SOTA HANAMURA Just Found His Match: His First Duet Is a Full-On Rivalry

They've been circling each other's orbit for a while. Now they're finally sharing a song, and it feels like deja vu.

Following the release of his pre-debut album “ASCEEENSION”, SOTA HANAMURA returns with "Dejavu", his first digital single since the album and his first-ever collaboration as a solo artist. Joining him is actress, model and singer Airi Suzuki, bringing together two performers widely recognised for their vocal ability in a duet that blurs the line between chemistry and competition.

Rather than a conventional love song, "Dejavu" unfolds like a musical face-off. Inspired by the tension of two people constantly challenging one another, the track explores the push and pull between equals, where admiration and rivalry exist at the same time. That "VS" dynamic comes naturally to SOTA and Airi, whose friendship grew through radio appearances and whose journeys from successful groups into solo careers have seen them continue to inspire one another.

The song was created alongside acclaimed producer A.G.O, whose credits span artists including Ayumu Imazu, Furui Riho, SIRUP, and most recently songwriting for King & Prince. Known for blending live instrumentation with forward-thinking production, A.G.O gives “Dejavu” a groove that feels both sleek and organic, providing the perfect backdrop for two distinctive vocalists to trade lines and elevate one another.

The collaboration also marks another milestone in SOTA HANAMURA's rapidly expanding solo career. After introducing his artistic vision through “ASCEEENSION”, “Dejavu” opens a new chapter by placing dialogue and chemistry at the centre of his music.

The release arrives just after another major milestone. On 17 August, SOTA HANAMURA took the stage at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan for his first solo concert, billed as a Special Edition performance. Coming only months after releasing “ASCEEENSION” and embarking on his first solo tour, the show reflects the growing momentum of an artist continuing to expand beyond his work as Da-iCE's main vocalist.

With “Dejavu”, SOTA HANAMURA doesn't simply introduce his first collaboration. He finds the perfect counterpart, creating a duet where neither voice overpowers the other, and where the tension between them becomes the song's greatest strength.

About SOTA HANAMURA

SOTA HANAMURA is the solo project of Sota Hanamura, main vocalist of five-member dance and vocal group Da-iCE, known for his exceptional singing skill and dance performance.

He released pre-release digital single "Me.exe" on 6 February 2026, and made his solo live debut as SOTA HANAMURA on 14 March at the 42nd Mynavi Tokyo Girls Collection 2026 Spring/Summer at Yoyogi National Gymnasium, a performance that firmly established his presence as a solo artist.

His pre-debut album "ASCEEENSION" followed on 3 June, alongside his first solo tour in support of it, culminating in a Special Edition Budokan show on 17 August, expanding his range as an artist while continuing his work with Da-iCE.

หลังจากสร้างความฮือฮาด้วยพรีเดบิวต์อัลบั้ม ASCEEENSION ล่าสุด โซตะ ฮานามุระ นักร้องเสียงทรงพลังจากวง Da-iCE (ไดซ์) กลับมาพร้อมกับ "Dejavu" ดิจิทัลซิงเกิลแรก และยังเป็นผลงานคอลแลบครั้งแรกในฐานะศิลปินเดี่ยวของเขาอีกด้วย!

ความพิเศษของเพลงนี้คือการได้นักร้องและนักแสดงสาวมากความสามารถอย่าง ไอริส ซูซูกิ มาร่วมฟีเจอริ่ง แต่บอกเลยว่านี่ไม่ใช่เพลงรักหวานซึ้งทั่วไป เพราะ "Dejavu" มาในคอนเซปต์ "Musical Face-off" หรือการดวลไมค์สุดเดือดที่ผสมผสานระหว่างเคมีที่เข้ากันและการแข่งขันของสองเสียงร้องระดับพระกาฬ!

ตัวเพลงได้โปรดิวเซอร์ชื่อดังอย่าง A.G.O (ผู้เคยฝากผลงานให้กับ King & Prince, SIRUP และ อายามุ อิมาซุ ) มาช่วยดีไซน์บีทและซาวด์ดนตรีที่มีความโมเดิร์นแต่เปี่ยมด้วยกรู๊ฟที่ลื่นไหล เปิดทางให้ทั้งคู่ดวลเพลงกันอย่างสมศักดิ์ศรี

ไลน์อัปสุดปังนี้ปล่อยออกมาติดต่อกันทันที หลังจากที่ โซตะ ประสบความสำเร็จอย่างท่วมท้นจากคอนเสิร์ตเดี่ยวครั้งแรกที่ Nippon Budokan กรุงโตเกียว เมื่อวันที่ 17 สิงหาคมที่ผ่านมา บอกเลย กราฟชีวิตศิลปินเดี่ยวของเขากำลังพุ่งทะยานแบบฉุดไม่อยู่จริงๆ 

แฟนๆ J-POP ห้ามพลาด! ร่วมพิสูจน์พลังเสียงของสมการความมันส์ครั้งนี้ได้แล้วทุกช่องทาง 🎧 ฟัง "Dejavu" ได้แล้ววันนี้บนมิวสิกสตรีมมิงทุกแพลตฟอร์ม!

