FEMM in latex costumes

FEMM (sometimes known as an acronym for Far East Mention Mannequins ) are a Japanese electronic dance music duo , consisting of RiRi and LuLa. The group signed with Avex Group Holdings Inc. sub record label Maximum10 and its distribution label Avex Music Creative Inc; they signed with London-based JPU Records for European distribution. After a series of buzz singles between 2013 and 2014, FEMM released their debut studio album Femm-Isation as a digital release in October 2014. FEMM’s major debut and first physical release, Pow!/LCS, was released in February 2016.

FEMM is a music project that represents “real mannequins “, while RiRi and LuLa are recognized as the leaders of FEMM Agency Syndicate, an agency that supports the independence and rights of mannequins (hypothetically their fan base). RiRi is managed by Agent Honey-B and LuLa is managed by Agent W-Trouble. Honey-B and W-Trouble communicate on behalf of RiRi and LuLa because mannequins cannot speak.

Despite the group’s lack of charter success, FEMM has received interest from several Western social media sites and journalists. The group has been widely praised for its fashion style and commercial appeal, along with the accompanying songs they have recorded. FEMM has been called the “world’s first mannequin duo” and highlighted online by publications such as The Huffington Post and Perez Hilton as future prospects for mainstream music.

FEMM consists of RiRi and LuLa. Little is known about FEMM’s formation or meeting prior to the signing; in an interview on February 24, 2016, W-Trouble stated that she and Honey-B “met in FEMM’s Agency Syndicate. Details are top secret.” In October 2013, the group launched a YouTube channel and uploaded a teaser video; The video shows RiRi and LuLa walking the streets of Japan and talking about their search for mannequins. This teaser was used to launch FEMM’s website, which uses interactive elements to communicate with their fan base. FEMM signed with Avex Group Holdings Inc.’s sub-record label Maximum10 and its distribution label Avex Music Creative Inc.

In February 2014, FEMM premiered two music videos; “UFO” and “Astroboy” on their YouTube channel; the former track is a cover song originally recorded in 1977 by Japanese pop duo Pink Lady , while the latter featured guest vocals from FEMM’s agents Honey-B and W-Trouble. Despite the initial lack of popularity, FEMM included both songs in the group’s debut extended play (EP) Astroboy on April 2, 2014. “Astroboy” was recognized by Western critics as FEMM’s first original song by the group. The videos were directed by the creative unit IKIOI, which had previously collaborated with other Japanese artists at the time.