[2026] A roundup of artists, singers, and bands from Hyogo Prefecture

BREAK DOWN YA WALLSKazuahara Ryuto

GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE vs BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE / BREAK DOWN YA WALLS

Ryuto Kazuhara is a vocalist who has been a member of GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE since its formation in 2011.

He is from Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture.

In addition to his performances in vocals and dance, he has the unexpected skill of being good at kendama, and he has also worked as a voice actor doing dubbing, showcasing his talents across a wide range of fields.

Kuwana Masahiro

Masahiro Kuwana - Moonlight

Masahiro Kuwana, who was active as a musician and actor, was born in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture.

The song in the video, his fourth single “Seisharu Baioretto No.

1” (“Sexual Violet No.

1”), was used as a campaign commercial song for Kanebo Cosmetics.

It topped the Oricon charts for three consecutive weeks and is counted as one of Kuwana’s signature songs.

[ekou]MASCHERA

MASCHERA / [ekou]（Official Music Video）

MASCHERA is a 1990s visual kei rock band formed in 1992 in Himeji.

As their Italian name, meaning “mask,” suggests, they are known as accomplished musicians with a multifaceted sound.

They made their major-label debut in December 1997 with Teichiku Entertainment, becoming the second visual kei band under Horipro.

Their album ‘Aku-toku no Sakae’ (The Prosperity of Vice), which presents a decadent and literary worldview, earned high acclaim in the indie scene.

During their major-label period, they provided songs for TV dramas, and from 1999 they also hosted their own radio program on Nippon Broadcasting System.

Though they disbanded after a performance at Akasaka BLITZ in March 2000, they have remained influential, participating in a local live-house support project in 2021.

Their unique musical style—melding dark and pop elements—continues to captivate many fans as a quintessential example of 1990s visual kei.

Looking 4uNeibiss

Neibiss – Looking 4u (Official Music Video)

The duo Neibiss, born from Kobe’s hip-hop scene, has been drawing attention with their unique worldview since forming in 2018.

Comprised of beatmaker/DJ/rapper ratiff and rapper hyunis1000, they’re known for their genre-fluid sound.

They debuted in 2020 with the mini-album “HELLO NEIBISS,” and have released a number of buzzworthy projects, including “Space Cowboy,” a collaboration with tofubeats and Pasocom Music Club.

In 2024, they unveiled their long-awaited full-length album “Daydream Marker,” showcasing their musical evolution.

Their natural, everyday-meets-imaginary lyrics and songs that incorporate a wide range of sounds—electronica, pop, ambient, and more—are bringing a fresh breeze to today’s music scene.

Highly recommended for music fans seeking experimental soundscapes and effortless grooves.

Skip To Ma Luuuuweek dudus

week dudus – Skip To Ma Luuuu

Week Dudus, a rapper from Himeji City, has pursued music from an early age, starting to rap in the fifth grade.

In 2019, he became a finalist on ABEMA’s audition show “Rapstar Tanjou” Season 4, placing second out of more than 1,400 applicants, drawing significant attention for his skill and distinctive style.

In 2021, he released a 50-track digital album titled “VEGA.” With a deep, gravelly voice and a laid-back presence, he delivers a unique flow that explores abstract, experimental sounds.

His creative approach involves crafting flows through freestyle and then fitting words to them, showcasing meticulous attention to detail in his tracks.

Marked by positive messages and compact songs around two minutes long, his music is recommended for listeners who seek a smooth, satisfying groove.

Double Suicide in One PieceHamasaki Yoko

[MV] URBANGARDE “One-Piece Double Suicide”

As a leading avant-garde artist from Hyogo Prefecture, Yoko Hamasaki—the vocalist of URBANGARDE—stands out with an exceptional presence.

She began performing as a chanson singer in her teens and joined URBANGARDE in 2007.

Establishing the unique genre of “Trauma Technopop,” she brought a fresh breeze to the music scene.

In her solo work, she has released albums such as Film Noir, Blue Forest, and BLIND LOVE, captivating a wide range of listeners with styles spanning from electronica to synth-pop.

Her activities extend beyond music into literature and fashion: she published the anthology La Vie en Rose and launched the fashion brand FORGIVE ME, showcasing her multifaceted talent.

She is an artist highly recommended for those drawn to avant-garde expression and delicate sensibilities.

I love TokyoHanami Zakura Kouki

[Kayōkyoku] Hanamizakura Kōki “I Love Tokyo” to be released on February 18

After making his mark as the vocalist of D=OUT, a visual kei band hailing from Hyogo Prefecture, Koki Hanamizakura ventured into the world of enka and kayokyoku.

He made his solo debut in 2021 and has been gaining attention for his unique musical style that skillfully fuses the seemingly opposite genres of visual kei and enka.

In 2022, together with Tsukasa Mogamigawa and Masatsugu Mira, he formed Saibi O-Zensen, the world’s first “2.5D” enka/kayokyoku group, bringing a fresh breeze to the enka scene with innovative staging and performances.

His shows, highlighted by bold makeup and costumes, appeal not only to traditional enka fans but also to younger listeners.

As a trailblazer expanding the possibilities of music, his ongoing pursuit of a new form of enka is perfect for music fans interested in the fusion of tradition and modernity.