Who was Ryuichi Sakamoto?

April 5, 2023

On March 28, 2023, Ryuichi Sakamoto, the renowned Japanese composer and producer, passed away at the age of 71, after battling cancer for the second time in 2021. Sakamoto was a trailblazer in the music industry, admired for his unique style and experimental sound.

Early Life and Music Career

Sakamoto was born on January 17, 1952, in Tokyo, Japan. He started studying composition at the age of 10. He started off with classical music and when on to specialize in ethnomusicology at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. Sakamoto was inspired by The Beatles and Debussy and had a passion for exploring various musical styles, including the traditional music of Okinawa island in Japan.

Sakamoto’s Musical Style

Sakamoto was known for his electronic music experimentation. He was a pioneer of electronic music in Japan and blended traditional Japanese music with modern electronic music. He was a member of the Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO), which he set up with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi in 1978. Their synthesizer innovations had significant influence in techno-pop and hip-hop.

Awards and Film Career

Sakamoto won several awards throughout his career, including an Oscar, a Grammy, and a Bafta. He won these awards for his film score for The Last Emperor in 1987. He also received awards for his work as a solo artist and as a member of YMO. Sakamoto also acted in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence alongside David Bowie in 1983 and The Last Emperor, for which he won his awards.

Sakamoto’s Influence

Sakamoto was a big part of the ’80s musical experience for many, including physicist and former keyboard player with the bands Dare and D:Ream, Prof Brian Cox. Sakamoto’s synthesizer innovations influenced techno-pop and hip-hop and left a lasting impact on the music industry. He challenged the conventions of Western musical composition and often used electronics or blended electronic sound to break these walls.

Environmental Activism

Sakamoto was also well known for campaigning for environmental conservation in Japan, particularly after the Fukushima nuclear meltdown in 2011. He used his platform to raise awareness about environmental issues and advocated for a more sustainable future.