Elmo is entering the rap game — in Japan. Having composed, danced, and interviewed babies, the Sesame Street resident is headed to Asia to explore the power of hip-hop.
Elmo will star in Elmo’s Like It Rap. Cookie Monster and Julia join Elmo. The three Muppets rap about themselves and their interests. Children are encouraged to celebrate and express themselves enthusiastically.
“As societal and academic pressures on Japanese children continue to grow, it is increasingly important to foster environments that strengthen emotional health, self-esteem, and resilience,” says Manabu Nagaoka, VP & General Manager, Sesame Street Japan. “By giving children a platform to express themselves and share their feelings, Elmo’s Like It Rap helps build children’s confidence, reduce stress by encouraging them to express themselves and encourage positive communication.”
Sesame Workshop produces the show and premieres during The Wakey Show on NHK Educational TV April 2. The series will feature 22 three-minute episodes, airing weekly.
“DJ Wakey travels the world, learning about all kinds of interesting things from his delightful companions and sharing that excitement with children and friends like Elmo every day,” says Masakazu Sato, Content Production Development for Children Senior Producer, NHK Educational Corporation. “We’re excited to be working with Sesame Workshop to introduce Elmo’s Like It Rap, a segment designed to foster children’s emotional well-being. By using rap — a style so popular among kids today — we hope to encourage children to be open about their feelings.”
NHK, Japan’s only public media organization, aired Sesame Street from 1971 to 2003. The channel aired Elmo’s Playdate in 2020; the two organizations collaborated on the music video “We Belong” last year.
To learn more about Sesame Workshop, visit sesameworkshop.org.
