Hit J-Pop songs from 2002. Recommended classics and popular tracks.
Dragon Ash, Chitose Hajime, Ketsumeishi, Hikaru Utada, Porno Graffitti, MISIA, Kishidan…
From among the many classic songs that lit up the J-POP charts in 2002, our studio staff have selected their recommended hits.
It’s a moving playlist that still hasn’t lost its luster.
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Male Artists (11–20)
Christmas Eve RapKICK THE CAN CREW
It’s KICK THE CAN CREW’s only Christmas song—a surprising track that’s a rap arrangement of Tatsuro Yamashita’s classic “Christmas Eve.” While preserving the original vibe, they brought out a new charm and turned it into a hit.
I like you.Mr.Children
This is Mr.Children’s 22nd single, which, along with “Seesaw Game ~A Brave Love Song~,” tied the band’s personal record by topping the Oricon chart for three consecutive weeks.
The promotional video features Yosuke Kubozuka and portrays a man and woman in love, even as they are isolated for treatment.
FUNKASTICRIP SLYME
This is the song that brought RIP SLYME widespread recognition.
“FUNKASTIC” is a coined word combining FUNK and FANTASTIC.
The backing track is sprinkled with riffs from classic funk tunes, which probably made those in the know crack a grin.
Paradise, babyRIP SLYME
It’s a signature track by the hip-hop group RIP SLYME.
While the previous and the one before that were massive hits, each selling over 200,000 copies, this song surpassed them, selling 300,000.
As can also be seen from the sales of the album released later, it’s clear the group was riding a huge wave at the time.
Island SongTHE BOOM
Originally released in 1992 and 1993, the song was re-released this year after Argentine artist Alfredo Casero covered it and it became a topic of conversation when used as a cheer song for Argentina’s national team at the World Cup.
It is a quiet yet grand piece, imbued with a certain sorrow, sung as a requiem for the victims of the Battle of Okinawa.