Captivating in many styles and forms! Love songs in Japanese rap

Bedtime Candy No. 2Kubota Kai

[MV] Kubota Kai / Bedtime Candy No. 2

A mellow hip-hop number that portrays the complex mix of sweetness and self-loathing felt by a young man who ends up spending the night with the person he secretly liked.

It’s the lead track from Miyazaki-born Kubota Kai’s 2019 EP “Myōjō,” and its appeal lies in its literary lyrics—quoting poet Chuya Nakahara—and its urban, R&B-tinged production.

From the late-night push and pull to the emptiness of the morning after, the song unfolds with detailed scenes that pierce the heart with an unvarnished take on love.

The flow that moves between rapping and singing is addictive, making it a track you’ll want to listen to while wandering through the city at night.

One More Time (feat. NØZ)torain

One More Time (feat. NØZ)

A Gen Z rapper from Hiroshima, Koin—known for the phrase “Obazuri mōshiagemasu”—teams up with R&B singer NØZ on this track, a poignant love song that stands apart from his usual viral-leaning style.

Its straightforward plea—asking a lover on the verge of leaving to stay by their side just once more—hits straight to the heart.

Over a gentle, mid-tempo track, Koin’s melodic rap weaves with NØZ’s soft vocals, resulting in a work that transcends the boundary between hip-hop and J-pop.

Since its 2022 release, it’s been selected for LINE MUSIC’s year-end J-rap playlist and used over 20,000 times on video apps, capturing the hearts of the social media generation.

It’s the song to play when you’re not quite ready to accept the end of a romance.

Jam feat. iriSuzuki Mamiko

Mamikko Suzuki – Jam feat. iri (official music video)

A collaborative track created by Suzuki Mamiko—active as Mamiko of chelmico—with her close friend iri as a guest.

Over an urban sound woven from jazzy piano and a swinging beat, their voices layer as if in conversation, making for a comfortable listen.

Released ahead of her solo album “ms” in August 2021, the song was accompanied by a music video that captures their unadorned selves wandering along the seaside and city streets.

Co-written lyrics sketch the warmth and scenes of time spent together, while a vocal style that drifts between rap and singing creates an intimate atmosphere.

It’s a piece that keeps you company on a relaxed day off or when you want to unwind with someone special.

Christmas Eve RapKICK THE CAN CREW

Christmas Eve RAP (with lyrics)

This is the fourth single CD by KICK THE CAN CREW, released in 2001.

Sampling Tatsuro Yamashita’s classic “Christmas Eve” and infusing it with their gritty, distinctive style, the track became a big hit and served as the breakthrough that brought KICK THE CAN CREW to wider recognition.

Come Be My Bride 2015Kayama Yūzō feat. PUNPEE

Come Be My Bride 2015 / Yuzo Kayama feat. PUNPEE

As part of Yuzo Kayama’s remix project, this track was remixed by rapper PUNPEE in 2015.

For reference, the original song was released in 1966.

It features a bouncy, cheerful beat that highlights PUNPEE’s rap, and the deep tone of Kayama’s vocals joining in on the chorus is a perfect match.

It’s a standout remix that represents the J-rap scene of the 2010s.

The retro-revival style feels effortlessly chic, making it a wonderful work.

I’d love to hear more pieces like this.

It’s also popular at wedding after-parties.

Pure Love SongShonan no Kaze

Shonan no Kaze “Junrenka” MUSIC VIDEO (Original ver.)

This is the hit song “Junrenka” by a four-member reggae group.

It’s a love song that tells a story within the music, from the first meeting with his girlfriend where love begins, to his feelings for her deepening more and more.

It’s a song filled with a man’s feelings for the girlfriend he loves.

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Don’t worry.hannya

Hannya / Don't worry

This is a love song by the rapper Hannya—also known as the final boss of Freestyle Dungeon—featured on his 2005 album Nekosogi.

Remarkably, the song’s composition includes participation by Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi, which lends it a distinctly masculine vibe.