Japanese Pop: A Roundup of Popular Male Singer-Songwriters
They can write songs, they sing well, and some can even draw, excel at sports, or take on acting roles… when you think about it, singer-songwriters are amazing, aren’t they?
They feel like the ultimate multi-players.
In this article, I’d like to introduce some popular male singer-songwriters from the Japanese music scene.
From veterans who’ve been active for years to artists who’ve made headlines recently, we’re covering a wide range of generations.
Please read to the end!
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[J-Pop] Popular Male Singer-Songwriters (21–30)
We againSG
Despite being half Japanese and half Korean, SG is a multilingual artist who continues to break conventions in the music industry.
Centered on pop, he showcases an expressive vocal range across diverse genres including R&B and ballads.
He began posting on TikTok in June 2020 and quickly rose to popularity with cover songs that blend Japanese and Korean.
In the summer of 2023, he made his major debut by launching LDH Records and his independent label, SUPERGENIUS Entertainment.
A proven talent who consistently ranks high on music charts, he has surpassed 28 million views on his YouTube lyric videos.
From beautiful soaring highs to rich, velvety mid and low tones, his versatile vocals captivate listeners across borders.
Recipe for HappinessHirai Dai
Singer-songwriter Dai Hirai captivates many listeners with his gentle, warm vocals and the soothing sound of the ukulele.
Known for a music style centered on surf music and acoustic sounds, he charms audiences with a refreshing vibe that evokes the sea and nature.
He debuted in 2014 with the mini-album “The Light,” and his 2016 album “Life is Beautiful” reached No.
1 overall on iTunes.
His Disney cover albums, including “Disney Island Music,” have also been well received.
His interest in music began with a ukulele gifted by his grandmother.
On national tours and at acoustic live shows, he delivers warm performances together with his band members.
He’s a recommended artist for those who want to enjoy music in a relaxed atmosphere.
[J-Pop] Popular Male Singer-Songwriters Roundup (31–40)
Duckykankan
The mysterious singer Kankan is also an artist to watch.
Their gender hasn’t been officially disclosed, but photos they once posted have led people to believe they are male.
In 2018, their first cover song video went viral, instantly boosting their popularity.
They then took on an ambitious “30 days of consecutive uploads” challenge, gaining many subscribers.
The momentum didn’t stop—just three months after their first post, they reached 10,000 subscribers.
Since then, they’ve been consistently releasing hit songs.
In that caseHattori
Centering on pop and rock, as the vocalist and guitarist of Macaroni Enpitsu, Hattori captivates many listeners with his delicately expressive singing.
Formed in 2012 by members who graduated from music college, the band is based in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, and actively performs live.
They made their debut with the 2015 mini-album “Al Dente,” and gained major attention in 2020 with an appearance on the YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE.
In December 2021, they won the Japan Record Awards’ Best New Artist.
With literary lyrics and a warm vocal tone, they create songs that capture the small moments of everyday life.
They’re a perfect fit for listeners seeking a gentle, comforting voice and emotionally resonant expression.
Bloody LiarTanabe Shunichi
Shunichi Tanabe, the vocalist of BLUE ENCOUNT, shakes listeners to their core with a scorching rock sound and passionate vocals.
A native of Kumamoto Prefecture, he formed a band with his classmates in high school and has established a unique musical identity rooted in mixture rock.
In September 2014, they made their major debut with Ki/oon Music and have since provided theme songs for numerous anime series and TV dramas.
Renowned for his overwhelming vocal ability and expressive power, Tanabe demonstrated his prowess by drawing 11,000 attendees to a solo concert at Nippon Budokan in October 2016.
He writes and composes nearly all of their songs, and his candid, heartfelt lyrics paired with energetic performances captivate listeners seeking music that truly resonates.
Bunny GirlAKASAKI
AKASAKI, an 18-year-old singer-songwriter from Aichi Prefecture, is gaining attention as a high school artist.
Known for lyrics that resonate with listeners of his generation and addictive melodies, he has been winning popularity.
Debuting in April 2024, he focuses his activities on TikTok and is known for producing music using digital audio workstations.
His videos posted on social media have racked up explosive view counts, further establishing his presence as a talented young artist.
He was selected as the Monthly Artist for October 2024 in Buzz Tracker, a joint artist support program by TikTok and Spotify, and was also the only artist chosen for Shibuya Trend Research’s “High School Trend Top 10.” With his clear-toned voice and delicate vocal expression, expectations are high for him to bring a fresh breeze to the contemporary J-pop scene.
Run, SAKAMOTOVaundy
Born in 2000, the multi-talented artist Vaundy has been attracting attention with a unique sound that fuses rock, hip-hop, R&B, synth-pop, and more.
Since 2019, he has been releasing songs on YouTube and working across genres as a creator who handles everything from songwriting to video production.
He has continued to release buzzworthy works, starting with the album “strobo.” In 2021, his video work received high acclaim at the MTV VMAJ, and he has continued to lead the music scene since.
With a lineup of highly skilled support musicians, he has also elevated the quality of his live performances.
He has produced many anime themes and TV drama songs, making him a perfect artist for listeners seeking innovative musicality and solid craftsmanship.