North West has released a horror-themed music video for “Aishite,” giving a song from her debut EP a new spotlight less than a week after her first tour was canceled.
The 13-year-old artist released the visual on August 6th. Set inside shadowy school corridors and an arcade, the video pairs the song’s themes of isolation, betrayal and distrust with deliberately unsettling costumes and imagery.
“Aishite” itself is not a new release. The track first appeared on North’s six-song debut EP, N0rth4evr, on May 1st.
North had promised fans “something special” after announcing that her 14-date Kimokawaii Tour with rapper Molly Santana would no longer go ahead.
‘Aishite’ Was Already Part of Her Debut EP
Although the video is new, “Aishite” has been available since N0rth4evr arrived in May. Dazed described the Japanese title as translating to “love me” or “please love me” and noted the track’s connection to Vocaloid culture.
The song samples Kikuo’s 2015 track “Love Me, Love Me, Love Me,” incorporating material from its chorus into North’s production. “Aishite” closes an EP that moves through rap, distorted electronic production, nu-metal influences and internet-driven references, with Japanese digital culture appearing throughout the project.
The Video Takes the Song Into Full Horror Territory
In the official “Aishite” music video, North moves through what appears to be an abandoned school before the setting shifts to a dimly lit arcade. Her styling includes a long icy-blue wig, dark makeup, skull-like facial designs, blackened teeth and piercing-inspired details.
The imagery accompanies lyrics about being pursued, betrayed and unable to trust the people around her. Some viewers interpreted the darker lyrics as personally revealing, but neither the song nor the video establishes that North is describing events from her own life.
The Video Arrived Days After Her Tour Was Canceled
The release follows the sudden cancellation of North and Molly Santana’s Kimokawaii Tour. The 14-date co-headlining run had been scheduled to begin in Dallas on August 5th before traveling through cities including Houston, Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Toronto and San Francisco. The final show was planned for Los Angeles on August 27th.
By July 31st, multiple dates were marked as canceled on Ticketmaster and the tour’s website had been taken down. “I was really excited to go on tour w Molly Santana,” North wrote in a since-deleted Instagram Story. “Sadly it isn’t happening anymore.” She did not explain why the shows had been called off, but told followers, “I have something special for u guys see ya soon.”
Molly Santana Apologized to Fans Who Bought Tickets
Santana separately addressed people who had already spent money and made plans around the tour. “To everyone who bought tickets to the tour i sincerely apologize,” she wrote in an Instagram Story, according to reports at the time.
Santana acknowledged that fans had taken time out of their schedules and spent money preparing to attend the shows. “You are all so greatly appreciated and please know that i never take your time or support lightly,” she added, promising to “make this one up” to fans.
The tour would have marked North’s first major concert run following the release of N0rth4evr. She and Santana had already performed together earlier in the year, while North also made her first solo music-festival appearance at Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash in June.