One of probably the most thrilling rising J-rock artists working at this time is Avu Barazono, the lead singer, composer and lyricist of Queen Bee (Ziyoou-Vachi). Known as Avu-chan, Barazono is of African American and Japanese descent. She can also be one of many few brazenly transgender Japanese music artists, which makes her an actual trailblazer within the Japanese music business. With her distinctive charisma, rising discography and catalog of music in Dororo, Tokyo Ghoul :re, Devilman Crybaby and extra, she’s somebody to control.
Avu-chan does most of her work in Queen Bee, an eccentric, four-piece band who aptly describe themselves as “fashion punk.” The group brings an fascinating mix of sounds to J-rock, mixing punk, kayokyoku (a subgenre of Japanese pop) and even disco. Avu-chan, who has usually spoken about embracing each the female and masculine features of her id, showcases a various gender presentation in her vocals, capable of change on the drop of a hat between deep, guttural sounds and a powerful falsetto.
Queen Bee was fashioned in 2009. After some reshuffling of members, it presently consists of Avu-chan, Yashi Akitorii (Yashi-chan), Ruri Nijigamine (Ruri-chan) and Hibari-kun. All names are pseudonyms, and the members’ private particulars are largely unknown. Following their album Witch Hunt in 2011, the four-piece band signed to Sony Music to launch Peacock later that 12 months — though, their artistic efficiency and music had the group making waves even earlier than their official debut.
In 2018, Queen Bee burst onto within the anime scene with “HALF,” the ending theme for the Tokyo Ghoul :re anime. The music transformed into some well-deserved abroad publicity, accompanied by a well-liked music video directed by Sayaka Nakane. It has been stated that “HALF” is about Avu-chan’s struggles as a half-black individual residing in Japan.