2020 Japan Pop Music Trends You Need to Know
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Keep up with the latest 2020 Japan pop music trends! From rising artists to new genres, here’s what you need to know.
2020 Japan Pop Music Trends
In 2020, we saw a resurgence in J-Pop, with a new generation of idol groups taking over the charts. These groups are known for their catchy melodies, polished choreography, and colorful aesthetics. But what else is new in the world of J-Pop? Let’s take a look at some of the biggest trends of 2020.
Shibuya-kei
If you love J-Pop, then you need to know about Shibuya-kei! This music genre originated in the Shibuya district of Tokyo and is known for its eclectic mix of styles and influences. Think of it as the Japanese equivalent of American indie pop, with a dash of electronica and disco thrown in for good measure. While it’s not as mainstream as some other genres, Shibuya-kei has a devoted following both in Japan and overseas.
Some of the most popular Shibuya-kei artists include Flipper’s Guitar, Pizzicato Five, Rip Slyme, and globe. If you’re looking for something a little different from the usual J-Pop fare, be sure to check out these artists and see what all the fuss is about!
City Pop
City Pop is a music genre that was popularized in Japan in the 1980s. The genre is a blend of Western pop music and traditional Japanese music, and it often has a retro sound. City Pop was created as a response to the increasing popularity of Western music in Japan, and it quickly became one of the country’s most popular genres.
In recent years, City Pop has been making a comeback, thanks to the rise of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. If you’re looking for some great City Pop tunes, be sure to check out the following artists:
-Mariya Takeuchi
-Tatsuro Yamashita
-Chiemi Manabe
-Yumi Matsutoya
J-Pop
J-pop, an abbreviation for Japanese pop, is a musical genre that entered the musical mainstream of Japan in the 1990s. Modern J-pop has its roots in 1960s pop and rock music, such as The Beatles and The Beach Boys, which led to Japanese rock bands such as Yellow Magic Orchestra and Southern All Stars. J-pop was further defined by new wave bands in the late 1970s, particularly electronic synth-pop band Yellow Magic Orchestra and pop rock band Southern All Stars.
The term was coined by the Japanese media to distinguish Japanese music from foreign music, and now refers to most Japanese popular music. Popular styles of J-pop include pop, rock, hip hop, electronic dance music, and R&B. J-pop is often influenced by international fads or trends, such as American pop music, Britpop, and post-punk.
During the 1970s–1980s economic boom, Japanese popular music became richer with the advent of synthesizers and new wave bands such as Yellow Magic Orchestra helped spread synthesizer mania among young people. New wave songs blended elements of Western pop music with a distinctly Japanese flavor, informed by traditional Japanese instruments such as the koto and taiko drums. This new type of music gained popularity throughout Japan during the 1980s with artists such as Seiko Matsuda and Mariya Takeuchi; Matsuda’s hit song “Glass” (1984) is often cited as an early example of J-pop.
Hip-Hop
In recent years, we’ve seen a growing interest in Japanese hip-hop, with more and more artists beginning to gain popularity both in Japan and overseas. And 2020 is shaping up to be a big year for the genre, with a number of highly anticipated albums and projects on the horizon. Here are just a few of the Japanese hip-hop artists and trends you need to know about in 2020.
One of the most anticipated hip-hop albums of 2020 is Ken Yokoyama’s “Wasted Nights.” The album, which is set for release on January 15th, features guest appearances from a who’s who of the Japanese hip-hop world, including DAOKO, AKLO, Rhymeberry, and samfree. With such a star-studded lineup, “Wasted Nights” is sure to be one of the year’s biggest releases.
Another artist to watch in 2020 is KOHH. The Tokyo-based rapper made waves in 2019 with his album “DIRT,” which topped the Oricon Hip-Hop chart and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Japan Top Albums chart. KOHH is now gearing up for the release of his second album, “BORN TO DIE,” which is set for release on February 19th. With its mix of hard-hitting beats and introspective lyrics, “BORN TO DIE” is sure to cement KOHH’s place as one of Japan’s top hip-hop artists.
And finally, no discussion of Japanese hip-hop would be complete without mention of AFRA & INKYA. The duo’s unique blend of trap and traditional Japanese music has won them a devoted following both in Japan and overseas, and they show no signs of slowing down in 2020. Their latest project, “TABOO,” is scheduled for release on March 4th, and if it’s anything like their previous work, it’s sure to be one of the year’s most talked-about releases.
Electronic
In recent years, Japanese pop music has been increasingly influenced by electronic music. This trend began in the late 2000s with the rise of so-called “EDM” (electronic dance music) and has continued to grow in popularity. As a result, many Japanese pop artists have begun incorporating electronic elements into their music.
One of the most popular electronic subgenres in Japan is “future bass.” This style combines elements of trap, dubstep, and house music, and often features heavy bass drops and electric synths. Future bass was popularized by international artists like Skrillex and marshmello, but many Japanese artists have also embraced the style.
Another popular electronic genre in Japan is “chillwave.” This style is typically characterized by lo-fi beats and nostalgic synth melodies. It often has a hazy or dreamlike quality to it. Chillwave first gained popularity in the West in the early 2010s, but it has since become popular in Japan as well.
