Exclusive Interview with HARUTA "My Music is a Gift From God" | #MUSICANDLIFESTYLE

My heritage srise DNA is roying inside of my soul. I got a sunrise suit. I [music] got a sunrise. Why all I got? I got a >> All right. Good morning. Welcome back. # in the morning. What comes in your mind when you hear the word samurai? Okay. in the studio. I'm joined by Arut will be explaining more about that song and how we come up with the song and also his journey through music and alo of course the lifestyle he has been experienc in Kenya for the past 4 days that he has been in Kenya. But for now I just want to introduce myself. My good name is James John find me on social media at James. Make sure you go to our social media platforms that is on4 channel. Make sure you engage in the conversation as well. Don't miss out the conversation. Make sure you share a lot. I've read your comments and I'll be sampling some of few comments. But for now, we just want to welcome Arut in the building with the song Samurai X. You told me I would say good morning in parties. Ohio. >> Ohio. Yes. >> How are you, man? >> Yeah, I'm good. I'm good. Nice to meet you. >> Nice to meet you, too. Amazing to have you here. >> Yeah. Thank you so much. I appreciate a lot. >> No, let's start now with the the with the your your background. Who is Arut? When people hear about Harut comes to the mind. >> Okay, let me explain. Yeah, I'm Haruta from Japan. I'm 20 years old and uh in Japan I'm a uni student but in Africa I'm a musician. [laughter] >> There's a two different lifestyles. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Two different you know very different. >> How is how is your life in in Kenya but let's say in Africa compared to what you have in Japan? >> Yeah. You know I love Africa a lot because you know people are energetic >> and people are kind. you know that energy that African have. I love that. And uh I think it was like four years ago uh to be uh in Africa for the first time. It was Ghana. >> Yeah. But I was very inspired by people's energy >> just just because of the energy and the vibe. Which which country can you say has been the best experience so far? Well, I think I want to explain uh uh explore Kenya more because it uh only I stay here for three days. >> But Rwanda was a nice country. I think Tanzania >> Tanzania is you have to explore Kenya more so that you can see out of all those countries now. But now for let's get back to the conversation. Of course, we're going to talk about Samurai songs. what what was really behind the message in the song Samurai and also when people hear about samurai what really comes to the mind is the the things that we see on TV the movies and all that but what's the meaning behind the word samurai >> yeah yeah samurai is the [clears throat] Japanese soldier from the past like historical icon of Japan >> but uh doesn't exist in the modern time >> yeah but uh samurai is not like typical soldier like a I don't know aggressive or like I don't know how to explain but samurai is more calm, >> discipline >> and you know peaceful [clears throat] >> and I was inspired by like samurai spirit. >> So I want to tell the samurai spirit's ideas to the world you know as long as we are fighting for something like fighting for life fighting for love and peace or something we are samurai. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Even if you are not Japanese or anything as long as you have that fighter samurai. So samurai is really um a soldier who's not that aggressive but really a spiritual soldier type. Okay. So when you when you say my heart is samurai, I'm samurai. Like you're just encouraging yourself like I'm a fighter but not really that type of aggressive fighter but I'm I'm really a definition of a real fighter. >> Yes. I'm proud of being fighting you know fighting for people and because I was inspired by Bob Mari musicari life he was fighting for unity right yeah so I I want to be a person like him and I want to uh convey my message through my music so I see myself as a samurai >> interesting interesting now when you when we talk now about making music uh we came up with I've seen you've done a lot of projects not only this other project that you've done already posted on So what what is the process that you can say is the hardest beat when you're making your music? >> Okay. So I'm a singer songwriter and I make beats. I make lyrics. >> I also play the guitar. >> So most of my song uh like my demos were produced in my room. >> I have a like very very small uh studio in my room just laptop and mic that's it. M >> but I make most of my songs there >> and uh uh I also make made a song with Syrian artist the artist from Syria >> and uh you know because I believe that music is can be the bridge of the culture and the people. >> Yeah the the think music is a really way of communicating to a lot of cultures. Now looking at looking at your life in of course Japan Japan said student in uni of course is a way different different life there then in Africa you've been seen like this one big artist from Japan. So that's that that say that's a bit two different lifestyle that you're living. So what can you say um how do you manage to to live this both when you go to Japan you're still a musician you can say you're still a musician still a student then in Africa you are just um individually an artist. