[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)
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.”
Boss Bitch（Remix) feat.LANA & Elle Teresa7!!
Rapper 7, who was selected as a finalist on the music audition show “Rapstar Tanjou 2023,” has been drawing major attention.
With a distinctive voice and charismatic looks, she’s an artist supported both in Japan and abroad.
This track released under 7 and ZOT on the WAVE showcases her powerful individuality.
It also made waves for featuring LANA and Elle Teresa on the remix.
The song is included on the album “7 (Boss Bitch Edition),” released in February 2024, and stands out for its assertive declaration of unwavering self-confidence over an aggressive trap beat.
It’s the kind of empowerment anthem you’ll want to play when you need a boost of confidence or want to elevate your mood.
For fans of female rap, it’s an irresistible release.
Tokyo ClassicRIP SLYME
A quintessential track by RIP SLYME that unfolds a stylish yet somehow nostalgic, near-futuristic soundscape.
It’s the title track from their landmark, million-certified album “TOKYO CLASSIC,” released in July 2002.
The song seems to capture both the glitter of the big city and the suffocating pressure beneath it, while conveying a strong will to enjoy life in their own style without being swept along by others.
The choral section, which leaves a mysterious afterglow, feels like it bolsters that resolve.
When you’re on the verge of losing your sense of self amid the urban bustle, its comfortable groove will give you the energy to face tomorrow.
[Japanese Hip-Hop] Classic Japanese Rap Tracks (151–160)
Girl Like MeCream
CREAM is a group formed in 2012 by singer-songwriter Minami and rapper/trackmaker Staxx T, blending hip-hop into EDM with a mainstream focus.
This song poignantly sings about the subtle distance between a man and a woman with a catchy sound.
It’s packed with the feeling of wanting to be together but being unable to start a relationship.
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.
Looking back nowIn Man
Seamlessly blending a snappy flow with expressive lyricism, this work dropped in April 2025.
Produced by Lion Melo, it fuses a catchy melody with hip-hop elements to great effect.
It marks Rim Man’s first solo track in about three years and three months.
Beneath the laid-back track, a burning passion smolders.
It’s a song that will hit home when you’re at a crossroads in life or about to take a new step forward.
Prove One’s CaseNORIKIYO
Rapper NORIKIYO, formerly active under the name K-NERO and the leader of the hip-hop unit SD JUNKSTA, released the album “Hankō Seimei” (Statement of Offense) on June 22, 2023.
Its lead track, “Prove One’s Case,” makes an impact with a dark ensemble that opens with a fanfare.
The lyrics, which cynically depict how hard it is to live in today’s world, are sure to pierce straight and deep into the hearts of those who don’t know where to process contradictions and unfairness.
It’s a track that leaves an impression with its hooky, melodious rap, exuding a quiet aggressiveness.
