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