Who Knew? Austin Mahone’s “Dirty Work” Is Huge In Japan

Mike Wass | June 26, 2017 2:27 pm
Austin Mahone Drops 'For Me + You' EP
Surprise! Austin Mahone embarks on a comeback with new EP, 'For Me + You.'

In today’s random pop news, Austin Mahone is huge in Japan. The 21-year-old’s 2015 bop “Dirty Work” recently dethroned Ed Sheeran’s “Shape Of You” as the country’s top-selling foreign pop song thanks to a viral comedy routine. Local funny-woman Blouson Chiemi used the track as part of a skit about being a career woman, dropping zingers like this in time with the music: “Men are like gum. Once they lose their flavor, you just get a new piece.” She ends the performance draped over shirtless office workers. Slay.

Austin’s anthem is so inextricably linked with Blouson’s routine that the pair recorded a remix, which is currently not available on YouTube. (At least, outside of Japan). I’d love to hear it, because “Dirty Work” was and still remains a banger. Produced by The Monsters and The Strangerz, it was supposed to be the track that lifted the singer to superstar status after breakthrough hit “Mmm Yeah.” It was certainly good enough. A bass-heavy, disco-inspired bop with a massive chorus, Austin dabbled in funk a year before Bruno Mars.

Anyway, all’s well that ends well. The song is now a legitimate smash (53 million YouTube views and 15 million Spotify plays) and Austin is putting the finishing touches to his long-overdue debut album while strengthening his ties with the fashion world and touring his For Me + You EP. The pop star also has features on Hardwell’s “Creatures Of The Night” and Pitbull’s “Dedicated.” Revisit “Dirty Work” and check out Blouson’s routine below.

Blouson Chiemi’s comedy routine:

Austin’s “Dirty Work”:

Should Austin rerelease “Dirty Work” in the US? Let us know below, or by hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter!

[Via Japan Times].