Megan Thee Stallion Takes Over The Summer with “Mamushi” Music Video
Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion has taken over the summer with the release of her self-titled album MEGAN. Though the album is filled to the brim with bangers such as “Where Them Girls At,” “Accent,” and ”HISS,” the breakout of the year is “Mamushi.” Setting the internet on fire with her many references to popular anime series such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Naruto on “Otaku Hot Girl,” she took her love for Japanese culture to a new level with “Mamushi.” Prior to the release of MEGAN, the Houston rapper took a trip to Japan, meeting beloved Japanese artists and cosplaying characters from iconic anime such as Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. Her appreciation for Japan is proudly displayed across her social media accounts and in her music. “Mamushi” enlists the help of Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba (previously KOHH) best known for the songs “It G Ma” and “Team Tomodachi.” With its release, Megan makes sure that the Hotties (her fandom name) will be enjoying a “Hot Girl Summer.”
Viral Global Hit
Soon after the June 28 release of MEGAN, “Mamushi” became the album’s near-immediate breakout hit. Featuring Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba, the song sees Megan Thee Stallion and Yuki Chiba rapping over a slow-tempo beat in English and Japanese about being a star and well-known whether they’re in the United States or Japan (which both Megan and Chiba can relate to). Though the production is relatively simple with the use of the piano and intense 808s, its lyrics are where the song shines. The chorus features the Japanese words and phrases Kira (star) and Watashi wa sutaa (I am a star). The multi-lingual track overcomes/surpasses national boundaries, marrying Black American culture with touches of Japanese lyricism.
The day after the song’s release on June 29, Japanese choreographer MONA shared a dance challenge on her TikTok challenge. Since the video’s upload, the video has received over 23M views. The challenge quickly took off with people all around the world joining the trend, including Megan herself. Not only has she managed to create a Billboard Hot 100 hit (the song reached #45), but celebrities, J-idols, and K-pop idols have also jumped on the trend. Artists include Japanese Boy Band Psychic Fever and K-pop boy group RIIZE. With the immense amount of love the song received on social media, it was no surprise that a music video was soon to follow.
Japanese Culture and Symbolism of the Mamushi
Snakes have been essential to the stories told in Megan Thee Stallion’s music and videos. Through this new chapter of Megan Thee Stallion’s life, she is reborn. With each year that passes, she continues to expand her artistry through her music videos; They are cinematic, with tasteful references to iconic movies and horror elements. Fans got a first taste through previous entries such as her 2022 collaboration with Dua Lipa, “Sweetest Pie.” Directed by Onda (Kevin Leyva), the “Mamushi” music video explores Japanese culture. Production company PUSH Japan employed gritty yet colorful visuals throughout the almost four-minute run. A mamushi, or the Gloydius blomhoffii, is a venomous snake native to Japan. Megan even incorporates Nure onna, a famous Yokai (supernatural being) within Japanese folklore, into the music video. These beings are said to appear near bodies of water to consume humans. Megan masterfully uses the Tsurumaki Onsen to realize her version of this fantastical creature.
In a cameo from Tokyo Vice (2022) actor Sho Kasamatsu, viewers see his character enter a bath house with an invitation that reads “Mamushi.” Yuki Chiba’s acting in the video is also noteworthy, even chilling at some points, as he plays a receptionist. Taking inspiration from Rush Hour (1998), the video transitions with Megan surrounded by a wealth of Japanese women in lingerie. As Megan is chosen by Sho Kasamatsu’s character within this bathhouse, she consumes him.
There are also nods to Japanese organized crime as we see Yakuza members sporting elaborate tattoos across their backs. Of course, Megan kills them, too, in the video, collecting souls to complete her army in the underworld. Yuki Chiba prepares their bodies for the afterlife by painting them blue. Viewers also see montages of men getting swallowed in traditional paintings to Megan and her dancers doing the now-viral Mamushi dance by MONA. As to be expected with any Megan Thee Stallion video, she fuses masterful styling with elaborate makeup. Her hair is braided into the shape of a hana musubi, or a flower knot.
Megan Thee Stallion Continues Her “Hot Girl Summer” Streak
Since coining the phrase “Hot Girl Summer” in 2019, Megan has made the summer her season — 2024 isn’t any different. With the release of MEGAN, she has continued to share her authentic self and create bangers that listeners can relate to. Multiple successes on the album have made it the soundtrack of the summer, with “Mamushi” becoming a top contender for Song of the Summer.
Want to explore more of our coverage on Megan Thee Stallion? Read our concert recap of her sold-out show at Madison Square Garden here!
