Popular Hip-Hop: Japanese Artist Rankings [2026]
Hip-hop is a music genre that has developed alongside its own culture, including dance, rap, and sampling.
Although it originated in the United States, there are many artists in Japan who have been influenced by hip-hop.
This time, we’ll introduce a ranking of popular Japanese artists who perform hip-hop.
Playlist
| Popular Hip-Hop: Japanese Artist Rankings [2026] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | human power plantBUDDHA BRAND |  play_arrow | Top in old-school Japanese rap... |
| 2 | NITRO MICROPHONE UNDERGROUNDNITRO MICROPHONE UNDERGROUND |  play_arrow | 2000s hip-hop, NMUG relaunch |
| 3 | Bees and ButterfliesSOUL SCREAM |  play_arrow | The legendary group that DJ CELORY belongs to… |
| 4 | FateAnarchy |  play_arrow | Kyoto’s leading rapper, ANARCHY, sa... |
| 5 | Tonight is Boogie BackOzawa Kenji feat. Suchadarapaa |  play_arrow | Kenji Ozawa, known as an originator of the Shibuya-kei scene, and La... |
| 6 | overwinteringIce Bahn |  play_arrow | Lauded as the king of rimers… |
| 7 | ALL GODS BLESS MERYKEYDADDYDIRTY |  play_arrow | A signature song by RYKEYDADDYDIRTY, with a low difficulty level |
| 8 | And I Love You SoAK-69 |  play_arrow | A signature song filled with deep feelings of love |
| 9 | Mercury feat. Onomatopoeia Ministertofubeats |  play_arrow | Secondhand CDs and records, brought to life through a computer… |
| 10 | tropical nightRIP SLYME |  play_arrow | An upbeat track that captures the vibe of a midsummer night |
| 11 | YOKAZEHentai Shinshi Kurabu |  play_arrow | A heart-touching song that sublimates the troubles of youth |
| 12 | Summer Jam ’95Suchadarapā |  play_arrow | Scha Dara Parr’s summer theme song |
| 13 | Kawasaki DriftBAD HOP |  play_arrow | An ambitious signature track by eight rappers from Kawasaki |
| 14 | As you areCentipede & Rhyme Man |  play_arrow | A hip-hop song about love and growth |
| 15 | Team friendsChiba Yūki |  play_arrow | Introduction to Trap Music for Middle School Students |
| 16 | Rep feat. MACCHOZORN |  play_arrow | A hip-hop track brimming with hometown pride by ZORN and MACCHO |
| 17 | BUDS MONTAGENectar |  play_arrow | Now a hip-hop group that represents Japan... |
| 18 | Say Anything (feat. JP THE WAVY)LEX |  play_arrow | LEX, who sang about limitless possibilities and expressions of love… |
| 19 | doppelgängerCreepy Nuts |  play_arrow | A danceable four-on-the-floor beat makes a strong impression... |
| 20 | Spring, Summer, Autumn, WinterHilcrhyme |  play_arrow | Comfortable rap that paints the four seasons and warm vocals |
| 21 | I don’t care about being poor.KOHH |  play_arrow | Trap music has had a strong influence on contemporary hip-hop... |
| 22 | Bright roomLEX & LANA |  play_arrow | LEX and LAN, weaving a story of hardship and growth… |
| 23 | free spaceGadoro |  play_arrow | Over a driving, fast-paced beat, life and values... |
| 24 | My Resort¥ellow bucks |  play_arrow | Summer sounds of a private beach |
| 25 | Remember feat. YOUNG JUJU (Prod. Chaki Zulu)Awich |  play_arrow | Okinawa-born rapper Awich captivates with her English and vocal prowess. |
| 26 | Blessing in Disguise feat. kZm, PETZ, JNKMN, Awich, MonyHorse & U-LeeYENTOWN |  play_arrow | A powerful work portraying the lives and friendships of YENTOWN |
| 27 | DNA feat. Kohjiya, PUNPEEBIM |  play_arrow | BIM’s new track heats up the heart with soul-stirring bars |
| 28 | Gear 5 feat. ACE COOL & Ralph（Prod. FOUX）OZworld |  play_arrow | From Okinawa: a new song of challenge and growth that resonates with the heart |
| 29 | As Love IsBASI |  play_arrow | A hip-hop track that depicts warmth and love |
| 30 | it’s okayLANA |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that depicts Lana’s bittersweet summer emotions |
| 31 | Heart Throbsnobobyknows̟+ |  play_arrow | nobodyknows+'s signature song is, hi... |
