[2026] A roundup of domestic female rappers gaining attention
Beyond the boundaries of hip-hop, the presence of female rappers—appearing on main stages at music festivals and headlining venues like the Nippon Budokan—has grown more influential than ever in Japan’s music scene and culture.
In 2024, the modern queen of hip-hop, Awich, was prominently featured in the U.S.
edition of GQ, which is still fresh in our minds.
And in the 2020s, a wave of talented Gen Z female rappers has been emerging one after another.
In this article, we introduce a range of domestic female rappers, from promising newcomers to seasoned veterans.
Whether you’re eager to dig deeper into Japanese hip-hop or you’re a complete beginner, be sure to check it out!
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[2026] A Roundup of Notable Domestic Female Rappers (1–10)
Delinquent Foreigner (feat. MIYACHI, AKLO)MaRI
MaRI, who has the unique background of being a quarter Brazilian, Italian, and Japanese, is a hip-hop artist known for her distinctive lyrics that weave together Japanese and Portuguese.
She began making rap in 2016, and her expressive style—combining the strength of a former kickboxer with a feminine touch—has captivated many listeners.
She achieved a full-fledged breakthrough with a 2021 track and has since collaborated with prominent artists such as AK-69 and Yellow Bucks.
In 2023, she released her first EP, “PENT HOUSE,” bringing a fresh breeze to the scene.
Her ability to elevate real-life experiences—such as being a single mother and losing her own mother in August 2020—into lyrics resonates with many.
Her music, which blends power and delicacy, is recommended for those who want to cherish their individuality.
there’s a chance#KT-chan
Female rapper #KT-chan from Yokohama, Kanagawa, who has been active as a child actress since early childhood and began her music career in junior high school.
Since her indie debut in 2023, she has garnered overwhelming support, especially among Gen Z.
In MC battles, she sticks to a “no dissing” style, captivating audiences with a fantastical worldview and lyrics.
In March 2023, she made a record-fast appearance at a tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan, and in June 2024, she achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first female rapper to reach the top four at Sengoku MCBATTLE.
Her achievements—such as winning the Yahoo! Search Awards’ Next Break category—have drawn attention from the entire music scene.
Always maintaining a forward-looking attitude and guided by the belief in “entertaining people,” her music is perfect for anyone seeking a bright, positive vibe.
GO5Leaf
5Leaf is a skilled female rapper based in Kure, Hiroshima.
With candid lyrics drawn from a complex family background and a melodious flow, she resonates through tracks rooted in hip-hop and R&B/Soul.
Since her debut in September 2023, she has steadily grown her fanbase, and her February 2024 single produced by ZERO (YVES & ADAMS) surpassed 1 million views on YouTube.
Her album “bud” marks further evolution, showcasing new possibilities that transcend genre boundaries, including a fusion with sharp, dynamic dance.
Having grown up immersed in dance and introduced to Japanese rap through her older sister, her music brims with the strength forged by overcoming hardship and a deep passion for sound.
[2026] A Roundup of Notable Domestic Female Rappers (11–20)
Young BoyCharlu
Recently, the female rapper Charlu has been drawing attention from the scene thanks to her rapid skill upgrade.
She first made her name in the battle arena.
There was a time when people only mentioned her in connection with her ex-husband, ACE, but now she’s one of the leading figures in the female rap scene and has gained real popularity.
Her appeal lies in her sharp punchlines and flow.
Rather than focusing on perfect rhyme schemes, she excels at punchlines that prioritize the meaning of the words, and she lays them over a smooth, satisfying flow.
As a result, she’s been collaborating more and more with highly skilled rappers lately.
Her punchlines, which intricately depict the psychology of women, are likely to give many women who don’t even know hip-hop that feeling of “getting hit.”
DESIRECYBER RUI
CYBER RUI is a powerhouse female rapper currently drawing the most attention from hardcore heads and elite MCs in the hip-hop scene.
She broke through on the popular show “Rap Star Tanjou,” and among the female rappers we’re introducing here, her skills are in a league of their own.
Honestly, her fundamental ability as a rapper is on a different level.
In every facet—musicality, vocals, flow, rhymes, and punchlines—she’s top-tier, to the point that it feels limiting to box her in as just a “female” rapper.
Without a doubt, she’s someone who will lead the rap scene going forward, so if you haven’t checked her out yet, do it soon!
three hundred million yenchelmico
chelmico is a duo with a distinctive musical style that leaves a strong impression.
They’re not exactly rappers in the strict sense, but since they rap on many of their tracks, I’ll introduce them here under the umbrella of female rappers.
Their songs are known for their strong messages.
The tracks—featuring striking lyrics and a powerful mix of genres like rock and house—are truly impressive.
While their rapping itself isn’t necessarily top-tier, their overall polish and musicality are outstanding among female rappers, so definitely give them a listen.
room; leeway; composure; margin (depending on context)Akko Gorira
Akko Gorilla is a female rapper who’s also active in battle scenes.
Along with Chanmina, she’s likely one of the top two female rappers who made their names through MC battles.
If you only know her current work, you probably see her as a highly skilled rapper with strong musicality and a high-level flow.
Of course, the talent was peeking through from early on, but when she first started appearing in battles, she didn’t have the level of skill she has now.
Her growth over the past three to four years has been tremendous, and at this point she has top-tier skills even within female rap.
If you listen to her tracks in chronological order from the early days, you can enjoy the trajectory of her evolution, so definitely check out her battle MC era as well.