A hip-hop love song. A rapper’s tale of love.
In recent years, thanks in part to the influence of MC battles like Freestyle Dungeon, the number of hip-hop listeners seems to be on the rise, doesn’t it?
Among those who love hip-hop, some of you might be on the lookout for love songs!
So in this article, we’ll be introducing hip-hop love songs from both Japan and abroad.
From that classic by a heavyweight of Japanese hip-hop to noteworthy tracks by up-and-coming artists, we’ve put together an article that listeners from hardcore heads to those who just started getting into hip-hop can enjoy.
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- Songs that make you want to fall in love just by listening! Classic love songs recommended for Gen Z
- Captivating in many styles and forms! Love songs in Japanese rap
- A love song in Western rap
- Recommended love songs for men: A collection of classic hits that sing about men's love
- Popular love songs on TikTok, from upbeat tracks to emotional love ballads.
- Recommended! Love songs by male artists — popular romantic songs
- A love song that's very popular on Instagram Reels
Hip-hop love songs. Love songs told by rappers (1–10)
Hold You DownKEIJU feat. MUD
A song depicting a sensual night’s story has been born from a collaboration between KEIJU and MUD.
It opens with a scene reminiscent of a movie and vividly captures a passionate romance fueled by youth.
The track is included on KEIJU’s album “T.A.T.O.,” released in July 2020, and serves as a signature piece that reflects the album’s overall atmosphere.
A music video has also been released, featuring members of KANDYTOWN.
This song is recommended for those who cherish the exhilaration of love and the memories of a single night.
Ms. U feat. idom & SALUKvi Baba
A love song that portrays the feeling of thinking only of one precious person amid the dense streets of Tokyo.
Featuring singer-songwriter idom and the revered SALU, Kvi Baba released this track in March 2024.
Against a backdrop of urban clamor and crowds of countless people crossing paths, the urgency of keeping one’s gaze fixed on a single person is woven through each of the three artists’ distinctive expressions.
Kvi Baba’s introspective lyrics, idom’s delicate vocals, and SALU’s urbane flow overlap to create a depth unique to this collaboration.
Selected as the ending theme for ABEMA’s news program ABEMA Prime in May 2024, the song has reached a broad audience.
It’s a piece that keeps you company on late-night drives or in quiet moments spent thinking of someone special.
As you areCentipede & Rhyme Man
Rhyme Man, whose standout performance at the Gaisens MCBattle East vs.
West Autumn Selection is still fresh in our minds, teamed up with Hyakutaro, a new-generation rapper who won the High School RAP Championship, to create the track “Kimi no Mama.” Told from a male perspective, the song portrays lingering feelings for a partner after a breakup.
While both artists wield powerful rap styles in their freestyle battles, they deliver a relaxed flow here.
With its melodic feel, it should be easy to listen to even for those not usually into rap.
Hip-hop love songs: Love songs told by rappers (11–20)
Let Me KnowKEIJU
Let Me Know, a track from KEIJU, a core member of KANDYTOWN, features a sophisticated sound and a soothing melody.
As his major-label debut release, this song delivers a poignant yet powerful portrayal of love’s warmth, resonating deeply with listeners.
KEIJU’s distinctive vocal tone conveys emotion with delicacy, resulting in a timeless love song that transcends the boundaries of hip-hop.
It’s a track that will be enjoyed not only by regular rap listeners but also by those unfamiliar with the genre.
Stay (feat. LEX)KM
A work released in March 2021 by KM, a producer who represents the Japanese rap scene, featuring young rapper LEX.
While depicting a glamorous lifestyle, its delicate lyrics portray the shifting emotions of young people who carry sudden bouts of loneliness and anxiety.
The lingering emptiness that doesn’t fade even when with a lover or friends, and the feelings swaying between ambition and pressure on the path to stardom, are expressed over KM’s meticulously crafted, melodic track.
Rather than a straightforward love song, it becomes a multilayered piece that also encompasses the desire for validation and wavering self-esteem.
Included on the album EVERYTHING INSIDE, the track’s creation was also featured in a GQ JAPAN men’s culture magazine documentary.
It’s a poignant teen anthem about telling yourself you’re fine while secretly wishing someone would stay by your side.
WifeyEric.B.Jr
It’s a hip-hop love song filled with intense feelings for a beloved woman.
Featured on Eric.B.Jr’s mixtape “EASTSIDEBABY,” released in June 2024, the track rides a melodious trap beat to sing about exclusive devotion and hope for the future.
The candid lyrics—complete with remorse for past mistakes—deeply resonate with listeners.
A music video produced by the visual team DexFilmz was also released in July, portraying the song’s world through urban nightscapes.
Recommended for those who want to feel a deeper connection with their partner or seek straightforward expressions of love.
Fake Love ft. DADAwatson
Centered on the theme of false love, this track seamlessly blends Watson’s down-to-earth emotions with DADA’s expressive artistry.
The lyrics, which candidly depict the complexity of human relationships and inner conflict, resonate deeply with listeners.
Featured on the album “Soul Quake,” released in December 2023, it helped propel the record to an impressive No.
3 on the overall Apple Music chart.
This piece is recommended for those who have experienced heartbreak or betrayal, and for anyone struggling with relationship issues.