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| Former Morning Musume Star Riho Sayashi Makes Major Solo Debut Under Avex (Natalie Music) |
J-Pop legend-in-the-making Riho Sayashi (27) has just levelled up again – the former Morning Musume ace is officially making her major solo debut with Avex Trax, and her first single under the label, “Super Red,” is landing on June 18, 2025. But that’s not all – there’s an EP, a tour, and her first-ever international solo gigs all coming in hot.
The big reveal came during her birthday fan meeting event “PLAYGROUND! vol.4” in Tokyo on 31 May, where Riho lit up the stage not just as herself, but also as her new alter-ego DJ Riho Riho – yes, you read that right. She spun tracks, dropped remixes of her own songs, and had the crowd raving with glowing red penlights in full support.
🔥 Major Debut Single: “Super Red”
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“Super Red” isn’t just a bop title – it’s a statement. Riho’s tying it back to her iconic red member colour from her Morning Musume days, but this time she’s flipping it on her own terms.
“I used to want to become someone else – to show a new side of myself,” she said in her pre-event press chat. “But I’ve come to realise that everything I’ve done has made me who I am now. So I want to embrace that red, update it, and own it.”
The song will be released digitally on 18 June, and it leads into her new EP titled “Too much!” out on CD 23 July. That same name will be used for her upcoming 2025 Japan tour, which is shaping up to hit more cities than ever before.
🎧 DJ Riho Riho enters the building
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In what might be the boldest birthday move ever, Riho surprised fans by making her debut as a DJ, under the name DJ Riho Riho. She learned the craft from her tour DJ and gave her first-ever performance – complete with airhorns, remixed tracks, and a bit of impromptu dancing behind the booth.
“I’m still a singer first and foremost,” she laughed. “But if I keep at it, maybe in five years I’ll be heating up floors across Tokyo, who knows?”
🇯🇵➡️🌍 First solo international gigs incoming
The year’s only just started heating up for Riho. Alongside her Japan tour, she’s set to perform overseas as a solo artist for the very first time, which she says has been a dream in the making since her early days.
“I’ve experienced so much already – sometimes I even forget I’m only 27,” she said. “But it’s also an age where I want to grow and stand fully on my own.”
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🥤 Merch with meaning & messages for fans
From showing off her “Sayamaru health ball” and water bottle merch (yes, she did a live demo!) to giving heartfelt thanks to fans who’ve stuck with her since her teen idol days, Riho’s fan meeting wasn’t just a party – it was a proper celebration of her journey.
“To everyone who’s been with me – whether since I was 12 or more recently – I’m so happy to share this new beginning with you. I hope my performances can give you a bit of courage too.”
📀 From Hiroshima to NYC and back again
Quick recap for the newcomers: Born in 1998 in Hiroshima, Riho joined Morning Musume at just 12, quickly becoming known as one of the group’s most polished performers.
After graduating in 2015, she moved to New York for dance training and returned to Japan in 2020, launching her indie label Savo-r. She’s since released three EPs and one full album (“Symbolized”, 2024), starred in dramas, and kept growing as a multifaceted artist.
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Avex Trax was a natural next step, she says, especially since their roots in dance music align perfectly with her own.
“I’ve always been into R&B, hip hop, and dance music – that’s what got me into entertainment in the first place. So I’m excited to create from that place again.”
She also gave a nod to Avex artists she’s looked up to over the years – like Koda Kumi, who she listened to thanks to her mum, and Daichi Miura, whom she called “a dance-vocal role model”.
🎤 Setlist Highlights (Fan Meeting Vol.4)
Riho Sayashi Live Set
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DOOM PA
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Take a Breath
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alchemy
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Find Me Out
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DARKSIDE
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WE THE ONES
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Hi(gh) Life
DJ Riho Riho Set
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paradise (remix)
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MERGE
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SHINE
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ラッセ！
🚀 What’s next?
With Super Red launching her major label chapter and “Too much!” EP and tour in the works, 2025 is shaping up to be a banner year for Riho Sayashi – or should we say, DJ Riho Riho too.
From idol prodigy to independent powerhouse to label-backed performer, it’s safe to say: Riho’s just getting started.
And if she ends up closing out the year on a certain red-and-white show, well – no one would be surprised.