On the Rise #2 - 7co
This Duo Turns Emotional Snapshots into Viral Pop Hits
There’s nothing quite like watching an artist you love reach new heights. This series spotlights up-and-coming artists, recommended by Japanese music fans, experts, and insiders – so you catch them on the rise.
I watched Nanaco’s mini “day in the life” series on TikTok, where she wakes up next to a Dobby plush, opens a fridge overfilled with Lipton teas1, and barely wins a dumpling figurine over a dozen tries at a gachapon machine.
It’s chaotic, hilarious, and really, just makes her all the more likable. But while Nanako might pull you in, it’s ultimately 7co that keeps you hooked.
Blending pop, hip-hop, and R&B, 7co has been spotlighted by Spotify’s RADAR: Early Noise and Buzz Tracker, and is shaping up to be one of 2025’s exciting J-pop acts.
Learn more below.
Meet 7co
Formed in 2022, 7co (pronounced “Nah-na-ko”) is the music project of singer-songwriter Nanako Ashida and producer RYUJA. Their YouTube bio sums it up best: “Creating new pop music through unique chemical reactions.”
Nanako Ashida
Nanako started playing the violin at the age of three; by middle school, she was already writing and composing her own songs. In 2018, she won the grand prize at a STARBASE x TWINPLANET audition, which launched her music career.
Today, she not only fronts 7co but also writes for other artists and releases solo work under the name ninni.
Ryuja
He’s seasoned music producer whose credits include some of the biggest names in J-pop and K-pop, from Namie Amuro to BTS.
Viral Hits
The duo made their debut with the track “TOMATO,” which quickly caught attention online. Since then, their songs have streamed in the millions.
This year, “RENAI KOUISHOU” (恋愛後遺症) became a viral hit on TikTok. Check it out below.
Snapshots
Beyond their genre-blending pop, 7co stands out for words that cut deep. Music writer Satoshi Shinkai compares their tracks to a photographer’s lens, capturing the right angle of an emotional moment “to make it easy for listeners to empathize with the main character.”
But, even without understanding the lyrics, the blend of pop, hip-hop, and R&B, with Nanako’s rhythmic flow, has made 7co's music popular with overseas fans as well.
Side note: The “day in the life” videos I mentioned above gave a behind-the-scenes look at how “ACCHUMA” came together. Check out the track below.
Follow 7co
Be sure to support 7co, via the links below!
X | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
I am serious. Someone, please make her a brand ambassador.