"Sawadika" (stylized as "SaWaDiKa"; ) is a song by Thai rapper and singer Lisa. It was released through Lloud and RCA Records on September 3, 2026, as the lead single from her upcoming first extended play, Press Play (2026).
Background and release In August 2026, red billboards with the text "Hello " appeared in major cities worldwide, including Bangkok, New York, Los Angeles and Mexico City. A website featuring "Hello" in multiple languages launched featuring a countdown to August 24. At the end of the countdown, Lisa announced "Sawadika" would be released on September 3 as the lead single of her first extended play, Press Play (2026). On August 28, Lisa shared a snippet of the track in a TikTok video featuring her dressed in gear in a boxing ring. She also released several concept photos for the single presenting traditional Thai symbols through a futuristic high fashion concept. In the first set of photos, she wore a contemporary take on Muay Thai attire, including boxing shorts with "Lisa" embroidered on the waistband. A second set of teasers showed her on a tuk tuk wearing a leather bodysuit and high-heeled lace-up boots, drawing from boxing footwear and Muay Thai styling.
Composition and lyrics "Sawadika" is an homage to Lisa's home country of Thailand, with the title translating to "hello" in Thai. Produced by Thom Bridges and Ojivolta, it marks a return to her rap roots, with her rapping "I’m that bitch on your TV / In my Ferrari, indigo / La Lalisa, la diva" in the chorus. The song captures Lisa's identity atop her distinctive rap prowess and signature hip-hop sound.
Reception Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), thanked Lisa for her use of the Thai greeting in a comment under the singer's Instagram announcement, writing "The phrase you are promoting adds even greater resonance to the warmth and friendliness of the Thai people — 'sawasdee ka'."
Music video An accompanying music video was directed by Bang Jae Yeob, a Korean director known for his work on K-pop videos, and released on YouTube alongside the single. Filmed in Bangkok, Thailand, Lisa walks through several iconic locations in the city wearing outfits such as a red, cut-out leather bodysuit and boxing shorts with "Sawadika" in rhinestone letters across the waist. She also wears a black feathered catsuit and a spangly burgundy two-piece with matching headphones as she walks at night with her crew of dancers in black. For a rooftop dance, she wears a towering black feather headdress, before switching to a neon blue bikini with matching hair in an underground tunnel. Locations featured in the video include Hua Lamphong railway station on Rong Mueang Road, Soi Ngam Du Phli, Soi Charoen Khet 1, and DIB Bangkok.
According to YouTube, "Sawadika" garnered 73.3 million views in 24 hours, becoming the biggest music video debut of 2026 and the eighth-biggest of all time. The video broke the previous 2026 release record of BTS's "Swim", which received 33 million views in 24 hours. "Sawadika" is also the second most-viewed debut by a soloist in history in 24 hours, behind Lisa's own "Lalisa" (2021), which opened with 73.6 million views and remains the record-holder for the biggest opening day by a solo artist. Syrian artist Zeina accused the music video of plagiarizing her design for a coined headphone, but later revealed she had been officially credited.
Live performances Lisa made the television debut of "Sawadika" at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on September 27, 2026.
Credits and personnel Credits adapted from Spotify
Lisa – vocals, composer, lyricist Thom Bridges – producer, composer, lyricist Ojivolta – producer Kuk Harrell – recording engineer, vocal producer Fermin Suero Jr. – assistant engineer Manny Marroquin – mixing engineer Trey Station – assistant mixing engineer Ramiro Fernandez-Seoane – assistant mixing engineer Randy Merill – mastering engineer Mark Williams – composer, lyricist Raul Cubina – composer, lyricist Rachel West – composer, lyricist Danny Chung – composer, lyricist
Charts + Chart (2026) Peakposition Australia (ARIA) 70 China (TME Korean) 6 France (SNEP) 123 Greece International (IFPI) 20 Hong Kong (Billboard) 14 Israel (Mako Hitlist) 85 Malaysia (IFPI) [Select 2026 Week 37] 7 Malaysia International (RIM) 5 Netherlands (Global Top 40) 8 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) 5 Portugal (AFP) 171 Romania Airplay (TopHit) 171 Singapore (RIAS) 1 South Korea Download (Circle) 70 Switzerland Streaming (Swiss Hitparade) 82 Taiwan (Billboard) 4 Thailand (IFPI) [Select 2026 Week 37] 3 Vietnam Hot 100 (Billboard) 37
Release history + Region Date Format Label Various September 3, 2026
See also List of K-pop songs on the Billboard charts List of number-one songs of 2026 (Singapore)
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