A new cover of "Kyasha na Lip" ("華奢なリップ," or "Delicate Lipstick") by Genie High featuring Chanmina has arrived from vocalists Koyoi and Setouchi Myu. Released on August 22, 2026, the collaboration brings fresh interpretation to a track that's been inspiring cover artists since its original 2021 release. Here's everything we know about this latest rendition and what makes the song such a compelling choice for vocal performers.
The Quick Version
- Koyoi and Setouchi Myu released their cover of "Kyasha na Lip" on August 22, 2026, following the Japanese "utaite" (cover singer) tradition.
- The original track by Genie High featuring Chanmina was released on June 11, 2021, combining pop sensibilities with adult themes of vulnerability and strength.
- Genie High is an eclectic band featuring comedian drummers, rock vocalist Nakajima Ikkyu from tricot, and producer Kawatani Enon.
- The song runs approximately four minutes at 125 BPM, making it both technically challenging and emotionally expressive for cover artists.
- The track has inspired numerous covers across YouTube and other platforms, particularly among VTuber and independent vocal artists.
Who Are Koyoi and Setouchi Myu?
Based on the cover's naming convention and platform presence, Koyoi and Setouchi Myu appear to be independent vocal artists working within Japan's vibrant "utaite" scene—a community of cover singers who reinterpret popular songs and share them online. The collaboration format "Covered by Koyoi, Setouchi Myu" indicates this is a duet performance, allowing the two artists to divide the vocal parts originally sung by Nakajima Ikkyu and Chanmina.
The utaite culture has grown exponentially over the past decade, with many artists gaining substantial followings through their interpretations of J-pop, anime themes, and Vocaloid songs. By choosing "Kyasha na Lip," Koyoi and Setouchi Myu are tackling a track that demands both technical skill and emotional nuance—the original blends vulnerability with strength, requiring vocalists to convey complex emotional layers.
The Original: Genie High's Unconventional Collaboration
To understand what makes this cover significant, we need to look at the original. "Kyasha na Lip" was released as a digital single on June 11, 2021, by Genie High (ジェニーハイ), a band that's anything but conventional. The group brings together comedian Koyabu Kazutoyo on drums, Cookie of Yasei Bakudan on bass, prolific producer and guitarist Kawatani Enon, classical composer Arakaki Takashi on keyboards, and Nakajima Ikkyu from the math-rock band tricot on vocals.
The addition of rapper and singer Chanmina as a featured artist added another dimension entirely. Chanmina, known for her bilingual flow and genre-blending approach, co-wrote the lyrics with Kawatani Enon, while Kawatani handled the composition. The result was a pop track with what many describe as "adult allure"—a song exploring the psychology of putting on a brave face (symbolized by applying lipstick) while dealing with complicated feelings in love.
The track later appeared on Genie High's release "Genie Star" (ジェニースター) on July 28, 2021, under Warner Music Japan. The official music video, which premiered alongside the single's release, featured the male band members dressed as hotel staff while Nakajima Ikkyu and Chanmina appeared as hotel guests in a fast-paced narrative with unexpected twists.
Why This Song Attracts Cover Artists
Since its 2021 release, "Kyasha na Lip" has become a popular choice for cover artists, particularly those working in duet formats. The song's structure—with distinct vocal parts for Nakajima Ikkyu's melodic singing and Chanmina's rap verses—creates natural opportunities for collaborative covers. At 125 BPM with a four-minute runtime, it offers enough complexity to showcase vocal skill without being prohibitively difficult for intermediate singers.
The lyrical content also resonates with performers and listeners alike. The metaphor of applying "delicate lipstick" strongly, despite inner fragility, speaks to the universal experience of projecting confidence while feeling vulnerable. This emotional accessibility, combined with the song's polished production and catchy melody, makes it rewarding to reinterpret.
The track is widely available on major Japanese streaming platforms including Apple Music and AWA, and it's also featured in karaoke services like JOYSOUND and club DAM, making it accessible for both casual singers and serious cover artists to practice and perform. This availability has undoubtedly contributed to the steady stream of "utaite" versions appearing online.
The Cover Culture Around "Kyasha na Lip"
Koyoi and Setouchi Myu's version joins a growing catalog of "Kyasha na Lip" covers. The song has attracted attention from various corners of Japan's online music community, including harmony-focused duets and VTuber performances. For instance, the VTuber duo ChroNoiR previously covered the track, demonstrating its appeal across different creator communities.
What's particularly interesting about the cover ecosystem around this song is how artists approach the division of parts. Some stick closely to the original arrangement—one vocalist handling Nakajima Ikkyu's melodic lines while the other takes on Chanmina's rap sections. Others experiment with harmonies, vocal blending, or even gender-swapped interpretations that bring new emotional shades to the lyrics.
