[Reggae 101] Enjoy the Music! A Roundup of Popular Japanese Reggae Artists
“Japa-reggae” is reggae music born in Jamaica, evolved with a distinctly Japanese sensibility.
Its sound and lyrics bring a unique radiance to the music scene.
The gentle, embracing rhythms and the delicate lyrical expression unique to the Japanese language are its charms.
In this article, we’ll introduce artists who let you fully savor the appeal of Japa-reggae.
If you’re looking to discover music you’ve never encountered before, this is content you’ll definitely want to check out!
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[Introduction to Reggae] Enjoy the music! A roundup of popular Japanese reggae artists (1–10)
I’m watching you.SPINNA B-ILL
Spinna B-ILL is a singer whose soul-stirring, un-Japanese soulful voice grabs listeners by the heart.
Rooted in reggae and boldly fusing soul and R&B, his genre-defying musicality is part of his appeal.
He debuted in 2002 with the band Spinna B-ill & The Cavemans, and their songs, packed with powerful messages, earned overwhelming support from reggae listeners.
After going solo, he has remained highly active; in June 2020, he continued to evolve by releasing the collaborative album “Miteruyo” with HOME GROWN.
He’s the perfect artist for anyone who wants to be moved by a voice that resonates with the heart or lose themselves in a free-flowing groove.
Midsummer OrionINFINITY16
INFINITY 16 is a reggae sound crew based in Yokohama, led by TELA-C.
They actively collaborate with a wide range of artists and have been a driving force in Japan’s reggae scene.
Their catchy sound features reggae at its core while incorporating elements of J-pop.
They have released many hit songs, including collaborations such as “Midsummer Orion” and “Sparkler” with artists like MINMI, Wakadanna, and SHOCK EYE.
OSAKA TOWNMIGHTY JAM ROCK
A collective that rewrote Japan’s reggae scene from the streets of Osaka.
In 1998, they produced the high-quality mixtape “Sound Bacteria” as a “mysterious mixing crew.” With sound quality that was groundbreaking for its time, their music rang out across Osaka and sparked a major movement.
Rooted in Jamaican style, they went on to establish a powerful Japanese-language dancehall.
Their flagship reggae festival, Highest Mountain, drew 25,000 people in 2006 and remains beloved by reggae fans.
Having built the culture itself, their tough, heavyweight sound is perfect for anyone seeking the real heat of the scene.
[Reggae Basics] Let’s Enjoy the Music! Popular Japanese Reggae Artists (11–20)
Lifetime RespectMiki Dōsan
Michidouzan Miki, who established a monument in Japan’s reggae scene.
Starting out from Nara in 1992, he was a pioneer who opened the path for “Japa-reggae,” expressing Jamaica-born music in Japanese.
He made his major debut in 2000, and the following year, his song “Lifetime Respect,” which earnestly sings of love for a special person, became a huge hit.
It was the first reggae work in Japan to reach No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
Although he once paused his activities, his passion for music never waned, and he made a comeback as DOZAN11.
Beyond music, he has also blossomed as a picture-book author.
Many people may find their hearts gently embraced by the warmth of his words and rhythms.
ImpactCHEHON
He is a reggae DJ from Tsuruhashi, Osaka.
He made his major debut in 2008 and has continued releasing mainly several singles and albums.
After his solo tour in 2010, he moved his base of activities to Jamaica, and following several years of rigorous training, he returned to Japan and has been appearing at events and more.
Drown LoveARIWA
Vocalist ARIWA, who has musical experience in New York and Jamaica, is the central figure of the band ASOUND, formed in 2020.
Their appeal lies in a sound rooted in roots reggae while freely incorporating a wide range of styles such as R&B, jazz, and cumbia.
Unbound by genre, their commitment to pursuing whatever music they want to make in the moment makes listening to them genuinely exciting.
ASOUND’s rising profile is clear from their appearance at FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ’22 in 2022 and the instant sellout of their analog release “Original.” Why not immerse yourself in ARIWA’s soulful vocals, which cherish the natural resonance of the Japanese language?
You should live as you like.THUNDER
THUNDER, whose raw words from the streets of his hometown Amagasaki have captured the hearts of many fans, switched from the hip-hop world to reggae in 2004 and established a unique style that fuses Jamaica’s fiery vibes with sharp Japanese lyrics.
In 2011, he independently released the album “Raion.” His 2017 release “Tonda no Best” topped the reggae album charts.
His real, powerful messages will give you the courage to take the next step when you hit a wall.