Japanese model-turned-rap force YUKIPOYO is making her global music move with “Te-Te Gyaru,” a jittery, high-energy bop produced by Tokyo heavyweight XLII — and she’s bringing a Filipino firecracker along for the ride.
The track is out now on all major platforms. But the real story? A special Tagalog remix featuring Zae, one of the most exciting names in Philippine hip-hop right now — and they’re already in Manila shooting the music video.
This isn’t just a gimmick pairing. YUKIPOYO, half-Filipina, half-Japanese, has been carving out her own lane in Japan’s gal culture scene, and “Te-Te Gyaru” is her most confident statement yet. Produced by XLII, who has worked with some of Japan’s biggest names in dance and urban pop, the track leans into bizarre sonic textures, percussive grunts and commanding rap energy that refuses to be boxed in.
Meanwhile, Zae isn’t just a feature name dropped for clout. With over 580,000 monthly Spotify listeners and a Hip-Hop Song of the Year nomination at the inaugural Filipino Music Awards for her “SUBOMOTO REMIX” with Hev Abi, she arrives at this collaboration with receipts.
Two artists. Two cultures. One track that could introduce both to entirely new audiences.
Before the full release, preview clips have pulled in a combined 4 million views on TikTok and 1.52 million views on Instagram. A recent visual racked up 92,000 likes on X almost immediately after going live.
That kind of pre-release momentum doesn’t happen by accident. It signals that gal culture, Reiwa-era, fashion-forward, sonically fearless, is finding a global audience that’s hungry for something different.
The Tagalog remix and music video don’t have an official release date yet. But if the original is any indication, the wait won’t be long. And it’ll be worth it.