A roundup of Japanese rap to listen to in summer: classic tracks of Japanese hip-hop

When you think of Japanese rap summer songs, does any track come to mind?

Even listeners who don’t usually listen to hip-hop probably know signature songs by popular groups and tracks by legendary artists who’ve led the scene—there are so many to choose from.

In this article, we’ll introduce a bunch of hip-hop tracks you’ll want to play as summer approaches.

Alongside timeless classics, there are plenty of great picks from artists who’ve been getting attention recently.

We hope you discover some amazing songs here.

Playlist

A roundup of Japanese rap to listen to in summer: classic tracks of Japanese hip-hop
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	GoodtimeSALU		SALU's chill flow and musicality
2	it’s okayLANA		A masterpiece that depicts Lana’s bittersweet summer emotions
3	Summer Jam ’95Chinza DOPENESS × Tamaki ROI × U-zhaan		Summer hip-hop, laid-back beats are the best
4	Soda WaterDakki		Sutaki, a summer track by an Okinawan rapper.
5	Flashback, summer.RHYMESTER		The summer-themed masterpiece “Flashback, Summer.”
6	Summer SituationSTUTS×SIKK-O×Suzuki Mamiko		A collaborative song that depicts bittersweet summer scenes
7	DNA feat. Kohjiya, PUNPEEBIM		A pleasant track that makes you feel the end of summer
8	Feel feat. IO, Tsubaki & Yo-SeaDJ CHARI & DJ TATSUKI		A pleasant song to listen to on a summer evening
9	Good job, summer!HALCALI		A hidden gem that sings of summer’s end
10	One Love feat. kZmBIM		A song by BIM and kZm that portrays summer love and dreams
11	NINOKUNI feat. TsubakiOZworld		A captivating summer track by OZworld and Tsubaki
12	Gorgeous feat. ¥ellow Bucks & NephewWILYWNKA		A refreshing summer R&B album packed with party vibes
13	Switch (Prod. Cosaqu)Umeda Saifā		A track notable for Umeda Cipher’s fiery rap
14	My Resort¥ellow bucks		Summer sounds of a private beach
15	Ocean ViewBAD HOP		The best song with friends that colors the summer
16	SMASH HITDJ CHARI, kZm & JP THE WAVY		A futuristic track that hypes up the party
17	Jiyū Kūkan (Prod. CHIVA from BUZZER BEATS)Gadoro		GADORO’s “Jiyū Kūkan”: a contrast between countryside and city
18	Bright roomLEX & LANA		A moving work by the siblings LEX and LANA
19	Familyeyden		A rap track with summer vibes and passion
20	Gear 5 feat. ACE COOL & Ralph（Prod. FOUX）OZworld		From Okinawa: a new song of challenge and growth that resonates with the heart
21	everything; the whole lot; lock, stock, and barrelKREVA		Summer love song, with memorable melody and rhyme
22	tropical nightRIP SLYME		Music that colors a sexy summer night
23	Good Vibes Only feat. JP THE WAVY, EXILE SHOKICHISALU		A summer track by SALU, a rapper from Hokkaido
24	SushiJinmenusagi		A summer song by the net rapper Jinmenusagi
25	Merry Go Round feat. BASI, Tsubaki, VIGORMAN, WILYWNKAGeG		Merry Go Round by Hentai Shinshi Club
26	human power plantBUDDHA BRAND		A classic track by BUDDHA BRAND, legends of Japanese rap
27	Summer Ride (feat. ¥ellow Bucks)LANA		A refreshing tune that colors the summer coastline
28	Hey GirlOZROSAURUS		Debuted at 12: a love song by the venerable OZROSAURUS
29	Chit-Chit-ChatSKY-HI		SKY-HI songs you want to listen to in the summer
30	Perfect Blue (feat. Tiji Jojo, Daichi Yamamoto, RYO-Z)STUTS & ZOT on the WAVE		Summer drive hip-hop by STUTS and ZOT
31	ItsunaroubaKICK THE CAN CREW		A KICK classic that captures summer memories
32	Take It Easy feat. Tsubaki (Prod. GeG)WILYWNKA		A summer-ready collaborative track by two rappers from Osaka
33	Tonight is Boogie BackSuchadarapā		A classic old-school hip-hop track
34	Well, since it’s summer,kaseki saidaa≡		Express summer memories in Japanese rap
35	Pretenders feat. C.O.S.A. & Yo-SeaSTUTS		A soothing track perfect for summer nights
36	One TemperatureMondo Grosso		A tour de force by Big-O, produced by Shinichi Osawa
37	eye to eyeNakamura Kaho × Kan Sano		A summer song by Kaho Nakamura and Kan Sano
38	I Think I’m FallingKOHH		KOHH’s summer track, Trap and Future Bass
39	A Premonition of BeginningsKetsumeishi		Ketsumeishi’s classic summer hit, enjoyable even for beginners
40	T.U.B.E.chinza DOPENESS		Enjoy summer to the fullest! Feeling great in our tropical-themed truck
41	good boy, bad boy feat SEEDA, KREVAKumai Gorō		collaboration song by an underground singer
42	HEAT ISLAND feat.FIRE BALLRHYMESTER		A hot summer song by RHYMESTER and FIRE BALL
43	Summer MemoriesKetsumeishi		Ketsumeishi, a popular group known for their classic summer songs.
44	Wave feat. C.O.S.A.Dangaryu		A song that sings of Dengaryu’s courage and challenge
45	WAVEBODY (Remix)JP THE WAVY		A summer track from JP THE WAVY—nostalgic and uplifting.
46	TricksterSKY-HI		SKY-HI's rap is deep and captivating.
