ZICO is expanding his global musical reach once again. The artist has announced a new collaboration with Ikura, the vocalist of Japanese band YOASOBI, for his upcoming digital single “DUET.”
On December 12, ZICO shared the release news through his official SNS accounts, confirming that the new track will be released on December 19 at 12 a.m. KST across major music platforms.
A Korea Japan Collaboration Drawing Global Attention
Ikura, who also promotes as a solo artist under the name Lilas, will participate as the featured collaborator on “DUET.” On the same day as ZICO’s announcement, Ikura posted an image of a “duet invitation” she received from ZICO, instantly drawing attention from fans in both Korea and Japan.
Ikura is widely known as the voice of YOASOBI, one of Japan’s most influential music acts in recent years. She has gained international recognition through hit anime theme songs, including “Idol,” the opening theme for Oshi no Ko, as well as multiple chart-topping releases. Her collaboration with ZICO marks a rare and highly anticipated crossover between Korean hip-hop and Japanese pop.
ZICO’s Track Record of Genre-Blending Collaborations
ZICO has long been recognized for pushing musical boundaries through collaborations with artists from different backgrounds and genres. Earlier this year, he participated in writing and composing BLACKPINK Jennie’s “like JENNIE,” further cementing his role as a producer with broad creative reach. With “DUET,” ZICO is expected to explore a new sonic direction by pairing his signature hip-hop sensibility with Ikura’s emotive vocal tone. The collaboration has already sparked curiosity about how the two distinct musical identities will merge into a single track.
ZICO’s agency commented, “This project brings together ZICO, a representative figure in Korean hip-hop, and Lilas, a symbol of Japanese band music. We ask fans to look forward to the music they have created together.”
Looking Ahead to Japan Concerts
In addition to the upcoming single, ZICO is preparing for a major solo concert in Japan. He will hold his standalone show “Tokyo Drive” on February 7, 2026, at Keio Arena Tokyo, continuing his active engagement with Japanese fans.