Mid-way through their Asia tour, Men’s Folio catches up with PSYCHIC FEVER of EXILE TRIBE for a quick coffee conversation. Hear from TSURUGI, RYOGA, REN, JIMMY, KOKORO, RYUSHIN, and WEESA on their meteoric rise up.
The gift of talent manifests in many different ways. It can be cultivated and refined, but never forced. Perhaps the greatest artistic tragedy lies in undiscovered gems: a diamond left in the rough, a song written but never heard, or a dance performed in an empty room. PSYCHIC FEVER, a breakout group from EXILE TRIBE, has defied such a fate. PSYCHIC FEVER is a seven-member Japanese boy group that comprises TSURUGI, RYOGA, REN, JIMMY, KOKORO, RYUSHIN and WEESA. While they may be big in their homeland of Japan, a viral social media-led explosion has fuelled their global ascent — which is now one for the books.
For those with their finger on the pulse of stan-TikTok, February 2024 was big for PSYCHIC FEVER. It was then that the rest of the world was collectively captivated by snippets of Just Like Dat — from countless angles. The song’s rap verses and suave dance moves left many stunned and swooning — akin to making an anticipated discovery of that new, perfect, harmonious sound.
It may have only been a few months since PSYCHIC FEVER reached that momentous pinnacle of viral fame, but they have continued to attract and grow their following into something bigger. Amassing a staggering 1.5 million TikTok followers and clocking in at 8 million streams on Spotify, to label their rise as “meteoric” would not be an understatement. Yet, PSYCHIC FEVER is not defining its path with singular achievements.
After establishing themselves as a cool, hip-hop-inspired group reminiscent of the 90s with Just Like Dat, they surprised fans with the release of the infectiously cheerful BEE-PO. This stylistic contrast goes further than just the duality of their music. Each member of PSYCHIC FEVER boasts a prominent personal style and identity, shunning a homogenous image in favour of individuality.
And, this is what exactly sets PSYCHIC FEVER apart from the sea of boy groups out there. The fusion of diverse personalities, their exploration of various music genres, and the candid charisma of each member — have collectively lured in a devoted fanbase in less than just a few months. Intrigued by this very appeal, Men’s Folio sat down with PSYCHIC FEVER to uncover more about what makes them just so appealing.
Hi PSYCHIC FEVER! It’s fantastic to have you back in Southeast Asia. This is your second visit, right?
KOKORO: We’re so grateful for all the love and support we’ve been receiving here in Malaysia. Since this is our second time visiting, we’d really love to come back even more often in the future. Ideally, we’d love to perform more music, host some live concerts, and of course, connect with all of our amazing fans in person!
It’s been nearly two years since PSYCHIC FEVER officially debuted. WEESA, what’s the absolute highlight of being part of the group?
WEESA: Performing has always been our passion, but getting to share that energy with audiences worldwide is an incredible honour. We were so grateful for the opportunity to visit Thailand, Singapore, and now, Malaysia!
Can you describe PSYCHIC FEVER in ten words or less?
JIMMY: [Laughs] How about “PSYCHIC FEVER has seven unique members”?
In your opinion, which PSYCHIC FEVER member perfectly captures the energy of BEE-PO?
KOKORO: Well, everyone says it’s me! I think I can switch between cute and cool depending on the mood, just like the song’s energy.
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TSURUGI, your signature cowboy hat is a fan favourite. Do you want to share the backstory of why you frequently have it on?
TSURUGI: So, the whole thing about me wearing this cowboy hat — it goes back to when I really loved the cowboy style, cowboy fashion, and cowboys themselves. I admire their way of life and their style, especially how they embrace new challenges. It’s a style that’s important to me – not just because it looks cool, but also because it reflects the kind of strong and adventurous person I want to be.
Which member spends the most time scrolling on TikTok?
RYUSHIN: Me! I love watching dance videos and trying out those trending challenges. Right now, I’m totally obsessed with the “Magnetic Challenge” by ILLIT – it’s so catchy!
WEESA, you’re known for your love for fashion. Any particular reason why you’re into it?
WEESA: I have always loved dressing up. Even as a kid, I would experiment with mismatched pieces. It’s a part of my childhood that I carry with me today, hopefully into the future.
Out of the entire PSYCHIC FEVER, which member is most likely to watch fan edits of themselves?
RYOGA: It might be me! But hear me out — seeing the creativity and effort fans put into edits is an incredible source of motivation. It keeps me going and reminds me why we do what we do.
BEE-PO has super cute J-Pop sound and lyrics, while “Just Like That” goes full-on old-school hip-hop. What kind of concept are you guys dying to experiment with next?
JIMMY: We have always loved mashing up music influences from different genres and countries. We previously experimented with Miami bass and hip-hop, and with BEE-PO, we wanted to deliver a completely different vibe and beat. While we can’t spoil all our future plans, you can expect us to continue presenting a fresh feel with each release.
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Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our May 2024 issue.