Live Report: Tanaka X on the Hot Press Lockdown Sessions' Y&E Series

After establishing himself as a serious force in alternative R&B back in 2018, with a high profile support slot for former JLS member Aston Merrygold, Tanaka X (Johnson Tanaka Furusa) stepped back into the spotlight with his debut single, 'Let You Know', last month.

The 22-year-old rapper, singer-songwriter and producer – who was crowned the winner of NiStars Talent Competition in 2015, and Belfast Nashville Young Songwriters in 2017 – has built up a reputation as a multi-talented star-in-the-making.

Tanaka X offered up a healthy mix of unreleased material and previously heard gems last Friday night, April 30. Setting up a gig in his back garden, the talent was armed with captivating Afrobeat sounds, silky smooth, dark R&B vocals and rap verses throughout his Y&E Series set.

The beatmaker challenges himself within his own tracks, showing genre-blending versatility and a wide, honey-toned vocal range. Unheard songs 'Save Us From Ourselves', 'Do It For The Culture' and 'Warrior' were undoubtedly highlights of the livestream, infusing heavy basslines, powerful verses on class and racial issues, and heartfelt lyrics on romantic connections.

Delivering guitar-led songs alongside Afrobeat gems, the rising star barely stopped to take in a breath while banging out snippets of powerful forthcoming releases. Even freestyling parts of his alternative hip-hop tracks, Tanaka X has boundless energy and ambition to boot. Watch this space, his future is set to be stratospheric.

Watch the full Y&E Series performance from the charismatic Tanaka X below:

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Check out our spectacular upcoming line-up for the Y&E Series below – going live every night at 7.30pm:

Tuesday, May 4: Zeinab
Wednesday, May 5: ELKAE
Thursday, May 6: Meghan Ali