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When ONE OR EIGHT took the stage at a sold-out Racket NYC on May 5th, the atmosphere felt less like a concert and more like a victory lap. Their name stems from the idiom “ichika bachika” (“one or eight”), a phrase referring to a roll of the dice that represents an all-or-nothing bet on their talent. It is a fitting moniker for the octet, whose eight-member lineup (Mizuki, Neo, Reia, Ryota, Souma, Takeru, Tsubasa and Yuga) consists of hyper-talented individuals in dance, singing, rap, and even cosmetology.
On a Tuesday night in the bustling Chelsea neighbourhood, the AVEX group’s “BET ON YOURSELF” tagline echoed through every powerful flip and synchronized dance sequence. Closing the international leg of their inaugural “GATHER” tour, ONE OR EIGHT showcased a massive evolution since last year’s brief New York fan meeting. Over an electrifying 90-minute set, they didn’t just perform; they left a blazing energy on stage that confirmed their gamble paid off.
The most remarkable moment occurred before the group even stepped onstage. The audience flooded Racket’s concert hall, packing the floor from the barricade to the back and spilling over into the balconies. As the group’s music rang out to hype up the room, ONE OR EIGHT’s devoted fans—known as 1DERZ—rapped along to every bar in perfect unison. Their collective energy made it sound as if the concert had already begun. It was living proof of the group’s influence: the fans were essentially performing before the curtains even parted.
When the lights finally dimmed, a primal roar erupted, and the anticipation in the room became palpable. As the group appeared, the floor seemed to vibrate from the sheer vocal volume of the crowd. The iconic “TOKYO DRIFT” instrumental kicked in, followed by the familiar chant: “Wonder if they know, ONE OR EIGHT in Tokyo / If you seen it, then you mean it, then you know you have to go / Ichika bachika, drift, drift.”
The audience’s lyric clarity was so precise it nearly drowned out the artists’ own mics, and each of the eight members beamed as they heard 1DERZ returning their words with such fervour. Once the first verse hit, the octet locked in, delivering stylized raps and technical choreography that put their dancing prowess on full display. It was the perfect opener—not just because it’s their biggest hit with 25 million YouTube views, but because it instantly cemented the synergy between ONE OR EIGHT and their fans.
Riding the high of “TOKYO DRIFT,” ONE OR EIGHT wasted no time gliding into the rap-heavy “Young and Reckless.” Each member found their moment to shine, seamlessly trading gritty verses for melodic hooks. Takeru, in particular, captivated the room with a spinning kick into the final chorus.
The moment only surged with “POWER,” which was met by a deafening chorus of fans chanting Tsubasa’s opening lyrics. The standout track from the GATHER project—which also serves as the ending theme for the anime Yoroi Shinden Samurai Troopers—combines hip-hop, trap and R&B with a sharp, rhythmic pop structure. As the group grounded themselves in mighty formations, you could feel the power emanating from their souls, determined to dominate the stage.
After a quick round of introductions, Neo suggested moving straight into the rap unit set, featuring himself, Mizuki, Souma, and Ryota. Each member took a solo turn in the spotlight with the remaining three providing backup. Mizuki ignited the room with a cover of Hanumankind and Kalmi’s “Big Dawgs,” cleverly blending English and Japanese lyrics. Ryota then set the crowd on fire, executing a flip before body-rolling his shirt off to reveal intricate back tattoos and a physique that sent the room into a frenzy. He kept the energy peaking with an explosive performance of “Oh Shhh…” (originally by Ice Spice and Travis Scott). Souma maintained the momentum with “Cash in Cash Out” (Original: Pharrell Williams feat. 21 Savage, Tyler, The Creator), followed by Neo, whose “ninja flow” took center stage during his own lyrical remake of JAY-Z’s “99 Problems.”
