SURF Music, the digital marketplace for music creators, has announced the “Noriko Kose ‘Still I Miss You’ Sampling Contest,” launching on October 15, 2025. The contest is a collaboration with tribe, the label founded by the late Nujabes, and the culture platform Hypebeast.
This competition centers on “Still I Miss You,” a new composition by pianist and composer Noriko Kose, who is famously known for her piece that was sampled in Nujabes’ iconic track “reflection eternal.” The initiative aims to discover new talent from around the world and expand the possibilities of music, connecting the past to the future.
目次
New Song by Noriko Kose, the Pianist Behind a Nujabes Masterpiece, Takes Center Stage
The contest’s source material, “Still I Miss You,” serves as a sequel to Noriko Kose’s “I Miss You,” the very track that formed the foundation of Nujabes’ beloved “reflection eternal.” The new single was just digitally released on October 1, 2025.
Tribe, the label established by the globally acclaimed producer Nujabes, continues to captivate listeners with its distinctive musical identity. This contest presents a unique opportunity for creators worldwide to use Kose’s latest work as a sampling source, allowing them to craft new music through their own unique sensibilities.
Open to Creators Worldwide, Grand Prize Winner Earns Official Release on tribe
The submission period for the contest runs from October 15 to November 30, 2025. From the entries, one “Grand Prize” winner and several “Excellence Award” winners will be selected.
The winning works are scheduled for an official global release in January 2026 through the tribe label via the music distribution service “BIG UP!” Furthermore, the Grand Prize winner will be featured in an exclusive interview with Hypebeast, introducing their talent to a global audience.
Contest Overview
- Contest Name: Noriko Kose “Still I Miss You” Sampling Contest Presented by SURF Music × Hypebeast × tribe (Nujabes Label)
- Submission Period: October 15, 2025 (Wed) 12:00 PM – November 30, 2025 (Sun) 11:59 PM (JST)
- How to Enter:
- Register for a SURF Music account (Starter, Plus, or Pro).
- Enter through the dedicated entry form to download the source material.
- Produce a track using the provided material.
- Submit by entering the upload URL into the application form.
- Usable Material: Instrumental parts of Noriko Kose’s “Still I Miss You.”
- Note: Unauthorized use of copyrighted material owned by third parties is prohibited. All submissions must be unreleased, original works.
Prizes & Awards:
- Grand Prize (1 Winner):
- Interview feature on Hypebeast
- Vinyl release from the tribe label
- Digital release from the tribe label
- Excellence Award (Multiple Winners):
- Work featured on Hypebeast
- Digital release from the tribe label
- Special merchandise pack (tribe logo goods, etc.)
Judges and Criteria
The judging panel will consist of the tribe team, the Hypebeast editorial team, and the SURF Music team. Works will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Creativity & Originality
- Use of Sampling & Composition
- Musical Quality & Expression
SURF Music: A Platform for Discovering Talent
The contest’s platform, SURF Music, is a digital marketplace operating under the vision of “Bringing Power Back to Music Creators.” It facilitates the discovery of talent and the monetization of work by allowing music creators and buyers, such as labels, to share unreleased tracks.
Since its global launch in March 2023, SURF Music has registered approximately 40,000 users. With AI-powered song tagging and a unique search function, it enables efficient matching between creators and buyers. Through this contest, SURF Music aims to provide creators with an opportunity to produce music with complete creative freedom, contributing to the advancement of music culture.