Pikotaro, the mastermind behind the viral smash-hit “PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen),” rang in the New Year with not one but two live performances of the track.
“PPAP” went viral in September; it first took off in Japan and then was sent into the stratosphere after Justin Bieber tweeted it, writing, “My favorite video on the internet 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂.” Many people have since recorded their own versions.
On December 30, the comedian performed the hit at the Japan Records Awards with a full orchestra backing.
Pikotaro (also known by his stage name, Daimaou Kosaka) also performed the song backed by a choir singing “Ode to Joy” in a concert over the weekend, much to the delight and confusion of everyone watching.
Pikotaro came up with the song by just saying what he saw around the room, like Keyser Söze in The Usual Suspects. From the AP:
With the tune playing, he picked up a pen to begin writing, and thought about Kosaka, who comes from apple country. An open can of pineapples was sitting on the table, and “pen-pinapple-apple-pen” was born.
The song is so widespread that even President-elect Trump reportedly knows about it via his granddaughter.