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's true. You know, >> in Japan, I have many friends in university and they see myself as as a friend. But here many uh I really appreciate it. Many people see myself as a musician >> and uh you [clears throat] know that is what I want to be a musician. Musician. Yes. >> So what what are you studying in UN? >> Uh actually law and politics. >> But you're not [laughter] that much. So you say okay I'm not going to do that. So, so you're really let's say you're passionate about music mostly, not really about law. >> Yeah, I study law because I want to like improve social problems. >> Yeah. So, >> but you can still do it when see the connection [laughter] here, bro. >> Okay. Now, let's talk about some of other projects I've done. I think Samurai is the latest one. I think you released it I think a month ago. >> Uh, yeah. Releasing recently. But now, apart from Samurai, which other projects have you done? >> Yeah. Uh actually the first song I made in Africa was called Dada Darab bus. Dad Darab bus is a transportation in Tanzania. We made a song I made a song with artist called Simo from Arush >> and that was the first song and first song and the song was priced by uh East Africa Entertainment Hours >> and uh so I started uh career in Africa >> and also uh as I said I made a song with uh Syrian artists and in Japan uh >> I got nominated to the biggest award in Japan called the music awards Japan. Mhm. >> in a uh student category. >> Yeah. So, yeah, I was I I really appreciate that. >> Yeah. Okay. That's that's a good step. But I'm see I'm see Japan, I think they don't there's not let's say that much of the artist that normally do songs in English. So, let's say what can you say is the reception there compared to what you have in Africa? [laughter] >> Yeah, in Japan actually, you know, many people only listen to Japanese songs. getting the vibe that's way difficult in Japan in Africa actually. Yeah, they make a song in very complicated way and like very sensitive but you know in Africa um many musician make music with just vibes and dance what you're feeling at the moment. >> Yeah. Yeah. I really like it a lot. So yeah, [laughter] I I love to sing in English a lot more than Japanese. >> Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, >> that's a good that's a good thing. Now um I'm just looking at um how uh how life can be as an artist. I think that was that's one of the most complicated lifestyle that one can have and I'm looking at some of the issues that you might find when you're making music of course when you're producing or you know you're releasing the videos and making music videos. So what can you say is the biggest challenge now apart from just making music just in general? >> Biggest challenge you know. Yeah, it's sometimes hard to, you know, trust myself. >> Even if I I thought like I made a good great song, but >> like when nobody listened to that that song, I lost my confidence >> and I wasn't I couldn't believe in myself, my talent, my possibility. So that was the you know biggest challenge. >> Yeah. Still not >> believe but you have good vocals. Why do you believe yourself? [laughter] >> Thank you so much. But yeah, now now I I uh like yesterday I caught a cold. My voice is your voice is just changing a little bit but don't worry it's all about now gradually step by step as a musician. Now talking about inspiration in music you've mentioned Bob Mali is one of the biggest inspiration cuz even the beats that you have but um from the from the songs that I've listened to your songs you you focus more on love type of Janna. So can you say apart from Bali there's other maybe inspirations to music? >> Yeah inspiration [clears throat] I got a lot of inspiration from African music like Afro beats I'm a piano you know as you as you can listen to Samurai X you can hear the Afro vibes and dancing drums the drums. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And you can feel African like spirits of music. And also you can uh there is a beat switch in the song and it's it can change to the uh trap part trap beats. Yeah. I also listen to hip-hop songs. So yeah. >> So those are the just a combination of all that. So well I just want to get cuz you told me you make your own beats. Just want to get how do you come with the beat? Like do you just sit down then something just comes to your mind? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, [clears throat] like I am an instrument of God like that. Yeah. God give me uh like melody and rhythm. Can I show it? >> Yeah, sure. Sure. