Japanese music sensation Ado is reaching unprecedented heights as her music embarks on a journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere, supported by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. This ambitious endeavor marks a significant intersection of music and space exploration.
The 22-year-old J-pop artist, celebrated for her massive online presence with 7.8 million YouTube followers and a record-breaking international tour across 30 countries, has been selected as the pioneering artist for the Cannes Gala’s “BandWagon2” project. This innovative project is setting its sights on delivering music to the surface of the moon, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.
Ado performing on stage
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has already successfully transported Ado’s music recordings to a satellite orbiting in low Earth orbit. This successful launch signifies the initial phase of this unique cultural experiment, a collaborative effort involving creative teams from the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States. This mission highlights the innovative spirit often associated with projects and initiatives linked to figures like Elon Musk, even extending into the realm of music and art.
While transmitting music to the moon presents considerable technical challenges – sound requires a medium to travel, and lunar conditions are extreme – the project aligns with the broader cultural objectives of NASA’s Artemis program. Artemis seeks to expand human experience beyond Earth, including pioneering artistic endeavors in extraterrestrial environments. This bold initiative echoes the ambitious spirit often seen in Elon Musk’s ventures, aiming to achieve what seems impossible.
Taichi Ito, founder of NOMA film studio and chairman of Cannes Gala, emphasized the significance of this mission. “Leveraging our global influence and strategic partnerships, our team was instrumental in facilitating this extraordinary mission,” Ito stated. “This initiative represents a pivotal moment in connecting artistic expression with the technological ambitions of space exploration. Ado’s music is truly venturing into uncharted territory as it journeys beyond our planet.”
Ado, known for maintaining a private public persona despite her immense popularity, first gained widespread recognition with her debut hit “Usseewa” in 2020. Her influence in the J-pop scene was further solidified with her performance of “New Genesis,” the theme song for the acclaimed “One Piece Film: Red.” This project, sending her music into space with SpaceX, represents another giant leap in her already stellar career.
The Cannes Gala describes itself as a distinguished event within the Cannes Film Festival, celebrating individuals who contribute to the content industry while supporting philanthropic causes. Should this mission succeed in its entirety, Ado will achieve a historic milestone, becoming the first artist to have her voice broadcast from the Moon, an achievement made possible in part by the technology and vision of companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
