[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 (11–20)
NeverthelessAya a.k.a. Panda
AYA a.k.a.
PANDA is a female rapper who’s gained popularity with realistic lyrics that young women can relate to.
She’s affectionately known as Ayapanda.
Her hip-hop leans heavily into pop and EDM elements, so even people who aren’t into rap tend to find her songs easy to listen to.
The 2017 track ‘Amaecchatte Sorry’ likely became a mega-hit thanks to her catchy, approachable sound.
Need To Be Me feat. JESSE (RIZE/The BONEZ)Daimon Yayoi
Yayoi Daimon is one of Osaka’s leading female rappers.
She’s also known as a feminist and has released many works that portray women’s identities and strength.
Her style is the complete opposite of Elle Teresa’s.
I think her appeal mainly lies in her lyrics and vocals.
When she collaborates with other artists, she often takes on the vocal parts and is known for her strong vocal abilities.
Rather than hard-hitting hip-hop, her sound leans more melodic, making it easy to listen to even for those who aren’t into rap.
DiaryMIRI
MIRI, a female rapper who’s gained popularity in MC battles.
She started out in the so-called “idol rapper” lane, and early in her career there were plenty of rappers and heads who questioned that route.
But over time she steadily built up her skills, and now she’s considered one of the more technically skilled female rappers.
Her tracks are mostly catchy songs that give you a push forward, making her very approachable for heads who aren’t into the underground vibe.
Tome Rare Nai (Prod. DJ UPPERCUT)Reichi
Reichi is a female rapper who made a name for herself in the High School Rap Championship.
She’s the same generation as Chanmina and helped energize the female teen scene at the time.
If you only know her from the Championship, you probably picture her all-out, no-holds-barred aggressive style.
But on record, she’s the complete opposite—she’s released lots of catchy, cute rap that conveys real women’s feelings.
If you only know her as a battle MC, why not check out her tracks and enjoy her cute rap side?
Special (Prod by DJ RYOW & SPACE DUST CLUB)HITOMIN
HITOMIN is a female rapper who has risen to popularity mainly through social media.
She specializes in a catchy style that mixes pop elements with trend-driven trap music, and combined with her polished looks, she’s admired by many female heads.
Her biggest appeal is, above all, how easy her music is to listen to.
Rather than prioritizing techniques favored by connoisseurs—like fast rap or stealthy multi-syllabic rhymes—she focuses on rap with approachable melodies and flows that anyone can enjoy.
Since all her tracks are easy to listen to, she could be a great entry point for beginner heads who are just getting into female rappers.
UnfinisheDNeon Nonthana
Neon Nonthana, who has a multicultural background as a Japanese-Thai, is gaining attention for a unique musical style that fuses hip-hop and hyperpop.
He began his career in 2019 as part of the duo “NeoSki,” releasing tracks that garnered over two million views on YouTube.
He later resumed activities as a solo artist, putting out a series of works that express empathy for social misfits.
Teaming up with producer SEM, he has been breaking new ground.
Known for both his stylistic range and expressive power, he has also collaborated with skilled artists like PizzaLove and Yackle.
His rising international profile includes buzz within Reddit’s “HYPERPOP” community.
He’s the perfect fit for listeners seeking innovative sounds and candid, straightforward messages.
[2026] Roundup of Notable Domestic Female Rappers (21–30)
Take me outSONOTA
SONOTA is a female rapper who effortlessly delivers lyrics brimming with genuine, down-to-earth emotions.
She creates songs themed around life and love, resonating especially with younger audiences.
Known for her gentle, conversational flow, many listeners find comfort in her soft, soothing vibe.
She often handles everything from songwriting and composition to track production, sharing her raw, honest feelings.
A cute yet sultry artist, she also shines in freestyle sessions and rap battles.
