Popular female Western music artists in Japan. Recommended famous overseas divas and singers.

Boo’d UpElla Mai

Ella Mai – Boo’d Up

Ella Mai is a singer-songwriter from the UK.

She drew attention when Boo’d Up, a track from her 2018 self-titled debut album Ella Mai, became a smash hit, peaking at No.

5 on the U.

S.

charts.

The song also achieved the remarkable feat of being nominated for the Grammy Award for Song of the Year and winning Best R&B Song.

Her vocals have a distinctive groove that makes your body move naturally when you listen.

We can’t take our eyes off her future activities as she continues to play to her strengths!

ThumbsSabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter – Thumbs (Official Video)

Selena Gomez is a female singer-songwriter who is also flourishing as an actress.

She is incredibly multi-talented: in addition to her acclaim as an actress, she is highly regarded as a model, artist, and philanthropist.

As an artist, Selena Gomez embraces a wide musical range—from message-driven songs to upbeat dance music you can really move to.

This time, we’ve selected one of her powerful, message-rich masterpieces: “Lose You To Love Me.”

DamageHer

H.E.R. – Damage (Official Video)

H.

E.

R.

is an American singer-songwriter whose whispery vocals and occasional low tones create a downcast vibe.

As exemplified by her hit song “Damage,” she’s known for a style that gently layers vocals over chill, laid-back accompaniment—truly a representative figure of Gen Z.

Because her songs aren’t overly assertive, if you feel that getting into Western music is a bit daunting, why not start by playing her tracks lightly in the background as BGM?

Kings & QueensAva Max

Ava Max – Kings & Queens [Official Music Video]

Ava Max, the singer-songwriter whose 2018 release Sweet but Psycho became a massive hit.

Influenced by artists like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, she skillfully distills the musical styles of her predecessors—incorporating catchy choruses while grounding her songs in dance-pop, as heard in Kings & Queens.

She also has great fashion sense, so when you watch her live performances, be sure to pay attention to her outfits as well!

abcdefuGAYLE

GAYLE – abcdefu (Official Music Video)

Singer-songwriter GAYLE rose to global attention after a boom on TikTok.

Her hallmark is pop music rooted in punk rock, and she was a major focus worldwide in 2022.

Speaking of her signature songs, there’s “abcdefu.” As mentioned, it’s a track that carries clear punk rock influences.

While the path that made her a star differs, her style is reminiscent of Avril Lavigne.

If you like Avril, you’ll likely enjoy GAYLE too—be sure to check her out.

Super BassNicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj – Super Bass (Official Video)

Nicki Minaj is a female rapper from Trinidad and Tobago and one of the most globally active female rappers.

When it comes to her appeal, it has to be her lyrics, right? In a good way, her lyrics are extremely dirty and raunchy.

That unfiltered vibe is probably what resonates with people.

Thanks to her enormous name recognition and strong support from young people, she seems to be popular in Japan as well.

If you’re interested in female rap, be sure to check her out.

good 4 uOlivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo – good 4 u (Official Video)

Olivia Rodrigo, who is from the United States, first drew attention in 2016 when she was cast as Paige in the Disney Channel series Bizaardvark.

Later, her debut single “drivers license,” released in 2021, became a worldwide hit, propelling her to fame not only as an actress but also as a singer.

As a vocalist, her appeal lies in her ability to perform a wide range of styles, from heart-wrenching ballads to upbeat pop.

Also, in the music video for “good 4 u,” you can see her in an adorable cheerleader outfit, so be sure to check it out on YouTube!