Grimes on Hatsune Miku Collab

Musician and producer Grimes has released a new single titled "Miku-Maxxing" in collaboration with the virtual performer Hatsune Miku and Japanese Vocaloid producer SatapanP. The track is the opening single for the forthcoming compilation EP, EMERGE MODE MIKU, which launches this September as part of Dwango's BEYOND BORDERS program.

Grimes shared her perspective on the project in an interview with Hypebae. She described the experience of working with the digital avatar as highlighting her own human limitations.

The Miku-Maxxing Collaboration

The "Miku-Maxxing" single is accompanied by a music video set in a chaotic digital realm called Cyberland. The video features a lone protagonist navigating a decaying virtual environment alongside Hatsune Miku. Visually, it blends pixelated low-poly graphics with textured animation and mixed-media design.

Hatsune Miku originated as vocal software from Crypton Future Media, allowing users to create songs by typing in lyrics and melodies. The character evolved into a global cultural phenomenon through fan-created content. The broader EMERGE MODE MIKU project connects Japanese Vocaloid creators with US-based artists.

The compilation features a range of musical talent beyond Grimes and SatapanP. The full roster includes contributions from Odetari, George Clanton, Frost Children, slayr, XAMIYA, jon-YAKITORY, and picco.

Grimes on Art and Authenticity

When asked about hearing her voice alongside Miku's, Grimes joked that Miku has a prettier voice. The collaboration led her to reflect on mortality. "The specter of death haunts me," she stated. Grimes said the project made her feel "all too human" and "all too mortal."

She questioned the cost of her own vitality compared to the ageless digital performer. "What am I but meat?" she asked.

Grimes argued that people want honest art, which she believes is very hard to achieve with digital characters. She credited Hatsune Miku's longevity and the time spent with audiences as making her more valuable than many other digital avatars. "She is profoundly futuristic, but she is also kind of old," Grimes noted.

Poptimism and Artistic Choice

The musician also discussed her evolving views on authenticity within internet culture. She identified herself as one of the original "poptimists" but stated she is "really eating my words with that lately." Grimes asserted that alternative art is a necessity and is meaningfully different from pop music.

She called for a clearer delineation between capital 'A' Artists and what she termed "art machines" and projects by big labels. Grimes also argued that not enough room is made for folk art in spaces of serious art discourse.

Her distinction was not about some art being more or less authentic. Instead, she contrasted art that exists to make money with art an artist feels compelled to create. "After many years of touring and seeing all the sides of fame I decided I wouldn't return to art unless I was firmly engaged in the latter," Grimes explained. This project with Hatsune Miku represents her engagement with that compelled form of creation.