| 32 | MarcheKICK THE CAN CREW |  play_arrow | A relay-style performance by three energetic MCs… |
| 33 | I’m in ChargeTOKONA-X |  play_arrow | Passionately expressing TOKONA-X's rapper life philosophy |
| 34 | Miss Luxury feat. LANA, JP THE WAVY, ¥ellow Bucks Prod. DJ PMXYZERR |  play_arrow | A deluxe featured track by YZERR |
| 35 | beautiful womanchanmina |  play_arrow | Chanmina, an acclaimed powerhouse drawing attention for her multilingual rap |
| 36 | WAVEBODY (Remix)JP THE WAVY |  play_arrow | A summer track from JP THE WAVY—nostalgic and uplifting. |
| 37 | Money Baby ft. AwichKEIJU |  play_arrow | A love song that portrays the profound meaning of money and love |
| 38 | In My LifeSALU |  play_arrow | SALU from Sapporo sings about life |
| 39 | The Last One feat. J-REXXXJAPANĪZUMAGENĪZU |  play_arrow | A Musical Tale of Farewells and New Beginnings |
| 40 | Made my dayDakkii × Sweet William |  play_arrow | Okinawan rapper Tsubaki’s new song is making waves |
| 41 | MakuharBonbero, LANA, MFS, Watson |  play_arrow | An artist who represents the new generation of Japanese rap… |
| 42 | Yukichi FukuzawaNinja We Made It. |  play_arrow | Aiming to be Japan's coolest creative collective |
| 43 | Hey GirlOZROSAURUS |  play_arrow | Debuted at 12: a love song by the venerable OZROSAURUS |
| 44 | One should lend an earRHYMESTER |  play_arrow | Introduction to RHYMESTER’s signature songs |
| 45 | Agari Sagari feat. R-Shitei & CHEHONSPICY CHOCOLATE |  play_arrow | An upbeat HIPHOP and reggae tune has arrived |
| 46 | Reality feelin’ on my mindVaVa |  play_arrow | Feeling sentimental with VaVa’s soothing tracks |
| 47 | Complete Roundup (REMIX) feat. NORIKIYO, SHINGO★Nishinari, KanInthumiai Kumiai |  play_arrow | A hardcore hip-hop classic |
| 48 | RGTO feat. SALU, Teflon Hagane and K Dub ShineAKLO |  play_arrow | A work that symbolizes a new era of Japanese rap, where multiple rappers have come together |
| 49 | Girl Like MeCream |  play_arrow | A male-female EDM x hip-hop duo |
| 50 | Poem of a VillainD.O |  play_arrow | D.O returns from prison, releases new song |
| 51 | Foxxi misQDJ PMX Miss Luxury (P.V. Version) feat. MACCHO, GIPPER, KOZ, HI-D. |  play_arrow | Sweet Lime Love Song |
| 52 | What’s Poppin feat. LANAJP THE WAVY & JIGG |  play_arrow | A collaboration track by JP THE WAVY and JIGG |
| 53 | City Breeze feat. REAL-TJin Dogg |  play_arrow | An anthem of encouragement that sings about a rapper’s real-life experiences |
| 54 | everything; the whole lot; lock, stock, and barrelKREVA |  play_arrow | Summer love song, with memorable melody and rhyme |
| 55 | Testimony feat. RINO, YOU THE ROCK, GK MARYAN, ZEEBRA, TWIGY, GAMA, DEV-LARGELamp Eye |  play_arrow | A classic 90s hip-hop track with historical value |
| 56 | WAKARIMASENMIYACHI |  play_arrow | Rapper from New York, MIYACH… |
| 57 | Higher (dir. Spikey John)Mall Boyz (Tohji, gummyboy) |  play_arrow | A rising rapper born in London and raised in Yokohama |
| 58 | Baby Girl ～sweet lovesong～Mr.OZ feat CITY-ACE |  play_arrow | Classic love songs that express love |
| 59 | Our Song feat. MACCHONORIKIYO |  play_arrow | A rap track depicting friendship and self-affirmation |
| 60 | snow jamRin Oto |  play_arrow | A heartwarming love song to listen to on a winter night |
| 61 | Perfect Blue (feat. Tiji Jojo, Daichi Yamamoto, RYO-Z)STUTS & ZOT on the WAVE |  play_arrow | Summer drive hip-hop by STUTS and ZOT |
| 62 | LONGINESS REMIXSugLawd Familiar, CHICO CARLITO, Awich |  play_arrow | A new Okinawan hip-hop track becomes a big hit |
| 63 | Neva EnuffZEEBRA + AKTION |  play_arrow | An intense piece inspired by Takeshi Kitano films |
| 64 | Easy Breezychelmico |  play_arrow | This by the female rap duo chelmico… |
| 65 | Feeling great!!mihimaru GT |  play_arrow | A male–female duo music unit, mihimar… |
