[Japanese R&B] Notable Classics & New Tracks, Representative Songs of Japanese R&B
This playlist is packed with Japanese R&B.
Centered on authentic, high-quality Japanese R&B that lets you feel a refined vibe, it also picks up plenty of newer tracks that reflect recent trends.
With beautiful vocals and grooves, you’ll surely be wrapped in a comfortable wave of sound.
Be sure to enjoy the unique resonance of the Japanese language as you listen.
I’d be happy if this becomes a starting point for exploring and discovering new songs.
Alright then, let’s enjoy it together!
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[Japanese R&B] Notable Classics & New Tracks: Representative Songs of Japanese R&B (1–10)
BE THE GROOVESIRUP
SIRUP is an R&B and hip-hop singer-songwriter from Osaka.
His track “BE THE GROOVE,” as the title suggests, features an irresistibly rolling groove.
Starting with a rap right after the intro, the song initially feels strongly hip-hop, but in the chorus it shifts suddenly into a mellow sung section, instantly drawing you into his world.
Pay particular attention to the bass in this track.
In the chorus, the effective use of slides—playing technique that smoothly connects notes—creates the song’s pleasant groove.
Ain’t Nobody KnowHoshino Gen
A song by singer-songwriter Gen Hoshino is bringing a fresh breeze to Japan’s R&B scene.
Brimming with sensuality and bittersweet emotion, this work expresses a deeply personal, closed-off world—as if sharing a secret just between two people—through music.
Released in October 2019, it was co-produced with Tom Misch and has become one of the key tracks in Hoshino’s musical career.
The music video portrays the encounters and everyday lives of three couples, directed by Kyotaro Hayashi.
Its comfortable groove makes you forget the daily grind and invites you into a relaxing, out-of-the-ordinary moment.
It’s a perfect song to play during special time spent with someone important.
WE AREeill
Singer-songwriter eill, who develops her own musicality based on Black music.
Her track “WE ARE” is addictive, with her emotional vocals entwining around a bass-heavy beat.
Despite its stylish sound, the lyrics delve deeply into human vulnerability and the self that confronts it, and that message is profoundly moving.
The way she builds the hooks is skillful, and the song’s structure keeps you engaged from start to finish—I’m genuinely impressed!
[Japanese R&B] Notable Classics & New Tracks, Representative Songs of Japanese R&B (11–20)
First LoveUtada Hikaru
This classic song, which captures the bittersweet memories of a first love, is a confident work written by Hikaru Utada at the age of 16.
Weaving lingering feelings for a loved one together with delicate piano melodies, it has continued to touch many hearts since its release in April 1999.
Included on the album “First Love,” it sparked a phenomenon—topping the karaoke charts for 15 consecutive weeks, among other achievements.
It is recommended for those who wish to heal the pain of heartbreak or reaffirm their feelings for someone special.
Wrapped in Hikaru Utada’s clear, transparent vocals, why not revisit the precious memories etched in your heart?
Chosen Oneaimi
Singer-songwriter aimi has been drawing attention since the 2020s.
While much of the R&B trending in Japan lately leans toward pop, her authentic R&B is turning heads among hardcore aficionados.
Of her catalog, the track I especially recommend is Chosen One.
Released in December 2022, it’s a piano-based, on-trend slow jam.
Her vocal ability is outstanding as well, so fans of overseas R&B are sure to love it!
My Little RoseHirai Dai
When introducing Dai Hirai, you often hear the word “organic.” While organic literally means “of living matter,” in Hirai’s case it irresistibly feels closer to “natural.” His musicality and his nature-centric lifestyle are inseparable, and it’s precisely because he is so connected to nature that he can create songs that provide such high-quality healing.
It’s truly a musical endeavor where clothing, food, and music are fused together.
“My Little Rose” is a track that lets you feel R&B—even including a recording of his baby’s first cry.
It’s a moving song in which a great love envelops everything, from the joy of birth to the anxieties that come with growing up.
LOOPSIRUP
In recent years, R&B has gained recognition and grown in popularity.
However, when you look closer, many people feel that what’s trending is mostly “pseudo-R&B,” where a whispery vocal is simply laid over an R&B-style track.
The artist we’re introducing this time, SIRUP, is someone who creates not the pseudo kind but bona fide, full-on R&B, boasting high-level skills in both songwriting and vocals.
His track “LOOP” is one of his signature songs, a compelling work whose sound is strongly influenced by hip-hop and R&B.