REPORT: INSTYLEASIA 

©Avex Music Creative

Exclusive interview with Da-iCE's Sōta Hanamura

Hyogo prefecture-born J-POP singer, song writer, dancer and actor Sōta Hanamura is one of the 5 members in Da-iCE boys group, formed in 2011 under Avex Management Inc. In December 2021, they won the 63rd Japan Record Awards for a hit song "CITRUS" which he wrote the lyrics. They're playing to huge crowds at the big tour concerts in Japan for more 12 years. 

Sōta Hanamura is not only known as a musician, but he also took various roles as an actor in Japanese TV series, movies and Broadway Musical include JERSEY BOYS. He joined the solo band project "Natural Lag" (from 2020) and the unit "UPSTART" (from 2021) with YouTuber Hikaru, and won the Newcomer Award at 77th Japan Media Arts Festival by Japan's Cultural Affairs Agency. In December 2022, he was appointed as ambassador of Itami city (Hyogo Prefecture), his hometown.

We had a great chance to interview with Sōta Hanamura who shared us about his inspirations and his favourites after  attended the METROCITY S/S2024 collection show and Afterparty as part of Seoul Fashion Week on September 2023. 

I think there are similarities between an artist's job and fashion, was there anything you felt?

Sōta Hanamura: I've learned the new things about the importance of expanding the range of expressions and not being limited by common sense. I feel, Art is absolutely awesome.

Please tell us when did you realize you had a passion to become a J-POP singer and how did you get started in the industry?

Sōta Hanamura: I had that passion since I was a kid. But when I was 15 years old, I decided to become a singer after hearing people cheered me when I sang the songs at front of many students in my school. Since then, I took a vocal audition in my current agency, and won the grand prize. It was the starting point to enter the music industry.

Hanamura-san, What kind of things you liked the most recently?

Sōta Hanamura: It's bike. I ride a Harley-Davidson FXBRS motorcycle. Now I'm spending more money to customizing it and spent more than the price of the bike. I'm so addicted to do this.

Do you have any plan to become a fashion influencer from your artist career?

Sōta Hanamura: I had only thought about being a singer, dancer, actor etc., but after seeing this fashion show (METROCITY SS2024), I got interested in fashion.

What would you be now, if you had not became an artist?

Sōta Hanamura: May be a part-time worker. Even now, the only things I can really get passionate are music and acting.

What artist has influenced you the most?

Sōta Hanamura: Taeyang from BIGBANG. I learned his awesome vocal style and dancing moves. 

Next is, Naul from BROWN EYES SOUL. I was impressed by his singing abilities and referred for my vocal performance. 

And Frankie Valli. Last year, when I played the role of Frankie Valli in a Broadway musical "JERSEY BOYS", I've learned new thing about vocal techniques.

Recently what's your favourite movie?

Sōta Hanamura: JERSEY BOYS

What is your most favourite 3 thing in Korea?

Sōta Hanamura: Dak Hanmari (Korean style chicken stew), IVE and Fashion.

Can you speak Korean? If you can, what is your most favourite Korean words?

Sōta Hanamura: I can't speak Korean, but I remembered a sentence "yeong su jeung ju se yo (영수증 주세요)"! My younger sister is studying in Korea and she can speak Korean, so I'd asked her to teach me so that I can speak with her in the future.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?

Sōta Hanamura: Learn English and Korean!!

Is there any subject in particular, that you would like to do in the future?

Sōta Hanamura: I would like to collaborate with Korean artists. I want to sing and dance with them as representatives of Korea and Japan.

METROCITY's new collection is inspired by a legendary Studio 54 in Manhattan, New York. What do you imagine about New York city and the legendary discotheque in America?

Sōta Hanamura: It's so cool. funky but elegant!

What is your most favourite items from METROCITY?

Sōta Hanamura: I really wanted to buy the pink setup clothes I wore this time.

What are some of your latest and upcoming projects?

Sōta Hanamura: I would like to do a tour concert in Asia someday in the future.

Do you have any messages you would give to your fans?

Sōta Hanamura: Nice to meet you. My name is Sōta Hanamura from Da-iCE. I will try my best to see you again next times.

Follow him to get all the latest updates via his instagram, TikTok and X,  and plan your trip to see him on the upcoming movies and his concert in Japan next times!

Dress: METROCITY SS2024
Da-iCE's Official Website: Da-iCE.jp 
SŌTA Hanamura: INSTAGRAM | TikTok  | X 

Thanks to METROCITY JAPAN and Sōta Hanamura

Photo: InStyle Asia