[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!
- What does the “a.k.a.” you often see in artist names mean?
- What does the word “repezen” used by rappers mean?
- [Japanese Hip-Hop] Classic Tracks of Japanese Rap
- [Hip-hop terminology] What are a verse and a hook?
- Karaoke songs sung by female artists recommended for Gen Z
- Classic hip-hop tracks recommended for women
- A Guide to Vocaloid Rap: A roundup of popular hip‑hop-style Vocaloid tracks
- A roundup of Japanese rap to listen to in summer: classic tracks of Japanese hip-hop
- The best bout in an MC battle. The punchlines that will go down in history are insane.
- [2026] A Compilation of Classic and Popular Tracks for Hip-Hop Beginners
- Packed with masterpieces! Karaoke songs recommended for women of the Yutori generation
- An iconic song by a female artist that Gen Z can get hyped about with their peers
- The meaning of the term “old school” in music genres
[2026] Roundup of Notable Domestic Female Rappers (21–30)
A.K.YRumi
A female rapper who grew up in Kawasaki, Tokyo, known for her unmistakable presence.
Rooted in hip-hop, her signature style freely traverses a wide range of genres, including dancehall, rock ballads, and grime.
RUMI launched her own label, Sanagi Recordings, in 2004 and debuted with the album “Hell Me TIGHT.” Combining a raw, hysteric edge with delicate melodic sensibility, she overturned conventional images of female rappers.
While maintaining an independent stance, she has continued to expand the possibilities of music through collaborations with a variety of artists such as THE HEAVYMANNERS and PRIMAL.
Her live performances, which break down the boundaries between dance music and rap, have also earned high acclaim.
She’s an artist highly recommended for listeners who resonate with expressions that pair strong will with subtle sensitivity.
Blacklisthime
An innovative artist born in 1979, she is a female rapper renowned for her deep skills and influence.
She encountered hip-hop through dance in her mid-teens and formed the hip-hop group NARSISTER in 1998.
Starting her solo career in 2001, Hime, who built a devoted following centered in Hachioji, made her solo debut in 2003 with the album “Himehajime.” At a time when solo album releases by female rappers were exceedingly rare, she produced three albums featuring heavyweight artists such as DABO, Miyoshi/Zenzo, and JUN-G.
Armed with a low-register voice and a distinctive flow, she transcended conventional notions of “cuteness” with strength and expressive power, blazing a trail for the female rappers who followed.
These powerful works are a must for listeners seeking raw messages and an overwhelming presence.
[2026] A Roundup of Noteworthy Domestic Female Rappers (31–40)
Tomorrow Will Come (feat. Shingo Sekiguchi)ASOBOiSM
ASOBOiSM is a musician from Yokohama.
While she’s not hardcore hip-hop, many of her tracks include a rap flavor, so we’ll introduce her here as a female rapper.
She originally balanced a day job as an office worker with her music activities.
Since she began performing under her current name, she’s released more songs rooted in Black music, but she also excels at gentle, pop-tinged tracks like “Ashita wa Kuru feat.
Shingo Sekiguchi.” This breadth of musicality is a big part of her appeal.
If you want to explore rap across a variety of genres, be sure to check out her albums.
SWEETEST TABOO (feat.CASPER)Lipstorm
A bilingual rapper from Isahaya City in Nagasaki Prefecture, based in Tokyo.
Lipstorm, whose distinctive musicality blends styles such as hip-hop, R&B, and trap, resonates with listeners through razor-sharp word choice and a streetwise expressive flair.
She began making her presence felt in Tokyo’s J-rap scene in 2013 by contributing to a mixtape in collaboration with DJ ADDICT.
She has earned high praise for appearances in Red Bull Music’s “64 Bars” project and collaborations with artists like Chanmina and KOWICHI.
Her sound, characterized by complex vocabulary and catchy beats, deftly fuses classic hip-hop with contemporary elements.
An artist highly recommended for music fans who value the roots of hip-hop while seeking innovative approaches.
legal JKMarukido
Rapper Marukido has gained popularity with hard-hitting lyrics that contrast with her cute looks.
She’s a rapper from an elite girls’ school, but she’s led a pretty thug life—getting into certain things as a student and all.
The lyrics born from that background are straightforward, without any sugarcoating.
Her rapping may not be what you’d call highly skillful, but the lyrics alone are compelling enough to listen to.
Definitely check her out.
okodawariHITOMIN
Influenced by Disney Channel dramas from a young age and captivated by music, HITOMIN set her sights on a musical career at 16 after clashes with her parents.
A remix of an English song she posted on social media caught a producer’s attention, leading to her debut with BTB ENT in 2019.
With a freewheeling musicality that transcends genres—hip-hop, R&B, reggae, rock, and classical—her early tracks that went viral on TikTok have become her signature works.
She also stands out for her independence: without a manager, she handles tour planning, scheduling, and even merchandise orders herself.
In April 2024, she held a solo show at Spotify O-EAST in Shibuya, Tokyo, continuing to push forward energetically.
Citing Miley Cyrus and Hikaru Utada as influences, her commitment to her own style makes her a great recommendation for those seeking genreless music.
Hiphop Starchouchou
With its catchy four-on-the-floor sound, this is a track I’d recommend to women who haven’t listened to much hip-hop yet.
It’s a song by Chōchō, a rapper from Aichi Prefecture.
The lyrics blend freshness and coolness in a captivating way.