Refusing to grant 1DERZ a moment to breathe, the full group rejoined Neo for the blistering “BET YOUR LIFE.” The track fuses industrial trap with pop-rap, utilizing an intense bass that darkens the soundscape and creates a cinematic atmosphere. Its percussive nature makes it nearly impossible not to groove along, and watching the members cruise across the stage in perfect synchrony, one might be envious of how effortless they make it look. However, as they locked hands for complex formations—separating and marking each spot with surgical precision—it became clear that none of this is effortless. Instead, it is the visible culmination of years of dedication, all aimed at making their dreams a reality.
With the addition of eight mic stands, the tempo slowed for the sincere ballad, “365.” Even in this tranquil sonic setting, the audience continued to belt every lyric in perfect harmony.
Next, the group transitioned into their fan-favourite debut hit “Don’t Tell Nobody.” Co-written by Ryan Tedder (Taylor Swift, Adele) and David Stewart (BTS), and mixed by Grammy-winning engineer Josh Gudwin, the catchy dance-pop song features an infectious hook with smooth English raps and Japanese inflections. The members clearly relished the moment, tossing their hands in the air alongside the crowd and casually trading off point choreography with one another.
The octet also treated New York to unreleased tracks like the joyous “Wanna Be With You,” which emulates a coming-of-age film soundtrack mixed with grungy hip-hop elements. Ryota’s solo dance break highlighted every strength of the young performer, while Reia stood out as he glided across the stage, his “Oreo” blonde hair with black tips catching the light.
Finally, the vocal line—Yuga, Reia, Tsubasa and Takeru—shone through a series of shimmering solo covers. Yuga offered sweet falsettos set against gentle guitar strums, while Reia delivered a soulful rendition of Lauv’s “Never Not,” sporting a fedora and executing some impromptu mic-stand spins. Takeru’s crystalline higher tones, punctuated by a surprise dubstep dance break, reignited the room’s energy, and Tsubasa’s powerful, red-lit take on 5 Seconds of Summer’s “Youngblood” left the audience spellbound.
The group wasn’t done surprising the audience, rolling out more unreleased tracks like the seemingly fan-dedicated “Day Ones.” However, the moment that sparked the loudest cheers of the night was a show-stopping eight-member dance break. Featuring gravity-defying flips and breakdancing to a heavy dubstep beat, the sequence was a masterclass in body control. I am certain every member got airtime at some point, and I was completely bewitched by how seamlessly they transitioned from fluid, slow-motion movements to sharp samurai kicks and intricate footwork. They are strong singers and rappers, but as dancers, they are supernatural.
Without pausing to catch their breath, they launched into the choreo-heavy unreleased track “Spellbound,” which I personally need them to release immediately. This was the highest-intensity section of the set, and by the time the opening notes of “KAWASAKI” hit, the concert had transformed into a full-blown rave. The floor was a sea of jumping, screaming fans.
They kept the momentum high with another unreleased gem, “My Lil’ Heart Attack,” before exploding into “DTSM,” the first official reinterpretation of Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop The Music.” Thematically, the song conveys their refusal to stop moving as long as the music is flowing, and that sentiment overflowed onto the Racket stage. What captivated me most wasn’t just their stamina, but their genuine joy; their energy never wavered, even after high-intensity choreography that would send the average person out on a stretcher. From the first note of the night to the very last, they treated every song like it was their final stand.
The encore was a gift to New York, as the group blessed the city with four memorable stages. They performed a high-energy choreography version of “365,” a brand-new unreleased track titled “Live Laugh Loud,” and a choreographed version of “Don’t Tell Nobody.” Fittingly, they ended exactly where they began: with “TOKYO DRIFT.” As this show closed out the international leg of the tour, it was clear the members didn’t want to say goodbye. The finale of “TOKYO DRIFT” carried just as much heat as the opener, with the octet jumping in perfect unison with their fans.
There was so much heart left on that stage; everyone in attendance was witnessing history in the making. Mark my words: ONE OR EIGHT are the next big thing, not just in J-Pop, but in the global music market. Their performance brought a sense of genuine brotherhood, passion, and precision back to the stage—qualities that sometimes get lost in the glamour of fame. ONE OR EIGHT don’t need to try to be stars; they already are. You can “bet your life” that this isn’t the last time you’ll be hearing about them. The world should brace itself for their ever-growing artistry.
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