Not sure if anyone in here is into rap, so just to make sure you would at least give it a listen I thought I would drop a few of my favorite Japanese Rap artists/songs.
I will be covering a few eras with these post so bare with me if you aren't into some of the early ones.
SOME OF THESE VIDEOS DON'T LOAD AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHY. IF YOU ARE TRYING TO VIEW A VIDEO PLEASE LOOK BELOW THE BROKEN EMBED TO SEE A URL LINK TO THE VIDEO INSTEAD!
(90's) - Buddha Brand - 人間発電所
Along with sounding like this would be in the OST of Samurai Champloo, Buddha Brand, as far as I know, is one of the forerunners of rap in Japan.
The styles greatly resemble rap in the US at the time, and the flow rolls like nothing ive ever heard before. Super upbeat and happy.
(90's) - Lamp Eye - 証言
Lamp Eye also is probably considered another forerunner for rap in Japan. I have trouble finding more about them or even more of their songs. It could be a one hit wonder, I wouldn't know.
(2000's) - Anarchy - Fate (日本語字幕版)
Anarchy seemed to peak his career somewhere around 2008, although not my favorite he is definitely talented.
I only found RYUZO recently and I am a HUGE fan. His gritty voice is something that I always look for in music, and he takes the cake for being the best at it by a longshot so far.
This guy is my absolute favorite. I have alot of trouble finding where I can listen to more of his stuff unless i have an I-tunes (Which I really don't want to do)
(Current) - KOHH - "Dirt Boys feat. Dutch Montana, Loota"
KOHH is a rapid rise to fame, hes a bit more hard in the paint then the rest and I think that personality fits him perfectly. All of his shit is worth a listen, if you like this you will like all his other shit for sure.
(Current) - Creepy Nuts(R-指定&DJ松永) / 合法的トビ方ノススメ
Creepy nuts is another great one. This is one of my most proud finds. Their styles are super upbeat and rapid fire stuff. All of there stuff is amazing make sure to check them out.
If you have anything to add go ahead and post them, I'm always looking for more!
I like a lot of Japanese rap. I mostly listen to recent indie stuff. I've seen a lot of groups live as well like Moroha, Charisma.com, Skillkills, Suiyoubi no Campanella, Daoko, etc.
I quite like Creepy Nuts too. I'm actually going to see them live at a local music festival in a couple weeks too.
Here is some of my favorites. There might be something you'll like.
Moroha
Charisma.com
ハハノシキュウ (Haha no Shikyu) and Dotama
ハハノシキュウ (solo)
Dotama (solo)
RUMI
水曜日のカンパネラ (Suiyoubi no Campanella)
Moe and Ghosts
Skillkills
peepow
Slumber
daoko (Her old stuff on lowhighwho was great, but I don't like her recent stuff though. She got a new producer and completely changed her style)
Halcali - Halcali Bacon is a pretty interesting J-pop/Japanese hip-hop album. Only reason I know about it is because of Kero Kero Bonito, a group that sprung up from London which draws influences from j-pop and that type of sound.
xeing said: Halcali - Halcali Bacon is a pretty interesting J-pop/Japanese hip-hop album. Only reason I know about it is because of Kero Kero Bonito, a group that sprung up from London which draws influences from j-pop and that type of sound.
Kyzix said: I like a lot of Japanese rap. I mostly listen to recent indie stuff. I've seen a lot of groups live as well like Moroha, Charisma.com, Skillkills, Suiyoubi no Campanella, Daoko, etc.
I quite like Creepy Nuts too. I'm actually going to see them live at a local music festival in a couple weeks too.
Here is some of my favorites. There might be something you'll like...
I took a listen to all of these and I have to say that the differences in styles is kinda mind-blowing.
Moroha especially is a super feel-good kind of rap that I can get behind.
Dotma is a nice and funny style that I think flows really well every time I listen to it. He must be one of the more popular ones at the moment because I think I see his stuff the most.
Skillkills might be my favroite out of this list. I love the grungey feeling of it.
Thanks for the huge list, I think im going to be directing people that ask me about what I listen to here lol.
