By HiphopTokyo Staff | June 3, 2025 K-Pop and hip-hop have long shared a complex, intertwined relationship—one where admiration often risks crossing the line into appropriation. That line was tested again this April when Julie, a member of the rising K-pop group Kiss of Life, held a birthday livestream themed around “old school hip hop.”…
Tokyo–London, February 20, 2020 – Known for melting minds as the bassist and vocalist of psychedelic noise-rock band Bo Ningen, Taigen Kawabe is now exploring brand new sonic dimensions with his solo project: Ill Japonia. Trading in distorted riffs and feedback for crisp trap production, Taigen steps fully into the world of experimental rap. His…
Published: May 20, 2025 | Culture Move over mainstream — Japanese rap is writing its own rules, and nowhere is that more clear than at Pop Yours, the country’s biggest rap-only festival. Held at the sprawling Makuhari Messe arena, the event has become a mecca for fans of Japan’s ever-evolving hip-hop scene. With 30,000 people…
Published: May 20, 2025 | News Desk From TikTok trends to the Coachella stage, Japanese music had a serious moment in 2024. Leading the charge was Creepy Nuts, whose explosive single “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” dominated the Billboard Japan Hot 100 for a record-breaking 19 weeks — all while lighting up global charts and playlists, thanks in part…
Published: May 20, 2025 Japanese rapper Chiba Yuki is making serious waves in the hip-hop scene as he gears up for his first solo concert, “Chiba Yuki – STAR LIVE,” set for July 3, 2025, at the legendary Nippon Budokan. The event promises to be a landmark moment, as Chiba brings along eight powerhouse guest…
Published: May 20, 2025 Japan’s hip-hop scene is about to be shaken this summer as four powerhouse artists—Awich, OZworld, Tsubaki, and CHICO CARLITO—team up for the highly anticipated “RASEN OKINAWA TOUR.” With shared Okinawan roots and a deep passion for lyricism, this crew has redefined modern Japanese rap, and now they’re bringing their raw energy…
Hailing from Osaka, Japan, singer NENE has established herself as a rising talent in the Japanese neo-soul and R&B landscape. Gaining initial recognition in 2021 for her well-received debut EP, “Room25,” which showcased an intimate musical style, she further solidified her potential in 2024 with “Drown in My Karma,” a project marked by a more…
Released on April 14, 2025, rising artist AshuraMIC delivers a hard-hitting new single titled “志-KOKOROZASHI”, produced by legendary beatmaker djhonda. The music video, directed by Yuya Ikawa of IKWFILM and captured by CHOKESP (No Smoking Me), matches the track’s intensity with striking visuals and raw energy. This release marks another bold step forward for AshuraMIC,…
DJ TATSUKI continues his rise in Tokyo’s urban music scene with the announcement of his very first solo show at the legendary Nippon Budokan. Celebrating this milestone, his acclaimed 2024 track “City of Dreams” is now being released as a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl, wrapped in exclusive cover art by Cherry Chill Will. The song —…
From graffiti-covered walls to booming basslines and jaw-dropping dance moves, hip-hop has become a global cultural force. But in Japan, the genre is more than just imported art — it’s been woven into the nation’s creative DNA since hip-hop’s early days. How Japan Helped Spark Hip-Hop Hip-hop may have emerged in the gritty neighborhoods of…
