AFRA
Afra, born Akira Fujioka in Suita, Osaka, is widely regarded as Japan’s pioneering human beatboxer. Inspired by a 1996 performance by Rahzel in New York’s Central Park, Afra began teaching himself beatboxing. After high school, he moved to New York to immerse himself in the hip-hop scene, training with Kenny Muhammad and joining the MB2000 crew. Afra gained international recognition as the first Japanese beatboxer featured in the documentaries Scratch (2001) and Breath Control (2002). His 2004 Fuji Xerox commercial brought beatboxing to mainstream Japanese audiences. In 2009, he collaborated with DMC of Run-DMC for adidas Originals’ global “House Party” campaign, reworking “My Adidas.” In 2005, Afra formed Afra & the Incredible Beatbox Band with Kei and K-Moon, releasing albums like Always Fresh Rhythm Attack and Heart Beat, which showcased beatboxing without instrumental accompaniment. Afra has performed at major festivals worldwide, including Sonar (Spain), Big Day Out (Australia), and Summer Sonic (Japan). He also appeared in anime series such as Samurai Champloo and Devilman Crybaby. Currently, Afra continues to perform, teach, and judge beatboxing events across Japan. He collaborates on cultural and gaming projects, such as Izanagi Games’ Project RAP, and mentors emerging talent, furthering the art of beatboxing in Japan and worldwide.
KAY-ON
Based in Osaka, Kayon blends the sharp lyricism of Japanese hip hop with the emotional resonance of his Korean heritage. Born Kwi-yeong (귀영), he is a proud Zainichi Korean, drawing from the liminal space between cultures. That space has long defined hip hop as a platform for marginalized voices. Kayon first rose to prominence through the “高校生ラップ選手権” (High School Rap Championship). After taking time away from music, he returned with greater clarity, collaborating with his R&B producer brother, Kwiseon, and weaving melodic textures into his rap. Performing under both “Kayon” and SAND₩ICH GANG, he has continued to release music that reflects his evolution and range. His identity as a Korean-Japanese artist is not just context. It is core to his sound. He uses hip hop not only as a craft, but as a way to speak on belonging, identity, and the creative power that comes from living between cultures.
ZEEBRA
Born Hideyuki Yokoi, Zeebra came up in Tokyo’s underground, helping to define what Japanese rap would be. As 1/3rd of King Giddra, he brought political urgency and raw lyricism to the mic, proving that hip hop in Japan could speak truth to power. Going solo with The Rhyme Animal, he became one of the first to take Japanese-language rap mainstream. But Zeebra didn’t just chase charts. He built platforms—from hosting MTV shows to film and television, founding B-Boy Park, and mentoring the next wave of MCs. To him, hip hop was never just music. It was a movement. A way to challenge norms, question authority, and claim space in a culture that once dismissed rap as “foreign noise.” Three decades later, his voice still echoes through the scene. He remains active today, producing hit shows like Freestyle Dungeon, hosting engaging podcasts, and continuing to shape the culture he helped create.
NANA
Meet 7 (ナナ / “Nana”), one of Japan’s rising woman rappers rewriting the rules of flow, identity, and voice. From the underground to the spotlight, 7 carries stories untold with raw lyricism and fearless presence. Her breakout came with her “7/11 freestyle,” a bold, unfiltered track that announced her arrival by not only garnering domestic attention but also going viral in the States. Her voice is entirely novel, cutting through the beat with grit and clarity. She balances urgency with precision, delivering bars that feel both lived-in and unpredictable. With her dynamic flow and fearless approach, 7 continues to shape the future of Japanese hip hop and beyond.
JP THE WAVY
Born in 1993 in Shōnan, Kanagawa, Japan, JP THE WAVY (formerly known as Lil Right) emerged from the scene with a fresh, international sound that resonated both locally and globally. Drawing inspiration from 2000s hip-hop and modern trap, he quickly became a standout figure in Japan’s hip-hop landscape. JP’s breakthrough came in 2017 with his viral hit “Cho Wavy De Gomenne (Remix),” which amassed over 20 million views and solidified his place in the Japanese music scene. His collaborations with artists like Yyellowbucks, Lex, and Awich further showcased his versatility and appeal. In 2024, JP took on the role of producer for Psychic Fever from EXILE TRIBE’s EP 99.9 Psychic Radio, crafting the lead track “Just Like Dat” featuring himself. The song became a viral sensation, amassing over 240 million views on TikTok and propelling the group’s international presence. Beyond music, JP is recognized for his distinct fashion sense, often blending streetwear with high-end pieces, and has expressed interest in launching his own fashion brand in the future. With his dynamic performances and innovative approach to music, JP THE WAVEY continues to shape the future of Japanese hip-hop and beyond.
POGGY THE MAN
A pioneer of sartorial streetwear way before it became global currency, Poggy has spent decades merging worlds once thought apart, blending tailoring and streetwear, vintage and high fashion. From Tokyo, New York, London, Paris, and beyond, he balances tradition and rebellion, and styles to the T. As former creative director of UNITED ARROWS & SONS and the mind behind countless cross-cultural collaborations, Poggy has helped define how Japan interprets hip-hop style, not as imitation, but innovation. His work has connected him with artists and icons like Pharrell, A$AP Rocky, and more, all drawn to his ability to translate the language of culture into style. From pop-ups like Poggy’s Box to capsule collections with Levi's, Visvim, Thom Browne, and more, Poggy champions individuality as a form of dialogue between East and West, luxury and street, music and human connection. Always curious. Always ahead, he remains one of Japan’s most influential style architects, a tastemaker whose impact extends far beyond the fit.
RED EYE
Rising from the underground with a relentless work ethic and a voice sharpened by real-life experience, RedEye built his name on raw honesty and explosive energy. His music moves between hard-edged street rap and melodic introspection, capturing the tension of youth, ambition, and survival in modern Japan. Part of a new wave redefining Japanese hip-hop on its own terms, RedEye channels the global language of rap through a distinctly local lens. His sound carries the urgency of the streets with a perspective shaped by Japan’s evolving youth culture, where vulnerability, defiance, and hunger coexist in the same breath. Whether delivering razor-sharp bars or emotionally charged hooks, RedEye represents a generation that grew up online but refuses to be boxed in by borders. His music resonates far beyond Japan, connecting with listeners drawn to authenticity, intensity, and the universal pull of hip-hop as a form of self-definition.
