[2026] A compilation of bands, artists, and singers from Kyushu
When you think of artists from Kyushu, who comes to mind?
In recent years, the rock band WANIMA—hugely popular at major festivals around the country and on TV—are famously from Kumamoto, right?
Plus, Masaharu Fukuyama and Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi are strongly associated with being from Kyushu as well!
But there are many more singers and bands from Kyushu!
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of Kyushu-born artists who keep delivering music with passionate hearts!
- Artist Kingdom: Artists, Singers, and Idols from Fukuoka
- Kyushu-Otoko Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- Bands, artists, and singers from Kumamoto Prefecture
- Artists from Kagoshima: From Famous Singers to Popular Bands, All in One Go
- Bands, artists, and singers from Saga Prefecture
- A famous song about Fukuoka. The heart of the hometown passed down through song.
- Masculine Allure: Artists and Bands with Husky Voices
- Lesser-Known but Amazing Singers | A Ranking Focused on Pure Talent
- Showa Era Popular Artist Rankings [2026]
- Songs that hype up Sports Day and Athletic Festivals: Japanese Music / J-Pop Artist Rankings [2026]
- A Japanese soul singer. The stirring SOUL OF JAPAN.
- I want to sing at karaoke! Songs by male artists recommended for Gen Z
- Nothing but masterpieces! Love songs by male artists recommended for Gen Z
[2026] A roundup of bands, artists, and singers from Kyushu (51–60)
Tokyo NoisyŌmiya Hiyori
Hailing from Nagasaki Prefecture, singer-songwriter Hiyori Omiya is gaining attention for a distinctive style that fuses J-pop, rock, and R&B.
She made her major debut with Tokuma Japan in August 2024 and has been releasing a series of innovative tracks where mechanical sounds intertwine with her vocals.
A seasoned artist who has been writing lyrics since junior high school, she has written and composed around 500 songs.
Her digital EP released in January 2023 surpassed 43,000 streams, and in June 2024 she launched her first self-titled radio program on FM Nagasaki.
Channeling a deep love for anime and idols into her music, Omiya crafts a unique worldview that portrays the struggles of modern society and the inner lives of individuals—resonating strongly with younger generations living in the age of social media and the internet.
If it’s with youO’s
O’s is a sister duo from Goto City in Nagasaki Prefecture.
There’s a story that they grew up harmonizing together as a childhood pastime, so you could say they were destined to become singers.
After the unit disbanded in 2008, the older sister, Satomi, formed Luxis with Hitomi Natsuse and Ado Matsushita and made her re-debut.
The younger sister, Miyaka, began her solo career.
On the day of departure…Kawashima Ai
Ai Kawashima, who also shone as the vocalist of the music duo I WiSH, is from Sawara Ward in Fukuoka Prefecture.
She is known for her angelic, crystal-clear singing voice.
Even before debuting with I WiSH on the hit song “Asu e no Tobira,” which gained attention as the theme for the TV show “Ainori,” she frequently performed solo street concerts and was nicknamed the “Angel of the Streets.” I WiSH disbanded after two years so she could focus on her solo career.
Alongside her work as a solo singer, she is also actively engaged in social contribution, building children’s homes, schools, and other facilities in developing countries in Africa.
Boat SongYashiro Aki
Aki Yashiro, one of Japan’s leading enka singers, hails from Yatsushiro City in Kumamoto Prefecture.
It seems her stage name, Yashiro, comes from Yatsushiro City.
Her husky voice, richly emotional and sultry aura, and warm, friendly personality on TV shows are truly wonderful.
After the 1973 hit Namida-zake, she sang many songs depicting a woman’s heart, but her signature song Funauta, which expresses a man’s heart, received an enormous response.
She has also ventured beyond the bounds of enka, releasing a jazz album in 2012 and a blues album in 2015, among other challenges.
[2026] A roundup of bands, artists, and singers from Kyushu (61–70)
Sellout Zen KoanZa Ningen
Formed in Kumamoto Prefecture, Za Ningen is a band with a diverse musical palette spanning rock, punk, and pop.
When they formed in 2008, they launched their activities under the banner of “revenge on all humankind,” and in 2009 they won the Natsumi Elena Prize at the Senkou Riot finals.
After repeated lineup changes, they now perform as a duo—Rio Shimokawa and Majiru Seiji—delivering shows that weave together intensity and playfulness.
In 2015, they provided the theme song for an NHK E-Tele TV drama, among other media contributions.
With distinctive melodies and a powerful sound, they deliver music that moves the heart.
Their blend of ferocity and playful spirit makes them a perfect fit for music fans seeking an emotional rock sound.
BACKWOODS Pt.2 (feat. DADA)Evil Zuum
Evil Zuum is a rapper from Fukuoka leading the local hip-hop scene.
In 2015, at age 15, he began performing around Tenjin’s Oyamemachi-dori area, steadily building experience with his hometown crew, WAVEMENT.
In 2021, he released his first EP, “Millennium Baby,” drawing attention with lyrics brimming with the realities of urban life over trap and darker-leaning beats.
While valuing his bond with the WAVEMENT crew, he also actively collaborates with other artists based in Kyushu.
On the 2022 EP “WAVE2000” and the 2024 EP “9LIVES,” he continues to vividly channel the pulse of the streets with a distinctive style and an evolved sound.
The worldview where the atmosphere of the city intersects with raw feelings makes him a refreshing force in today’s hip-hop scene, captivating many listeners.
Raspberry PiNakanomori Ayako
Ayako Nakanomori, a singer-songwriter from Fukuoka Prefecture who drew intense attention, stunned the music industry by winning the Grand Prix at the 2000 Starlight Audition.
With Nakanomori BAND, formed in 2004, she delivered a pop-rock sound infused with Western influences and a powerful husky voice, securing numerous tie-ins with TV dramas and commercials and quickly rising to mainstream popularity.
She won the New Artist Award at the 47th Japan Record Awards in 2005 and the Gold Award at the 48th Japan Record Awards in 2006.
The band also released the album “OH MY DARLIN’ – Girls having Fun –,” cementing their status as a formidable all-female band.
Although the group disbanded in 2008 to much regret, Nakanomori has continued as a solo artist, consistently releasing songs themed around love and courage, marked by down-to-earth lyrics and an expressive vocal presence.