As the convergence between sports and fashion continues to strengthen, Major League Baseball has made a big move in bridging the gap between the two worlds. For the first time ever, the MLB has curated a soundtrack in support of its annual World Baseball Classic. For the 2026 chapter of the league’s tournament, the MLB was determined to drive the on-field energy home, curating an international lineup of talent – Tainy, Becky G, Fujii Kaze, Myke Towers, YEONJUN, and Young Miko – to bring their voices to the annual event.
This intersection of sports and fashion is something Uzma Rawn Dowler, MLB’s Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Partnerships, knows very well, essentially the guiding ethos of this creative venture.
“By collaborating with a visionary like Tainy to produce our first-ever original soundtrack, we are leaning into the intersection of sports and music to connect with fans on a deeper cultural level,” Dowler elaborated in a press statement. “Bringing together the influence of these talented musical artists from around the world allows us
to amplify the energy of the tournament and showcase the vibrant spirit that defines modern baseball.”
Produced in its entirety by Tainy, the debut World Baseball Classic soundtrack packs quite the punch in just three tracks, standing on a spirited global foundation. With contributions coming from five artists from around the world, the multilingual project moves between four languages — Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and English — and does a palpable job of encapsulating the worldly energy of the tournament into a sonic package.
Hailing from Puerto Rico, Young Miko continues to ascend the ranks, dropping in to offer up a new track, “MVP,” to the lineup. Rooted in her Puerto Rican heritage, the trap-pop cut draws particular inspiration from her home’s love for baseball. Japanese artist Fujii Kaze added “My Place,” which taps into the local championship legacy of Japan.
The centerfold of the trifecta is the “anthem track,” which features Becky G, Myke Towers, and YEONJUN of TOMORROW X TOGETHER. Fresh off his Miu Miu runway debut, the K-pop star sat down with Hypebeast to share more on his contributions to the high-octane “Make It Count.”
Hypebeast: To start off, what does it mean to be a part of such a major cross-cultural moment for music and sport? How did you react when you were asked to be a part of the soundtrack?
YEONJUN: Although music and sports move people in different ways, I think they share the same power to unite us as one. That’s why being part of this MLB soundtrack had been a true honor and felt like so much more than just a project. I still remember how my heart raced when I first heard about the proposal. I really put my heart into it, hoping this energy would naturally reach not only our fans, MOA, but also baseball fans everywhere.
Tell me more about the conception of the “anthem track.” What was the initial idea for it?
Since the World Baseball Classic is a global event enjoyed by people all over the world, our focus from the beginning was more on capturing the overall atmosphere and energy of the stadium through music, rather than focusing on any specific team. As this track is a vibrant collaboration with Becky G and Myke Towers, it was important that each artist’s unique style blended together naturally. I also tried to bring in my own identity and vibe through the Korean lyrics.
How did you flesh out this idea or mood into a fully developed track?
Knowing how much this tournament means to the athletes and how much hard work goes into it, I wanted to channel that respect and support into this track. I spent a lot of time thinking about how to make the melody and lyrics match the energy of the stadium, hoping to create something that feels like more than just a typical anthem song. I’d love for this track to be the first thing that pops into people’s minds whenever they’re watching a game or cheering in the stands.
How does the anthem track make you feel? What energy does it exude?
I still vividly remember the rush of emotion I felt when I first listened to “Make It Count.” Bringing together the different musical styles of Becky G, Myke Towers, and myself created a really special kind of synergy. I truly believe that anything is possible when people come together, and I hope this track encourages listeners to keep moving toward their dreams.
If you – or TOMORROW X TOGETHER as a whole – played in the World Baseball Classic, what would your team name be? What would your uniforms look like?
I think for our group we’d go with a name like “The Dream Team.” It’s simple, but it captures the idea of people coming together with the same goal and pushing each other to do better. That kind of team energy feels very TOMORROW X TOGETHER to me. For our uniforms, I’d keep the overall look pretty classic, like a traditional baseball uniform with a clean and timeless design. But it would be fun to add a small modern twist in the details so it still feels a little bit like us.
If the anthem track was a part of one previously released TOMORROW X TOGETHER project or era, which one would it be and why?
I feel like this track shares the same DNA as our album from last July, The Star Chapter: TOGETHER. While working on “Make It Count,” I kept picturing the WBC athletes supporting and leading one another toward a single goal. Since that album was about the true meaning of “togetherness” or growing and moving forward as one, this project felt like a very natural extension of that message.
What do you want people to feel when they hear the track?
More than anything, I hope everyone listening to “Make It Count” finds the courage to believe in their own potential. Sometimes challenges can feel overwhelming, but through the energy of this song, I hope you can focus on the present moment and just enjoy the journey rather than worrying about the outcome. I also put together a dance challenge with some baseball-inspired moves, so it’s something people can have fun with while listening to the track.
You’ve already had such a monumental year, and it’s only March. Can you tell us anything else about what you have coming up?
Our 8th Mini Album, 7TH YEAR: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns, will be released this April. This comeback is especially meaningful as all members of TOMORROW X TOGETHER have renewed contracts, stepping into a new chapter together beyond our first seven years. We’re excited to share our music that dives even deeper into our unique identity and stories. I’m also preparing for my second comeback as a solo artist, so there’s a lot coming up this year.
Teaming up with the MLB is a major collaborative moment. Anyone else on your radar for collaborations this year?
It was such an exciting collaboration, so I really enjoyed being part of it. I think this kind of unexpected chemistry is what makes collaborations so special. I’m always open to embracing new challenges and evolving my musical boundaries. Rather than having someone specific in mind, I’m always excited about new opportunities to collaborate with different people and creatives. There’s a lot I’m preparing to share through new music this year, so please stay tuned!