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I brought my laptop >> and I can show >> how my song my beats are made. >> Okay. So, let me >> Can you see it? >> So, first marba is go like this. >> Mhm. >> [music] >> and shamisen. This is Japanese traditional [music] >> and piano. >> Mhm. [music] >> Oh my, I'm still feeling it. >> And bass. >> I'm still feeling it. Yeah. >> And drum >> and chop part. [music] >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. [laughter] That's how I made B. So when you're now choosing some of those because you start with the drums then you you put the the the traditional type of then you go up to to trap then you of course just a mixture of so how do you come up with all that it's just a creativity or can you say just just being creative? >> Yeah >> when I was you know I I couldn't came up come up with any ideas I just go out and cycling and God gives gave me idea of beat switch and oh that's it. [clears throat] Let's try [laughter] >> just you're like I saw I saw another artist I think by Jackson is the one who normally did it. Yeah, just something do this do this do this then it comes to be a different so it's just a good let's say a god-given talent so um let's say now apart from now being an artist I just want to get now the other side of your lifestyle as a as a university student you know in Japan when you go to to university people could just come to you oh you you're a little the musician or they don't know you [laughter] >> I'm I'm not still that famous in university >> yeah but you So uh yeah many friends like my music and when I like posted my new video music video everyone like >> yeah I I saw it and I love it. Yeah many friends they said to me so I I really happy >> but with the time they just come [laughter] >> you never know >> very sometimes. Yeah, you you never know. But now apart from now doing music uh apart from doing law, what other type of hobbies that you have that you normally do? Well, yeah, I study about al also about uh like social problem and worldwide like problem like a war conflicts >> and [clears throat] uh yeah when I went to any other country like Rwanda or something. I I did like like peace education workshop >> and I met many uh many students and many uh teachers and we discussed about how we can make peace through education. >> Yeah. So peace making like peace movement is my lifestyle too. Yeah. >> Something else that you would like to do I think also you can make you can take that like an inspiration and also make music about it even music video about it. So I think it's a good inspiration. Now apart from now you've talked about the problems you talk about um your journey of course. When did you start making music by the way? >> Uh when I was a high school student so I think six years ago. >> Yeah. So that's been a journey for six years. So what can you say is an experience that you you have seen and also what can you say is the progress that you're making and say okay from when I started compared to where am I right now the difference? >> Yeah. Uh when I was high school student I just played guitar and guitar and my vocal and some beats but I now I'm making with laptop but at the time I was just using my smartphone >> yeah iPhone that's it. So the quality was very low but it was very creative and uh yeah I started to learn how to make beats on laptop. My music has changed and yeah >> apart from now uh the collaboration that you've done with an artist are you doing any other collaboration maybe which which Kenyan artist you can say I've listened to this Kenyan artist maybe has my mind really [laughter] >> yeah I have to know about more Kenyan music >> yeah I think you have to listen a little bit because the way the type of janna I think also in Kenya there's other artist that sing that type of j but I can say apart from the artist that you've and collaboration with Are you planning maybe to do other collaborations? >> Yeah, I'm thinking like I'm I actually now I'm making my my new album. Yeah. But >> yeah, but Simmo is my best friend and best artist in uh in Tanzania. So I'd like to collaborate with him. Yeah. More songs. We have great songs. >> So I'm just I just get let's say let's say you work with the Tanzanian artist. I think of course he'll sing in Swahili maybe. >> Yeah. Yeah. you do English or do you do Japan? So what can be the reception out there when you go back to Japan? Tell them I work with this certain artist from Tanzania. So do they do they really know the language? