RAG Musicartist
Lovely artist

Star Kingdom! Artist and singer from Kanagawa Prefecture

When you hear “artists from Kanagawa,” do any come to mind right away?

Even when it’s about your favorite artists, it can be surprising to realize, “Oh, they’re from there!”

From venerable legends to idols and that hugely popular musician…

Finding artists from your own hometown gives you a little thrill, doesn’t it?

Kanagawa has produced many nationally beloved artists like Southern All Stars, Yuzu, and Ikimono-gakari,

It has also produced many popular rock bands, including [Alexandros]! I hope this article inspires you to discover more music and artists you love.

Star Kingdom! Artists/Singers from Kanagawa Prefecture (41–50)

A third of pure-hearted feelingsSIAM SHADE

Jun-ji, the drummer, is from Hadano City.

This song was released in 1997 and was used as the ending theme for the anime Rurouni Kenshin.

SIAM SHADE disbanded and has been reuniting periodically, and they also appeared on a Nippon TV music program in 2016.

It became a topic of conversation that Jun-ji’s drum set was small and he was air drumming.

BEATKawamura Ryuuichi

Ryuichi Kawamura is from Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and this was released in 1997 as his third solo single.

The song was used as the opening theme for NHK’s Pop Jam, and at the 30th Japan Cable Awards it earned him the Most Requested Artist Award.

It reached No.

4 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

LEGACYIce Bahn

ICE BAHN, active in Kanagawa since 2001, is a hip-hop crew renowned for intricate rhymes and advanced rap skills.

Formed as a four-piece by MCs Gyokuro, KIT, and FORK, along with DJ/producer BEAT Bugyo, they energize the music scene with a distinctive, sample-driven sound.

From the classic album STARTREC to their latest release LEGACY, they have consistently earned high praise.

FORK won the national ULTIMATE MC BATTLE in 2006 and also claimed the title at KING OF KINGS in 2021, showcasing the crew’s stellar record on the MC battle scene.

Their monthly event CLEAN UP, held on the fourth Saturday at the live venue THE BRIDGE YOKOHAMA, offers a chance to experience their signature live performance.

Highly recommended for anyone seeking authentic hip-hop.

Former/Ex Wednesday Campanella

Ikkyu-sankomuai

Wednesday Campanella “Ikkyu-san”
Ikkyu-sankomuai

A one-of-a-kind artist nurtured by Kawasaki City in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Kom_I, who has taken the music scene by storm with her unique worldview and overwhelming performance skills, began her career in 2012 as the vocalist of the music unit Wednesday Campanella.

She drew attention with innovative sounds that nimbly leap over genre boundaries—J-POP, EDM, hip-hop—and with original lyrics inspired by historical figures and mythology.

In 2016, she performed at SXSW in the United States, and in 2017 she headlined a successful solo concert at Nippon Budokan, earning high acclaim both in Japan and abroad.

With the album “SUPERMAN,” she further broadened her musical range, and through contributions such as providing songs for NHK’s “Nihongo de Asobo,” she has garnered support from a wide audience.

Highly recommended for music fans seeking unfettered expression and high-art performances that defy conventional frameworks.

Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari

Hibari Misora was from Takigashira, Isogo Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, and this was the final single released during her lifetime.

It became a million seller.

After her death, at the 31st Japan Record Awards, she received the Special Honorary Singer Award, the Gold Award, and the Composition Award.

Even now, the song continues to be sung, gently accompanying the hearts of many people.

NEWS

ChankapanaKoyama Keiichiro

NEWS – Chankapāna [Official Music Video]
ChankapanaKoyama Keiichiro

Keiichiro Koyama is from Kanagawa Prefecture.

Chankapāna was the first single they released as a four-member group after Tomohisa Yamashita and Ryo Nishikido left.

Among some fans, NEWS fans are referred to as “Pāna,” taken from the title of this song.

Shake Hip!kome kome CLUB

Kome Kome Club “Shake Hip!” (1986)
Shake Hip!kome kome CLUB

Vocalist James Onoda and leader/bassist BON are from Kawasaki City.

He met vocalist Carl Smoky Ishii as a club mate during their time at Bunkagaikuin (Bunka Institute), and after graduating they formed Kome Kome Club.

Believe it or not, there was a period when they didn’t have a drummer and the legendary Char filled in! Pretty surprising, right?