A List of Japanese Hip Hop Artists

Looking for a list of Japanese hip hop artists? Check out this post for a rundown of some of the best in the genre.

Japanese Hip Hop History

Japanese hip hop, also known as J-rap, is a relatively new genre of music that has only gained popularity in the past few decades. While the origins of hip hop can be traced back to the United States, Japanese hip hop artists have put their own spin on the genre, creating a unique sound that can be found nowhere else. Japanese hip hop artists have gained a lot of popularity in recent years, both in Japan and abroad. If you’re a fan of Japanese hip hop, then check out this list of some of the best Japanese hip hop artists.

Origins

The origins of Japanese hip hop can be traced back to 1979 when Yellow Magic Orchestra, a Japanese electronic music band, released their albumComputer World, which included the track “Rap Phenomena”. The track was produced by pioneering Japanese electronic music producer Shoji Meguro and featured rapping by British expatriate Duncanplymouth. In 1982, YMO was contacted by Afrika Bambaataa of the seminal hip hop group The Soulsonic Force and were subsequently invited to provide a remix of the group’s song “Planet Rock” for the single release. This version of “Planet Rock” featuring YMO became a hit and is credited with introducing hip hop music to Japan.

In 1988, Japanese DJ and producer Marley Marl released his album In Control Volume 1, which included the track “Shinjuku Break”, which featured Japanese rapper Murocha on vocals. In 1989, Japanese duo Towa Tei released their album future-iceage featuring the track “Rhythm Nation”, which was produced by Marley Marl and featured rap vocals by New York rapper Rodney Cee of Boogie Down Productions fame. These early releases from abroad were followed by a number of local releases by various artists including Kohh, S-Word and Zeebra, which helped fuel the growth of the local scene in the early 1990s.

In 1996, American rapper Nas released his album It Was Written, which included the track “The World Is Yours”, featuring Japanese rapper Takafumi Iwasaki of Soul’d Out. The single became a hit in Japan and helped raise the profile of both Nas and Iwasaki. In 1997, DJ Krush released his album MiLight featuring the track “Meiso”, which featured longtime collaborator MC Kentaro as well as up-and-coming rappers Illreme (who would later go on to form the groupijin) and Kagero (who would later achieve success as a solo artist).

Growth

Since the early 2000s, Japanese hip hop has been growing in popularity, with a number of different artists emerging on the scene. These artists have brought their own unique styles to the genre, and have had a major impact on the development of Japanese hip hop.

Some of the most popular Japanese hip hop artists include:

-DJ Krush: One of the most influential Japanese hip hop artists, DJ Krush is known for his atmospheric and atmospheric beats. He has been active since the early 1990s, and has released a number of critically acclaimed albums.

-Nujabes: Another highly respected Japanese hip hop artist, Nujabes was known for his jazzy and soulful beats. He tragically passed away in 2010, but his music continues to inspire new generations of Japanese hip hop fans.

-Shing02: A member of the group Lupe Fiasco’s Japanese rap crew, Shing02 is one of the most talented rappers in Japan. He is known for his complex rhymes and thought-provoking lyrics.

Notable Japanese Hip Hop Artists

There are many popular Japanese hip hop artists making waves in the music industry. Some of these artists include Nujabes, Wise, and Shing02. These artists have been able to create a unique sound that is influenced by both Japanese and American hip hop. If you are a fan of hip hop, then you should definitely check out these artists.

Nujabes

Nujabes was a Japanese hip hop music producer who was renowned for his atmospheric, jazz-influenced beats. His tragic early death in 2010 sent shockwaves through the music community, and his music continues to be hugely influential.

Shing02

Eiji Shinohara, better known by his stage name Shing02, is a Japanese-American rapper and producer. He is best known for his work on the Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away, for which he wrote and performed the song “Gummi”. He has also released several solo albums and collaborated with a number of other artists.

Shing02 was born in Tokyo, Japan and moved to the United States at the age of 11. He began his career as a member of the rap group Distortion2Static, with whom he released two albums. He first gained mainstream attention in 2001 with his work on Spirited Away. He has since released two solo albums, Luv(sic) Parts 1-6 (2006) and Luv(sic) Part 2 (2010). He has also collaborated with a number of other artists, including Nujabes, Fujifabric, and Uyama Hiroto.

Teriyaki Boyz

The Teriyaki Boyz are a Japanese hip hop group consisting of Verbal, Pharell, Nigo, and Ilmari. The group is signed to Def Jam Japan and their first single “Tokyo Drift (Fast & Furious)” was used as the theme song for The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. They have released two albums, Beef or Chicken (2006) and Serious Japanese (2007).

Other notable Japanese hip hop artists include:

-D Universe
-Nujabes
-Shing02
-M-flo
-KREVA

m-flo

m-flo is a Japanese hip hop group that was formed in 1998. The group is composed of three members: DJ Taku Takahashi, MC Verbal, and rapper/singer Lisa. They are known for their expansive and genre-bending musical style, and have collaborated with a variety of artists from different musical backgrounds. m-flo has released eleven studio albums, one live album, and numerous singles and remix albums. They have also been featured on numerous compilations and soundtracks, both in Japan and internationally.

Japanese Hip Hop Today

Japanese hip hop, also known as J-rap, is a relatively new genre in the music scene. While the origins of hip hop can be traced back to the 1970s, Japanese hip hop only began to gain popularity in the early 2000s. In the past decade, the genre has evolved and grown, with more and more artists emerging onto the scene. Here is a list of some of the most popular Japanese hip hop artists today.

Popularity

Japanese hip hop, also referred to as J-hip hop or Jhiphop, is a fairly recent genre of Japanese music that combines elements of hip hop culture with the Japanese language. Japanese hip hop first gained mainstream popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s with artists such as Nujabes and Teriyaki Boyz. Today, there is a growing number of Japanese hip hop artists that are beginning to make a name for themselves both in Japan and internationally.

Japanese hip hop has been influenced by American hip hop culture, as well as by the country’s own popular music genres such as J-pop and J-rock. As a result, it often features a unique blend of styles and sounds. Some of the most popular Japanese hip hop artists today include:

-Crooked I: A member of the American rap group Slaughterhouse, Crooked I is one of the few international artists to find success in the Japanese hip hop scene. He is currently signed to the Japanese label Delicious Vinyl Japan.

-MIYAVI: often referred to as “the Samurai Guitarist,” MIYAVI is a popular solo artist who has also collaborated with a number of other musicians, including American rapper Lupe Fiasco.

-Shing02: A well-known Japanese underground rapper, Shing02 is perhaps best known for his work on the soundtrack for the anime seriespopular internationally). He has also released several solo albums.
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Influence

Japanese hip hop is said to have begun when Hiroshi Fujiwara returned to Japan and started playing hip hop records in the early 1980s. Hip hop in Japan began to develop underground following Fujiwara’s introduction of the music, with the first major commercially successful artist being Schadaraparr in 1993. Japanese hip hop generally tends to be most directly influenced by old school hip hop, taking from the era’s catchy tunes and minimalist beats and fashion style. It is not rare however, for Japanese artists to incorporate a multitude of other genres including electronic, dub, reggae, and even rock music into their sound.