Im sure you know about Okasian, that entire crew I think I can listen to all day.
Korean Rap is a whole other genre that I listen to consistently.
Thank god for 88 Rising
Nice track, bro. Keith Ape is ok... Still, I prefer Japanese and Chinese raps.
Can't believe nobody mentioned Kohh yet, lol.
As for Chinese (god, I love Chengdu Rap House)
Seriously, people. Don't underestimate the Chinese.
The Chinese scene is going to be taken more seriously soon because of the Higher Brothers/Chengdu Rap Squad, People sleep on them too much.
Mark my words.
I took a listen to all of these and I have to say that the differences in styles is kinda mind-blowing.
Moroha especially is a super feel-good kind of rap that I can get behind.
Dotma is a nice and funny style that I think flows really well every time I listen to it. He must be one of the more popular ones at the moment because I think I see his stuff the most.
Skillkills might be my favroite out of this list. I love the grungey feeling of it.
Thanks for the huge list, I think im going to be directing people that ask me about what I listen to here lol.
There is a lot of variety in the Japanese music scene.
Moroha is definitely one of my favorites especially as far as lyrics go. I'm not sure how much Japanese you understand, but they have some great lyrics in my opinion. It's a great experience seeing them live too.
Dotama actually isn't that popular. He's been getting on TV a little bit recently, but he's still indie. The most popular group that I posted is Suiyoubi no Campanella by far. Some of their songs are hilarious too. Charisma.com might be the second most popular.
Dotama and Charisma.com actually has really similar backgrounds. Dotama was an office worker, and he would go straight to rap battles after work, so he would still be carrying a briefcase and wearing a suit doing rap battles in clubs. He did that until a few years back when he got signed and was able to quit his job and do music full time.
Itsuka and Gonchi from Charisma.com also essentially did the exact same thing. The two of them worked in the same office and played in clubs at night until they got popular enough to quit their jobs. I actually met them last year too.
Dotama also recently started a rap rock band as well:
I saw Skillkills live last year as well. They are still very underground, but they did get one of their songs in Ninja Slayer.
You might want to check out 術の穴 (Subenoana) and LOW HIGH WHO? if you're interested in more stuff like what I posted. They are two indie records labels here in Japan that do a lot of rap/hip-hop.
I took a listen to all of these and I have to say that the differences in styles is kinda mind-blowing.
Moroha especially is a super feel-good kind of rap that I can get behind.
Dotma is a nice and funny style that I think flows really well every time I listen to it. He must be one of the more popular ones at the moment because I think I see his stuff the most.
Skillkills might be my favroite out of this list. I love the grungey feeling of it.
Thanks for the huge list, I think im going to be directing people that ask me about what I listen to here lol.
There is a lot of variety in the Japanese music scene.
Moroha is definitely one of my favorites especially as far as lyrics go. I'm not sure how much Japanese you understand, but they have some great lyrics in my opinion. It's a great experience seeing them live too.
Dotama actually isn't that popular. He's been getting on TV a little bit recently, but he's still indie. The most popular group that I posted is Suiyoubi no Campanella by far. Some of their songs are hilarious too. Charisma.com might be the second most popular.
Dotama and Charisma.com actually has really similar backgrounds. Dotama was an office worker, and he would go straight to rap battles after work, so he would still be carrying a briefcase and wearing a suit doing rap battles in clubs. He did that until a few years back when he got signed and was able to quit his job and do music full time.
Itsuka and Gonchi from Charisma.com also essentially did the exact same thing. The two of them worked in the same office and played in clubs at night until they got popular enough to quit their jobs. I actually met them last year too.
Dotama also recently started a rap rock band as well:
I saw Skillkills live last year as well. They are still very underground, but they did get one of their songs in Ninja Slayer.
You might want to check out 術の穴 (Subenoana) and LOW HIGH WHO? if you're interested in more stuff like what I posted. They are two indie records labels here in Japan that do a lot of rap/hip-hop.
Awesome, Ill check them out.