The "utaite" tradition of crediting the original artists prominently—as seen in the full title format "「華奢なリップ / ジェニーハイ feat.ちゃんみな」Covered by Koyoi, Setouchi Myu"—reflects the community's respect for original creators while celebrating reinterpretation as an art form in itself. This differs from Western cover culture, where attribution might be more casual or buried in descriptions.
What Makes a Good "Kyasha na Lip" Cover
For listeners exploring covers of this track, several elements distinguish exceptional interpretations from straightforward reproductions. The original's emotional arc—from confident assertion to moments of vulnerability and back—requires vocalists to move beyond simple technical accuracy. The best covers capture what many describe as the song's "adult" emotional complexity, the sense of someone performing strength while acknowledging their fragility.
The interplay between the two vocal roles also matters tremendously. In Genie High's original, Nakajima Ikkyu's rock-influenced delivery contrasts beautifully with Chanmina's hip-hop inflected flow. Cover artists who find their own complementary dynamic, rather than simply imitating the original performers, often create the most memorable versions.
Technical considerations include managing the song's mid-tempo groove at 125 BPM—fast enough to have energy but not so fast that lyrics blur together. The melody's range and the precision needed for Chanmina's rap sections also present challenges that reveal an artist's skill level and musical choices.
Genie High's Broader Impact
The continued interest in covering "Kyasha na Lip" speaks to Genie High's unique position in Japanese music. As a band that deliberately blurs lines between comedy, serious musicianship, and pop accessibility, they've created songs that invite reinterpretation. Their roster—mixing comedians with accomplished musicians from different genres—produces tracks that feel both polished and playful, serious and irreverent.
This particular collaboration with Chanmina was noted at the time of release for appealing to younger listeners, sometimes described as "Z-generation" in Japanese music media. The combination of Kawatani Enon's production expertise (he's also known for his work with bands like Gesu no Kiwami Otome) and Chanmina's bilingual, genre-fluid approach created something that transcended the band's comedy-adjacent reputation.
What People Are Saying
"The way Koyoi and Setouchi Myu divide the vocal parts gives this cover its own personality—it's not just copying the original but finding new emotional angles in the lyrics."
"I've listened to probably a dozen covers of this song, and each one brings out something different. That's when you know the original composition is really solid—it can support all these different interpretations."
"As someone who sings this at karaoke, I have deep respect for anyone who can nail both the melodic sections and the rap parts convincingly. It's harder than it sounds, especially capturing that specific emotional tone."
"The utaite community's approach to covers is so different from the West. There's this beautiful respect for the original while still making it your own. Covers like this one by Koyoi and Setouchi Myu show how that tradition keeps evolving."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I listen to the original "Kyasha na Lip"?
The original track by Genie High featuring Chanmina is available on major Japanese streaming platforms including Apple Music and AWA. It was released as a digital single on June 11, 2021, and also appears on the album "Genie Star" from July 28, 2021. The official music video is also available online.
Can I sing this song at karaoke?
Yes, "Kyasha na Lip" is available on Japanese karaoke services including JOYSOUND and club DAM, with full lyric display. The song runs about four minutes at a moderate tempo of 125 BPM, making it accessible for intermediate singers, though the rap sections require some practice.
What does "Kyasha na Lip" mean, and what's the song about?
"Kyasha na Lip" translates to "Delicate Lipstick" or "Fragile Lipstick." The song explores the emotional complexity of putting on a confident front—symbolized by applying lipstick strongly—while dealing with vulnerability and complicated feelings in a romantic relationship. It's about the gap between outward strength and inner fragility.
Who are the members of Genie High?
Genie High features drummer Koyabu Kazutoyo (a comedian), bassist Cookie of Yasei Bakudan, guitarist and producer Kawatani Enon, keyboardist Arakaki Takashi, and vocalist Nakajima Ikkyu from the band tricot. The group deliberately combines entertainment industry figures with serious musicians to create a unique sound.
Are there other popular covers of this song?
Yes, "Kyasha na Lip" has inspired numerous covers since its 2021 release, including performances by VTuber artists, harmony-focused duets, and solo interpretations. The song's structure—with distinct melodic and rap sections—makes it particularly popular for collaborative cover projects in Japan's utaite community.
A Song That Keeps Inspiring
Koyoi and Setouchi Myu's cover, released on August 22, 2026, arrives more than five years after the original but finds a track that remains vibrant and relevant. The enduring appeal of "Kyasha na Lip" lies not just in its catchy melody or the star power of its creators, but in its emotional honesty—that acknowledgment of putting on strength when we feel delicate inside resonates across time and cultures.
For those discovering the song through this or other covers, the original by Genie High and Chanmina offers a master class in blending pop accessibility with emotional depth. And for cover artists like Koyoi and Setouchi Myu, it provides a canvas rich enough to support endless reinterpretation. Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovering "Kyasha na Lip" through the utaite community, there's never been a better time to explore both the original and the creative covers it continues to inspire.
