Japanese singer Fujii Kaze’s inspiration from Hindu spirituality

• Fujii Kaze’s global rise is built on subtlety, introspection, and emotional depth rather than spectacle.

• His music blends multiple genres while consistently exploring peace, compassion, and meaning.

• India plays a deep spiritual role in his life, shaping his philosophy and art.

• Prema reflects spiritual growth, acceptance, and inner transformation.

• His India debut symbolizes connection, stillness, and shared spiritual energy.

At a time when global pop culture often rewards volume, speed, and viral spectacle, Fujii Kaze has taken a markedly different route. The Japanese singer-songwriter, now followed devotedly across Asia, Europe, and North America, has built his reputation not by demanding attention but by gently drawing listeners inward. His rise feels less like a takeover and more like an invitation.

Kaze’s sound slips easily between jazz, R&B, gospel, and J-pop, yet the emotional core of his music remains constant. It speaks to calm, compassion, and the search for meaning amid constant noise. That sensibility makes his much-anticipated India debut at Lollapalooza Mumbai feel less like a tour stop and more like a personal return.

In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Kaze describes India as his “spiritual hometown.” While the phrase initially sounds symbolic, it reflects a long-standing influence on his life and art. Years before global recognition followed his breakout track Shinunoga E-Wa, Kaze had already been immersed in Hindu philosophy, mantra traditions, and the idea of detachment—largely through his family’s interests.

“There’s a truth I already carry inside me, but I have to keep coming back to it,” he reflects. “This album expresses that way of thinking more than anything I’ve done before.” His 2024 album Prema, named after the Sanskrit word meaning divine love, stands as the clearest reflection of that journey. Rather than functioning as a conventional pop release, it unfolds like a quiet meditation. “My parents have always been drawn to Hindu teachings, and that curiosity shaped me too,” he explains. “Spirituality has been central to my life, and it keeps deepening. It doesn’t always directly spark songs, but whenever I create, I try to connect to something beyond the material.”

Because of that mindset, Prema doesn’t feel like an artist searching frantically for clarity. Instead, it captures someone learning how to exist comfortably within uncertainty. Asked whether the album represents evolution or release, Kaze answers without hesitation: “Both. I’m always trying to grow, and sometimes growth means leaving old habits behind.”

That philosophy comes to life most vividly in Grace, the serene visual filmed in Uttarakhand. Framed by misty mountains and open landscapes, the video transforms India into a reflection of inner quiet. For Kaze, however, the experience wasn’t theatrical. “That video feels like my everyday inner world, just expressed more beautifully,” he says. “I’ve always been someone who looks inward.”

This ability to balance reflection with scale is precisely what makes his upcoming Lollapalooza India performance so compelling. Festivals are designed for excess and high energy, while Kaze’s music thrives on subtle emotional shifts. He doesn’t see this as a conflict. “I enjoy presenting introspective and spiritual ideas through pop in a way that still feels cool and accessible,” he says. “That’s why I think Lollapalooza India could be the right space for my songs.”

Even so, stepping onto an Indian stage brings a sense of unpredictability. “I honestly don’t know what to expect,” he admits with a laugh. “Indian audiences must be full of surprises.” Beneath the humor lies a sincere hope: “Because India feels like my spiritual home, I want to experience a sense of connection and unity with the people.”

Kaze’s creative rhythm is grounded in patience rather than pressure. When asked how he maintains inner balance while traveling, he resists the idea of constant productivity. “Inspiration can’t be forced,” he says simply. “So I don’t put too much stress on myself when I’m on the road.”

His approach to creativity leans toward simplicity instead of accumulation. When the idea is raised that art can emerge by stripping away excess until only what matters remains, he immediately relates. “That resonates with me,” he says, referencing Michelangelo’s famous quote about freeing the angel within the marble. “I can’t say I always work that way, but it’s something I aspire to.”

The same values guide his listening habits. Kaze is drawn to musicians who treat music as a form of spiritual exploration. He describes Umi as “like a sister,” blending R&B with shared introspection. Sam Garrett’s work helps him begin the day “with gratitude and peace,” while Cleo Sol offers warmth and reassurance through soulful storytelling.

When he finally lands in Mumbai, his hopes are refreshingly simple. There’s no checklist of tourist attractions or industry encounters. “I want to feel the spiritual energy of the people,” he says. “I’d love to eat something sacred, visit a holy place, and maybe even meet someone divine.” The wish may sound playful, but it carries unmistakable sincerity.

In an era driven by louder hooks and faster fame, Fujii Kaze continues to move in the opposite direction. He’s proving that pop music can be contemplative, that success doesn’t require drowning out the inner voice—and that sometimes, the quietest presence leaves the deepest impression.