A masterpiece of Japanese black music. A noteworthy work embodying the soul of black music.
Black music originally refers to music genres with roots in Africa, encompassing a very wide range such as jazz, blues, funk, soul, R&B, and hip-hop.
When we think of black music, we tend to picture songs by overseas artists, but in fact there are many cool tracks within Japan that have brilliantly incorporated black music.
In this article, we’ll showcase a selection of black music created by Japanese artists all at once!
From popular singer-songwriters to bands, we’ve gathered songs from a variety of artists, so take this opportunity to give them a listen!
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Masterpieces of Japanese black music. Featured works embodying the spirit of Black music (31–40)
Cold DancerScoobie Do
This is a song by SCOOBIE DO, a band formed in 1995.
It’s included on their 2017 album “CRACKLACK.” The bouncy guitar riff in the intro really sticks in your ears.
The music video, which looks like they’re playing Red Light, Green Light (Daruma-san ga koronda), is unique.
Lonely Genius (So What)sakai yū feat Terrace Martin
Yu Sakai, who delivers authentic black music sounds honed at the source, included “Kodoku no Tensai” (“Genius of Solitude”) on his 2020 album Touch The World.
The song’s intro quotes a phrase from “So What,” the classic by Miles Davis, the jazz trumpeter whom Sakai deeply admires.
The recording features renowned American jazz musicians.
Although the tempo is relaxed, the forward-driving 16-beat groove makes it a very satisfying track.
LOOPSIRUP
This song is perfect for when you want to sink into a sentimental autumn mood! It’s a track from singer-songwriter KYOtaro’s solo project, crafted by SIRUP.
With a sound rooted in R&B and soul, it’s sure to resonate with fans of Black music.
At first, it sounds like it’s depicting joyful everyday moments—like café dates and drives with a lover—but hidden beneath is a bittersweet story of someone replaying memories with a person who’s no longer by their side.
The sweet, mellow vocals and laid-back groove seem to gently wrap around the protagonist’s bittersweet recollections.
Released digitally in 2018 and included on the EP “SIRUP EP2,” this refined sound will enrich your autumn moments—perfect for a solo night in or a drive.
Life Like ThisWONK,Kubota Toshinobu
It’s a gem of a soul number that stirs the heart with a miraculous cross-generational collaboration.
The uniquely wavering beat crafted by the experimental soul band WONK is stylish and downright cool.
On top of that, the groove woven by Toshinobu Kubota and WONK’s Kento Nagatsuka on vocals is absolutely stunning.
The song asks how we choose to live, even in a world swirling with conflict and anxiety.
And yet, it radiates a powerful resolve to keep our feet on the ground and face forward.
Released in September 2024, the track conveys the mutual respect both parties have for each other’s music.
When the daily news wears you down or you need the courage to take a step into the future, listening to this will surely give you a push.
JAM fo’ freedomKubota Toshinobu
This is a funk track marked by an energetic groove and vocals that make your heart skip just by listening.
It’s included on the album “Beautiful People,” released in November 2019.
The song delivers a powerful, positive message that celebrates everyone.
The remix with SASUKE was selected as the official theme song for the 2019–20 season of Japan’s professional men’s basketball league, the B.LEAGUE.
It stirs a sense of exhilaration as if you’re watching an incredible highlight play, and you can’t help but start moving to it.
It’s a perfect song to lift your spirits and give you a strong push when you’re taking on a challenge.
Masterpieces of Japanese black music. Featured works embodying the spirit of black music (41–50)
All conditioned things are impermanent.Kubota Toshinobu
This is a refined pop song by Toshinobu Kubota, a singer-songwriter who has pioneered Japan’s R&B scene.
It may be a warm anthem of encouragement that gently wraps around those striving toward their goals.
For those of us navigating a rapidly changing society, it seems to teach the importance of responding not with severity, but with kindness.
The track was released in June 2025, just ahead of the 40th anniversary of his debut, and it’s well known as the ending theme of the economic news program WBS.
It’s also included on the best-of album “THE BADDEST IV & Timeless Hits.” Listening at the end of the day might soothe a tired heart and make that first step toward tomorrow feel a little lighter.
Tokyo 2020Nao Yoshioka
Tokyo 2020 is a single released in 2022 by Nao Yoshioka, a soul singer from Osaka who is based in New York.
The song was created while she was temporarily staying in Tokyo after she was forced to put her activities in the U.S.
on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s a mellow, soulful track that lets you fully savor the voice of an artist active on the global stage.
The electric sitar tone used in the intro calls to mind the Stylistics, a group emblematic of Philly soul.