Japanese R&B Popularity Rankings [2026]

Balmy LifeKroi22rank/position

Kroi – Balmy Life [Official Video]

Kroi is a band rooted in Black music genres such as hip-hop, funk, and soul.

Featured on their major-label debut album “LENS,” released in 2021, is the track “Balmy Life.” It topped Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart and received power-play rotation on more than 35 radio stations nationwide.

The chord progression, which makes extensive use of dominant 7th chords with a funky sound, along with the bouncy 16-beat groove, really evokes the essence of Black music.

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Hamada Takuya

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SSWBD.A.N.23rank/position

D.A.N. – SSWB (Official Video)

The single “SSWB,” released by D.A.N.

in 2017, is captivating for its groovy club sound driven by a undulating bass.

D.A.N.

is a three-piece band formed in 2014, known for a floating, addictive sound, and has been described as “Japanese minimal mellow.” In “SSWB,” the calmly played combination of bass and drums is layered with synths, electric piano, and steel pans, shaping its distinctive sonic world.

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Hamada Takuya

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BE THE GROOVESIRUP24rank/position

SIRUP – BE THE GROOVE (Official Music Video)

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.

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Yuuki

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Stay For Me ~I Won’t Forget You~Tina25rank/position

Tina – Stay For Me ~I Won’t Forget You~

Tina, an artist who gained popularity for her unique, soulful sound that blends a wide range of genres including jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and soul.

While it might be considered neo-soul, it reflects a stronger jazz influence, and along with UA—who was also active in the early 2000s—she helped energize Black music in Japan.

Her song “Stay For Me ~Wasurete Agenai~” is known as one of her classics, featuring a darker mood created by combining R&B and jazz.

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Ryo

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Groove MeShunské G & The Peas26rank/position

Shunské G & The Peas “Groove Me” (Official Music Video)

Shunské G & The Peas is a soul band known for their authentic, striking sound.

It’s pronounced “Shunsuke G and the Peas.” Their soul and R&B aren’t simple imitations of US or UK styles; rather, they weave those genres into the fabric of Japanese J-pop.

Their track Groove Me is packed with their distinctive musicality.

If you’re into funky R&B, this one will hit the spot.

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Ryo

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Yellow StopManami27rank/position

Manami ~ Yellow Stop

This is Manami’s single, discovered by overseas producers.

It’s a track where high-level vocals collide with a dance music production crafted by Black creators, and it drew significant attention even from hardcore Black music fans.

Rain LoveBRADIO28rank/position

BRADIO – Rain Love [Adults, Go Play - HIT PARADE TOUR ver.]

A track included on the first mini album “DIAMOND POPS,” released in October 2013.

Its open, sky-evoking sound combined with a sweet voice makes it very pop, easy to listen to, and allows the lyrics to come through directly.