On March 14, Psychic Fever made their mark at SXSW 2025, setting the stage ablaze at the Friends From The East Festival showcase inside Elysium. The venue was packed, and the energy in the air was palpable as the group wasted no time proving why they’re at the forefront of the global J-pop (aka pops) push.
From the moment the first beat dropped, Psychic Fever locked in with the audience. Their performance was a high-octane fusion of razor-sharp choreography, smooth R&B vibes, and hip-hop-infused energy that had fans—both die-hards and first-timers—moving from start to finish. The group’s infectious stage presence transformed the venue into a full-blown party, with the crowd feeding off every transition, every bass hit, and every seamless vocal run. Their setlist was stacked, kicking off with their viral hit “Just Like Dat,” a track that’s already pulled 18 million YouTube views and 13 million Spotify streams. As soon as the hook dropped, the crowd erupted, and a sea of voices rose up, singing along—even in Japanese—a testament to the global reach they’re cultivating.
The momentum didn’t slow down as the group followed up with “Paradise” and “What’s Happenin’,” two singles that have quickly gained traction online, racking up millions of views in just weeks. The synergy between the members was undeniable, effortlessly weaving through high-energy dance breaks and smooth, soulful vocal moments. Every transition was deliberate, every move executed with precision, and their performance was as polished as it was raw.
Formed in 2019 under LDH Japan, Psychic Fever quickly rose to prominence with their unique blend of J-pop, hip-hop, and R&B. The group’s innovative sound and commitment to high-energy performances have garnered them a dedicated fanbase, not just in Japan but around the world. As part of the prestigious EXILE TRIBE family, they’re bringing a new wave of energy to the J-pop scene, fusing genres and pushing boundaries like never before.
Their global influence has been steadily growing, with features in Teen Vogue, Reuters, and Buzzfeed UK, alongside viral moments like their 121-million-view TikTok collaboration with P-pop group BINI. With each release, Psychic Fever continues to build on their momentum, making waves in the international market and positioning themselves as leaders in the evolving landscape of J-pop.
Their SXSW debut wasn’t just about showing up—it was a statement. With their infectious energy, genre-blending sound, and ever-expanding international presence, Psychic Fever isn’t just breaking into the global market—they’re here to stay, ready to take J-pop to new heights on the world stage.
HipHopCanada has the opportunity to sit down with the group to dive deeper into their creative process, how their time abroad shaped their sound, and their vision for the future. The interview with conducted with an interpreter, who translated for the group.
Psychic Fever (Photo by Aya Shimizu)
Interview with Psychic Fever
HipHopCanada: Your music, especially tracks like “Just Like Dat” and “What’s Happenin’,” showcases a blend of J-pop with global hip-hop elements. How do you incorporate diverse musical influences into your sound?
Psychic Fever: We all love R&B and hip-hop, and then we know a little music genre after that, and then we try to incorporate techno or jazz, and then we always try to try something new. Like for each song, each single.
HipHopCanada: Having spent six months in Thailand post-debut, how did immersing yourselves in Thai culture influence your music and performances?
PF: So having spent that six months in Thailand, we got to learn a lot about the global music and the culture around music, and that influenced a lot of the way we make our music and create our performances.
HipHopCanada: “Just Like That” sparked a TikTok dance challenge, propelling your global popularity. How did you react to this unexpected viral success, and how has it impacted your career?
PF: Yeah, I’m so happy to, like, people all around the world have seen our music. We did our first US tour last month, yeah, that was maybe just like that, making that happen.
HipHopCanada: From your debut album P.C.F to your latest releases like Paradise and What’s Happenin’, how do you feel your music and style have evolved? Have there been any key moments or experiences—like your time in Thailand or performing in Europe and the U.S.—that shaped your growth as artists?
PF: We grew a lot, like, since we released PCF to the, like, the songs. But especially, like, one of the members, like, really growing, especially Ren, actually. He was a rapper at first. Like, at first we got five rappers and two singers, but he could sing just a little bit at first. But now he can sing so well right now. So he’s one of our vocalists right now. And he does beatbox as well, so he’s actually really much greater in the industry. So he helps us make our songs.
Photo by Aya Shimizu
HipHopCanada: Embarking on your first U.S. tour is a significant milestone. What are some memorable moments you’ve experienced while performing in the U.S., and how has the American audience received your music?
PF: Okay, so we received a lot of really positive energy from the crowds in the US shows. And during the tour we just tried our best to kind of match that energy and keep the vibes up. One of the more memorable things was seeing the American audience also sing along to our songs in Japanese.
HipHopCanada: Your fans, known as ForEVER, have been instrumental in your journey. Can you share a memorable interaction with your international fans that left a lasting impression?
PF: The audience singing back their songs in Japanese. But another thing is, fan interactions. People will learn Japanese phrases to interact with us. And to be able to witness and be a part of that cultural exchange between Japan and the fans all over the world left a really lasting impression. It made us really feel like they are, I guess, representing a part of Japanese culture to the world.
HipHopCanada: With members skilled in various disciplines, including dance, rap, and beatboxing, how do you collaborate during the creative process to produce your music and choreography?
PF: So while we make sure to, not feature, but put to use each member’s talents. And because we’re each so different, we come together, we kind of create like a synergy, like a chemical reaction to create really amazing performances.
HipHopCanada: How have your individual backgrounds and experiences shaped the group’s dynamics and contributed to your collective identity?
PF: So we all come together, we brainstorm, and we discuss, and come to a conclusion together on how to create our group identity.
HipHopCanada: What are your goals for Psychic Fever in the coming years, and how do you plan to further expand your reach in the global music scene?
PF: So, we want to reach number one on the Billboard Global 200 charts. It’s our biggest goal. We want to deliver our music, little by little, like a U.S. tour and then Asia tour. We want to continue to expand it more all over the world, like in Europe, too. We had an event a few times in Europe, but then we’ve never done it before in Africa and Australia. So that’s why we want to expand our activity little by little, and then we really want to do our world tour very soon, if we can.
HipHopCanada: Our last question for you is: As you introduce your music to new audiences in North America, what message would you like to convey to potential fans unfamiliar with Psychic Fever?
PF: We want to see you guys, and we want to perform in Canada. We’re going to maybe release our new song in the near future, so look out for it, and please check our social media and all our music.
