Joji Wiki, Wiki, Bio, Networth, Partner, Family & More

Brief Introduction of Joji

George Kusunoki Miller, known professionally as Joji, is a Japanese-Australian singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, and former Internet personality. He initially gained widespread recognition for his absurdist and shock humor YouTube channels, TVFilthyFrank and DizastaMusic, where he created a cast of eccentric characters, most notably Filthy Frank and Pink Guy. Miller was also instrumental in popularizing the “Harlem Shake” internet meme. In 2017, he retired from his YouTube career to pursue music seriously under the moniker Joji. His music is often characterized as a blend of R&B, lo-fi, and trip-hop, with melancholic and soulful themes. Joji has achieved significant mainstream success, with albums like “Ballads 1” and “Nectar” charting on the Billboard 200 and hit singles such as “Slow Dancing in the Dark” and “Glimpse of Us” earning multi-platinum certifications. He is recognized as the first Asian-born artist to top the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Joji Overview

Early Life and Education of Joji

George Kusunoki Miller was born on September 18, 1992, in Osaka, Japan. He is of Japanese-Australian descent, with an Australian father and a Japanese mother. Miller was raised in Kobe, Japan, and attended the Canadian Academy, an international school, from which he graduated in 2012. Growing up, he developed an interest in music and began creating songs with friends as a hobby. At the age of 18, Miller relocated to the United States to pursue higher education. He enrolled at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. It was during his time in college that he began to cultivate his online presence and develop the characters that would bring him initial fame. He is fluent in both English and Japanese and has some proficiency in Spanish.

Joji’s Career

Joji’s career has been marked by a significant and successful transition from a viral internet comedian to a critically acclaimed musician. He began his journey on YouTube in 2008, creating channels like DizastaMusic and later TVFilthyFrank. On these platforms, he developed the characters of Filthy Frank and Pink Guy, known for their satirical, surreal, and often controversial humor. His content, which included sketches, rants, and extreme challenges, garnered a massive following. He is also credited with starting the “Harlem Shake” viral meme in 2013, which propelled the Baauer song to international fame.

While his YouTube persona was comedic, Miller always had a passion for creating serious music. He used his online platform to initially promote his musical work, releasing comedic rap albums under the Pink Guy alias, such as “Pink Season,” which surprisingly charted on the Billboard 200. In December 2017, Miller announced his retirement from his YouTube career, citing both a lack of interest in continuing the characters and health concerns, including stress-induced seizures.

Adopting the stage name Joji, which is a Japanese rendering of “George,” he fully dedicated himself to his music. He signed with the music label 88rising, which supports artists of Asian descent. In 2017, he released his debut EP, “In Tongues,” which showcased his signature lo-fi, R&B, and trip-hop sound. This was followed by his debut studio album, “Ballads 1,” in 2018. The album was a commercial success, reaching number three on the Billboard 200 and topping the R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart, a first for an Asian-born artist. The album featured the immensely popular single “Slow Dancing in the Dark,” which has been certified multi-platinum.

Joji continued to build on this success with his second album, “Nectar,” released in 2020, which also debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. This album included the singles “Sanctuary” and “Run.” In 2022, he released the single “Glimpse of Us,” which became his highest-charting song on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number eight. This was followed by his third album, “Smithereens,” later that year. After a hiatus, Joji returned in late 2025 with new singles “Pixelated Kisses” and “If It Only Gets Better,” announcing his upcoming fourth studio album, “Piss in the Wind,” slated for a 2026 release.

Joji Personal Life & Family

Joji is known for being extremely private about his personal life. He was born to a Japanese mother and an Australian father, but not much is publicly known about his parents or any siblings. He has successfully kept details about his romantic relationships out of the public eye. There have been rumors and speculation linking him to other public figures, such as singer Doja Cat, but nothing has ever been confirmed. Joji has openly discussed his health struggles, which played a role in his decision to end his YouTube career. He has mentioned suffering from a neurological condition that causes stress-induced seizures. He currently resides in the United States, having lived in Brooklyn, New York, and also spends time in Los Angeles for work.

