RAPSTAR 2026 Draws Record 12,953 Applicants as Japan Searches for Its Next Rap Star
Japan’s search for its next rap star has reached a new level. RAPSTAR 2026 has attracted 12,953 applicants, giving this year’s competition one of its biggest pools of aspiring rappers yet. The latest edition is now moving into its audition phase, with selected audition videos beginning to appear from August 15. The scale of this…
Lil Baby Set for Japanese Debut at FORCE FESTIVAL 2026 Alongside YZERR
Lil Baby is set to make his first performance in Japan as the headline act of FORCE FESTIVAL 2026, joining festival founder YZERR for the major hip-hop event in Kawasaki on October 25. The announcement was made on August 13, when FORCE FESTIVAL and YZERR revealed Lil Baby alongside the festival’s founder. The official announcement…
HAM384 Releases Debut EP ‘Dear Friends’ After Work With Mall Boyz and SEEDA
Yokohama artist and creator HAM384 has officially released his debut EP, Dear Friends, marking an important new chapter for an artist who has already built connections across Japan’s hip-hop community. The project arrived on August 19, giving listeners a first full-length introduction to HAM384 as a recording artist. The release is particularly notable because of…
CYBER RUI Releases “I AM NOT HUMAN?!” Ahead of ‘PROJECT REBOOT’
Japanese artist CYBER RUI has released her latest single “I AM NOT HUMAN?!”, continuing the rollout toward her upcoming concept album PROJECT REBOOT. Released on August 19, the track serves as the second advance single from the forthcoming project and follows July’s “超☆Lucky.” The new release continues CYBER RUI’s exploration of alternative hip-hop and electronic-influenced…
OZworld and CHICO CARLITO Win ¥50 Million at BATTLE SUMMIT III
OZworld and CHICO CARLITO have been crowned the winners of BATTLE SUMMIT III, taking home the tournament’s ¥50 million prize after defeating Zeebra and T-Pablow in the final. The major Japanese hip-hop battle event took place on August 11 at K-Arena Yokohama, bringing together some of the country’s most recognizable rappers for a high-profile team…
Tohji Announces Final Concert at Tokyo Dome as He Prepares to End His Music Career
Japanese rapper Tohji has announced what will be his final live performance, with the artist set to take the stage at Tokyo Dome on November 17, 2026. The concert, titled “Tohji Last Live ‘TOKYO MALL,’” was announced by the rapper during his August 9 performance at LaLa arena TOKYO-BAY. The announcement adds a major new…
Yuki Chiba Makes Japanese Hip-Hop History as Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘Mamushi’ Goes Platinum
Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba has reached another major international milestone after “Mamushi feat. Yuki Chiba”, his collaboration with American superstar Megan Thee Stallion, received RIAA Platinum certification. The achievement was reported in Japan this week and is being recognized as a landmark moment for Japanese rap. According to Japanese music coverage, “Mamushi” has become the…
FORCE FESTIVAL 2026: What to Know Ahead of YZERR’s Kawasaki Hip-Hop Festival
Japanese hip-hop fans have another major event to look forward to this year as FORCE FESTIVAL 2026 prepares to return to Kawasaki, Kanagawa. The festival is scheduled for October 25, 2026, at Higashi-Ogishima East Park in Kawasaki, continuing the event’s development as an important platform for Japanese rap and hip-hop culture. The festival is closely…
DJ社長 Announces End of Music Activities After Years at the Center of Japan’s Hip-Hop Scene
DJ社長 has announced the end of his music activities, bringing a major chapter of his career to a close after years as one of Japan’s most recognizable and controversial figures in the country’s music and hip-hop-adjacent scene. The announcement was made on August 8, 2026, with DJ社長 confirming that he would end his activities on…
3 Tokyo Rappers Building Momentum in Japan’s Underground Hip-Hop Scene
Tokyo’s hip-hop scene continues to develop beyond the country’s biggest festivals and established stars, with a new generation of rappers building momentum through the city’s underground live circuit. Among the artists currently attracting attention are Tim Pepperoni, 18easy and 土偶センパイ, three rappers whose recent activity highlights the diversity of Tokyo’s emerging hip-hop community. Their growing…
