Archives for the ‘Hip Hop’ Category
This looks like just a personal blog I found (through last.fm), but it’s a pretty good write up, with pics and a shot of their autographs for people into that. (Sour, sour grapes…) And the vids are even better than what’s been posted on YouTube, I think.
jim • Jun 5th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop, Recommended • No Comments
Japanese hip-hop artist ZEEBRA disrespects MTV Japan on Youtube
After being ignored at the MTV Japan music awards, hip-hop artist ZEEBRA lashed out at MTV, all but accusing them of deciding the winners in advance. The offending clip has been removed, but snts has a helpful summary of the video in question, and goes on to write about ZEEBRA’s reaction and some comments added later in a different video.
pengie • Jun 5th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
オン 拍 と 脈 | Rewind select…wait, shut up
HALCALI@Central Park, NYC 06.01.08
Recommended reading. Jim kind of wanders around in the first post, as is his wont, but in the second post focuses squarely on Halcali and their performance in Central Park this past weekend. He doesn’t deal with specific songs but the choices made by the duo as well as their singing and stage presence. This is another great piece from Jim - he often gives us diamonds in the rough, but when he delivers with polish, it’s something of a revelation. At the top of his form, he’s one of the very best music writers in our community.
Ray • Jun 4th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop, Recommended • No Comments
Album Review DOUBLE THE BEST COLLABORATIONS
Recommended reading. Santos does a great track-by-track review of this release from Double, most well-known to most of us for the new song with Amuro Namie. I especially like the wrestling analogies Santos uses to illustrate the importance of matching people properly. And as odd as it is to say, I’m now really glad Santos has made the switch out of wota-mode to this kind of material. He still does the wota coverage from a former-insider stance, but this is a great new focus for him.
Ray • May 30th, 2008
Avex Trax, Blogs, Hip Hop, Recommended • No Comments
Japan Day Festival details (HALCALI day by day)
HALCALI, Shota Shimizu to perform at NY’s Japan Day (TokyoGraph)
Recommended reading. jariten has the details on when they’ll be playing and who they’ll be playing with, while Tokyograph has news that Shimizu Shota will also be at Japan Day.
Ray • May 21st, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop, Recommended • No Comments
[Single] TERIYAKI BOYZ - ZOCK ON! [2008.03.19]
DetergentCat shares this East-Meets-West collaboration between the Boyz and some of America’s finest rappers.
Ray • May 19th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Halcali’s ACEN setlist/audio/New York gig info!
Recommended reading. It looks like Halcali will be playing in New York’s Central Park on June 1st. Jim can certainly make that show!
Ray • May 19th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop, Recommended • 1 Comment
Recommended reading. Jim does another of his wonderful writerly peregrinations, starting off with why he can’t see Halcali in Chicago then going on to consider an article about what it means to be a “true fan” (which in itself is a very interesting read, at least as a kind of pop marketing advice for creative types), then goes on to consider the different editions in Japanese CDs, before going on to discuss other performers at the convention Halcali will be at, and finally returning to Halcali in the end. What always impresses me about Jim’s flights of fancy is that they never seem fanciful or even really tangential - it’s more like he’s trying to work his way around a central idea and all of these random threads seem to be tying together towards that idea.
Ray • May 19th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop, Recommended • No Comments
Recommended reading. jariten notes some new gigs Halcali will be doing in Japan France, which is certainly good news for the duo. It kind of turns the “Big in Japan” cliché on its head, though, doesn’t it?
Ray • May 15th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop, Recommended • 2 Comments
I’m going to Tokyo– Yoshi Ikuzo Revisit
Recommended reading and viewing. Santos writes of a resurgence in interest in the enka singer Ikuzo Yoshi, who made what is arguably the first rap song in Japan in the 1980s. It’s a fascinating bit of history, and Santos goes into some detail on how he set the tone for the Japanese hip hop that would follow decades later. The clip of Ikuzo performing the song is great fun, as well, and worth taking the time to watch.
Ray • May 11th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop, Recommended • No Comments
Details on Halcali’s free Tokyo gig
jariten passes along the information he’s received on this event, most notably what their set was. As he notes, they didn’t go the safe rout with a greatest hits approach.
Ray • May 6th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
DOUBLE, Namie Amuro collaborate (Tokyograph)
DOUBLE x Amuro Namie - BLACK DIAMOND (Marc’s JPOP Blog)
J-Music Clip of the Week…Classic Edition (YODC)
Recommended reading. Rapper Double is working on a collaboration album and one of her partners is none other than the Queen of Hip Pop herself. Tokyograph has the details, Marc shares the YouTube preview, and YODC’s Langdon Alger shares an earlier Double collaboration, this with De La Soul.
