[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] Classic Japanese Rap Tracks (141–150)
Cry BabyG-k.i.d
Rapper G-k.i.d, who has also been active as a member of the hip-hop crew BAD HOP.
This track from his album “Hood Melody DELUXE,” released in September 2025, rides a beat that captures the raw atmosphere of the streets, highlighted by a vocal that’s wild yet sensual.
The lyrics, which candidly express the conflicts and loneliness hidden behind a smile, carry a warmth that feels like it gently stays close to a heart that puts on a brave face.
Soulful hip-hop you’ll want to play on nights spent alone in quiet reflection.
backseat feat. Kvi Baba & tofubeatsKEIJU
It’s a stylish hip-hop track that draws you in with its sophisticated, city-ready sound.
Created by KEIJU of the hip-hop crew KANDYTOWN, featuring Kvi Baba and tofubeats, it was released in November 2024.
It’s an emotive number with a light, swaying rhythm that makes your body move.
The lyrics bring out a theme of duality: the romantic mood cast by the city’s neon lights, and the loneliness felt at the same time.
The soft vocal delivery is spot-on, too.
Perfect for a night drive.
REVENGEUmeda Saifā
A track marked by powerful rap and a fierce beat.
It’s a song by the hip-hop crew Umeda Cypher, chosen as the theme for episode 8 of the Amazon Original drama “Oshi no Ko,” and released digitally in December 2024.
Centered on the theme of revenge, it portrays the comeback of those who’ve faced setbacks and defeat.
Perfect for anyone who wants to fire themselves up or push toward their goals.
Its energetic flow and hard-hitting lyrics are sure to give you a boost.
LEVEL 5QN
QN was an early member of SIMI LAB.
Even back when he was active with SIMI LAB, he already had strong rap skills.
I kept an eye on his work after he left, and when the music video dropped, I felt, “Yeah, his rap really is the real deal.”
BASH BASH feat. JP THE WAVY & AwichLANA
LANA, a female rapper who enjoys overwhelming support from young people for her husky voice and realistic lyrics, commands a striking presence in Japan’s hip-hop scene.
In this track, she features two fellow scene leaders, JP THE WAVY and Awich.
The song portrays a powerful image of a woman who tackles both work and play with energy and forges her own path through her own strength.
It opens the EP “19,” released in July 2023, and the heavy, highly addictive beat produced by ZOT on the WAVE and Homunculu$ makes it especially compelling.
It’s a track that boosts your self-esteem just by listening, making it perfect for moments when you want to lift your mood.
Sansyabontai (feat. Gore-Tex)MURO
MURO, who holds the title “King Of Diggin’,” meaning the world’s number one digger.
After his activities in the late ’80s with Krush Possee and Microphone Pager, he made his major solo debut in 1999.
Since then, not only as an MC but also as a DJ, he has been active at many parties and frequently booked for fashion brand events.
This is a track he helped produce, released in 1996, featuring Gore-Tex, an MC from NITRO MICROPHONE UNDERGROUND.
HERELANA
This is a dreamlike message song that stands out for its husky vocal work.
It’s a track by LANA, a rapper from Shonan who has captured the hearts of Gen Z, released in 2025.
Rooted in hip-hop and R&B yet transcending genre boundaries, its free-spirited musicality is captivating.
LANA’s lyrics—brimming with raw, relatable emotion—pair perfectly with her delicate flow.
Even while carrying failure and loneliness, the song’s forward-looking stance will give you a gentle push.