Rina Sawayama feels “trapped” and can’t release music under “current conditions”
Rina Sawayama has claimed she can’t release more music under “current conditions” and feels “trapped” by her label Dirty Hit.
During her performance at Glastonbury in 2023, Sawayama criticised The 1975 frontman Matty Healy, who is a shareholder in Dirty Hit. Healy also served as the label’s creative director for four years before stepping down from the role last April.
Before playing ‘STFU!’, she told the crowd: “I wrote this next song because I was sick and tired of microaggressions. So, tonight, this song goes out to a white man who watches Ghetto Gaggers and mocks Asian people on a podcast. He also owns my masters. I’ve had enough.”
Sawayama’s most recent album, Hold the Girl, was released in 2022 and she is yet to release any further music since making the comments at Glastonbury.
Now, Sawayama took to Instagram to share an article she contributed to in The Independent speaking about the misogyny and racism she has faced while working in the music industry.
Additionally, in the caption, Sawayama shared more information about her ongoing situation. She began by writing: “Happy international women’s day to all women, and in particular the women who have to fight silent battles with this industry on a daily basis!”
The singer-songwriter continued: “It’s the first time I’ve been honest about my past year (or to a level of detail I feel safe to). Honestly my mental health has been awful and though I was able to complete my 2023 commitments I can’t say it’s been the same this year. I’m sorry if I’ve let you down, my fans have been the shining light in all this. You’re always so supportive of me and I appreciate it so much.”
Sawayama added: “I’ve been lucky to have found ways to keep my business afloat and support myself as well as my team, but when it comes to new music I can’t release another album under my current conditions. I feel really trapped and don’t know what to do.”
See her full post below.
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