| 66 | Do As You Like (Prod. GeG)hentai shinshi kurabu (WillyWonka × VIGORMAN) |  play_arrow | Kansai new-generation duo “Hentai Shinshi Club” |
| 67 | Seriously highUmeda Saifā |  play_arrow | A classic track by an Osaka-based hip-hop collective |
| 68 | Cheerschinza DOPENESS |  play_arrow | The unique flow and sense of rhythm of Chinza DOPENESS |
| 69 | Change My LifeIn Man |  play_arrow | Rhyme Man releases the track 'Change My Life' |
| 70 | Lip Service MonsterGaki Renjā |  play_arrow | High-quality audio sources and staging of classic Japanese rap tracks |
| 71 | Bad B*tch Aesthetic RemixAwich, NENE, LANA, MaRI, AI & YURIYAN RETRIEVER |  play_arrow | A stunning track featuring a lineup of female rappers—distinctive and full of character. |
| 72 | all green feat. TsuwamonoDJ RYOW |  play_arrow | Introduction to a track by DJ RYOW and Tsubaki |
| 73 | My WayDef Tech |  play_arrow | Def Tech delivers a powerful message of youth. |
| 74 | Grateful Days featuring Aco, ZeebraDragon Ash |  play_arrow | Dragon Ash's gratitude theme song |
| 75 | FAKE LANDFAKE TYPE. |  play_arrow | A rap of madness and pleasure at the theme park |
| 76 | How Many BoogieFuma no KTR × SKRYU × WAZGOGG |  play_arrow | A song that conveys the importance of following your own path |
| 77 | Merry Go Round feat. BASI, Tsubaki, VIGORMAN, WILYWNKAGeG |  play_arrow | Merry Go Round by Hentai Shinshi Club |
| 78 | BushidoGood Gas & JP THE WAVY |  play_arrow | Hip hop fusing Japanese culture and trap |
| 79 | PHONEHITOMIN |  play_arrow | 'PHONE' is gaining popularity mainly on social media... |
| 80 | TOMBIKvi Baba |  play_arrow | The TV anime “TRIGUN STAMPE… |
| 81 | Make It Rain (feat. eyden & Watson)MC TYSON |  play_arrow | MC TYSON’s new song, luxurious hip-hop |
| 82 | Viva HappyMitchie M |  play_arrow | A bright, upbeat tune by 23.exe — a cute Hatsune Miku song |
| 83 | ain’t on the map yetNulbarich |  play_arrow | A song about feelings for someone special |
| 84 | Brain Narcotics RemixRAY |  play_arrow | Star-studded artists join the remix version of RAY |
| 85 | LOOPSIRUP |  play_arrow | A sentimental autumn song, painting memories |
| 86 | WekapipoSOUL’d OUT |  play_arrow | A positive message, a hip-hop masterpiece |
| 87 | Summer SituationSTUTS×SIKK-O×Suzuki Mamiko |  play_arrow | A collaborative song that depicts bittersweet summer scenes |
| 88 | STAY TUNESuchmos |  play_arrow | Suchmos’s iconic song that embodies acid jazz |
| 89 | PassionUA |  play_arrow | UA's signature song 'Jounetsu' is a captivating track. |
| 90 | Take It Easy feat. Tsubaki (Prod. GeG)WILYWNKA |  play_arrow | A summer-ready collaborative track by two rappers from Osaka |
| 91 | Street DreamsZeebra |  play_arrow | Introduction to Zeebra’s classic song “Street Dreams” |
| 92 | Amber-Hued City, Morning of Shanghai Crabskururi |  play_arrow | A rock ballad woven from the bustle of the city and a sense of nostalgia... |
| 93 | public executionkingu gidora |  play_arrow | A critical rap song by King Giddra |
| 94 | FriendKetsumeishi |  play_arrow | Emotional songs like “Natsu no Omoide” and “Sakura”… |
| 95 | Knock Knockpirafu seijin |  play_arrow | The song “Knock Knock” by Pilaf Aliens is recommended. |
| 96 | Gimme×GimmeHachiouji P × Giga |  play_arrow | The ultimate collab song by Hachioji-P and Giga—so good! |
| 97 | Come Be My Bride 2015Kayama Yūzō feat. PUNPEE |  play_arrow | A contemporary remix of Yuzo Kayama’s classic song |
| 98 | mysteryHoshino Gen |  play_arrow | Gen Hoshino’s new song: the evolution and appeal of R&B |
| 99 | MomotaroSuiyōbi no Campanella |  play_arrow | An electro-rap track of a modern-style ‘Momotaro’ |
| 100 | I really, really, really, really, really hate it.Ame Ryou |  play_arrow | A song depicting the conflict between Hatsune Miku and Kasane Teto |