Yumewanaii’s Global Goals

The artist talks about cross-cultural collaborations, her stage name’s multiple meanings, and what’s next.

Photo credit: Instagram

For those who have not heard your music before, how would you describe it to them? How would you finish the sentence “Yumewanaii is ___” or “Yumewanaii’s music is ___”?
“Yumewanaii is an artist who captures everyday life through music.” I don’t rap about chains, money, or girls. I'm just living an ordinary life a little more passionately [than most] and turning it into music. My sound reflects my honest, relatable life.

Who or what first inspired you to pursue a music career?
It all started at a college performance, honestly. I jumped on stage by chance, and people cheered for my rap. It was such an overwhelming and heartwarming feeling, [and] that moment stuck with me. As for my biggest inspiration, it’s definitely Snow Tha Product. Her lifestyle, her attitude towards music… She’s basically my muse. I admire her so much.

What is the story behind your stage name? 
It has a double meaning! In Korean, it sounds like “Famous Kid,” but in Japanese, it translates to “No Dream.” I’m the kind of person who gets discouraged easily when chasing big dreams, so I try to focus on reality instead. The name reflects that mindset, and I really love how the contrast between meanings feels layered and ironic.

How has your approach to making music changed over time?
Honestly, I used to hate writing about myself. I’d get a lot of feedback about my lyrics being too vague or unclear. I avoided writing about dark emotions. I wanted to move on and write [about] better, brighter things. But then I realized that even my “ordinary” [stories] might resonate with someone, so now, I write with love even for the most average parts of my life.

Please talk about some of your 2025 singles! 
“RIDE OR DIE”: I had the honor of working with Hash Swan, who’s known in Korea for [being on] Show Me The Money! I stayed in touch with him consistently, hoping to one day have his voice on my track, and it finally happened! He also got involved in shaping the song’s structure, so it really felt like a true collaboration. This track gave me strength during a really tough time, so it means a lot to me.

“Alien girl”: One of the most unforgettable moments was filming the Alien girl double album’s visuals in the Himalayas. Yes, I actually hiked up Mardi Himal myself! 

Why Not: [This is a] project born from my desire to collaborate with artists from around the world, even though I’m not fluent in English - yet! [I] released “Spit like this” with [the] female Nepalese rapper SUSKI, and I’ve worked with artists from the U.K. and Indonesia. More global collabs are coming soon!

What were your experiences like on Drop The Bit and Show Me The Money?
Neither show gave me the best results, but both were like test periods in my life. I pushed myself harder, stayed super-focused, and honestly saw the most growth in my skills during [those] times.

Who is an artist you would love to work with that you have not yet, and who is someone who you loved collaborating with previously? 
Snow Tha Product is still the dream. Working with her would be like creating music with my own muse. Among artists I’ve worked with, SUSKI from Nepal really [stands] out. Her passion and potential were so inspiring, and we had such a fun time making music together.

What are your goals and plans for the rest of 2025?
I want to collaborate with even more international artists, and I’m working towards releasing my first EP this year, hopefully followed by a solo concert next year! That’s the dream!

Lastly, is there anything else you want to say about yourself or your music?
I’m not someone who was born with talent, but I keep going because I truly enjoy making music. I hope we can all get through hard times together, and I’ll keep bringing you songs from the heart!

Keep up with Yumewanaii here!

View the Substack version of this piece here!

Answers have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.