Kuma Overdose is here to make his own rules in the world of music, one experimental tune at a time. Born in the suburbs of LA to an Asian-American household, Overdose’s dual identity not only informed his outlook on life, but also his sound. Blending 80s-era Japanese city pop with the laid back, bouncy vibe of 90s hip-hop, Overdose’s sound is one of many contradictions, a fusion of cultural references that allow him to tackle anything from toxic friends, dangerous situations and everyone’s favourite feeling –– love.

“Being raised in an Asian household in America, I faced racial injustices not only in the music industry but also in just life in general,” Overdose explains of his rise to prominence. “People stereotype my music into categories like K-POP, Lo-fi Beats, or just anything Asians are known for nowadays. I want to promote equality for Asian artists in the western music industry.”

Since debuting in 2018, Overdose has been hard at work crafting tunes that peel away the layers of mystique surrounding his artistry. Nowhere could this be more apparent than on his first offering for 2021 – “Mintia”. The name is derived from a mint candy in Japan known for being particularly cold and striking. “I wanted to tell the person who loved me that I am a dangerous, cold-hearted person because that’s how this toxic society raised me,” says Overdose of the track. Placing these introspective musings over strung-out melodies, peppered by soft vocals and stabs of cheeky lyrics, it’s here we find the singer at his most vulnerable.

Prime to hit stages across the world with new material in the coming months, there’s no doubt in our minds that 2021 belongs to Kuma Overdose, and we can’t wait to see what he does with it.