With a fusion of R&B and hip-hop shaped by layered electronic elements, Japanese performer Joji creates reflective, atmospheric pieces suited to modern digital existence. Membership in the 88Rising roster prompted his artistic reinvention, shifting focus from earlier Internet fame toward recognition as a dedicated musician. After issuing the lo-fi EP In Tongues in 2017, he achieved a Billboard 200 Top Ten placement with the gold-certified debut album Ballads 1, which included the hit single "Slow Dancing in the Dark." Capitalizing on that global breakthrough, his expansive 2020 follow-up Nectar also entered the Billboard 200 Top Ten, while the concise third album Smithereens arrived in 2022.
Born George Miller in Osaka, he cultivated a vast digital audience during the early 2010s through comedic sketches, notably the viral "Harlem Shake" phenomenon, before redirecting efforts toward music and releasing introspective, downtempo works as Joji. His association with 88Rising yielded the six-track In Tongues EP, featuring contemplative lyrics alongside piano-driven electronic textures. The collaborative track "18" with Kris Wu and Rich Brian preceded an early 2018 deluxe edition of In Tongues, which added ten songs including remixes from Lapalux, Ryan Hemsworth, and Actress. Later that year the single "Yeah Right" introduced the full-length Ballads 1, released in October and reaching number three on the Billboard 200 while leading the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart; second single "Slow Dancing in the Dark" likewise charted and attained platinum certification in both Australia and the United States.
Preparation for the next project commenced promptly, marked by the June 2019 gold-certified release "Sanctuary." Follow-up singles "Run" and "Gimme Love" built anticipation for the 2020 sophomore album Nectar, which featured guest contributions from Omar Apollo, Lil Yachty, Yves Tumor, and Benee plus Diplo’s production on "Daylight" and peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. Joji resurfaced in 2022 with the piano-driven single "Glimpse of Us," which topped charts in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia before appearing on the November album Smithereens.
