#japanese-hip-hop

[ follow ]
Music production
fromPitchfork
1 day ago

Sexyy Red: Yo Favorite Trappa Favorite Rappa

Sexyy Red's latest album lacks the vibrancy and originality of her breakout tape, resulting in a derivative and uninspired listening experience.
Music
fromBrooklynVegan
2 days ago

9 New Songs Out Today

New music releases include Graham Coxon's lost album, Shooter Jennings' cover featuring Willie Nelson, and new tracks from Beck and Portrayal of Guilt.
London music
fromTravel + Leisure
3 days ago

Tokyo Is the Birthplace of Karaoke-Here's How I Spent Every Night of My Visit Belting Out the Hits of My Youth

A spontaneous karaoke night in Tokyo created unforgettable memories, overshadowing planned sightseeing experiences.
NYC music
fromKqed
5 days ago

How Tuesday and Her Daughters Made West Oakland's New Viral Anthem | KQED

A viral anthem from West Oakland has gained recognition and led to performances at major events, celebrating local culture and artists.
Berlin
fromabc7.com
6 days ago

teamLab Borderless in Tokyo is a feast for the eyes

Visitors describe teamLab Borderless in Tokyo as an ever-changing, immersive art experience that transcends traditional boundaries.
Music production
fromPitchfork
1 day ago

Tiga, Massive Attack, and Nine Inch Noize: This Week's Pitchfork Selects Playlist

Pitchfork Selects playlist showcases favorite new music from staff, featuring diverse artists and tracks.
East Bay food
fromFuncheap
1 week ago

Oakland's "The Lake Show" 420 Poetry, Rappers + DJ Picnic (Lake Merritt)

The Lake Show is a free outdoor open mic picnic at Lake Merritt featuring local artists, food trucks, and a relaxed atmosphere.
fromTechCrunch
1 week ago

TechCrunch is heading to Tokyo - and bringing the Startup Battlefield with it | TechCrunch

The SusHi Tech Challenge Grand Prix recipient will be automatically entered into the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield Top 200 - making them eligible to pitch on one of the most coveted stages in the startup world.
London startup
London music
fromBrooklynVegan
6 days ago

clipping announce NYC 'Splendor & Misery' fest ft. SPELLLING, Shabazz Palaces, Elucid, Fatboi Sharif, more

clipping will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their album Splendor & Misery with a special NYC show on August 13.
NYC music
fromPortland Mercury
6 days ago

Mercury Music Picks: Hip-Hop Royalty the Pharcyde and Emo Heartthrobs AFI Are in Town - Portland Mercury

Oklou and The Pharcyde are notable artists with significant contributions to experimental pop and hip-hop, respectively.
#hip-hop
Music production
fromPitchfork
5 days ago

Allstar JR: "Mob Untied"

The hip-hop industry has increasingly turned violent incidents into sensationalized media events, impacting artists' careers and public personas.
NYC music
fromConsequence
6 days ago

YOASOBI Announce "Never Ending Stories" North American Tour

YOASOBI will embark on their 'Never Ending Stories' tour in North America starting July 31, 2026, with eight concert dates across various cities.
#otoboke-beaver
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 week ago

R&B today is like Brazilian football the creativity, the skill': Odeal, the genre's hottest UK star

Odeal's music sits loosely within R&B, also drawing on Afrobeats, neo-soul and contemporary pop. Across his catalogue, love is rarely conclusive. Instead, songs live in emotional grey areas.
London music
Music production
fromPitchfork
5 days ago

Bloodz Boi / jackzebra: Bloodzebra

Jackzebra's rap style mirrors Huaisu's calligraphy, prioritizing expression over legibility, while incorporating rich Chinese cultural references.
Music
fromDefector
1 week ago

Brazilian Funk Continues Innovating Methods For Getting Your Shit Rocked | Defector

Brazilian funk is a deep and evolving genre that incorporates diverse rhythms and styles, offering a thrilling musical journey for listeners.
London music
fromPitchfork
2 weeks ago

Thaiboy Digital Plots the Underworld Tour

Thaiboy Digital will release a new album and embark on the Underworld Tour across North America and Europe starting in May.
NYC music
fromHip Hop Hero
2 weeks ago

The three iconic hip-hop groups who inspired GZA

GZA's early exposure to hip-hop culture and influential groups shaped his unique talent and complex lyrical themes.
SF music
fromKqed
4 weeks ago

