LISTEN HERE
Today, Danish-Japanese singer/songwriter Mina Okabe releases her highly anticipated sophomore album Papaya via Capitol Records. The album’s title is inspired by her younger sister, Aya, whose nickname is Papaya. Papaya explores themes of love, family, friendship, and the experience of being in one’s early twenties. Go HERE to stream/download Papaya.
Okabe made the album alongside multi-platinum hit producer Leroy Clampitt (Dua Lipa, Madison Beer, Justin Bieber, and more). Okabe has captivated a global audience since releasing her debut single in 2020. Since then, she has embarked on an extraordinary journey, amassing over 500 million streams and earning international recognition for her dreamy pop sound.
“I made the album with Leroy Clampitt in London, Los Angeles and Copenhagen. As soon as we had finished our first session at a studio in London exactly two years ago, I knew that I wanted to work on an album together,” says Okabe. “I have had so much fun, learned so much and am grateful for what we have created.”
Okabe continues, “Now that the album is finished, I hope that listeners can hear that I am now older and have taken inspiration from many new sounds and experiences. One of the things that has stayed the same since my first album is that I am honest in my lyrics. This new album introduces many thoughts and sides of me that I have not shared before.”
Mina Okabe’s rise over the past few years tells the story of an international star in the making. Okabe’s critically acclaimed debut album, Better Days, received five-star reviews in her home country and is now certified 4× Platinum in Korea. Furthermore, Okabe was nominated as “Best New Artist” at Danish Music Awards in 2022 and in 2023, she was named a Spotify RADAR artist and Apple Music’s “One to Watch.” This momentum continued in spring 2024, when she was honored as “New Artist of the Year” at the Japan Gold Disc Awards, further solidifying her presence on the global music scene. Earlier this year, she completed her first sold-out show in Japan and performed at Eurosonic, the prestigious industry festival in the Netherlands.”
Okabe’s growing international success has taken her on multiple tours, including performances at major festivals such as Roskilde Festival (Denmark), Seoul Jazz Festival (Korea), and Summer Sonic (Japan). Soon, she will announce her upcoming headline tour, which will feature shows in Denmark and across Asia.
With an already promising 2025 ahead, Mina Okabe continues to evolve her artistry in ways that resonate on a global scale.
Tracklist for Papaya by Mina Okabe
1. Maybe One Day
2. Always Hurts
3. Strong
4. A Little Bit More
5. Mean Too Much
6. Dancing Around The Truth
7. Making Plans
8. Likeable (Focus Track)
9. Stranger
10. Forever
Mina Okabe is a captivating Danish-Japanese singer-songwriter whose dreamy pop sound has garnered global attention. Born in London and having lived in diverse cities like New York and Manila before settling in Copenhagen at age 15, her multicultural background deeply influences her music. She gained widespread recognition with her debut album and the viral hit “Every Second,” which achieved phenomenal success on platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok. At just 24 years old, Mina Okabe has captivated audiences worldwide with her dreamy pop sound, amassing over 500 million streams and receiving noteworthy recognition, including being named a Spotify Radar Artist and Apple Music’s One to Watch in 2023. This Danish-Japanese newcomer’s unique sound and outstanding social media presence have propelled her towards the big stages, also gaining industry acclaim from figures such as film director James Gunn, Latin superstar Anitta, and Jungkook of BTS.