Ray • May 1st, 2008
Avex Trax, Blogs, Hip Hop, Recommended • 1 Comment
jariten wishes Haruka a happy twentieth birthday, a momentous age for Japanese youth. Good lord, how time flies!
Ray • Apr 21st, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
BENNIE K offers free “Dreamland” ringtone
To promote their first Best Of collection, Bennie K are giving away ringtones of one of their best singles.
Ray • Apr 16th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Halcali play free Tokyo gig/4th album teaser!
Recommended reading. jariten passes along the news that Halcali will do a free outdoor gig on May 4th in Tokyo, and that’s they’re already working on recordings for their fourth album. To state the obvious: this is very good news for fans.
Ray • Apr 10th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
jariten directs us to pictures of Haruka and Yukari from their set on Springroove 08 but cuts right to the point: we need new songs from the duo, ASAP!
Ray • Apr 6th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Groove Heroine Recommendation: Blanc. (Maynard Plant of Monkey Majik)
Our own AnyGroove shares some info on this side project from Monkey Majik as well as the tracklisting for the debut album.
Ray • Apr 1st, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
(Translated Interview) Bennie K
Recommended reading. gloomybear of the Tokyograph forum has translated a recent interview with Bennie K where they discuss “Monochrome”. Definitely worth a read, especially since so little Bennie K info makes it to the States.
Ray • Mar 31st, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop, Recommended • No Comments
J-Music Clip of the Week…Bonus Edition
That video with the Teriyaki Boyz, Busta Rhymes, and Pharrell is shared by that magnificent bastard Langdon Alger. I especially like his choice of screencaps.
Ray • Mar 23rd, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Groove Herone’s best singles of early 2008
Recommended reading. Our own AnyGroove shares her list of the best singles or the year so far - it’s an interesting selection made up entirely of female singers, but not limited to Japan by any means.
Ray • Mar 22nd, 2008
Avex Trax, Blogs, Hip Hop, Pop Idols • No Comments
TERIYAKI BOYZ - ZOCK ON! feat. Pharrell and Busta Rhymes
Gail provides a download of the PV and some news on what they’re up to. That said, I’m thinking the song should be labelled Busta and Pharrell feat. Teriyaki Boyz and not the other way around.
Ray • Mar 19th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Halcali share a stage with Kayne West, Schadaraparr
jariten is reminded of Halcali’s participation in this event, which will include Kanye West, NERD, and Teriyaki Boyz.
Ray • Mar 18th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
TERIYAKI BOYS “Zock On” featuring Pharrell & Busta Rhymes (PV).
Allen has the new video as well as a short write-up on the Boyz. No offense, but the only one who matches up with Busta is Ilmari - everyone else is simply outshined.
Ray • Mar 17th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Hip-Hop For Ozisans? M-flo VERBAL makes a Documentary Film
Recommended reading. Our man in Tokyo still seems preoccupied with turning thirty, but apparently his awareness of the years isn’t unique. Here, Santos looks at a new documentary which includes Verbal of m-flo tries to figure out if there is a future for Japanese hip-hop. Santos positions Verbal as something of a purist, then offers a more broad-ranged answer that would piss off such purists but fits with the way music tends to evolve.
Ray • Mar 16th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop, Recommended • No Comments
FUNKY MONKEY BABYS take a trip
Shay provides the details on the latest from the hip-hop trio, delighting in its playfulness.
Ray • Mar 10th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Ladies needed by Japan, JANEL, ‘JANEL’
Santos looks over a new band he has discovered, the Avex hip hop girl group JANEL. JANEL stands for “JApan NEed Ladies.” I can’t wait for the boy band JANEM. A rare side is seen, as Santos can’t find the words to describe how much he enjoys them. He suggests fans of Soulhead may enjoy this group just as much.
broomhead • Mar 5th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Shay looks at this hip hop duo, spotlighting their new album which commemorates their fifth anniversary.
Ray • Mar 1st, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Votre recherche “Cyborg Oretachi” ne correspondait à aucun produit.
The French version of Cyborg Oretachi remains MIA.
Ray • Feb 28th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Our own Jim Haku notes Halcali’s re-release of their Valentine song from last year.
Ray • Feb 14th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
[Search of the lost decade #4] SOUL’d OUT part2 -S.O. Triangle -
Recommended reading. The blogger formerly known as Santos does a wonderful job looking at the wildly different backgrounds of the three members of Soul’d Out, and how it combines in their sound. He ends this entry with an assessment of what he lost in his years of idol interest, and what else he can look forward to.