Mxka Sings 'R&B Tumbados' for the Lover Girls | KQED

Mxka blends personal experience and cultural identity in her music, inspiring others with her journey in the Latin music scene.
Music production
fromPitchfork
6 days ago

Watch Monaleo Channel Her Inner Barbie in "Crossroads Freestyle"

Monaleo returns with 'Crossroads Freestyle' after a hiatus due to a medical emergency, showcasing her signature style and quick flow.
fromPitchfork
2 weeks ago

DJ Texas Trill / Phonfrm2nine / GFL Trenxhbaby / Mo Money: "Do the Ratchet"

In that pre-pandemic era, one of my favorite duos was Nuk and Mo Money, who had the livewire hustlenomics on lock.
Music
East Bay food
fromTravel + Leisure
4 weeks ago

This Japanese City Invites You to Savor Its Food, Neon Lights, and Lively Spirit-Here's What Makes It the 'Kitchen of Japan'

Osaka offers a vibrant atmosphere with delicious food, friendly locals, and easy access to nearby cities, making it ideal for first-time visitors.
NYC music
fromwww.amny.com
2 weeks ago

From Brooklyn to the stage: Timi Dre brings a global sound to SOB's | amNewYork

Timi Dre blends Afrobeats, Konpa, and R&B, creating a unique sound reflective of New York's cultural diversity and energy.
London music
fromElite Traveler
3 weeks ago

How Japan's Listening Bar Culture Conquered the World

Listening bars are immersive spaces that enhance music appreciation, originating from Japan and gaining global popularity in the 2010s.
Music
fromBrooklynVegan
3 weeks ago

In Defense of the Genre: Best Punk & Emo Songs of March

Punk, emo, and hardcore music continue to evolve, with new releases showcasing innovative sounds and styles.
Music production
fromPitchfork
2 weeks ago

Earl Sweatshirt / MIKE / Surf Gang: POMPEII // UTILITY

MIKE and Earl's collaboration on POMPEII // UTILITY showcases playful melodies but suffers from moments of lethargy and untapped synergy.
NYC music
fromBrooklynVegan
3 weeks ago

Classical 2026: X Japan's Yoshiki playing 2 big shows in Los Angeles

Yoshiki returns to the U.S. for two concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall after his third cervical spine surgery.
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

A young girl is knocked over at Tokyo crossing what's behind Japan's bumping' trend?

This was no accidental clash of shoulders in a crowded place, but one of the most visible examples of a spate of butsukari otoko bumping man shoving incidents in Japan that experts attribute to a combination of gender dynamics and the stresses of modern life.
Photography
Music production
fromBrooklynVegan
2 weeks ago

Album Reviews: Earl Sweatshirt / MIKE / Surf Gang, Thundercat, Sunn O))) & more

Andrew is on paternity leave, while notable music news includes tributes to musicians and new album releases.
NYC food
fromTime Out New York
1 month ago

A Japanese convenience store is opening on the LES for a limited time

A Tokyo-style convenience store pop-up on the Lower East Side transforms into a secret dance party with DJ Rebecca Black and -196 Vodka Seltzer cocktails on March 27.
Fashion & style
fromFast Company
1 month ago

Hiroshi Fujiwara on his latest Nike collab: 'I don't like to explain what I'm doing'

Hiroshi Fujiwara collaborates with Nike on three new shoes using subtle design details and black colorways, preferring understated aesthetics over overt branding in streetwear design.
Television
fromInverse
1 month ago

A New Anime Adaptation Could Make Up For Netflix's Biggest Mistake

Live-action anime adaptations are improving through streaming platforms, though Shinichirō Watanabe's previous Cowboy Bebop adaptation failed to capture the original's essence despite his involvement.
Portland food
fromPortland Monthly
1 month ago

Ripping the City with Bocha, Portland's Genre-Bending Rapper

Bocha blends blog-era hip-hop influences with Bay Area sounds to create a fresh West Coast style while strategically building cohesive visual worlds around his projects and collaborations.
Django
fromThe Verge
1 month ago

A live-action Samurai Champloo is in the works

Creator involvement is essential for successful live-action adaptations of anime, as demonstrated by lessons learned from the canceled Cowboy Bebop Netflix series.
NYC music
fromPitchfork
3 weeks ago

