J-WAVE Launches New Music Project "RISING CUTS" to Discover and Promote Future Music Scene Talent Early. First Featured Artist is Rol3ert

J-WAVE, New Music Project "RISING CUTS"

Radio station J-WAVE (81.3FM) will launch a new music project, "RISING CUTS," on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, to discover and promote promising artists and songs early on.

Since its opening in 1988, J-WAVE has been a part of the moments when various artists take flight. Delivering music to the future and boosting talented artists is one of J-WAVE's cherished missions.

"RISING CUTS" further develops J-WAVE's approach to music promotion, serving as a project to comprehensively support artists/songs identified early for their talent and potential, primarily through on-air play.

Selections will be made by J-WAVE from its unique perspective, with a focus on entries from labels/productions. The project will prioritize "song quality" and "artist potential" in selecting and announcing artists/songs as "RISING CUTS."

Following selection, songs will be promoted mainly through J-WAVE airplay, with opportunities for guest appearances on programs, and planned distribution of video podcasts as off-air content. Starting from radio, the project will maximize artist appeal through J-WAVE's music brand, spanning audio, video, and digital content.

Through "RISING CUTS," J-WAVE aims to create encounters between new talent shaping the next era and listeners, strongly supporting the first steps of artists who will become "future legends."

[First Featured Artist is Rol3ert]

Rol3ert has been decided as the first featured artist for J-WAVE's new music project, "RISING CUTS."

Rol3ert is an emerging singer-songwriter born in 2005. Garnering attention as a rising star with a global sensibility and the reality of their generation, they received the "Radio Special Award" at the "MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026," Japan's largest international music award.

J-WAVE recognized the appeal of Rol3ert's music and their potential as an artist. As the first featured artist for "RISING CUTS," their talent will be delivered to listeners through airplay, program appearances, video podcasts, and more.

Rol3ert Profile

Rol3ert

Born in the United States in 2005, Rol3ert grew up in Japan from the age of two and began their solo artist activities in earnest in January 2025. Their released songs primarily use English lyrics to communicate with people worldwide, while incorporating melodies derived from Japanese and J-POP to showcase musical originality. Cover videos posted on Instagram have gone viral globally (some exceeding 4 million views), and their original songs are featured on playlists in various countries, with a large following of listeners and social media followers not only in Japan but also in South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, the United States, and Brazil. Despite having been active as a solo artist for only about 7 months, they have already performed at festivals such as "FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL '25" and "SWEET LOVE SHOWER," receiving high acclaim within the music industry. Their song "savior," released in January 2026, was listed on playlists in 22 countries worldwide, drawing attention as a "new Japanese talent challenging the global music scene."

["RISING CUTS" Overview]

Project Name: RISING CUTS

Start Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Content: A new music project where J-WAVE discovers promising artists/songs early and promotes them comprehensively, primarily through on-air play.

Positioning: A new category within J-WAVE's selection guidelines.

Selection Method:

J-WAVE will conduct selections from its unique perspective, with a focus on entries from labels/productions.

Selections will be made based on "song quality" and "artist potential."

Development Content:

- On-air play on various J-WAVE programs - Guest appearances on J-WAVE programs - Video podcast distribution - Promotion across J-WAVE's various media/content

Selection Frequency:

Irregular. Archives will be created for each selection.

Entry Method:

Entry for selection is generally accepted through record companies.

Official Website: https://www.j-wave.co.jp/special/risingcuts/