Ray • Feb 13th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
[Search of the lost decade #3] SOUL’d OUT part1 - Diggy-Mo’s Bizarre Adventure
Recommended reading. Santos again draws up connections in Japanese culture we’d never expect, this one between the manga Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure and the rap group Soul’d Out. Maybe we’ll next find out that Shining Musume is based on actual events…?
Ray • Feb 12th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Nujabes - Hydeout Productions 2nd Collection [J-Hip-Hop/Jazz/Lounge]
Recommended reading. Our own Wu-san writes another excellent review of something I would probably never listen to, the jazz-influenced hip hop artist Nujabes. (Though one of my favorite albums is The Low End Theory, so I guess never say never should be the case.) Anyway, the writing is strong and confident, a sheer pleasure in showcasing Wu-san’s own nimble way with imagery and flow.
Ray • Feb 5th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • 4 Comments
Shay is back, and provides a positive review of this rap trios latest album.
Ray • Feb 4th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
jariten has more information on the girls’ Paris show, as well as some more thoughts on the still-missing French version of Cyborg Oretachi.
Ray • Jan 30th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Did you see them in Paris? (Bonus question included!)
jariten has questions for the lucky people who attended the show, as well as latest developments on that promised French album release.
Ray • Jan 28th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
[ARTICLE] 2007 : The Year of Namie
Mei of Pink Wota discusses Namie Amuro’s activities in 2007, talking not only about her releases but also about her impact on the Japanese music scene and her place in avex. Namie’s one of my top favorite artists as well, and I think Mei’s article speaks for all of us fans about what makes Namie so unique and amazing.
hanachan01 • Jan 25th, 2008
Avex Trax, Blogs, Hip Hop, Urban • No Comments
jariten reports that the French version of Cyborg Oretachi will include a bonus track!
Ray • Jan 23rd, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Recommended viewing. jariten shares this clip of a live Halcali performance that is a whole lot of fun - certainly worth your time and attention.
Ray • Jan 20th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Tokyograph reports that the hip hop artist married his sweetheart of almost five years. Congratulations to them both!
Ray • Jan 16th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Details on Halcali’s Cannes gig
Courtesy of HALCALI day by day’s jariten, more information for those of you lucky enough to make it there.
Ray • Jan 14th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Recommended reading. Hotaru breaks the news: it’s official, Halcali will be at Anime Central this year. Much rejoicing follows.
Ray • Jan 11th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop, Noteworthy • 1 Comment
Recommended reading. jariten has the details on Halcali’s triumphant return to the land of cheese and existentialism.
Ray • Jan 11th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Halcali to play gig in Chicago!
Halcali continue to cut a swath through the western world, which is very encouraging news. jariten has the details.
Ray • Jan 7th, 2008
Blogs, Hip Hop • 2 Comments
‘Cyborg’ gets released in Europe
Wow! Great news. I guess visiting France paid off big-time for them. jariten’s wish for a Halcali primer sounds like a natural, too, if this goes well.
Ray • Dec 29th, 2007
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
[Single] WISE - ALIVE [2007.08.22]
DetergentCat shares this download and an oddly tautological recommendation.
Ray • Dec 28th, 2007
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
[Single] Heartsdales - BODY ROCK [2002.08.28]
[Single] Heartsdales - CANDY POP feat. SOUL’d OUT [2003.09.03]
[Single] Heartsdales - Should Have What!? [2002.12.26]
[Single] Heartsdales - So Tell Me [2001.12.19]
[Single] Heartsdales - Thru With You [2003.04.16]
[Single] Heartsdales - That’s Why [2002.03.06]
Detergentcat shares a half dozen singles from the now-defunct hip-hop sister duo.
Ray • Dec 27th, 2007
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
jariten notes a new song from our favorite teenage rap duo. Hopefully there’ll be more news on this soon.
Ray • Dec 1st, 2007
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Going back to Ongaku No Susume
Recommended reading. jariten has a wonderful lengthy essay here that looks anew at the second Halcali album, the quality of its tracks, and how it fits with the evolution of the duo. He still doesn’t consider the album perfect, by any means, but it certainly helps to consider it in a new light.
Ray • Nov 25th, 2007
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
Some observations on rap and pop which somehow segues into this lovely instrumental version of one of Halcali’s best singles ever, “Marching March”.
Ray • Nov 16th, 2007
Blogs, Hip Hop • No Comments
J(or K)-Music Clip of the Week
It seems to me that Verbal has been popping up in this feature with as much regularity as Amuro and Momusu. Anyway, that Mad Munny Maker, Langdon Alger, chose the m-flo Loves Alex of Clazziquai Project clip this time around.