I'm afraid that I know virtually no Japanese and I feel like it really takes away from the whole experience. I plan on learning as much as I can soon if only to listen to music.
I'm actually kind of glad to hear that Skillkills is underground. I feel like when bands are still underground or emerging they come up with their best stuff. The theme that they perpetrate sets that vibe perfectly.
I really appreciate you showing me all these current era Japanese rappers, you have baisicly added 10 hours to my playlist.
When you say meet them do did you have a conversation with them? Thats really cool if so, I really haven't been able to go to any concerts and i really want to be able to find a way to pay for some, Im missing out on alot of magic.
If you know any early/late 90's rappers like Lamp Eye or Buddha Brigade I would also really appreciate it.
Awesome, Ill check them out.
I'm afraid that I know virtually no Japanese and I feel like it really takes away from the whole experience. I plan on learning as much as I can soon if only to listen to music.
I'm actually kind of glad to hear that Skillkills is underground. I feel like when bands are still underground or emerging they come up with their best stuff. The theme that they perpetrate sets that vibe perfectly.
I really appreciate you showing me all these current era Japanese rappers, you have baisicly added 10 hours to my playlist.
When you say meet them do did you have a conversation with them? Thats really cool if so, I really haven't been able to go to any concerts and i really want to be able to find a way to pay for some, Im missing out on alot of magic.
If you know any early/late 90's rappers like Lamp Eye or Buddha Brigade I would also really appreciate it.
It definitely helps. Besides lyrics, it also helps a lot with finding stuff.
Theirs is not exactly a pop friendly style, so they'll probably stay indie even if they start getting more popular. You never know though. There are a lot of bands that make major label debuts here that I don't think would be able to in a lot of other places.
No problem. I like introducing people to new music. I spend a lot of time looking for new stuff myself.
I didn't really talk with them for very long. I ran into them in the hallway after the show, and I just basically told them that the show was a lot of fun, and that I hoped they'd come by again soon. Also, that I was going to see them again in a month or so at a New Year's music festival up in Tokyo. I got a picture with them too though, which was pretty cool. They really put on a great show.
I go to quite a few concerts. Usually at least once a month sometimes more depending on who's coming to town. If I lived in a bigger city like Tokyo or Osaka, I'd be able to go to more. This month I'll be able to see a lot of stuff though because there is an annual local music festival. That's where I'll see Creepy Nuts actually.
Sorry, as far as Japanese rap goes, I only know more recent stuff.
Nice track, bro. Keith Ape is ok... Still, I prefer Japanese and Chinese raps.
Can't believe nobody mentioned Kohh yet, lol.
As for Chinese (god, I love Chengdu Rap House)
Seriously, people. Don't underestimate the Chinese.
The Chinese scene is going to be taken more seriously soon because of the Higher Brothers/Chengdu Rap Squad, People sleep on them too much.
Mark my words.
Can't wait for the time your words comes true. Higher Brothers and CDC in general are amazing, and I'm thankful that there are at least few channels in yt who promote their music. There're also some gems hidden all over Middle Kingdom, I hope someday they'll get international recognition too.
EAST END X YURI Is exactly the kind of shit that I am looking for. The Aesthetic, the flow, the tempo. Everything is absolutely perfect. Thanks for sharing that.
EAST END X YURI Is exactly the kind of shit that I am looking for. The Aesthetic, the flow, the tempo. Everything is absolutely perfect. Thanks for sharing that.
lol....I think it became the achy breaky heart or gangnam style of mid 90s Japan but it is catchy for sure. If you didn't recognise it the main groove is from this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tZWLRh3xmU
Oh yeah... I listened to these guys a lot in early 2000 s
BurningXz said: I listen to mostly older Japanese hip-hop. hehe
King Giddra
Scha Dara Parr
ZEEBRA
K DUB SHINE
NORIKIYO
SALU
KICK THE CAN CREW
KREVA
Those first five were the exact kind that I was looking for, thank you very much for sharing. It's really had to explain but for some reason the style and aura of the 90's rap scene has always drawn me in more than anything else. I still love modern iterations but 90's stuff feels so authentic it's hard to stay away.