- Film And TV
- 12 Apr 23
Sakamoto, considered one of the most iconic electronic composers, released his latest album, 12, earlier this year, marking his first non-soundtrack album in six years.
Following the death of electronic musician and ringtone composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, a Nokia sound compilation was shared on YouTube to honour the late artist. Created in the mid-2000s, Sakamoto composed the ringtones and alarms for the Nokia 8800 model.
The video was released by a YouTube channel called "Tech Product Bangers" and features a range of well-known ringtones and alerts. Among them is the probably best-known 'Nokia Tune', which quickly became the unmistakable Nokia ringtone.
The video‘s description reads: "I yearn for these to be released in lossless form on a CD someday (as well as tracks that did not make the cut), as these are wonderful pieces of music."
Watch the Nokia ringtone compilation video below:
The Japanese composer Sakamoto, who died on March 28th at the age of 71, was an electronic pioneer as a solo artist and member of the Yellow Magic Orchestra. He has also collaborated with many musicians from the genre, such as Kraftwerk.
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He began releasing his first albums in the late '70s and later started composing film music. As a film score composer, Sakamoto won an Oscar, a BAFTA, a Grammy, and two Golden Globes for his work.
Due to his cancer diagnosis in 2014 and 2021, his last performances took place as four live-streamed concerts. The stream was watched by thousands of people from over 30 different countries.
The performance included some of Sakamoto‘s most famous compositions, such as 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence', 'Tongo Poo', and 'The Wuthering Heights'.
Watch Sakamoto performing his hit song 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence' below:
In a statement shared on the artist‘s official website it says: "While undergoing treatment for cancer discovered in June 2020, Sakamoto continued to create works in his home studio whenever his health would allow. He lived with music until the very end."
"We would like to express out deepest gratitude to his fans and all those who have supported his activities, as well as medical professionals in Japan and the United States who did everything in their power to cure him," it continues.
"In accordance with Sakamoto’s strong wishes, the funeral service was held among his close family members. Finally, we would like to share one of Sakamoto’s favourite quotes: ‘Ars longa, vita brevis,’ Art is Long, life is short."