IMA (Single)

* Cover 1

IMA cover

## Audio

**IMA** is the second single by singer/songwriter Aile The Shota. It was released as a digital single on May 11, 2022.

## Background and release

On April 28, 2022 Aile The Shota announced his second single released May 11. Prior to the single's announcement the song was first performed at the BMSG Artist Showcase 2022.

Co-written with and produced by producer unit KNOTT, IMA is "a danceable number that mixes a heavy beat full of a sense of speed with an emotional and catchy melody...that also evokes a feeling of summer."

The title comes from two meanings that reflect the themes of present and future:

- IMA is a romanization of the Japanese character 今 (いま), meaning "now."

- IMA is also a play on the English word "I'ma" which he defined as "the future right in front of you."

(*Editor's note: In English "I'ma" is a shortened way of saying "I'm going to" and therefore speaks of someone's future.)*

He said of the song, "The strong will to be yourself, no matter where you are, is what makes you who you are and becomes the light that illuminates the present. By running through limited time at top speed, the afterimage will shine forever and become a star that illuminates something in the future. That's the message I'm trying to convey."

Shota described the creation of the song as "A trial and error process to make sure that the intuition is right. Everything infused into this work was done with uncompromising attention to detail. This is the best music that I wanted to hear, that I wanted to create, and that I am looking for right now. J-POP."

He first learned of KNOTT through SKY-HI who suggested, "why don't you write a song with a drumming style like Shurkn Pap's 'Road Trip'?" Shota had originally heard the remix of DREAMS COME TRUE's "YES AND NO" with Shurkn Pap, and "Michael Schumacher" by Shurkn Pap featuring Jinmenusagi, but was unaware KNOTT were involved in both songs.
"I wanted to do something with this shimmering feeling and the drum beat of "STAY" (The Kid Leroy & Justin Bieber), which is now making its mark on the US pop scene, so we had a meeting."

"I told them that I wanted to make a song with a high-speed environmental change on a track with a sense of speed and weight, to which I could add J-Pop emotion, and that I had a very vague image of space, nebulae, and pink. When I received the track, I thought it was great, but at the same time I thought, 'This is a difficult one.' It took the longest time. With this beat, it was easy to get into English, and it took a lot of time to make it work as J-Pop with Japanese and still sound cool. There are very few singers in Japan who use that beat, and I thought that the fact that it didn't appear on the market was probably because it was so difficult, but that is why I wanted to do it at the right time. ... I felt that if I didn't do it now, someone else would do it first in Japan, so I wanted to get on this track now."

"I wanted to keep the familiarity with the ear. I wanted to keep the feeling of not getting tired of listening to it, and to keep the cool sound." To lighten the hook he used the word "yabai" (a casual way of saying dangerous) to the lyrics. He didn't want it to sound to formal. "I felt it would be too heavy and lose the sense of speed. I think that starting the chorus with the phrase, 'It's so fast it's almost dangerous,' was the key to making this song complete."

The music video for the song premiered May 27th on his YouTube channel.

About the music video Shota said, "The music video is a spacey, otherworldly, chaotic, psychedelic beauty of parking lots, Jet Skis, mirror balls, and soap bubbles that really brings out the colors of the song. The CG scenes with an exploding sense of speed are also a highlight. I think one of the ways to enjoy the video is to imagine how each lyric is connected to each other. It's just a badass video. It is a great piece of work with a sense of gravity and satisfaction that will overwhelm you no matter how many times you see it, and a sense of speed that will make you want to watch it over and over again."

## Other Credits

* Cover Artwork: Minori Murata
* MV Director, VFX, CGI: Minori Murata
* MV Cinematographer: Tetsuya Arimori

