Japanese Hip Hop Music: What You Need to Know

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Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Japanese hip hop music is a relatively new genre that has been growing in popularity in recent years. If you’re a fan of hip hop, then you need to check out these Japanese artists!

Japanese Hip Hop Music: Origins

Japanese hip hop music has its origins in the 1980s, when Japanese hip hop artists began to mix American hip hop with traditional Japanese music. This resulted in a unique sound that quickly gained popularity in Japan. Today, Japanese hip hop is a thriving genre with many different sub-genres and styles.

Japanese Hip Hop Music: The Early Years

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Japanese Hip Hop music started to gain popularity overseas. At the time, there was very little Japanese music that was popular in the West, so Japanese Hip Hop music was a welcome change. Groups like Dejima Tapes and Dragon Ash started to gain notoriety in the underground Hip Hop scene.

It wasn’t until 1996 that Japanese Hip Hop really broke into the mainstream with the release of the album “Kodou” by Nujabes. The album featured a more mellow and down tempo sound that was different from the harder Gangsta rap that was popular at the time. This new sound caught on with fans and helped to catapult Nujabes into the spotlight.

In the years since, Japanese Hip Hop music has continued to grow in popularity. Today, there are many different artists making music in this style, and it shows no signs of slowing down. If you’re interested in exploring this genre further, be sure to check out some of the albums listed below.

Japanese Hip Hop Music: The Golden Age

Japanese hip hop music is often thought of as a relatively new genre, but it actually has a long and storied history. Hip hop first began to gain traction in Japan in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with artists like Tatsuro Yamashita and Kunihiko Murai paving the way for the genre. However, it was not until the mid-1990s that Japanese hip hop truly began to come into its own.

This period is often referred to as the “Golden Age” of Japanese hip hop, and it saw the rise of some of the most iconic and influential artists in the genre, including Mitsuru Matsuoka, Takagi Kan, and DJ Krush. These artists helped to establish Japanese hip hop as a unique and distinct musical style, one that incorporated elements of both Western hip hop and traditional Japanese music.

The Golden Age of Japanese hip hop came to an end in the early 2000s, but the influence of these early pioneers can still be felt in the music of today. If you’re interested in learning more about this important period in Japanese music history, be sure to check out our guide to the Golden Age of Japanese hip hop.

Japanese Hip Hop Music: The Modern Era

Since the early 2000s, Japanese hip hop music has been on the rise, with artists like Nujabes, DJ Krush, and Shing02 gaining international acclaim. Today, Japanese hip hop is thriving, with a new generation of artists carrying on the legacy of their predecessors.

If you’re new to Japanese hip hop, there’s a lot to catch up on. Here’s everything you need to know about the genre, from its roots to its modern day sound.

Japanese Hip Hop Music: The Future

Close your eyes and imagine a track produced by some of the world’s most talented DJs and rappers. Now, open your eyes and look to Japan – specifically, hip hop in Japan. The country has a relatively small but passionate hip hop community that is steadily growing in popularity.

Japanese hip hop is often characterized by its use of samples from traditional Japanese music, as well as a focus on intricate wordplay. The result is a unique and fresh sound that has caught the attention of listeners around the world.

If you’re interested in exploring Japanese hip hop, here are a few artists you should check out:

-KOHH: One of the most popular Japanese rappers, KOHH is known for his hard-hitting bars and dark lyrics. His 2016 album “DIRT” was named one of the best hip hop albums of the year by Pitchfork.

-Salaam Remi: A producer who has worked with some of the biggest names in hip hop, including Nas and Alicia Keys. He recently released an album with Japanese rapper Dcypha, titled “Tokyo”.

-5lack: A rising star in the Japanese hip hop scene, 5lack is known for his melodic flows and smooth beats. His debut album “First Collection” was released in 2017 to critical acclaim.

Japanese Hip Hop Music: Artists to Know

Japanese hip hop music is a relatively new genre that has only gained popularity in the last few years. However, there are already a number of talented and well-known artists emerging from the scene. If you’re looking to get into Japanese hip hop, here are a few artists you should know about:

-Yuto
-Shing02
-DJ Tatsuya
-Mitsu The Beats
-Nujabes
-Sai

Japanese Hip Hop Music: The Best Albums

Japanese hip hop music is often referred to as J-rap, a genre that has been gaining popularity in recent years. Though it may be considered a new music genre, Japanese hip hop actually has a history dating back to the 1980s. In the early days of Japanese hip hop, local record labels were releasing American rap albums by artists such as N.W.A and Public Enemy. These records were not commercially successful, but they did help to introduce the sound of American rap music to Japanese audiences.

The first commercially successful Japanese hip hop album was released in 1992 by the group Flavor Flav called “City Dreams.” This album was a mix of rap, R&B, and reggae, and it was very popular with young people in Japan. Since then, there have been many other successful J-rap albums released by both Japanese and international artists.

If you’re interested in exploring this genre further, check out some of the best J-rap albums below.

Japanese Hip Hop Music: The Best Songs

In recent years, Japanese hip hop music has been gaining in popularity, both in Japan and internationally. If you’re a fan of hip hop music, then you’ll definitely want to check out some of the best Japanese hip hop songs. Here are just a few of the top songs that you should listen to:

1. “No Make” by Hifana
2. “Yonju-Shiki” by KREVA
3. “Tokyo Classic” by DJ Baku
4. “Pedal to the Metal” by Kodoja
5. “Hometown” by M-Flo

Japanese Hip Hop Music: The Culture

Japanese hip hop music has been around for decades, gaining popularity in the early 1990s. The genre is a blend of traditional Japanese music and Western hip hop, with artists sampling a wide range of sounds and styles.

One of the most unique aspects of Japanese hip hop is the way that it has been able to adapt to the country’s rapidly changing cultural landscape. In a country where new trends and technologies emerge on a daily basis, Japanese hip hop has managed to stay relevant by constantly evolving.

Today, Japanese hip hop is more popular than ever, with a new generation of artists continued to push the boundaries of what is possible within the genre. If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating style of music, read on for everything you need to know about Japanese hip hop.

Japanese Hip Hop Music: The Influence

Japanese hip hop music has been growing in popularity both inside and outside of Japan for many years now. The influence of Japanese hip hop can be heard in the music of many different artists, both Japanese and international.

There are a few key elements that make up Japanese hip hop music. Firstly, the beats are often very catchy and easy to dance to. Secondly, the lyrics are often rap or spoken word, delivered in a very fast-paced and often humorous way. And finally, the music is often highly produced, with a lot of focus on creating a professional sound.

If you’re interested in Japanese hip hop music, then there are a few artist you should check out. One of the most popular Japanese hip hop artists is Susumu Hirasawa, who is known for his unique style and catchy tunes. Other popular artists include DJ Krush, Ken-U and Dandimite.

So if you’re looking for something new to listen to, why not give Japanese hip hop music a try? You might just find your new favorite artist!

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