Funkindustry

First influenced by pioneers of the Funk scene like James Brown, Earth Wind and Fire, Jamiroquai, Tower of Power, Zapp to name a few, Funkindustry then drew inspirations from more recent artists such as Tuxedo, Bruno Mars or L’Impératrice, while discovering a real passion for Japanese City Pop.

From their 2021 debut album, 5 singles were digitally released in Japan through Friendship, including “Gimme All You Got” whose video features Japanese Lockin’ dance crews, and “Suddenly” featuring Jua, rapper of Japanese, French and Cameroonian origins, which got into 7 Japanese playlists including Spotify Japan’s Tokyo Rising and Apple music Japan’s R&B New Releases.

In 2022, collaborations with Japanese artists continued with a “Remixed EP” by artists/beatmakers Orland and miida and The Department which came out in January 2022, followed by the single “Another One” featuring Hip Hop artist Wez Atlas. The song received more than 130 000 plays on Spotify to date and was selected by Amazon music Japan in their Breakthrough Artists 2023 ranking.

In 2023, Funkindustry released the EP “Midnight City Lovers” influenced by City Pop’s sound which includes 5 duets with the following Japanese female singers: Asako Toki, Natsu Summer, chihiRo from JiLL Decoy Association, Eri Takenaka and Emi (Emiland/ex-Zukunashi). The EP cover features an illustration by Japanese artist, Hiroshi Nagai. In June, the band came to Japan for a tour and performed in Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Okayama, Shimokitazawa, Shibuya.

In conjunction with the tour, Kissing Fish records (sub label of Disk Union) released a special 7-Inch record including “I Want You Closer” with Toki Asako and “Loneliness” with Natsu Summer.

2024 saw the broadcast of the documentary “Funkindustry – Discovering Japanese City Pop” on French public TV France 3 in June.
In July, Funkindustry released a new single “Etretat”, a French cover of Ryusenkei & Hitomitoi’s song “Kanashiikurai diamond”, in duet with French artist Clair. It was followed by a new song, “Free Your Heart”, with Korean City Pop artist uju.

Their latest release is a new song in duet with Japanese singer Rie Yoshizawa to be followed in October by another collaboration with Taiwanese singer Ahh G.
Both singles will support Funkindustry’s first Asian tour in Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam and Taiwan starting end of September 2024 by AXEAN festival.