## Performances

* [2022.04.07] BMSG Artist Showcase 2022
* [2022.04.16] SKY-HI HALL TOUR 2022 -Hachimenroppi-
* [2022.05.15] LOVE SUPREME JAZZ FESTIVAL JAPAN 2022
* [2022.06.04] Munakata Fes THINK ECO KITAKYU
* [2022.06.05] SAKAE SP-RING 2022
* [2022.07.16] Date fm Fantastic Forty RAD DAY 1.5
* [2022.07.17] BLACK SUMMER WEEKEND 2022
* [2022.09.17-18] BMSG FES '22
* [2022.10.09] FM802 EVENING TAP Diggin' Night-MINAMI WHEEL EDITION-
* [2022.10.10] FM802 MINAMI WHEEL 2022
* [2022.10.16] SHIBUYA ONGAKUSAI 2022 MUSIC SCRAMBLE LIVE
* [2022.10.22] J-WAVE INNOVATION WORLD FESTA 2022
* [2022.11.04] Place of Mellow
* [2023.03.05] D.U.N.K. Showcase
* [2023.03.20] claquepot crosspoint 2023
* [2023.04.07] Place of Mellow Vol.2
* [2023.05.04] VIVA LA ROCK 2023
* [2023.06.11] TOKYO ISLAND 2023
* [2023.07.17] LuckyFes'23
* [2023.07.26] GALAXY MOTEL vol.7
* [2023.08.06] WASSHOI! MUSIC PARK 2023
* [2023.09.23-10.01] BMSG FES '23
* [2023.10.09] FM802 MINAMI WHEEL 2023 25th ANNIVERSARY
* [2023.10.14] J-WAVE INNOVATION WORLD FESTA 2023
* [2023.10.28] SPOOKY PUMPKIN 2023 ~PURO ALL NIGHT HALLOWEEN PARTY~
* [2023.11.18] OSAKA DREAM LIVE 2023 -autumn-
* [2023.12.05] Aile The Shota Oneman Live "Epilogue"
* [2024.01.13] SHIGA BEAT CRUISIN' (2024)

## Chart Positions

### Billboard

In its first week IMA charted in the top 30 of three Billboard indices: #20 in radio, #27 in downloads, and #30 for Twitter.

## Lyrics

***This page contains differently colored text. For the best viewing experience, please use the desktop website.***

**Featured Members**Aile The Shota

**Lyrics**
* Side-by-Side View
* Japanese
* Romaji
* English

**Romaji Lyrics + Color Code**
Yabai kurai no haisupiido

Nagareboshi mo okizari

alright alright alright all eyes on me ima

Agaru saido chase the light

Yureru zanzou feel the vibes

Ride on time, let me handle

Dareka no hara wo mitasu tadashisa wa motometeinai

Doko ni itatte my way

don't tell me nothing now

Nami no ue nami no ue hatenai yoru wo oyoide

Are mo kore mo koeteku furaito

Kazari wa iranai the story of my life

Kataraseru tsumori mo nai maa mireba wakaru sa

Yabai kurai no haisupiido

Nagareboshi mo okizari

alright alright alright all eyes on me ima

Hoshi ga kumo ni naru sora ni tashikana ai ga terashiteru

The light of my universe

Miminari suru teigi torawareru imeeji

Zenrei ga nai dakara nani

Betsuni dare ni kawaru wake janaishi

Aitsu wa totemo crazy

Warawareru kurai ga choudo ii

Egaita risou ga rinkaku wo obiteiku

Nami no ue nami no ue tozashita tobira no mukou e

Sugiyuku jikan wa like a shooting star

Furikaeranai ibasho nara koko ni

Hikiyoseru seikai

Yabai kurai no haisupiido

Nagareboshi mo okizari

alright alright alright all eyes on me ima

Hoshi ga kumo ni naru sora ni tashikana ai ga terashiteru

The light of my universe

Just feel the vibe n love

I'm do this till i die

Kako ni natte hikari wo daite

Towa ni natte yozora wo matteiru

The light of my universe

Yabai kurai no haisupiido

Nagareboshi mo okizari

alright alright alright all eyes on me ima

Hoshi ga kumo ni naru sora ni tashikana ai ga terashiteru

The light of my universe

**English Translation**
A speed so dangerously high

That shooting stars are behind me

alright alright alright all eyes on me now

Increase in saturation, chase the light

Shaking afterimage, feel the vibes

Ride on time, let me handle

I’m not looking for righteousness to fill someone’s satisfaction

Wherever I am, my way

don’t tell me nothing now

Above the waves, above the waves, swimming through the endless night

Take flight beyond this and that

I don’t need decorations, the story of my life

I’m not going to talk. Well, you’ll know it when you see it

A speed so dangerously high

That shooting stars are behind me

alright alright alright all eyes on me now

In the sky where stars turn to clouds, a certain love shines

The light of my universe

The definition of tinnitus, an image captured

No precedent, so what?

