A Guide to Vocaloid Rap: A roundup of popular hip‑hop-style Vocaloid tracks

Robinscattered

Robin / Hatsune Miku

I’m drawn to the slightly off-pitch sound image and the rolled-tongue vocal work.

It’s a piece by the Vocaloid producer Barabara-san, released in December 2022.

Because of the distinctive tuning, it can sound like the lyrics are entirely in English, but in reality it’s roughly half Japanese and half English.

If you make music with Vocaloid, you’ll especially appreciate how impressive the arrangement techniques are.

The flow, the decadent lyrics, and the trap-style sound fit together perfectly.

There is no word as shallow as love.Dennoko-P

[Vocaloid] There Are No Words As Shallow As Love / Dennoko-P

A song released on April 6, Aoki Lapis’s birthday, that depicts feelings of inferiority and inner conflict toward Hatsune Miku.

The ever-changing development and striking words create a chaotic atmosphere…

and yet, it’s strangely easy to listen to.

The rhymes riding on the high-speed groove feel great.

The phrase “I love you” is so simple that, depending on the person or the timing, it can sometimes come across as shallow.

When your admiration or the things you love feel like they’re starting to warp, this song is sure to save you.

And I really love the lyrics in the latter half.

FallingTKN

TKN – Falling ft. Hatsune Miku

This is a stylish, fashionable hip-hop track you might hear as club BGM.

Created by Vocaloid producer TKN, it was released in January 2023.

The near-futuristic sound arrangement evokes images of the city at night.

The lyrics, revealing a passionate, single-minded love, are sweet and cute in their finish.

As you listen, you may start to feel like you’re inside the world of the song yourself.

Why not surrender your body and soul to the rhythmic beat and flow?

Digital Lime HustlerLIQ

HATSUNE MIKU × KAGAMINE RIN & LEN (prod. LIQ) – Digital Lime Hustler

An aggressive soundscape interwoven with a dope flow—simply irresistible.

This track is by LIQ, a Vocaloid producer known for works like “Frontier” and “ALICE iN BLACK MARKE,” released in 2021.

It’s a hard-hitting, guitar-heavy, and undeniably cool nu-metal/mixture number.

And the lyricism is quintessential hip-hop.

You can really sense LIQ’s musical breadth here.

Definitely give it a listen when you want to boost your mood.

The moon is far away, isn’t it?Sohbana

Hatsune Miku: “The moon feels far away, doesn’t it?”

An impressively stylish track that evokes the city at night.

It’s a song by Vocaloid producer Sohbana, released in 2021.

The melodic flow matches the sophisticated sound built around a four-on-the-floor beat.

Beyond the vocals, there’s plenty to enjoy: a swaying bassline, a noisy guitar solo, and more.

We all feel that sudden loneliness that hits at night sometimes.

This might resonate especially when you’re in that mood.

A Vocaloid rap with a dynamic balance of motion and stillness.

So to speak, foolish.Hagino

In a manner of speaking, Foolish / Hatsune Miku

It’s a polished Vocaloid track that pairs a sophisticated instrumental with a matter-of-fact, “normal-temperature” vocal tone.

Created by Vocaloid producer Hakino and released in October 2022, it was an entry in the Rookie Ranking of VocaColle 2022 Autumn.

The contrast between the airy lead synths and the punchy bass timbre is striking.

That sonic image meshes well with the wry, slightly jaded lyrics that show exasperation with the world.

It might feel especially immersive when you listen while walking through a crowded cityscape between high-rise buildings.

Hip-Hop Step Jumpfun hobby

Hip-Hop Step Jump / Gakushumi feat. Hatsune Miku

A cute and fun Vocaloid rap that makes you want to jump and groove! Created by Vocaloid producer Rakushumi, it was released in February 2023.

The unique lyrics, unfolding from the perspective of a rabbit MC, are so well-crafted they’ll put a smile on your face just by reading them.

And because the track is rhythmically produced with a lean number of sounds, the high-energy flow fits perfectly.

It’s a piece I can recommend as a “start with this!” when you want to boost your bubbly mood.