I Went to a Hip-Hop Streamer Convention and All I Got Was This Piece of Content

Twitch streamer Tylil James captivates fans at MVP Arena with viral dance performances, showcasing the intersection of online fame and live entertainment.
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 weeks ago

Earl Sweatshirt, Mike and Surf Gang: Pompeii // Utility review rap radicals' appealing study in contrasts

Earl has spent the past decade or so immersing himself in New York's underground rap scene, resulting in one of the most unique and unpredictable discographies of his generation.
Music production
NYC food
fromTime Out New York
1 month ago

This amazing Japanese street food festival is coming back to NYC with over 30+ culinary events

JAPAN Fes, NYC's beloved street food festival, celebrates its 10th anniversary with 34+ events across the city starting March 28, 2026, featuring Japanese vendors and cuisine.
Travel
fromenglish.elpais.com
1 month ago

Jimbocho: Books, cafes and guitars in the coolest neighborhood in Tokyo (and the world)

Jimbocho, Tokyo's historic bookstore district with over 180 shops, combines literary heritage with contemporary appeal, attracting both trend-seekers and independent explorers through its diverse book culture and related businesses.
Music
fromBrooklynVegan
1 month ago

10 New Songs Out Today

Weekly music reviews cover new albums across genres, indie releases, metal, news, premieres, and curated playlists featuring newly released songs.
Music production
fromKqed
3 weeks ago

Digital Underground's MC Was Secretly a Genius Illustrator

Shock G was a multifaceted artist whose contributions to rap and visual art influenced future generations of musicians.
#bay-area-hip-hop
fromKqed
1 month ago
SF music

Too Short's 'Blow the Whistle' Is 20 Years Old - and Keeps Going On and On | KQED

fromKqed
1 month ago
SF music

Too Short's 'Blow the Whistle' Is 20 Years Old - and Keeps Going On and On | KQED

Music
fromBrooklynVegan
1 month ago

Kikagaku Moyo's Go Kurosawa touring US in support of solo debut

Go Kurosawa, former drummer and singer of Japanese psych band Kikagaku Moyo, launches his solo career with debut album soft shakes and begins his first US tour in 2026.
fromLondon On The Inside
2 months ago

A Tokyo-Inspired Izakaya Has Opened in the City

The restaurant group behind Goodman, Beast, Pinna, Chelsea Grill and Wild Tavern, has added a Japanese izakaya to its roster with the opening of Wild Izakaya in the City. Inspired by the establishments found all over Tokyo, Wild Izakaya features an open kitchen with counter seating, larger tables for groups, classic Japanese films on a projector, and a drinks list including Japanese beers, sake and cocktails.
Food & drink
Music production
from48 hills
4 weeks ago

On supergroup 1Umbrella's debut, Bay Area hip-hop reigns - 48 hills

1Umbrella is a Bay Area supergroup of five artists creating music from their deep friendship and shared experiences.
Arts
fromArtnet News
2 months ago

Streetwear Legend NIGO Lands a Major Museum Retrospective

NIGO's three-decade career, from founding A Bathing Ape to Kenzo artistic director, is showcased in a London retrospective of 700+ personal objects including ceramics.
fromdesignyoutrust.com
2 months ago

This Artist Creates Superhero and Comic Watercolors With Traditional Japanese Motifs

Justin Bieber for Calvin Klein Spring 2015 Ad Campaign In A Parallel Universe: Artist Exposes Sexism By Switching Up Gender Roles In Old-School Ads Russian Blogger Makes Parodies Out Of Celebrity Photos, And More Than 20,000 Followers On Instagram Approve 10 Famous Movie Titles Written Using Negative Space The World of Modern Graphic Design & Typography by Kyle Kemink Chinese Tech Companies Hiring 'Pretty' Girls to Motivate Male Employees by Chatting, Playing Ping Pong and Buying them Breakfast
Typography
Music production
fromPitchfork
4 weeks ago

Jay-Z Opens Up About Kendrick-Drake Beef in Rare Interview

Jay-Z reflects on hip-hop culture, the impact of stan culture, and the evolution of rap beefs in the age of social media.
#yoshis
Music production
fromPitchfork
4 weeks ago

Elucid / Sebb Bash: I Guess U Had to Be There

ELUCID and Sebb Bash blend avant-garde elements with controlled production in their collaboration, showcasing unique soundscapes and innovative arrangements.
fromEater
1 month ago