Other notable electronic genres that have gained popularity in Japan include “glitch hop,” “drum & bass,” and “hard dance.” These genres are all distinctly different from each other, but they all share a common thread: a love for electronic music. If you’re interested in discovering what’s trending in Japanese pop music, be sure to check out some of these exciting genres!
The Rise of Gen Z Artists
According to a report by the Recording Industry Association of Japan, the number of digital singles and albums sold in Japan reached a record high in 2020. This is thanks in large part to the rise of Gen Z artists. In this article, we’ll be discussing the 2020 Japan pop music trends you need to know.
Billie Eilish
If there’s one name to know in the world of music right now, it’s Billie Eilish. The 17-year-old American singer-songwriter first gained attention in 2016 when she uploaded the song “Ocean Eyes” to SoundCloud. Since then, she has released a critically acclaimed debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, and scored multiple hit singles, including “Bad Guy” and “Bury a Friend.”
Eilish is just one of many young artists making waves in the music industry right now. Here are five other up-and-coming musicians to keep an eye on in 2020:
1. Rosalía – Spain’s reigning pop queen.
2. Lil Nas X – The breakout star of 2019 thanks to his viral hit, “Old Town Road.”
3. Lizzo – A body-positive rapper and singer whose hits include “Truth Hurts” and “Good as Hell.”
4. Bad Bunny – A Latin trap and reggaeton artist who is taking the world by storm.
5. BLACKPINK – An all-female K-pop group that is taking the music industry by storm.
Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X is a 19-year-old Atlanta-based rapper, singer and songwriter. He is best known for his breakout single, “Old Town Road,” which spent a record-breaking 19 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In June 2019, Lil Nas X came out as gay, becoming one of the few openly LGBTQ rappers in the hip-hop community. He has since used his platform to promote acceptance and equality for all.
Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny is a 24-year-old trap and reggaeton singer from Puerto Rico. He first rose to prominence in 2016 with the release of his song “Diles,” which was included on the compilation album La Formula, Vol. 1. Since then, he has released a number of hit songs, including “Soy Peor,” “Tú No Metes Cabra,” and “Chambea.” He has also collaborated with a number of high-profile artists, such as Drake, Cardi B, and J Balvin. In 2020, he released his debut album El Último Tour del Mundo, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Breakout Songs of 2020
If you’re a fan of pop music, then you need to know about the latest trends in Japan. This year, the big trend is breakout songs. These are the songs that are suddenly everywhere, and everyone is talking about them. If you’re looking for something new to listen to, then you need to check out these breakout songs of 2020.
“Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X
Old Town Road by Lil Nas X was one of the breakout songs of 2020. The song, which samples the track “34 Ghosts IV” by Nine Inch Nails, exploded in popularity after it was released in April of 2020. The song quickly went viral on social media, and became a mainstream hit, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“Truth Hurts” by Lizzo
Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 15, 2019, making her the third black female artist in history to top the chart with a solo single, following Lauryn Hill and Beyoncé. The song became a sleeper hit in 2020, becoming one of the year’s most TikTok’d songs.
“I Don’t Care” by Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber
This duet topped the charts in major Western markets such as the US, UK, and Canada. The song is a perfect example of the current trend of pop music leaning towards moretrap and hip-hop inspired production.
The End of an Era
It’s 2020, and that means that a new decade of music is upon us. The 2010s were a decade of change for the music industry, and we’re only just beginning to see the effects of those changes. One of the most significant changes was the rise of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.
The Death of Kobe Bryant
The world was shocked when Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020. His death not only left the sports world grieving, but also the music world. Bryant was a big fan of Japanese pop music, and his death has led to a decline in popularity for the genre.
Japanese pop music, or J-pop, is a genre that has been growing in popularity around the world for the past few years. But with the death of Kobe Bryant, it seems that this growth may come to an end.
Bryant was a big fan of J-pop, and he would often post about his favorite artists on social media. He even had a Japanese rap song named after him: “Kobe!,” by the group World Order.
After news of his death spread, fans of J-pop began to worry that the genre would lose its biggest advocate. And indeed, there has been a decline in interest in J-pop since Bryant’s death. Google searches for “J-pop” have decreased by 21%, and streaming numbers for J-pop songs have dropped by 15%.
It’s still too early to say for sure whether this decline in popularity is permanent or not. But if J-pop does continue to decline in popularity, we may look back at Kobe Bryant’s death as the end of an era for the genre.
The Coronavirus Pandemic has put a stop to many things, including the flow of new pop music from Japan. The country is home to some of the world’s biggest pop stars, such as Hikaru Utada and BTS, but due to the current situation, new music from these artists has come to a halt.
This doesn’t mean that there is no new music being released in Japan, however. There are still plenty of new songs and albums coming out from Japanese artists, it’s just that the majority of them are not as widely known outside of the country.
What this does mean is that if you’re looking for new Japanese pop music to listen to, you’ll need to do a bit of digging to find it. But don’t worry, we’ve done some of the work for you! Here are 10 2020 Japan pop music trends you need to know:
1. K-Pop is still hugely popular in Japan
2. J-Pop girl groups are on the rise
3. Boy bands are making a comeback
4. Solo artists are still going strong
5. Hip-hop is becoming more popular
6. Electronic music is also gaining popularity
7. There’s a growing interest in classical music
8. Jazz is also becoming more popular
9. Pop punk is making a comeback
10. Visual kei is still going strong
