Mikiya Ito

Mikiya Ito is a Japanese drummer and Ludwig Artist based in New York City. Born and raised in Japan, he began playing at a young age under the influence of his father, a singer-songwriter, laying the foundation for a deeply musical and expressive approach to the instrument.Rooted in R&B, funk, soul, and hip-hop, Mikiya has become a versatile presence in New York’s dynamic music scene. His playing blends groove-driven precision with tonal sensitivity, allowing him to move seamlessly between live performance and original work.His latest release, In Translation, reflects both his cultural heritage and artistic evolution. Inspired by the four seasons of Japan, the project explores the idea that something is inevitably lost in translation. The music inhabits that in-between space—before meaning is fully defined—capturing the fleeting beauty, nuance, and emotional complexity of transition.