers, I would like to work with Max Martin too.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
Success, to me, means being strong and independent, standing on your own two feet and creating something meaningful that contributes to the world in a positive way.
It’s about being content with who you are, while still striving to grow, evolve, and become better every day.
It’s not about fame or numbers, it’s about impact. It’s waking up each day knowing you’re living in alignment with your purpose and that your work reflects your truth. To me, that’s real success.
What would you like to say to your fans about the new music? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
Most of my fans know me from my group CREAM in Japan, where the sound is rooted in hip-hop and built on two perspectives, male and female, sharing one story. But this… this is MINAMI MINAMI. One voice. One perspective and a completely new chapter.
This solo project is me stepping out of my comfort zone, chasing bigger dreams, and reaching for a global impact through a different sound, a different language, and a much more personal lens.
To be honest, it has been scary at times. It’s not what you might be used to from me, but it’s real, it’s raw and it’s me.
I hope when you listen, you feel seen. I hope it reminds you that no matter how stuck you feel healing is possible. Most of all, I hope it gives you the courage to own your story too.
“in my head” is available on digital service providers by clicking here.
To learn more about Minami Minami, follow her on Instagram.