This Is What You Get When Japanese and Italian Food Collide

Living in Japan in the early 2000s, Fralick fell in love with an Italian restaurant in the city of Shizuoka, where he ate Italian food, but with Japanese influences, like pastas made with uni and the fermented soybeans known as natto. "It really reminded me of home," says Fralick, who grew up in upstate New York and started his cooking career in Italian fine dining.
Food & drink
fromDefector
1 month ago

Yoko Tawada Is A Genius In Any Language | Defector

The best argument I can make for why I like reading fiction in translation is because it facilitates the psychedelic experience of encountering someone else's subjectivity twice over. The translator must act as a prismatic filter, faithfully attempting the impossible task of replicating someone else's experiences and ideas. To read in translation is to read two stories in harmony with each other: The one the author wants to tell and the one the translator has brought into your linguistic world.
Writing
East Bay (California)
fromThe Oaklandside
2 months ago

Rapper Philip Bank$ on Hyphy kids, cops, and growing up Black in Oakland

Oakland rapper Philip Bank$ channels deep local knowledge and community collaboration into his debut solo album East Bay Times, rooted in Oakland history and activism.
Music
fromPitchfork
1 month ago

The 2Slimey Roundtable

An underground hip-hop competition centered on distorted, apocalyptic interpretations of Playboi Carti's rage rap style has produced 2Slimey, a 20-year-old Oklahoma rapper whose significance remains debated among critics.
Music production
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

New York hip-hop experimentalist Elucid: I like the harmony of the city. Everybody's got a little solo'

Elucid experiences the Dream House installation's meditative drone composition, which triggers his creative process through sensory immersion and unconscious sound-to-word associations.
London music
fromwww.bbc.com
1 month ago

Dave review: British star transcends rapper status at hometown gig

Dave performed a sold-out O2 Arena show celebrating 10 years in music, showcasing his versatility across piano, guitar, and rap while promoting his third number-one album.
fromThe New Yorker
1 month ago

Mitski Shares Her Cultural Essentials

I think, even though she's world famous with millions of fans, I still think she's underrated, because yes, she's the greatest singer in the world, but also, she doesn't get enough credit for her songwriting. She's written amazing songs over many years consistently and she's really innovated in recorded music and I don't know, I just think she's a genius and people don't realize that she is a genius.
Music
NYC music
fromHip Hop Hero
1 month ago

Why J Cole considers Queens, New York his second home

J Cole was born in West Germany to an army father, grew up in North Carolina, and moved to Queens for university where he developed his music career with support from his landlord.
fromTime Out London
1 month ago

Japanese jazz fusion legend Masayoshi Takanaka headlining a London city pop music festival this summer

Masayoshi Takanaka, the Japanese king of spangly, summery jazz fusion, is headlining a massive festival in London this summer. The legendary Tokyo-born guitarist, composer and producer is set to headline the London instalment of a global festival series called City Pop Waves at Crystal Palace Bowl in August.
London music
Music
fromwww.bbc.com
1 month ago

Tributes paid as grime star Dot Rotten dies, aged 37

Grime pioneer Dot Rotten, born Joseph Ellis, died at age 37; he was known for blending hard-edged beats with emotional hooks and produced influential tracks across grime and mainstream music.
Music
fromPitchfork
1 month ago

Flying Lotus: BIG MAMA

Flying Lotus releases BIG MAMA, a seven-song EP attempting to revive his earlier frantic energy, but the project fails to recapture the innovation and inspiration of his best work.
Music production
fromPitchfork
1 month ago

22: "How Shit Go"

Birmingham rapper 22's minimalist EP features ambient beats and sparse production that conveys wintertime isolation through deliberately understated soundscapes.
Music
fromenglish.elpais.com
1 month ago

Hip hop faces its midlife crisis

Hip hop's cultural dominance has sharply declined, losing 24% sales share and 19% streaming share since 2023, with few emerging artists capable of sustaining mainstream relevance after Kendrick Lamar's 2024 peak.
fromBrooklynVegan
2 months ago

Japan's Creepy Nuts announce North American shows around Coachella, NYC included (with BV presale)