Awards and Achievements of Joji

• “Ballads 1” became the first album by an Asian-born artist to top the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in 2018.
• His single “Slow Dancing in the Dark” is RIAA-certified 5x Platinum.
• The single “Glimpse of Us” is RIAA-certified 2x Platinum and reached number one on the Spotify Global 50 chart.
• He won “Album of the Year” at the Lion Awards, a charity event that uplifts Asian artists.
• Nominated for “Favorite Breakout Artist” at the 2023 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.
• Nominated for “Best Alternative Video – International” for “Glimpse of Us” at the 2022 UK Music Video Awards.

Joji Net Worth and Income

As of 2025, Joji’s net worth is estimated to be around $8 million. His wealth has been primarily accumulated through his successful music career. Major sources of his income include revenue from music streaming, album sales, and world tours. His hit songs like “Slow Dancing in the Dark” and “Glimpse of Us” have generated significant streaming revenue. Additionally, he earns from merchandise sales and royalties from his compositions. Before his music career took off, he also generated income from his highly popular YouTube channels. Even after retiring from YouTube, his old videos continue to garner views, contributing to his earnings.

Legacy and Influence

Joji’s career represents a remarkable transformation and a new path for internet personalities. His successful pivot from a viral comedian to a serious, chart-topping musician has been praised as one of the most incredible rebrands in the digital age. He has demonstrated that creators who build a massive online following can successfully transition into mainstream media and achieve critical and commercial success in a completely different field. Musically, Joji is known for his unique blend of genres, including R&B, lo-fi, trip-hop, and electronic music. His music often explores themes of heartbreak, love, and mental health with a melancholic and introspective tone, resonating deeply with a global audience. He has been credited with helping to popularize the lo-fi genre and bringing it to a more mainstream audience. As one of the prominent artists under the 88rising label, he has also played a significant role in increasing the visibility of Asian artists in the global music industry.

Interesting Facts about Joji

• Before becoming a global music star, he was the creator of the viral “Harlem Shake” meme.
• He released a book titled “Francis of the Filth” in 2017, which serves as a conclusion to his Filthy Frank character’s story.
• He is multilingual, speaking English, Japanese, and some Spanish.
• Despite his successful singing career, Joji has stated in interviews that he doesn’t particularly enjoy singing but is more inspired by the visual and creative aspects that accompany his music.
• His musical influences are diverse, with artists like Radiohead and Frank Ocean often cited as inspirations for his emotive and atmospheric sound.
• As Pink Guy, he released a full-length album, “Pink Season,” which peaked at number 70 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Controversies

The majority of controversy surrounding Joji stems from his time as the YouTube personality Filthy Frank. The character of Filthy Frank was intentionally offensive and “anti-PC,” engaging in shock humor that touched upon sensitive topics. Miller himself described the character as “the embodiment of everything a person should not be.” While this content was understood by his fanbase as satire, it has drawn criticism in later years, particularly as his fame as Joji grew. There have been attempts by some groups on social media to “cancel” him for the provocative nature of his past comedic work. However, these controversies have not significantly impacted his successful music career, as many fans and critics view his Filthy Frank persona as a separate, satirical project from his authentic musical identity as Joji.

Social Media Presence

• Instagram: Information not disclosed
• Twitter: Information not disclosed
• YouTube: 7.88 million subscribers (on TVFilthyFrank as of October 2023)

Final Words about Joji

Joji’s journey is a testament to artistic evolution and the courage to reinvent oneself. From a master of internet satire to a purveyor of soulful and melancholic music, he has carved a unique and influential path in the entertainment industry. Having successfully shed his past personas, he has emerged as a respected artist whose work is celebrated for its emotional depth and genre-bending soundscapes. With his third studio album, “Smithereens,” solidifying his place in the mainstream, and a new album, “Piss in the Wind,” on the horizon for 2026, Joji’s artistic journey is far from over. His legacy is not just in his chart-topping hits but in the inspiration he provides for artists to stay true to their creative calling, no matter how unconventional the path may be. He continues to be a powerful voice in contemporary music, connecting with millions through his authentic and emotionally resonant art.