Japanese rapper Juster has released his new album, 24 savage, bringing together personal storytelling, street-focused rap and collaborations with several artists from Japan’s hip-hop scene. The project arrived on October 21, 2026, through the FLARE label, marking another chapter in the Osaka-born rapper’s developing career. The album explores the realities of life at 24, drawing…
October 13, 2026 | Japanese Hip-Hop News Japan’s next generation of hip-hop talent is preparing for one of the biggest opportunities of the year as RAPSTAR 2026 confirms that its grand finale will take place at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on December 29, 2026. The event, titled STARZ 2026, will bring the popular Japanese rap…
Tokyo-based creative platform AFB has brought together some of the most exciting names from Japanese, Korean, Chinese and American hip-hop for its first compilation album, AFB IS HERE®. Released on September 18, the 12-track project pushes AFB beyond its fashion roots and deeper into music and international street culture, connecting artists and producers from four…
Japanese hip-hop and rock collide with a deeper purpose as Awich, CHICO CARLITO, ONE OK ROCK and Paledusk reunite under their collaborative project YAO for the new song “ありふれた世界の果てに.” Released on September 4, the track is YAO’s second release and pushes the supergroup beyond simply bringing major Japanese artists from different genres together. This time,…
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…
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…
Japanese producer, rapper, and CreativeDrugStore member doooo has officially announced the release of his third solo album, CONFUSION, which is scheduled to arrive on July 29. The announcement has quickly become one of the biggest talking points within Japan’s underground hip-hop community, as fans eagerly await the return of one of the country’s most innovative…
Japan’s hip-hop scene has no shortage of rising stars, but few artists have experienced the remarkable ascent of LANA. Over the past few years, she has transformed from one of the country’s most promising newcomers into one of its biggest rap stars, consistently headlining major festivals, dominating streaming platforms, and helping redefine the role of…
Tokyo’s hip-hop scene has a new headline story this month as rising rapper Masato Hayashi officially begins the promotional rollout for “暴走東京” (Bōsō Tokyo), a campaign that combines new music, live performances, and fan events ahead of the biggest concert of his career. Following his rapid rise over the past year, Hayashi has entered a…
By Eli Jesse Masato Hayashi Takes a Major Step Forward With “暴走東京” Tokyo’s hip-hop scene continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and one of its most exciting rising stars is preparing for the biggest performance of his career. Japanese rapper Masato Hayashi has officially announced his upcoming one-man live concert, “暴走東京” (Bōsō Tokyo), scheduled…
