LOS ANGELES, CA- At just 19 years old, Mia Takarabe is standing at the beginning of what promises to be a very busy chapter of her career.
Before discussing music, collaborations, or what comes next, I wanted to understand the experiences that shaped the person behind the artist. Born in Australia with Japanese and Indian roots, Takarabe spent much of her childhood immersed in different cultures, perspectives, and traditions—something she now considers one of the greatest gifts of her upbringing.
“I think I’m lucky to be immersed in both worlds,” she told me. “Being able to have both perspectives is a great
advantage and was very insightful growing up. I was able to adjust and fit into both sides of my family as I came to understand their way of living and the beauty within each of my cultures.”
Growing up between two cultures gave Takarabe an appreciation for each family’s traditions, though finding where she belonged wasn’t always easy. Like many children raised between cultures, she often found herself questioning where she truly fit.
“However, the biggest struggle that I mainly felt when I was younger is the feeling that I don’t fully belong in one culture or the other,” she said. “I felt I never really fit perfectly into one category. It was either you’re not Japanese enough, or you’re not Indian enough.”
Rather than allowing that uncertainty to define her, Takarabe transformed it into the foundation of her artistry.
“I’ve always existed between cultures, so blending influences feels natural to me,” she explained. “Even though my music is rooted in J-pop, I love creating something that can connect with people across different backgrounds and countries.”
That desire to create music that resonates beyond borders lies at the heart of Heartless, her debut single with Steve Aoki.
The collaboration came together through her manager, Michael Africk, Founder and CEO of Handcraft Entertainment, who had already been developing the project alongside Aoki’s team before Takarabe entered the picture.
“Michael was looking for the right artist to pair with Steve, who could also be the face of the global J-pop breakout,” she said. “When we met, he told me pretty early on that he thought I was the right artist at the right time.”
Having a manager who believes in your potential is one thing. Launching your career alongside an electronic music icon is another entirely.
“Of course, I was thrilled and honored and immediately said yes,” she said. “I couldn’t believe that my first single would be with an icon like Steve. It was surreal, and I knew it was the start of something incredible.”
While the collaboration itself is attention-grabbing, the creative challenge centered on weaving two languages together in a way that felt effortless and authentic.
“We spent a lot of time figuring out how to weave in and out of the Japanese and English,” Takarabe explained. “It was important to all of us that the song felt global while staying true to the Japanese part of our heritage.”
Beneath its polished, high-energy production, Heartless explores the lingering emotions that often follow the end of a relationship.
“Everyone feels hollow sometimes, everyone feels pain,” Takarabe said. “Sometimes people are scared of vulnerability, but it’s nothing to look down upon. So why not make it into a dance song? Feelings are a part of life. Who says we can’t dance through them?”
Rather than trying to bury those emotions, Takarabe embraces them, transforming heartbreak into something listeners can dance to, cry to, or simply recognize within themselves. Heartless doesn’t seek to erase pain—it reframes it, reminding listeners that vulnerability can be both honest and empowering.
Considering how naturally she speaks about blending cultures and influences, I was curious whether her listening habits reflected that same openness.
“I listen to a very wide variety of music and music in a lot of different languages,” she said. “From Sabrina Carpenter to neo soul, acid jazz, and downtempo. I love all music with groove, atmosphere, and personality.”
It’s the answer of someone driven less by genre than by genuine artistic connection. Rather than chasing trends, Takarabe gravitates toward music with character—songs that leave a lasting impression regardless of where they originate.
Now that her debut has arrived, her ambitions remain refreshingly uncomplicated.
“The next step will always be to keep creating, which is the one thing I’ll never get bored of,” she said. “I want to keep sharing parts of myself and my culture to the world through music.”
For all the discussion of genres, cultures, collaborations, and career milestones, Takarabe continually returns to one simple idea: creating. Not because she has everything figured out, but because the creative process continues to reveal new parts of herself. For an artist who once questioned where she belonged, she now seems remarkably comfortable existing between cultures, languages, and musical styles. If Heartless is any indication, that space between worlds may prove to be exactly where she belongs.
Follow Mia Takarabe on INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK
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Mia Takarabe Talks Identity, Steve Aoki, and Her Debut Single "Heartless"
