- Words Notion Staff
19-year-old artist Rol3ert is making a bold global debut with his viral single ‘meaning’ - proving that his genre-blending sound is resonating far beyond Japan’s borders.
At just 19, Japanese breakout artist Rol3ert (pronounced “Robert”) is rapidly becoming a global name. Blending J-pop with indie and alt-pop, his latest single ‘meaning’ has already racked up over 400,000 YouTube views since its January 2025 release — marking him as one of the year’s most exciting new talents.
To build on the track’s momentum, Rol3ert teamed up with global creator platform SURF MUSIC to launch the meaning Remix Contest, which drew thousands of submissions from around the world. The winning remix comes from KIDCOZY, a rising Vietnamese producer whose reimagining of the song impressed with its emotional punch and inventive production.
KIDCOZY’s version keeps the heart of the original intact—Rol3ert’s intoxicating vocals and that addictive chorus — while layering in gritty guitar riffs and a fresh sonic texture. The remix opens with plucky guitar lines and builds toward a powerful crescendo, adding an edge that distinguishes it from the rest.
The remix leads into the upcoming meaning EP, which will feature a stripped-down piano version of the track by Rol3ert himself, along with genre-spanning reinterpretations from across the globe, touching on R&B, soul, dance, and rock.
With only two official releases to his name, Rol3ert’s genre-defying sound and international outlook are already resonating far beyond Japan. For fans of The 1975, Joji, d4vd, and keshi, Rol3ert offers a sound that’s as emotionally resonant as it is globally accessible.