Popular utaite luz was the latest online artist to be hit with a scandal as tabloid publication Shukan Bunshun released a shocking article alleging that his recent hiatus was less about his physical or mental health, but related to a drug charge.
【今後の活動に関してのお詫びとご報告】 pic.twitter.com/Zwdy7a1MdC
— luz_info (@luz_information) January 25, 2024
According to industry insiders, the artist was actually caught with drugs on the 11th, leading to his managers being unable to contact him. This lead to them cancelling all activities that following week. While Pony Canyon, his label, had wanted to go forward with a public statement on the 22nd, both the artist and his lawyer were against it and even stated that doing so against his wishes would be a violation of privacy. According to the article, this was why the hiatus statement had no mention of the criminal charges against the artist.
Royal Scandalは、奏音69・RAHWIAによる協議、およびluzの事務所代理人による合意のもと、ボーカル luzとの関係を終了し、2名体制で活動を継続することといたしました。
活動10周年を控えたタイミングでこのような発表となってしまい、誠に申し訳ございません。…
— Royal Scandal (@Royal_Scandal) January 29, 2024
Shortly after the article was released, associated three man act Royal Scandal (comprised of luz, Kanon 69 and RAHWIA) announced that they would be parting ways with their vocalist and continuing as a two-person group.
luz契約解除の経緯につきましては、公式発表のとおりです。
私はクリエイターとして、今後luzと関わることはございません。また昨日発表しましたとおり、Royal Scandalは私とRAHWIAの2名で活動を継続することといたしました。
luzがもし音楽活動を再開したとしても、Royal…— 奏音69♛ (@KANON69) January 30, 2024
Kanon 69 went on to make a public statement, emphasizing that the crux of the issue was luz‘s insincere apologies and repeat offenses, which were not specified in the post. As such Royal Scandal has made the difficult decision to part ways with the artist.
In addition, Pony Canyon also released a statement through the artist’s website, saying that as of January 30th they have decided to part ways in light of his arrest and charges. All shipments of his goods would be ceased, and they would stop distributing his songs released under the label. Future events will be cancelled, with refunds and chargebacks announced at a later date.
Source: Bunshun Online, luz website
