Will Smith has unveiled a surprise remix of Yuki Chiba’s viral single “Team Tomodachi,” adding his star power to the track that has gained significant popularity since its release in February.
Smith’s remix comes nine months after “Team Tomodachi” captured international attention, leading to various remixes by U.S. artists like Duke Deuce and Bun B, as well as Japanese artists such as Jin Dogg, ¥ellow Bucks, and Watson. The song has resonated with fans in Japan and beyond, solidifying Chiba—formerly known as KOHH—as a prominent figure in the Japanese hip-hop scene this year.
On October 30, Smith announced the remix to his 70 million Instagram followers, writing in both English and Japanese: “My turn. Team Tomodachi (Will Smith Remix) coming 11.1.” The phrase “Team Tomodachi” originated within Osaka’s DIRTY KANSAI hip-hop collective and has since evolved into a broader movement embraced by fans and artists alike.
Along with the announcement, Smith shared a teaser video of himself rapping his verse while riding in one of his luxury cars. The video quickly garnered over 3.5 million views. Although Smith’s remix is slower to gain traction compared to earlier versions on platforms like YouTube and Spotify, it stands out as the most high-profile Western contribution to Chiba’s hit.
As the music world eagerly anticipates the full release of Smith’s remix on November 1, fans are excited to see how this collaboration will further elevate the popularity of “Team Tomodachi.”
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