This archive report was first published on 25 June 2020.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, a new kids' dance song has emerged as a beacon of hope and joy. Paprika World Video, themed 'Let us be together', has become a global hit, delivering smiles to people in these challenging times.
Released in 2020, the song was produced by Kenshi Yonezu, a renowned Japanese singer-songwriter, in collaboration with the children's team 'Foorin'. The project aimed to support people rising to challenges in 2020 and beyond.
With its catchy melody and easy-to-remember 'Paprika dance', the song has gained unprecedented popularity, amassing over 1.7 billion views on YouTube. The related videos have achieved a total of over 3 billion views, making it a social phenomenon that has kids all around Japan dancing to the song.
The song's success has not gone unnoticed, with it winning Japan's prestigious 'Japan Record Awards' and sparking a big movement among children and adults alike.
Featuring children from 29 different cities and 27 countries, including Kenya, the song's music video showcases iconic sceneries of each country, reminding us of their beauty. The children's powerful performance with smiling faces from our country encourages us, and the song's chorus is perfect for children's handwashing time.
As the world continues to fight COVID-19, Paprika World Video serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and hope. It is a must-see, and its catchy 'Paprika dance' is easy to remember if you watch it once.
