A band group that colors Japan’s R&B scene

Japan’s R&B scene is now attracting global attention with its diverse musicality.

From Official HIGE DANDism’s Black music-inspired sound and WONK’s mellow soundscapes to Suchmos’s distinctive style reminiscent of Jamiroquai,

and even Nulbarich’s Western-influenced falsetto vocals—the scene offers captivating sounds that transcend genre boundaries.

This time, we’ll introduce a selection of gems that showcase the new possibilities of Japanese R&B.

Playlist

A band group that colors Japan’s R&B scene
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Tell Me BabyOfisharu Higedan Dism		Official Hige Dandism is characterized by high-tone vocals
2	“808”Suchmos		Suchmos’s multifaceted musical works
3	By Your SideFIVE NEW OLD		A pop band that uses Black music techniques
4	Adult Hit ParadeBRADIO		A notable band formed in 2010
5	Almost ThereNulbarich		Fusion of a Western-style falsetto voice and pop
6	Dancing FighterAwesome City Club		Four-on-the-floor in an EDM, tropical house style.
7	wound; scratch; scar; flaw; defectZainichi Fanku		A James Brown-style band led by Kenta Hamano
8	circusshowmore		showmore is a sophisticated jazz/R&B sound unit
9	Marunouchi SadisticToukyou Jihen		The innovative music of Tokyo Jihen led by Ringo Sheena
10	GardenSUGAR SOUL		An advanced R&B unit centered on aico
11	Night DrivinNeighbors Complain		Japanese band influenced by Black music
12	riskKroi		A talented band that fuses a wide range of genres
13	1999Hitsuji Bungaku		Music of delicacy and power, Hitsujibungaku
14	Tiger & DragonCRAZY KEN BAND		The musicality and popularity of an R&B band
15	HONDAFriday Night Plans		A music project that fuses R&B and pop
16	Burning Friday NightLucky Kilimanjaro		Lucky Kilimanjaro with a sophisticated groove
17	See you againMOL.		The talent and appeal of MOL, a Japanese R&B duo from Hokkaido
18	Tokyo feat. Mamiko Suzuki, Skaaiyonawo		The appeal of yonawo, an R&B band from Fukuoka
19	Amber-Hued City, Morning of Shanghai Crabskururi		Quruli, a unique music band from Kyoto
20	It’s nothing.makaroni enpitsu		Macaroni Enpitsu, a talented band from Senzoku Gakuen College of Music
21	Summer IllusionOmoinotake		Omoinotake, a three-piece band from Shimane
22	Midnight CruiseWONK		Update R&B in a modern way
23	ropewaycero		An R&B-style fusion of City Pop and the TR-808
24	rainPetorōruzu		A three-piece band led by Ukigumo
25	GravityLUCKY TAPES		An R&B-style pop song where brass and vocals intertwine
26	KEEP YOU HAPPYTHE BAWDIES		R&B band influenced by Little Richard
27	NO NO NOSATORI		Major debut of a double-vocal dance band
28	Groove MeShunské G & The Peas		The musical activities and appeal of Shunské G & The Peas
29	slip out of darknessshango comedown above me		An 11-member band's R&B debut
30	Love’s On The WayORLAND		With programmed R&B becoming mainstream, band formations are decreasing
31	Railroad No.9Still Caravan		A production collective centered on live bands
32	Whyyahyel		Express cutting-edge R&B with a band setup
33	Can’t Dance to Fevertsuru		Three-piece band with eccentric visuals
34	NudeVo Vo Tau		Debuted in 2003, with a powerful singing voice and beautiful sound
35	EchoPAELLAS		R&B diversifies as PAELLAS fuses genres
36	ChanceD.A.N.		Japanese minimal mellow band
37	Sayonara ColorSUPER BUTTER DOG		A five-member band that debuted in 1997 and disbanded in 2008
38	LightsMime		Jazzy, nostalgic ’90s Japanese pop music
39	CeremonySpecial Favorite Music		The new song leans toward Black music
40	KEMURIMondo Grosso		MONDO GROSSO's contemporary and diverse musical style
41	Comet of LoveORIGINAL LOVE		The multifaceted appeal of Takao Tajima’s solo unit
42	GET UPScoobie Do		A four-member band with a funky sound
43	AliensKirinji		The captivating music and evolution of KIRINJI
44	Dance at Nightfurenzu		Friends, bringing smiles with diverse music
45	SkylineNulbarich		Nulbarich's epic rock song
46	I won’t say goodbye.karifurawāzu		Continued success even after the breakup of a soul/R&B/funk band