Introduction of "Japanese Idol Rap" (1/3)

This entry is the introduction of "Japanse Idol Rap". Originally, it is introduced by Utamaru, a member of Japanese Hip-Hop group "Rhymester", in the radio program "Weekend Shuffle(TBS Radio)". I translate his word to English. Although you're puzzled by my broken English, I hope you're interested in "Japanese Idol Rap".

For your information, above radio program can be seen in youtube(click here).
And if you have little time, I recommend only this, "Pucchimoni - Seishun Jidai 1,2,3!".

01.outline

"Japanese Idol Rap" is the own genre made in Japan. Mainly, it became popular since about 1994. It isn't judged from technical perspective and completely has different excitement from American Hip-Hop.
"Japanese Idol Rap" is constructed with both Sing and Rap. Its Composer is not only stduio musician but trackmaker.


02.1994, when Japanese Rap take hold.

Before 1994, "Japanese Idol Rap" was made by people who didn't know how to rap at all. So, these song's rhythm is very simple.

Ex. "Adachi Yumi - Doshita Adachi"
(please play at 3:12)


But, in 1994. when "EAST END and YURI - DA.YO.NE" was sold, Japanese Hiphop become popular and people become to listen naturally. This song is written Japanese rapper, GAKU-MC(EASTEND) and Mummy-D(Rhymester). Since then, Japanese studio musician began to understand how to make rap.

Ex. EAST END and YURI - DA.YO.NE


03."Japanese Idol Rap" of "Hello! Project" by Tsunku

As noted above, We can listen to many "Japanese Idol Rap" when Japanese Hiphop go mainstream. But few is cool. Among them, Among them, the person who create cool one is Tsunku. He is famous as a producer of Morning Musume, most popular idol group.
His lyric and music is very amazing. Hearing "Hybrid of Hip-Hop and Jazz", you imagine music like A Tribe Called Quest(ATCQ). But He quote Big Band Jazz. And his lyric isn't normal like ATCQ but bizarre. However, we get crazy when these factor mixed!

Ex. "Pucchimoni - Seishun Jidai 1,2,3!"


And today, Tsunku produced "C-ute - One's life". In this rap, he tried to break rhythm and stuff up word on purpose. This is front-line "Japanese Idol Rap".

Ex. "C-ute - One's life"