We’ve put together a bunch of hip-hop tracks that people in their 30s will find nostalgic!
Hip-hop arrived in Japan in the 1980s, and by the 1990s Japanese hip-hop artists were really starting to make a name for themselves.
We’ve gathered songs that hip-hop fans from that 30-something generation are likely to have heard, so they should bring back some good memories.
We included both Japanese and international tracks, so give them a listen and relive how you felt back then.
We’re sure the memories will come flooding back.
Alright, let’s get started!
- [Japanese Hip-Hop] Classic Tracks of Japanese Rap
- For men in their 30s: Nostalgic music. Recommended popular songs
- Rap songs you want to sing at karaoke—tracks everyone can sing together and get hyped
- [Nostalgic hits] Dance music that resonates with people in their 30s. Popular dance tracks.
- Recommended songs for a drive (for people in their 30s)
- Classic rap songs recommended for people in their 20s
- An anthem for your 30s. Beloved and popular songs that are both heart-pumping and heart-fluttering.
- [Spring Songs Recommended for People in Their 30s] Carefully Selected Nostalgic Classics & Big Hits
- [Hip-Hop Classics] Timeless HIPHOP / Golden Oldies
- A roundup of Japanese rap to listen to in summer: classic tracks of Japanese hip-hop
- [Spring Songs Recommended for People in Their 40s] Relive Your Youth! A Selection of Nostalgic Tracks
- A hip-hop love song. A rapper’s tale of love.
- Also great for karaoke! Classic autumn songs recommended for people in their 30s
[From Pop to Hip-Hop] Recommended Nostalgic Rap for People in Their 30s (1–10)
human power plantBUDDHA BRAND
BUDDHA BRAND is a legendary hip-hop group formed in 1989.
They created timeless classics like “Ningen Hatsudensho” and “Shogen,” which are still played today.
“Ningen Hatsudensho” was the track that led to their major-label debut, and it’s relatively catchy among their songs.
The track still feels fresh even now, so I think people outside their thirties can enjoy it too.
For heads, it’s an essential track when talking about Japanese rap—definitely one to check out!
WekapipoSOUL’d OUT
There’s been a long-standing notion that mainstream rappers have weak skills.
It’s true that, compared to underground rappers, they used to be lacking.
SOUL’d OUT shattered that perception.
One of the members, Diggy-MO’, made the underground heads buzz at the time with his skills.
Even now, his flow is top-tier.
It’s no exaggeration to call him a pioneer of multisyllabic rhyme in Japan.
“Wekapipo” is one of their signature tracks, a work that blends catchiness with astonishing skill.
Still D.R.E. ft. Snoop DoggDr. Dre
The classic track “Still D.R.E.
ft.
Snoop Dogg,” known for its catchy piano intro, is a mega-hit by hip-hop heavyweight Dr.
Dre.
Featuring world-famous rapper Snoop Dogg, it’s a song that could be called an anthem for hip-hop fans.
Many people may still remember it vividly because Dr.
Dre and Snoop Dogg performed it during the halftime show at the football event Super Bowl 2022 in the United States, which generated a lot of buzz.
Grateful Days feat.ACO,ZeebraDragon Ash
The classic track “Grateful Days feat.
ACO, Zeebra,” which later sparked a beef.
Back then, the hip-hop scene didn’t have the underground recognition it does today.
I think many people started listening to hip-hop because of Dragon Ash, and then got completely immersed in it thanks to Zeebra, who was featured on the track.
The blend of authentic hip-hop and pop-leaning hip-hop creates a unique sound that really brings back memories, doesn’t it?
Hit ‘Em Up (Dirty)2Pac
In hip-hop, there are songs called “diss tracks,” which are specifically aimed at insulting a particular person.
Among these diss tracks, the most famous is Tupac’s “Hit ’Em Up (Dirty).” The striking bassline drives the song, and Tupac’s gritty rap over it is irresistibly cool.
The lyrics, delivered over a heavy beat, repeat explicit language more than 35 times.
It’s a hard-hitting track written toward East Coast rappers—especially The Notorious B.I.G.
NITRO MICROPHONE UNDERGROUNDNITRO MICROPHONE UNDERGROUND
NITRO MICROPHONE UNDERGROUND is a hip-hop group formed in 1998.
Japanese rap began with Seiko Ito, and later gained wider recognition through King Giddra, paving the way for legendary groups like Mousou Zoku.
Among these groups, NITRO MICROPHONE UNDERGROUND stands out with a particularly distinctive vibe, and it’s no exaggeration to say they mark the beginning of the underground scene in Japan.
This self-titled track remains a classic that’s still beloved by many heads today.
UnbalanceKICK THE CAN CREW
When it comes to hip-hop groups recognized even by people who don’t listen to hip-hop, many probably think of KICK THE CAN CREW.
Their appeal lies, above all, in their catchy tracks and easy-to-follow flows.
Their signature song “Unbalance” was released in 2002.
Hip-hop wasn’t widely recognized at the time, but they achieved the remarkable feat of reaching No.
8 on the Oricon charts.