Not like I am replacing anyone

That guy’s totally crazy

Just enough to make you laugh

I have outlined my ideals

Above the waves, above the waves, beyond the closed door

The time that passes like a shooting star

I don’t look back. If I need a place to stay, it’s here

It’s the right place to be

A speed so dangerously high

That shooting stars are behind me

alright alright alright all eyes on me now

In the sky where stars turn to clouds, a certain love shines

The light of my universe

Just feel the vibe n love

I’m do this till i die

Becoming the past, embracing the light

Becoming forever, dancing in the night sky

The light of my universe

A speed so dangerously high

That shooting stars are behind me

alright alright alright all eyes on me now

In the sky where stars turn to clouds, a certain love shines

The light of my universe

**Japanese Lyrics**
ヤバいくらいのハイスピード

流れ星も置き去り

alright alright alright all eyes on me 今

上がる彩度 chase the light

揺れる残像 feel the vibes

ride on time, let me handle

誰かの腹を満たす　正しさは求めていない

どこに居たって my way

don’t tell me nothing now

波の上　波の上　果てない夜を泳いで

あれもこれも超えてくフライト

飾りはいらない the story of my life

語らせるつもりもない　まあ見ればわかるさ

ヤバいくらいのハイスピード

流れ星も置き去り

alright alright alright all eyes on me 今

星が雲になる空に　確かな愛が照らしてる

The light of my universe

耳鳴りする定義　捉われるイメージ

前例がない　だから何

別に誰に代わるわけじゃないし

あいつはとてもcrazy

笑われるくらいがちょうどいい

描いた理想が輪郭を帯びていく

波の上　波の上　閉ざした扉の向こうへ

過ぎゆく時間は like a shooting star

振り返らない　居場所ならここに

引き寄せる正解

ヤバいくらいのハイスピード

流れ星も置き去り

alright alright alright all eyes on me 今

星が雲になる空に　確かな愛が照らしてる

The light of my universe

Just feel the vibe n love

I’m do this till i die

過去になって　光を抱いて

永遠になって　夜空を舞っている

The light of my universe

ヤバいくらいのハイスピード

流れ星も置き去り

alright alright alright all eyes on me 今

星が雲になる空に　確かな愛が照らしてる

The light of my universe

**Romaji Lyrics + Color Code**
Yabai kurai no haisupiido

Nagareboshi mo okizari

alright alright alright all eyes on me ima

Agaru saido chase the light

Yureru zanzou feel the vibes

Ride on time, let me handle

Dareka no hara wo mitasu tadashisa wa motometeinai

Doko ni itatte my way

don't tell me nothing now

Nami no ue nami no ue hatenai yoru wo oyoide

Are mo kore mo koeteku furaito

Kazari wa iranai the story of my life

Kataraseru tsumori mo nai maa mireba wakaru sa

Yabai kurai no haisupiido

Nagareboshi mo okizari

alright alright alright all eyes on me ima

Hoshi ga kumo ni naru sora ni tashikana ai ga terashiteru

The light of my universe

Miminari suru teigi torawareru imeeji

Zenrei ga nai dakara nani

Betsuni dare ni kawaru wake janaishi

Aitsu wa totemo crazy

Warawareru kurai ga choudo ii

Egaita risou ga rinkaku wo obiteiku

Nami no ue nami no ue tozashita tobira no mukou e

Sugiyuku jikan wa like a shooting star

Furikaeranai ibasho nara koko ni

Hikiyoseru seikai

Yabai kurai no haisupiido

Nagareboshi mo okizari

alright alright alright all eyes on me ima

Hoshi ga kumo ni naru sora ni tashikana ai ga terashiteru

The light of my universe

Just feel the vibe n love

I'm do this till i die

Kako ni natte hikari wo daite

Towa ni natte yozora wo matteiru

The light of my universe

Yabai kurai no haisupiido

Nagareboshi mo okizari

alright alright alright all eyes on me ima

Hoshi ga kumo ni naru sora ni tashikana ai ga terashiteru

The light of my universe

**English Translation**
A speed so dangerously high

That shooting stars are behind me

alright alright alright all eyes on me now

Increase in saturation, chase the light

Shaking afterimage, feel the vibes

Ride on time, let me handle

I’m not looking for righteousness to fill someone’s satisfaction

Wherever I am, my way

don’t tell me nothing now

Above the waves, above the waves, swimming through the endless night

Take flight beyond this and that

I don’t need decorations, the story of my life

I’m not going to talk. Well, you’ll know it when you see it

A speed so dangerously high

That shooting stars are behind me

alright alright alright all eyes on me now

In the sky where stars turn to clouds, a certain love shines

The light of my universe

The definition of tinnitus, an image captured

No precedent, so what?