47	Live Like SummerSkaai × KM		The glimmer of cars and music at summer's end
48	Miss Luxury feat. LANA, JP THE WAVY, ¥ellow Bucks Prod. DJ PMXYZERR		A deluxe featured track by YZERR
49	Lego!! RemixKEN THE 390		A summer track—the music video is full of summer vacation vibes and it's GOOD.
50	SummertimeRIRI, KEIJU, Kobukuro Nariaki		A summer song that sings of the thrill of love along with the sound of the waves
51	Summer Film’s feat. Kubo Takai, Sora-neRin Oto		A summer collaboration track by three next-generation rappers
52	jamSuzuki Mamiko feat. iri		Mamiko Suzuki’s soothing summer track “Jam”
53	Summer Symphony Ver.2Sogabe Keiichi ft. PSG		A summer anthem in collaboration with PSG, featuring chill, captivating rap
54	12cm Shoulders feat. Baby Dee Beatst-Ace		A rap from real-life experience, t-Ace’s summer tune
55	My Summer Vacation feat. Bobby BellwoodZEN-LA-ROCK		The perfect song to get you into the summer vacation mood
56	Twilight Summer feat. Scha Dara Parr & PUSHIMHASE-T		HASE-T’s commemorative song imbued with the feelings of summer
57	Paradise BabyRIP SLYME		RIP SLYME’s summer classic, Rakuen Baby
58	Motto Ue(Higher Above)Omen44 x Nipps x Vikn		A rap collaboration song by Omen and Gang of Four
59	We GOKetsumeishi		An Anthem to Cheer on Newcomers’ Growth
60	Remember feat. YOUNG JUJU (Prod. Chaki Zulu)Awich		Okinawa-born rapper Awich captivates with her English and vocal prowess.
61	Summer MagicEnjoy Music Club		A masterpiece that portrays the bittersweet feelings of summer
62	TAKE IT OFFISH-ONE		A bilingual summer rap track, ISH-ONE
63	Yay!KAKATO		A song with a mysterious charm that helps you relax
64	Payment in fullNORIKIYO		NORIKIYO’s passionate summer track “Full Payment”
65	Hell Trainstillichimiya		stilichimiya's music video enjoying summer
66	Big Laughs feat. SIMON & Zeebra (Prod. Kiwy)Gadoro		A classic summer song: GADORO’s uplifting track
67	Back to the JungleAkko Gorira		A perfect Akkogorilla track for summer
68	Space Saharamanju (HOOLIGANZ)		Summer song by the members of HOOLIGANZ
69	It’s been delivered.hannya		The last monster from the Delusion Riders
70	Taking a NapSALU		A summer dusk, SALU’s heart-stirring song
71	Come DownYo-Sea · MuKuRo		A supreme song that captures the feeling of summer in Okinawa
72	My Resort Pt. 2¥ellow bucks		Summer dusk, soothing music
73	LAST SUMMER SONGhyakuzoku		A bittersweet song of centipedes listened to at the end of summer
74	All Caught in One Net (Remix)Inthumiai Kumiai		Massive hip-hop gathering! A star-studded collaboration of amazing artists.
75	ROOM VACATION feat. Tsubaki & Emi OkamotoDJ HASEBE		Summer room time drawn by a trio collaboration
76	Honey Bunnychelmico		A song that resonates with the unmotivated mood brought on by the heat
77	Shake Dat Ass feat. AISHAAnarchy		A song that heats up the summer: 'Shake Dat Ass'
78	YOKAZEHentai Shinshi Kurabu		A heart-touching song that sublimates the troubles of youth
79	RUN AWAYSm-flo ♡ chelmico		A near-futuristic drum and bass rap song
80	Fade OutS.l.a.c.k.&Ces2		HIPHOP, 5lack’s smooth rap
81	one thousand percentKICK THE CAN CREW		Showcasing refreshing hip-hop in the masterpiece “1000%”
82	Perfect QueenZeebra		A summer-ready sea and ZEEBRA’s love song
83	I can see you againKetsumeishi		Ketsumeishi’s summer classic “Mata Kimi ni Aeru” (“I Can See You Again”).
84	THE FUTURE ONEAKLO & XBS		NIKE’s 30th-anniversary song, a highly anticipated collaboration
85	Mikoshi RockersKICK THE CAN CREW		A hip-hop track that amps up the summer festival vibes
86	HH – He Has –KOJOE x OLIVE OIL		Bilingual rapper with serious skills!
87	SWAGL-VOKAL		A captivating bilingual rap track
88	Mononoke KyotoMNNK Bro. (Takashi Murakami & JP THE WAVY)		Takashi Murakami and JP THE WAVY’s new song
89	Delinquent Foreigner feat. MIYACHI, AKLOMaRI		Socially critical hip-hop, voices of minorities
90	Go feat. OZworld (Prod. DJ JAM)PETZ		An Afrobeat track with a sense of speed and a fantastical vibe
91	Yoppa Rattadongurizu		Dongurizu’s relaxing classic
92	Sōsōkyokutamada rooy		Enjoying summer in nature at Roy’s live show
93	You Know What?benizakura		Benizakura: Powerful music that sings of resurgence and hope
94	Sweet Wine (feat. Youth of Roots)BIM		A love story set on a summer seaside
95	Runaway“E”qual		A rap that hits for a ROCKin’ “E”qual summer
96	Fantastic 4DIORI a.k.a D-Originu		Shinpeita's song that opens a new frontier in J-hip hop
97	Summer Sweetz ～CIGAR ＆ LIQUOR～DS455		A hip-hop track that suits a summer evening
98	broad daylightZeebra		A Zeebra track that exudes a summer vibe
99	A summer that ends in secondslyrical school		Refreshing rap by Lyrical School to enjoy the summer
100	Magic hourSTUTS, BIM, RYO-Z		RIP SLYME’s pleasant summer collaboration track