- 11:00 AM
- April 9, 2026
Bingkai Karya – Japanese singer-songwriter on the rise, Rol3ert, continues to gain momentum on the global and Asian stages with the release of “(how could I be) honest?”, a new version of the song that propelled his name to fame. The track was created through a collaboration with Korean producer DAUL and renowned R&B musician THAMA. Recently selected for Rolling Stone’s “Future 25” as one of 25 artists representing Japan, Rol3ert is quickly emerging as one of the most promising new voices from his country on the global stage.
Originally released in December 2025, “(how could I be) honest?” quickly captured global attention and was added to Spotify’s official playlist in 18 countries. Across Asia, the track gained strong regional traction, appearing on viral charts in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, receiving frequent airplay on Singapore‘s 987FM, and reaching No. 5 on the Shazam Singapore chart. On Spotify, it surpassed 500,000 streams within its first month, making it Rol3ert’s fastest-growing release to date.
Across his latest releases, including “(how could I be) honest?” and “savior”, user-generated content, has continued to spread organically, expanding his reach among young listeners throughout the region.
This new version presents a reconstructed track rather than a conventional remix, expanding its emotional and sonic identity across cultural boundaries. Featuring newly written Korean lyrics and vocals by THAMA, the song preserves the emotional core of the original while introducing a new dimension through DAUL’s electronic production and distinct artistic touch. The result is a version that feels both familiar and entirely refreshed, bridging Japanese and Korean musical sensibilities within a global pop context.
DAUL shared, “When I first heard the original track, what stood out the most to me was the vocal melody. It has a strong, memorable hook, and I could feel the natural energy and dynamics of the band’s sound. Rather than drastically changing the song, I focused on preserving its emotional core and melody while expanding that energy through electronic elements. By reconstructing the track using synthesizers and electronic drums, I aimed to create a denser, more three-dimensional soundscape.”
”With THAMA joining, the atmosphere of the song became even richer. The combination of Rol3ert’s and THAMA’s unique styles, along with the arrangement, creates a piece that reveals more depth with each listening.”
THAMA added, “The original track has a rock feel that I don’t usually work with, so it felt very fresh. Rol3ert’s voice and melodies left a strong impression, they reminded me of the emo rock bands I listened to growing up.”
“During production, I focused on preserving the tone, rhythm, and lyrical appeal that Rol3ert brought, while adding my own interpretation on top of that foundation. The synth-driven sound is the key element of this version. I also hope listeners pay attention to the rewritten first verse, which wasn’t in the original. I hope people enjoy how the song transforms through my voice.”
Rol3ert explained, “My main focus was to create something truly different while still retaining the original charm, its slightly absurd, chaotic, and imperfect qualities in a positive sense. I drew inspiration from ‘80s video game sounds to bring in a playful touch.”
“When I first heard DAUL’s demo, I was really happy to hear that sense of playfulness already embedded in the track. By combining it with THAMA’s voice and adding Korean lyrics, which was a new challenge for me, I believe we created something that feels like a different song, while still preserving what made the original version special.”
Alongside this release, a music video featuring Rol3ert and THAMA, filmed in Korea, further brings this cross-cultural collaboration to life. Meanwhile, he has also released a live performance video for “savior”, recorded during his sold-out headline concert, Rol3ert Live “katachi” in Tokyo, showcasing the growing scale and energy of his performances.
To further strengthen his connection with fans, Rol3ert has launched his official Discord community, creating a dedicated space for listeners around the world to interact, connect, and access exclusive content. He also set to make his debut performance in Singapore at Mediacorp’s Cloud 9 Festival on May 9, marking another key milestone as his popularity continues to expand across Southeast Asia.
With steadily rising momentum in Japan, Southeast Asia, and Korea, Rol3ert is emerging as one of the most exciting new voices in the region, bridging cultures, languages, and sounds with a distinct global perspective.
About Rol3ert
Born in the United States in 2005 and raised in Japan, Rol3ert launched his solo career in January 2025. Singing primarily in English while blending melodies influenced by the Japanese language and J-pop, he has developed a distinctive cross-cultural musical style. His cover videos have gone viral worldwide, with several surpassing 4 million views, while his original songs have been featured on playlists across Asia and beyond. With listeners spanning Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, the United States, and Brazil, Rol3ert is emerging as a new Japanese artist making his mark on the global music stage.
About Daul
Producer DAUL has built a global listener base, with around 170,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and consistently strong streaming performance. Notably, his remix of “Kirari” by Fujii Kaze has surpassed 10 million streams on Spotify, showcasing his production skills. In addition, through overseas tours with R&B artist JUNNY, he has performed on various international stages, and through collaborations with prominent domestic artists such as Lee Youngji, CHANGMO, and GRAY, he has expanded his presence as a producer.
About THAMA
THAMA is one of South Korea‘s leading R&B singers, songwriters, and producers, known for his deep, soft vocals and a musical style that naturally blends jazz, hip-hop, and neo-soul. He debuted in 2017 with the single “Fall In Love”, and has since expanded his musical footprint through songwriting and collaborations with notable artists such as Dynamicdua, EXO, NCT 127, george, and Kang Daniel. His first full-length album in 2021, ‘DON’T DIE COLORS’, received widespread acclaim for its high production quality, winning Best R&B/Soul Album at the 19th Korean Music Awards and R&B Album of the Year at the Korean Hip-Hop Awards. The album was also selected by Harper’s Bazaar (US) as one of the “15 Best K-pop Albums of 2021”, praised for its layered sound that freely moves across R&B, hip-hop, soul, and jazz. This recognition further elevated THAMA’s international profile.
In 2023, THAMA expanded his musical palette with his second album, ‘WOOOF!’, which incorporates funk and neo-soul influences. In the same year, he successfully sold out his solo concert organized by Hyundai Card Curated, solidifying his reputation as a captivating life performer.
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