'Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen' hits the Billboard charts

  • 30/10/2016
Daimaou Kosaka as his alter-ego Piko-Taro (YouTube)
Daimaou Kosaka as his alter-ego Piko-Taro (YouTube)

At just 45 seconds long, and with around 10 words, a viral video has become the shortest 'song' to enter the Billboard Hot 100 charts ever.

'Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen (PPAP)', written and performed by Japanese comedian DJ Daimaou Kosaka, has earned the Guinness World Record for the shortest song to ever hit the American music charts.

Kosaka, who performs the song in character as his comedic alter-ego Piko-Taro, was shocked at the viral success of his bizarre track - which has peaked at 77 on the American music charts.

"In the past I was accustomed to performing in front of audiences of between zero and one person," the 43-year-old joked at a packed press conference at the foreign correspondents' club of Japan.

"And then this happens... the internet is a wonderful thing."

Kosaka thanks pop-star Justin Bieber for helping his track break into the charts, after the 22-year-old singer tweeted to his 89 million Twitter followers that 'PPAP' was his "favourite video on the internet".

"I have the Justin effect to thank," Kosaka said, "and I would love to see him do a cover."

The novelty song is said to be a subtle gibe at how English is taught in Japanese schools. It has been watched more than 67 million times.

Kosaka is the first Japanese artist to enter into the Billboard Hot 100 since Seiko Matsuda reached number 54 over 20 years ago, in 1990.

'PPAP' has been so successful, its singer has announced he is signing a record deal to see the track distributed globally - although he says there are no plans (yet) to tour:.

"Let's face it, it's my one and only song and it lasts less than a minute - do you seriously think anyone would come?"

Newshub.