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. They don't know the language but they know the word like hakamata >> or from the lion. [laughter] >> Yeah. So they know some words. >> Yeah. But of course it's a lesson. It's an education also. [laughter] It's a way also to embrace other cultures. So I just finish up because I think we have about 6 minutes. So let's say what you can say about giving advice to the to the young people out there who really have that passionate about music or they want to start this journey but um they're just saying not really starting to make it to that big stage. You're also in the process of becoming one of the big artist. What can you say the best advice you can give to the young people? >> Best advice. >> Yeah. M sometimes as I said >> it's hard to trust yourself you know >> you lose your confidence your mind but you have to you know believe your direction and your passion >> that you believe >> and yeah I want them to make music >> through like >> you know peace way peaceful ways >> because music is not not Not only music but also like power you know to move people, unite people. >> Yeah. So please believe that uh believe in the power of music. Music can change the world. I I believe so. Yeah. Yeah. So please believe in the uh the power of yourself and the power of your music. >> Yeah. Music is a way of communication. I've said it really well cuz uh it it brings out a lot of messages. There's a lot of message that can pass through just making a simple music or even a single music lyrics. So just before before we exit of course I just want to get to know where you see yourself maybe in the next 5 years in the next four years or even two years. What what do you want to see at root of the artist being? >> Mhm. >> Yeah. In five years. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. I want to you know spread my music and love and message to the all over the world you know. Um yeah, I want to be a international singer songwriter >> and yeah, I want to keep in touch in Kenya of course you know because I have many friends. >> So yeah I just want to make you know many friends in the world around the world through my music career >> and yeah I want to be connected to everyone. Yeah and I want to show my love >> and also show the what you can do on the big stage. Have you done like those type of live performances? >> Live performance. Some I Yeah. Yeah. Experience doing those type of >> Yeah. It was really nice and uh Yeah. But I want I'm trying to you know uh sing for like many audience. Yeah. So I'm trying still trying. >> Can you do it for audience? Maybe. >> Yeah. >> Just give us what you can what you got, bro. >> Yeah. On on Sunday. >> Yeah. On >> uh Kenya National Theater. [clears throat] >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I will be I will be performing my Yeah. new song and songs. So yeah, please come. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> The love and support. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Please. >> Just a quick part before we exit. Really? What's your favorite say a Kenyan meal that you have tasted and say, "Oh, this is way different. I love the other countries." It's your favorite meal. >> Your favorite one? >> Meal in in a meal. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> A meal. Uh chapati. >> Ah. >> And biryani. >> Uhhuh. >> Uh yeah, something like that. Yeah. Biryani and beef. >> That's I think is love by a lot of people in Kenya too cuz >> the wheat and all that combination but I love the amazing conversation because getting to know you getting to know your journey and also getting to know some of the issues that you faced as an artist as well. So before we go maybe you can tell them where they can find you on social media or if they want to connect with you personally you can give them their personal. >> Yeah. Please search Haruta on YouTube, Spotify or anything like Apple Music and you can hear uh Samurai X as my new song and you can also see my activities in Tanzania in Kenya and yeah I hope you enjoy a lot and I want you to enjoy uh the on Tik Tok # samurai challenge many people joining. Yeah so please dance with my music. Yeah. In terms of making music, marketing your music and they making it really easy for you. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I I make many Tik Toks and dance challenge with dancers. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah. >> Which is a good way. So, find on on all platforms of course on social media and also on YouTube. Follow the songs are amazing. I've listened to them personally and know they're amazing. So, I'm not lying to you. So, but don't go anywhere cuz Liz is just coming up. You can find me on social media, James John. My good name is James. But don't go anywhere. [music] Let's believe this again. Even if [music and singing] more will let us forget. Over [singing] our [music] history, I'll forget the pain now. And let's start [singing] a brighter future [music] together. >> [music] [singing] >> Let the >> [singing] [singing] >> May he come to all the earth. May freedom [music] come to the earth. It's not a just a play on my resolve. [music] May healing come to all the earth. May freedom come to all the hearts. [music] It's not just a prayer. Make it real. Oh my [music] love. Let's believe this again. [singing] Even if [music] we let us forget. Love will never hate away. [music] saving us from never hearing all of our [music] broken hearts. Our love, [music] let's believe this again. Even if [music] us forget history, [music] I'll forget the pain now. Then let's talk about [music and singing] our future together. La. [music] [music] [singing]