Artists from around the globe have come together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pokémon with songs inspired by the global entertainment franchise and recorded exclusively for Pokémon 25: The Album. The compilation was released today in digital and CD formats by Capitol Records as part of a massive, yearlong music campaign from The Pokémon Company International in partnership with Universal Music Group. Get Pokémon 25: The Album HERE. View the album trailer HERE.
The official video for J Balvin’s contribution, “Ten Cuidado,” debuted today and can be viewed HERE. The award-winning Colombian singer, known to most as Reggaeton’s global ambassador, is joined by some of his favorite Pokémon — Pikachu, Hitmontop, Totodile, Loudred, and Charizard — in the clip, which was shot in New York City. Colin Tilley (Halsey, Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B), who helmed Balvin’s MTV VMA award-winning official video for “Rojo,” directed.
“I always wanted to be Ash Ketchum and through this collaboration with Pokémon I’ve been able to live out a childhood dream,” said J Balvin. “That love for Pokémon inspired ‘Ten Cuidado,’ my contribution to P25 Music, as well as the video in which I get to be a Pokémon Trainer in New York City. I can’t wait to share my fandom for Pokémon with my fans around the world with this song and still can’t believe I get to be part of this project.”
“The release of Pokémon 25: The Album marks the culmination of a yearlong music celebration of Pokémon by an amazing array of global artists,” said Colin Palmer, vice president of marketing for The Pokémon Company International. “From Katy Perry and Post Malone to today’s release of J Balvin’s contribution to the album, all of the artists brought a unique perspective to this collection, which we hope brings music fans as much joy as Pokémon has delivered for 25 years.”
Tokyo-based artist/producer Yaffle created the new track “Reconnect” (feat. Daichi Yamamoto & AAAMYYY) for P25 Music. French singer Louane, UK artists Mabel and Jax Jones with Sinead Harnett further attest to Pokémon’s universal appeal. Post Malone offers up “Only Wanna Be With You (Pokémon 25 Version),” a surprising take on the Hootie and the Blowfish hit, and Katy Perry led the charge with the uplifting single “Electric”. Vince Staples, Cyn, Lil Yachty, and Tierra Whack also joined in the celebration. See below for tracklisting.
Director Eric Maldin (U2, 30 Seconds To Mars) takes Vince Staples, Mabel, and Cyn on a surreal walk down memory lane, exploring their early experiences with Pokémon and how they went about creating their original songs for P25 Music in the new “Evolution of a Song” video series. The episodes also feature ZHU in the studio, discussing the evolution of his remixes of Staples’ “Got ‘Em” and Cyn’s “Wonderful,” found on the digital edition alongside his remix of “Take It Home” by Mabel. View “Evolution of a Song” at https://pokemon25.lnk.to/eoasplaylistPR.
The P25 Music virtual merch store — UMG’s first ever multi-artist interactive shopping experience — launched today with new merchandise from J Balvin, Katy Perry, and ZHU. Check out the animated, interactive virtual pop-up shop HERE. A special colored vinyl edition of Pokémon 25: The Album will be released in February 2022 in celebration of Pokémon Day. It is now available for preorder.
Fans can keep up with the latest news for P25 Music and more celebrations across the franchise on Pokémon’s 25th anniversary website at Pokemon.com/25.
Pokémon and music fans are invited to join the conversation online with @Pokemon and #Pokemon25.
Pokémon 25: The Album Tracklist
- Katy Perry — Electric
- Jax Jones — Phases (with Sinead Harnett)
- Mabel — Take It Home
- Lil Yachty — Believing
- J Balvin — Ten Cuidado
- Cyn — Wonderful
- Vince Staples — Got ’Em
- Louane — Game Girl
- Tierra Whack — Art Show
- Post Malone — Only Wanna Be With You (Pokémon 25 Version)
- 11.Yaffle — Reconnect (feat. Daichi Yamamoto & AAAMYYY)*
- Mabel — Take It Home (ZHU Remix)*
- Cyn — Wonderful (ZHU Remix)*
- Vince Staples — Got ’Em (ZHU Remix)*
*Digital album only
DOWNLOAD HI-RES PRESS PHOTOS & P25 MUSIC ASSETS HERE
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About Pokémon
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.
About Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group (UMG) is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. Featuring the most comprehensive catalog of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. Universal Music Group is a Vivendi company.
About Capitol Music Group
Capitol Music Group (CMG) is comprised of Capitol Records, Blue Note Records, Astralwerks, Harvest Records and Capitol Christian Music Group, as well as Capitol Studios and Virgin Music Label and Artist Services. Capitol Music Group is based in Hollywood, California within the iconic Capitol Tower.
Artists that record for CMG labels include: The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Beck, Bee Gees, Jon Bellion, Rosanne Cash, Christine and the Queens, FLETCHER, Neil Diamond, Halsey, Don Henley, Hillsong United, Niall Horan, Lewis Capaldi, Charles Lloyd, tobyMac, Paul McCartney, NF, Norah Jones, Katy Perry, Gregory Porter, Maggie Rogers, Calum Scott, Bob Seger, Troye Sivan and Chris Tomlin. For the U.S.: Disclosure, Empire Of The Sun, and Sam Smith.