Mandy Sekiguchi, a member of Japan’s supergroup GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE, drops his highly anticipated solo EP “USO.” Fusing contemporary pop with infectious club energy, this release showcases bilingual artistry that bridges Japanese and English seamlessly. Featuring “MONEY ‘N MOCHI” in three distinct versions alongside the title track, this EP delivers both radio-ready hooks and dancefloor-ready beats.
Genres: J-Pop, Dance Pop, Club Sounds Like: EXILE, GENERATIONS, Afrojack, Steve Aoki
About The EP
“USO” (嘘) means “lie” in Japanese, but this EP’s message cuts far deeper than its title suggests. Navigating between falsehood and truth, dreams and reality, vanity and authenticity, Mandy Sekiguchi dissects modern society’s obsession with appearances while maintaining an unwavering belief in genuine dreams.
The title track “USO” confronts the hollow nature of social media culture and showbiz facade with sharp criticism: “嘘ばっか 写真とまるで違った” (Nothing but lies, completely different from the photos). Yet amidst the cynicism, there’s hope—like “Aladdin and Genie,” the dream of making wishes come true remains alive.
“MONEY ‘N MOCHI” takes a witty approach to wealth and happiness, featuring a clever reference to baseball legend Shohei Ohtani as the ideal role model for being a “bright rich person.” The message is clear: true fulfillment comes from self-improvement and genuine connections, not material wealth alone. The infectious hook—”Money and money and mochi, リッチでもアンハッピー、選ぶんならどっち?” (Rich but unhappy, which would you choose?)—challenges listeners to reconsider their priorities.
Tracklist: 1. MONEY ‘N MOCHI (Original) 2. USO 3. MONEY ‘N MOCHI (Sped Up) 4. MONEY ‘N MOCHI (Club Remix)
Release Date: January 19, 2025
About Artist
Mandy Sekiguchi is a prominent member of GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE, one of Japan’s most successful music groups under the powerhouse entertainment company LDH. With strong recognition across Japan and a dedicated fanbase, he brings the polished performance skills and musical sophistication that define the EXILE family of artists.
As a bilingual artist fluent in both English and Japanese, Mandy Sekiguchi positions himself for global appeal while staying true to his J-Pop roots. His solo work explores more personal and experimental territory, blending contemporary pop, hip-hop, and club music with thoughtful, socially conscious lyrics.
Self-proclaimed “SHOGUN OF POP,” Mandy Sekiguchi is carving out his own kingdom in the J-Pop landscape. This EP represents not just a musical statement, but a philosophical one—questioning the superficial values of modern celebrity culture while championing authenticity, self-improvement, and genuine human connection.
With “USO,” Mandy Sekiguchi delivers a project that works equally well on radio playlists and club dancefloors, offering multiple versions of “MONEY ‘N MOCHI” to suit every mood—from the original’s catchy hooks to the TikTok-friendly sped-up version and the hard-hitting club remix.
