Popular Japanese rappers. Recommended Japanese (J-pop) rappers.
Japanese hip-hop has now gained enough mainstream recognition to appear on J-POP charts.
From veteran rappers who have built the scene to up-and-coming artists who’ve risen to prominence in recent years, a wide variety of rappers are active today.
In this article, we’ll introduce these rappers all at once, regardless of generation!
It’s a lineup that will catch the eye of hardcore hip-hop heads as well as those who are just thinking about getting into hip-hop.
Let’s dive right in!
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Popular Japanese rappers. Recommended Japanese (J-hip hop) rappers (1–10)
FateAnarchy
Anarchy, a rapper from Kyoto who embodies the tough-and-rough allure of hip-hop.
His name, which means an anarchist, and the tattoos covering his body exude an outlaw cool that would make straight-laced folks frown.
His melancholic lyrics—something you could never write if you’d just lived an ordinary, smooth-sailing life—and his gritty, hardcore flow have struck a chord with heads all across Japan.
He’s now a rapper who stands as a standard-bearer for the Japanese hip-hop scene.
Bad BadAwich
Awich is an artist who is highly acclaimed not only as a rapper but also as a singer.
She’s from Okinawa and reportedly attended English conversation classes on a U.S.
military base from a young age.
As a result, she has near-native English proficiency, and her songs feature many lyrics that make full use of her strong English skills.
Her musical range is broad—she’s a versatile artist who can handle everything from R&B and Latin to trap music and tropical house.
She’s been appearing in the media more frequently lately, so we can expect even more from her going forward!
Street DreamsZeebra
It’s no exaggeration to call Zeebra one of the most important figures in Japan’s hip-hop scene.
As a member of King Giddra, he has supported Japanese hip-hop since the 1990s.
His distinctive gravelly voice delivers raps that stand out for their razor-sharp flow and technical rhymes.
His tracks are considered masterpieces—often used as beats in MC battles—so if you’re just getting into Japanese hip-hop, I highly recommend starting with his music.
Popular Japanese rappers. Recommended Japanese rappers (11–20)
T.U.B.E.chinza DOPENESS
Breaking through society’s lack of understanding and even becoming a trend, the Japanese hip-hop scene is on the rise.
Among the many players, Chinza DOPENESS stands out with his eccentric, distinctive flow and freestyle prowess, earning widespread popularity.
A powerhouse who has won numerous freestyle battle tournaments, he also creates humor-filled tracks suitable even for kids, continually redefining the image of rappers.
He’s a truly one-and-only, original presence.
NINOKUNIOZworld
OZworld, a HIPHOP artist from Okinawa, has been drawing attention for his unique sensibilities and trippy worldview.
He made his nationwide debut in June 2019 with his first album, “OZWORLD.” His signature tracks include “Tatami,” among others, which express a fantastical and spiritual universe.
OZworld’s music is characterized by a distinctive style that fuses nature with the future.
Since his teens, he has participated in numerous media appearances and projects, and has collaborated with top artists both in Japan and abroad, continually showcasing the appeal of Okinawa’s rap scene.
His songs, infused with a resolve to create a world where people can live more freely, are recommended not only for hip-hop fans but also for anyone seeking fresh sounds.
Say whatever you wantLEX
Rapper LEX, who is especially popular among younger generations, has a unique sensibility and background that deeply influence his music.
He began making beats at fourteen and launched his career in 2017 with a remix of XXXTentacion’s “Look At Me.” With his debut album, LEX DAY GAMES 4, he established his musical identity and drew attention as a leading figure in a new urban street music scene.
His work is characterized by attempts to incorporate elements from other genres, such as electronic music, into hip-hop.
LEX’s music expresses human relationships and inner conflicts, conveying his commitment to deep connections and emotions.
He’s an artist recommended not only for hip-hop fans, but also for anyone seeking new forms of music.
BUDS MONTAGESai a.k.a. BADSAIKUSH(Namedaruma)
Sai a.k.a.
BADSAIKUSH is known for his deep voice and slightly off-beat flow.
He’s a rapper who leads the group Nujabes.
He debuted in 2015 with the album “NORTHERNBLUE 1.0.4.” and in 2019, “GODBREATH BUDDHACESS” reached No.
1 in iTunes’ hip-hop category.
With signature tracks amassing over 45 million views on YouTube, he captivates many fans with his distinct worldview.
His musicality has been highly praised, including a nomination for “Hero of the Decade.” He often raps about cannabis, and his songs—featuring lyrics drawn from real everyday life—are irresistibly appealing to hip-hop fans.