Rina Sawayama Releases Duet Version of ‘Chosen Family’ Featuring Elton John
Rina Sawayama has released another version of her song “Chosen Family,” which features special guest, Sir Elton John. The song “Chosen Family” had appeared as track 12 on her debut album, SAWAYAMA which was released on April 17, 2020.
Sawayama took to social media on April 9 to reveal she has something “cute, wholesome, out-of-this-world incredible in-store” in honor of SAWAYAMA’s one-year anniversary. Just three days later on April 12, she revealed that Elton John will be her newest collaborator on the track “Chosen Family.” John has been a staunch supporter of Sawayama’s since he first heard her album. He called it his favorite album of 2020, a shocking idea to Sawayama. John had also rallied behind Sawayama after her album had been denied nominations at the BRIT Awards after claims she is not British enough despite living in the UK for 26 years. John supported Sawayama and vowed to get the rules to change so that this does not have to happen to another multi-cultural artist.
Fantastic news from @bpi_music that they have revised the rules on who is eligible for the @BRITs and @MercuryPrize. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/sLdPEEsyyd
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) February 25, 2021
In an interview with The New York Times Style Magazine, John and Sawayama exchanged compliments and revealed their budding friendship. Despite the age difference, the stars have a lot in common and have now become close friends. John tells the magazine that her album had simply blown him away. He calls the record Sawayama “I mean, it was Led Zeppelin meets Prince meets a couple of things that referenced Madonna. He felt such a strong urge to call Sawayama up to tell her how brilliant she is. After being phone friends for some time, Sawayama asked John to appear on “Chosen Family,” an offer he just could not say no to.
Rina Sawayama and Elton John by Harley Weir for The New York Times. pic.twitter.com/9O1Zz8ZCYD
— Rina Sawayama Brasil (@rinasawayamabr) April 12, 2021
“Chosen Family” premiered for the first time on Zane Lowe’s New Music Daily on Apple Music at 9 am LA / 5 pm UK on April 14. The hashtag #RINAELTON has since taken social media by storm in honor of the perfect collaboration.
i cant stop watching this…. genuinely one of the most genuine and heartfelt performances i have ever seen :((( https://t.co/cTXdCbq5MM
— nawaal (@songsforautumn) April 15, 2021
Be sure to stream “Chosen Family”, as it is now available on Apple Music and Spotify. Check out Sawayama and John’s duet performance below.
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