Japanese Hip-Hop

Posted by: Mike Sae on 21 March 2002

Can anyone recommend some good Japanese Hip-Hop?
No idea where to start, but I know I'll like it.
Oh, and since I can't make to to Shizuoka prefecture anytime soon, please recommend acts that are findable in the colonies.

TIA,

mike

Posted on: 22 March 2002 by Markus

Well I can only talk about the ones I own, but I like the releases on the Mo' Wax label, especially:

Return of the Original Art Form by Major Force. This release compiles many rare and unobtainable releases from the File label from the period (IIRC) '89-92. Artists included (again, IIRC) Kondo, Takiyoshi and Major Force.

Not as essential but still worth owning is Major Force West, '93-97.

Certainly you've already picked up the releases by DJ Krush? If not, I recommend Meiso, MiLight, Zen and Ki-Oku. Ki-Oku is a duet with Toshinori Kondo, the trumpet player. Also look for Strictly Turntablized.

Good luck looking for the beats.

Markus

Posted on: 22 March 2002 by Mike Sae

Thanks Markus,

I do indeed have Krush's discography. I wasn't aware that Ki-Oku had rapping on it, though. I confess I haven't heard the disc all the way through, as I couldn't bear Kondo's "electric trumpet"

I thought DJ Honda's albums would feature some Japanese wordsmiths, but apparently not.

It appears that CDNow has an "International Hip Hop" section. Who'd a thunk it?

Posted on: 23 March 2002 by Andy Moore

A few (2 or 3?) years ago the above mentioned band were Japans biggest hip-hop act. Not sure where you can get their cds outside of Japan though. Not much help really is it?

Andy