Racket NYC<\/a> on May 5th, the atmosphere felt less like a concert and more like a victory lap. Their name stems from the idiom \u201cichika bachika\u201d (\u201cone or eight\u201d), 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.<\/p>\nOn a Tuesday night in the bustling Chelsea neighbourhood, the AVEX group\u2019s \u201cBET ON YOURSELF\u201d tagline echoed through every powerful flip and synchronized dance sequence. Closing the international leg of their inaugural \u201cGATHER\u201d tour, ONE OR EIGHT showcased a massive evolution since last year\u2019s brief New York fan meeting. Over an electrifying 90-minute set, they didn\u2019t just perform; they left a blazing energy on stage that confirmed their gamble paid off.<\/p>\n
The most remarkable moment occurred before the group even stepped onstage. The audience flooded Racket\u2019s concert hall, packing the floor from the barricade to the back and spilling over into the balconies. As the group\u2019s music rang out to hype up the room, ONE OR EIGHT\u2019s devoted fans\u2014known as 1DERZ\u2014rapped 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\u2019s influence: the fans were essentially performing before the curtains even parted.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cTOKYO DRIFT\u201d instrumental kicked in, followed by the familiar chant: \u201cWonder 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The audience\u2019s lyric clarity was so precise it nearly drowned out the artists\u2019 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\u2014not just because it\u2019s their biggest hit with 25 million YouTube views, but because it instantly cemented the synergy between ONE OR EIGHT and their fans.<\/p>\n
Riding the high of \u201cTOKYO DRIFT,\u201d ONE OR EIGHT wasted no time gliding into the rap-heavy \u201cYoung and Reckless.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
The moment only surged with \u201cPOWER,\u201d which was met by a deafening chorus of fans chanting Tsubasa\u2019s opening lyrics. The standout track from the GATHER project\u2014which also serves as the ending theme for the anime Yoroi Shinden Samurai Troopers\u2014combines 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s \u201cBig Dawgs,\u201d 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 \u201cOh Shhh\u2026\u201d (originally by Ice Spice and Travis Scott). Souma maintained the momentum with \u201cCash in Cash Out\u201d (Original: Pharrell Williams feat. 21 Savage, Tyler, The Creator), followed by Neo, whose \u201cninja flow\u201d took center stage during his own lyrical remake of JAY-Z\u2019s \u201c99 Problems.\u201d<\/p>\n
Refusing to grant 1DERZ a moment to breathe, the full group rejoined Neo for the blistering \u201cBET YOUR LIFE.\u201d 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\u2014separating and marking each spot with surgical precision\u2014it 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.<\/p>\n
With the addition of eight mic stands, the tempo slowed for the sincere ballad, \u201c365.\u201d Even in this tranquil sonic setting, the audience continued to belt every lyric in perfect harmony.<\/p>\n
Next, the group transitioned into their fan-favourite debut hit \u201cDon\u2019t Tell Nobody.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
The octet also treated New York to unreleased tracks like the joyous \u201cWanna Be With You,\u201d which emulates a coming-of-age film soundtrack mixed with grungy hip-hop elements. Ryota\u2019s solo dance break highlighted every strength of the young performer, while Reia stood out as he glided across the stage, his \u201cOreo\u201d blonde hair with black tips catching the light.<\/p>\n
Finally, the vocal line\u2014Yuga, Reia, Tsubasa and Takeru\u2014shone through a series of shimmering solo covers. Yuga offered sweet falsettos set against gentle guitar strums, while Reia delivered a soulful rendition of Lauv\u2019s \u201cNever Not,\u201d sporting a fedora and executing some impromptu mic-stand spins. Takeru\u2019s crystalline higher tones, punctuated by a surprise dubstep dance break, reignited the room\u2019s energy, and Tsubasa\u2019s powerful, red-lit take on 5 Seconds of Summer\u2019s \u201cYoungblood\u201d left the audience spellbound.<\/p>\n
The group wasn\u2019t done surprising the audience, rolling out more unreleased tracks like the seemingly fan-dedicated \u201cDay Ones.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
Without pausing to catch their breath, they launched into the choreo-heavy unreleased track \u201cSpellbound,\u201d 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 \u201cKAWASAKI\u201d hit, the concert had transformed into a full-blown rave. The floor was a sea of jumping, screaming fans.<\/p>\n
They kept the momentum high with another unreleased gem, \u201cMy Lil\u2019 Heart Attack,\u201d before exploding into \u201cDTSM,\u201d the first official reinterpretation of Rihanna\u2019s \u201cDon\u2019t Stop The Music.\u201d 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
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 \u201c365,\u201d a brand-new unreleased track titled \u201cLive Laugh Loud,\u201d and a choreographed version of \u201cDon\u2019t Tell Nobody.\u201d Fittingly, they ended exactly where they began: with \u201cTOKYO DRIFT.\u201d As this show closed out the international leg of the tour, it was clear the members didn\u2019t want to say goodbye. The finale of \u201cTOKYO DRIFT\u201d carried just as much heat as the opener, with the octet jumping in perfect unison with their fans.<\/p>\n
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\u2014qualities that sometimes get lost in the glamour of fame. ONE OR EIGHT don\u2019t need to try to be stars; they already are. You can \u201cbet your life\u201d that this isn\u2019t the last time you\u2019ll be hearing about them. The world should brace itself for their ever-growing artistry.<\/p>\n
\n\tRelated<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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