Creepy Nuts, Viral Jams & J-pop’s Global Glow-Up in 2024

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 to its Jersey Club bounce and catchy anime tie-in with Mashle: Magic and Muscles.

But that was just the beginning.

Coachella Meets J-pop Avengers

In April, J-pop took the global spotlight at Coachella, thanks to an all-star showcase by 88Rising. Heavy hitters like Yoasobi, Atarashii Gakko!, and Awich brought a perfect storm of performance, energy, and genre-bending heat. Awich even used her time to shine a light on Japan’s underground hip-hop stars — including JP The Wavy, Lana, and Mari — pushing Japanese rap to the world stage in style.

The Rise of Yuki Chiba

2024 also marked a massive comeback for Yuki Chiba. Formerly known as Kohh, he reemerged with the street anthem “Team Tomodachi,” which became a viral banger. That momentum led to a surprise feature on Megan Thee Stallion’s international smash “Mamushi” — and even a remix co-signed by Will Smith. Yep, for real.

Beyond Borders: Digital-First Domination

A wave of unexpected hits also shook up the local charts — including Akasaki’s “Bunny Girl” and noa’s “Hatsukoi Killer.” These songs tackled loneliness, love, and modern life in Japan through quirky lyrics and unpredictable production. And let’s not forget the Vocaloid queen herself — Hatsune Miku — who reigned again via Deco*27’s “Rabbit Hole” and Satsuki’s wild EDM drop “Mesmerizer.”

J-pop’s New Chapter

J-pop’s global evolution is no longer a dream — it’s here. Artists are headlining world tours (hello, Ado and Kenshi Yonezu) and syncing with anime, games, and social media to power up their reach. From Tokyo streets to international arenas, the sound of Japan is more diverse and exciting than ever.

And if 2024 is any sign? The world’s just getting started with J-pop.