Not like I am replacing anyone

That guy’s totally crazy

Just enough to make you laugh

I have outlined my ideals

Above the waves, above the waves, beyond the closed door

The time that passes like a shooting star

I don’t look back. If I need a place to stay, it’s here

It’s the right place to be

A speed so dangerously high

That shooting stars are behind me

alright alright alright all eyes on me now

In the sky where stars turn to clouds, a certain love shines

The light of my universe

Just feel the vibe n love

I’m do this till i die

Becoming the past, embracing the light

Becoming forever, dancing in the night sky

The light of my universe

A speed so dangerously high

That shooting stars are behind me

alright alright alright all eyes on me now

In the sky where stars turn to clouds, a certain love shines

The light of my universe

**Credits**
**Japanese:** Lyrical Nonsense
**Romaji:** Chanting

**English:** Chanting

## Playlists

### Amazon Music

* Brand New Music
* Trending Today

### Apple Music

* J-POP Latest Hit Songs
* Latest Songs: R&B

### LINE MUSIC

* Latest Music of the Week [5.11]
* Latest J-POP Releases
* Japanese Music New Release 40

### Spotify

* New Music Wednesday
* Teen Culture
* Dance Pop Japan
* J-POP Latest Hit Songs
* Spotify Japan Velocity Chart
* Tokyo Super Hits
* Weekly Buzz Tokyo
* Japan Viral 50

### YouTube Music

* Tokyo Clubbing
* RELEASED

### Others

* AWA [Japanese music] The latest music of the week
* BOOM BOOM BOOM June Monthly Playlist

## Videos

* Aile The Shota / IMA (Prod. KNOTT) -Live at "BMSG Solo Artist Showcase"-

## Trivia

* IMA is the reflection of Shota's "now". He wanted to leave an image of his current moment, his rapidly changing environment
* He consulted with SKY-HI a lot during the production process of the song.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 *Barks - Aile The Shota、デジタルシングル『IMA』がラジオパワープレイ獲得＆歌詞の先行解禁スタート, 2022/5/1*
2. ↑ *Natalie - Aile The Shotaが「IMA」を駆けるニューシングル配信、制作はプロデューサーユニットKNOTT, 2022/4/28*
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 *Rolling Stone Japan - Aile The Shotaが語る、ナチュラルに作り続けることの先にある「本質」, 2022/07/13*
4. ↑ 【Aile The Shota】デジタルシングル「IMA」ミュージックビデオ公開！
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 *Billboard Japan - 【Heatseekers Songs】きゃない「バニラ」3度目の首位　りりあ。／asmi／Aile The Shotaら話題曲がトップ10に, 2022/5/18*
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1  https://twitter.com/BMSG\_official/status/1525826272080715780?s=20&t=fCwqjgm2v7-I2qA-iebMXg
7. ↑  https://twitter.com/BMSG\_official/status/1524554582986133504?s=20&t=fCwqjgm2v7-I2qA-iebMXg
8. ↑  https://twitter.com/BMSG\_official/status/1525825241448034306?s=20&t=fCwqjgm2v7-I2qA-iebMXg
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2  https://twitter.com/BMSG\_official/status/1524577685762351106?s=20&t=fCwqjgm2v7-I2qA-iebMXg
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3  https://twitter.com/BMSG\_official/status/1524563302021726208?s=20&t=fCwqjgm2v7-I2qA-iebMXg
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2  https://twitter.com/BMSG\_official/status/1533244804037242882?s=20&t=fWF7ZKneRiEMHILy0rzv6w
12. ↑  https://twitter.com/virginmusicJP/status/1534474675903991809?s=20&t=6uz7SHm4KDGTiSB2iMLqRA
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1  https://twitter.com/BMSG\_official/status/1525807384547180545?s=20&t=fCwqjgm2v7-I2qA-iebMXg
14. ↑  https://twitter.com/BMSG\_official/status/1524593246269190144?s=20&t=fCwqjgm2v7-I2qA-iebMXg
15. ↑  https://twitter.com/BMSG\_official/status/1531925578764656640?s=20&t=O8Hp0gfUGboi4Jxux2h\_8g
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1  J-WAVE *Aile The Shotaが「毎日絶対に食べる」モノとは？*