3 rising stars in Japanese rap

Japanese rap is having a moment, with scenes and genres popping up everywhere from cloud rap to grime. Traditionally sidelined by rock and J-pop dominating the scene (hi, Yoshiki), the genre as a whole is finally getting the attention it deserves—and so are some of its most innovative new artists.

In 2022, Chiba’s Makuhari Messe hosted the inaugural Pop Yours, Japan’s first festival dedicated to Japanese rap music. Stars on stage included Jumadiba, a Tokyo-based rapper who specializes in grime and bass-heavy beats; production duo Dongurizu; and newcomer Cyber ​​Rui. In just two years, the festival has grown exponentially, with tickets selling out months in advance for each edition, attracting more artists, and increasing attendance year on year.

The future of Japanese rap is bright, and here are some of the singers who are about to become stars.

Nakamura Minami: The innocent lyrics conceal a difficult upbringing

Minami made her Fuji Rock debut last year, performing on the Day Dreaming stage at Japan’s largest music festival. Closely associated with Japanese record label and production group Trekkie Trax, Minami is known for her distinctive girlish vocals and bass-heavy electronic beats. Her song “Pree Me” with Roska was a huge success, remixed by Chris Lorenzo and Tokyo TrekkieTrax member Carpainter – the former of which currently has over 2 million streams online. In 2024, she released an album in collaboration with Bristol artist Hodges.

Nakamura excels at expressing herself over beats tailored to her voice, rapping over innocent lyrics about swimming in pools and loving ice cream. The lyrics take on new meaning when you consider her tough upbringing, which she has discussed openly: She’s spoken about growing up in a single-parent household, being homeless, and witnessing a murder as a teenager. Look out for Nakamura rapping over dance beats at a club near you.

Click here to follow Nakamura on Instagram.

Mezz: Bilingual lyrics and unique flowing style

Mezz made her debut in 2022 with “Gyal Drill,” a song that showcased her skill and boldness as an artist. That same year, she released her second EP, Dr. Metzproduced by Dr.Pay and named Tokyo WeekendEP of the month. Mezz hasn’t stopped since her debut, releasing a string of singles and another EP last year that showcased her versatility: “Secret Pool” saw the rapper explore an R&B style, while on “Soul Buddy,” a collaboration with fellow songwriter Yoxen, she proved her ability to deliver a super-fast flow. In December, she released a critically acclaimed cover of Sade’s “Smooth Operator,” which had us excited for weeks.

Mezz’s bilingual lyrics and her unique flow (incorporating the odd vocal delivery) make her a recognisable presence on the scene, and we’re excited to see what she does next.

Follow Mezz on Instagram here.

Ajah: Brash and confident garage music

Ajah embodies the attitude of Japan’s new wave of rap. Her lyrics are brash and confident; she often raps about not caring what others think, and isn’t afraid to throw in diss lyrics. She debuted in 2019 with the R&B-inspired “Spotlight,” then turned to darker rap beats in 2022, releasing a song in collaboration with British grime-style artist Ralph.

In 2023, Ajah released his first EP. SLbuilding on influences from bands like the previously mentioned Three 6 Mafia. The infectious nine-track singer combines UK garage-style beats with bass tracks, showing her work aligned with (but not limited to) the phonk genre. With her average of a new album per year, we look forward to any new releases from Ajah in 2024.

Follow Ajah on Instagram.

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