[Japanese Hip-Hop] Classic Tracks of Japanese Rap
Thanks to the freestyle boom of the 2010s, Japanese rap has come back into the spotlight.
As US rap has become more accessible to the general public via the internet, HIPHOP’s popularity has been growing in Japan as well.
This time, we’ve curated a selection of classic Japanese rap tracks!
We’ve picked gems from old-school eras like the 1990s and 2000s, as well as standout hits from talented up-and-coming rappers leading today’s scene.
Whether you love classic rap or today’s trap, there’s something here for you—so be sure to read to the end!
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[Japanese Hip-Hop] Masterpieces of Japanese Rap (111–120)
Big BlueShakkazombie
SHAKKAZOMBIE was a unit that was hugely active in Japan’s hip-hop scene in the ’90s.
This is their 1999 release, a song called “Big Blue.” It’s a very beautiful track.
Hip-hop often carries a rough image, but listening to this song makes that image vanish in an instant.
Both the sound and the lyrics are wonderfully pure.
Higher Remix (feat. YZERR, Tiji Jojo, eyden, Bonbero, SEEDA)¥ellow bucks
Rapper ¥ellow Bucks, known as the winner of Rap Star Birth Season 3 and also by the alias Young Tokai Teio.
The single Higher Remix (feat.
YZERR, Tiji Jojo, eyden, Bonbero, SEEDA), a remix of a track from his digital-only EP Survive, stands out for its mic relay featuring guests ranging from legends to new faces.
The lyrics, which reveal his unwavering, go-my-own-way style, amp you up alongside his aggressive delivery.
It’s a stylish track with a cool flow that sticks in your ears.
JUNJI TAKADAKOHH
If there’s one song that catapulted KOHH’s name into the mainstream, it’s this one.
A controversial work that drew media attention for his ideas and sense, it was even picked up on Junji Takada’s radio show and acknowledged by the man himself.
The track vividly reflects KOHH’s harrowing past and identity, widely known through his VICE interview video.
While recent hip-hop often seems to mock the gangster image, KOHH goes straight for it.
His old-school hip-hop fashion sense, hairstyle, and full-body tattoos were also praised as cool!
DON’T STOPSUIKEN
Released in 2010, this track is included on SUIKEN’s fourth album.
SUIKEN is well known as an MC from NMU, but he’s especially recognized for his rapid-fire, machine-gun-style rap.
Because he keeps rhyming without a break, it’s a karaoke killer where you can’t tell when he’s taking a breath.
Another notable feature is the incorporation of guitar sounds, setting it apart from conventional tracks that rely solely on record-based production.
I’m in ChargeTOKONA-X
It’s a passionate number that rattles off the lifestyle of a rapper.
True to its name, it’s a track by TOKONA-X, a hip-hop MC raised in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, included on his first album Tokai X Teio, released in 2004.
You’re overwhelmed by the rapid-fire flow, which could be described as dizzying.
The lyrics, which reveal a bold life philosophy, are another reason it’s so compelling.
Although TOKONA-X sadly passed away that same year, his music continues to resonate with hip-hop fans to this day.
Assassinralph
A track influenced by UK drill, defined by its hard-hitting beat and razor-sharp, electrifying flow.
The lyrics, steeped in ralph’s distinctive worldview, brim with pride in his own skills and lifestyle.
Paired with the aggressive sound, it’s a song that pulls you in deeper as you listen.
Released in August 2024, this work has been praised for bringing a fresh breeze to Japan’s hip-hop scene.
It’s a full-on banger that makes you want to crank up the volume!
ALL DAY ALL NIGHT feat.TinaXBS
Released in 2003, this track is included on XBS’s third mini album.
XBS is well-known as an MC from NMU, but like MACKA-CHIN, he often focuses on production, so albums released under his own name are relatively rare.
This song is a comparatively rare love song for B-style hip-hop, characterized by a warm and gentle feel in both its track and lyrics.
Tina’s vocals on the hook are a perfect match.