Classic J-pop

Classic J-pop, emerging in the late 1980s and flourishing throughout the 1990s, is characterized by its distinctive blend of catchy melodies, upbeat rhythms, and eclectic instrumentation. Drawing from Western rock, pop, and R&B influences, classic J-pop often features lush vocal harmonies, anthemic choruses, and a mix of acoustic and electronic elements. Born out of Japan's vibrant music scene, the genre was shaped by the country's unique cultural and social context, reflecting the nation's rapid modernization and growing global influence. Classic J-pop's cultural significance lies in its role as a soundtrack to Japan's economic and social changes, capturing the hopes, dreams, and anxieties of a generation. With its fusion of Western and Japanese musical traditions, classic J-pop occupies a distinct space between international pop and J-rock, while its emphasis on crafting memorable hooks and melodies sets it apart from more experimental or avant-garde Japanese music styles.

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DREAMS COME TRUE
Denki Groove
Every Little Thing
Hideaki Tokunaga
Hikaru Utada
JUDY AND MARY
Kazuyoshi Saito
Ken Hirai
Kohmi Hirose
MAX
Maki Ohguro
Masaharu Fukuyama
Mr.Children
My Little Lover
Noriyuki Makihara
Ryoko Hirosue
SPEED
SPITZ
Shizuka Kudo
T.M.Revolution
TUBE
Ulfuls
Yuji Oda
Yumi Matsutoya
サザンオールスターズ
Hikaru Utada
SPITZ
Mr.Children
サザンオールスターズ
Yumi Matsutoya
DREAMS COME TRUE
Masaharu Fukuyama
TUBE
Noriyuki Makihara
T.M.Revolution
Ken Hirai
JUDY AND MARY
Every Little Thing
Kazuyoshi Saito
Maki Ohguro
Ulfuls
SPEED
Kohmi Hirose
Hideaki Tokunaga
My Little Lover
Shizuka Kudo
Denki Groove
MAX
Ryoko Hirosue
Yuji Oda