Japanese hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts, featuring rapper R-Shitei and DJ Matsunaga, are playing Coachella this year, and they've announced announced a few shows surrounding it, their first North American headlining run. They'll stop in NYC ( Hammerstein Ballroom on 4/13), Chicago ( The Auditorium on 4/15), and Mexico City ( Pabellón del Palacio de los Deportes on 4/19) around Coachella's two weekends in April.
Music
Music
fromPitchfork
1 month ago

Luci4 Unleashed a Generation of Glitchy Underground Rap

Luci4, an underground rapper who died at 23, pioneered a distinctive nightcore-influenced sound that shaped the underground music landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic.
fromDefector
2 months ago

Max B Is New York Rap's Best Hope | Defector

The rapper, known on his tax form as Charles Wingate and known by his old Harlem associates as Charley Rambo, made his name in the rap game during an all-too-brief run in the 2000s, as one of the most colorful members of Jim Jones' Byrdgang, his solo offshoot from the Diplomats (although due to his growing up with rappers Cam and Mase, Max is like honorary Dipset).
Music
Music
fromPitchfork
1 month ago

Sk8star: Designer Junkie

Sk8star synthesizes Atlanta rap's collaborative ecosystem into a cohesive debut album that honors foundational influences while establishing his distinct artistic voice.
Music
fromPitchfork
1 month ago

Listen to Cash Cobain's New Song "Wish"

Cash Cobain released his first single of the year, 'Wish,' which samples Three 6 Mafia and includes a music video from a ski trip, preceding his upcoming album Party With Slizzy.
Music
fromPitchfork
2 months ago

Sk8star: "Yeannn" [ft. Teezus]

Atlanta's ØWay collective channels chameleonic, Auto-Tuned YSL-style rap led by Sk8star, Tezzus, and collaborators, blending Southern slang innovation with trap production.
fromPitchfork
2 months ago

Kane West: western beats

What does Comic Sans sound like? What does it feel like? And is it actually kinda good? These were the questions ever-present in the minds of early PC Music acts like Kero Kero Bonito's Gus Bonito, who, to this day, performs DJ sets in front of a strobing projection of his moniker Kane West in the notorious font.
Music
fromPitchfork
3 months ago

Mitski, Shabaka, Maxo Kream, and More: This Week's Pitchfork Selects Playlist

On any given day our writers, editors, and contributors go through an imposing number of new releases, giving recommendations to each other and discovering new favorites along the way. Each Monday, with our Pitchfork Selects playlist, we're sharing what our writers are playing obsessively and highlighting some of the Pitchfork staff's favorite new music.
Music
fromMetro Silicon Valley | Silicon Valley's Leading Weekly
2 months ago

Ying Yang Twins in San Jose | Metro Silicon Valley | Silicon Valley's Leading Weekly

Atlanta's Ying Yang Twins helped define the crunk era by turning late-night club energy into a national language all its own. Their catalog relies on deep bass, playful braggadocio, and hooks designed for shouted choruses more than quiet contemplation. Songs such as "Salt Shaker" and "Wait (The Whisper Song)" turned clubs into shared sing-along zones that felt as much ritual as entertainment.
Music
Music
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

Musician and film-maker Flying Lotus: The whole lo-fi beats thing has become like Starbucks music'

Kendrick Lamar pairs lyrical genius with precise production instincts, making close collaboration a rare, career-elevating creative meeting.
fromPitchfork
2 months ago

Bby Kell: "SPLURGINBAGS"

Chances are, if the Atlanta rapper sounds like they have a loogie stuck in their throat, I'll probably like them. B5 and Zeeball? Yep-"Heist" might be the biggest omission from our Best Rap Songs of 2025 list. Rroxket? I still listen to his zooted-out regularly. Before I get carried away, let's add Bby Kell to that list. Her new tape, Straight Pop, is cool as hell-it reminds me of Glokk40Spaz back when his bread and butter was belligerent dark plugg.
Music
Music
fromKALTBLUT Magazine
2 months ago

Earworm Alert: "Making U"! Vivid Electronic House Vibes from Monoko and Inkko - KALTBLUT Magazine

Monoko and Inkko release "Making U," a UK-influenced electronic house track blending UK garage, house, and electronica for euphoric club and reflective listening.
Music
fromPitchfork
2 months ago

Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon: As of Now

Lord Jah-Monte fuses playful, comedic delivery with stark street vignettes and sharp production shifts to craft emotionally complex, memorable underground hip-hop.
[ Load more ]