Ryuichi Sakamoto: podcast appearances and interviews

Ryuichi Sakamoto was a Japanese musician, composer, keyboardist, record producer, singer, and actor. He is known for his diverse musical styles both as a solo artist and as a member of the synth-based band Yellow Magic Orchestra, which he co-founded in 1978. Alongside his bandmates Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi, Sakamoto significantly influenced the development of electronic music genres. His early career included work as a session musician, producer, and arranger during his time at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. His solo work includes the experimental album Thousand Knives released in 1978 and B-2 Unit in 1980, which featured the track Riots in Lagos that impacted electro, hip hop, and dance music. Sakamoto also collaborated with numerous international artists such as David Sylvian, DJ Spooky, Carsten Nicolai, Youssou N'Dour, and Fennesz. As a film score composer, he achieved international recognition with his debut on Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence in 1983, which he also starred in. His score for The Last Emperor in 1987 earned him an Academy Award, making him the first Japanese composer to receive this accolade. Further notable works include scores for The Sheltering Sky, Little Buddha, and The Revenant. Sakamoto also composed music for the opening ceremony of the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics and created the instrumental hit Energy Flow in 1999. He was honored with the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from France in 2009. Sakamoto passed away on March 28, 2023, at the age of 71 from colorectal cancer.