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…
Tokyo, February 8, 2023 – One of Japan’s most powerful voices in hip-hop, Awich, continues her hot streak with the release of two major singles via Andmusic: “Remember” and “Longiness Remix.” These collaborations bring together some of the scene’s finest talents, including KEIJU, Chico Carlito, and SugLawd Familiar. Both tracks made waves during Awich’s striking…
January 22, 2024 – TokyoGenre-defying artist OZworld continues to carve his own path in the Japanese hip-hop universe with the latest visual from his third studio album SUN NO KUNI. The music video for “MIKOTO 〜SUN NO KUNI〜”, featuring fellow Okinawan talents Tsubaki and Awich, is now live—and it’s as layered as it is luminous….
