J-rap

J-rap, a subgenre of Japanese hip-hop, is characterized by its eclectic fusion of traditional and modern elements. Born in the 1980s, j-rap evolved from the country's underground hip-hop scene, influenced by American rap and local styles like enka and J-pop. By the 2010s, j-rap had gained mainstream popularity, with a new wave of artists blending rapid-fire flows, jazz-infused instrumentals, and introspective lyrics. J-rap's cultural significance lies in its reflection of Japan's urban youth culture and its intersection of traditional and modern identities. While sharing similarities with Western hip-hop, j-rap is distinct in its incorporation of Japanese instrumentation, such as shamisen and taiko drums, and its lyrical focus on social issues and personal struggles. The genre's versatility and experimentation have led to a unique sound, blending genres like jazz, rock, and electronic music, and setting it apart from other international rap styles.

Latest J-rap Release
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MOVE IN SILENCE
Single - Released July 27, 2025
Top Artists Spotify Logo
Creepy Nuts
CHANMINA
LANA
Awich
YZERR
BAD HOP
Top Playlists
The Needle / Japan 48 J-rap artists
The Needle / Japan - Current 27 J-rap artists
The Sound of Japanese Dance Pop 24 J-rap artists
The Sound of Japanese EDM 22 J-rap artists
The Needle / Japan - Underground 18 J-rap artists
The Sound of Japanese Bedroom Pop 10 J-rap artists

RecentMusic users are tracking 649 J-rap artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 11,076 releases .

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  1. July 27, 2025
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    AGA
    1 tracks
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    OWARI
    1 tracks
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    saiai
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