A hip-hop love song. A rapper’s tale of love.
In recent years, thanks in part to the influence of MC battles like Freestyle Dungeon, the number of hip-hop listeners seems to be on the rise, doesn’t it?
Among those who love hip-hop, some of you might be on the lookout for love songs!
So in this article, we’ll be introducing hip-hop love songs from both Japan and abroad.
From that classic by a heavyweight of Japanese hip-hop to noteworthy tracks by up-and-coming artists, we’ve put together an article that listeners from hardcore heads to those who just started getting into hip-hop can enjoy.
Hip-hop love songs. Love songs told by rappers (1–10)
Ms. U feat. idom & SALUNEW!Kvi Baba
A love song that portrays the feeling of thinking only of one precious person amid the dense streets of Tokyo.
Featuring singer-songwriter idom and the revered SALU, Kvi Baba released this track in March 2024.
Against a backdrop of urban clamor and crowds of countless people crossing paths, the urgency of keeping one’s gaze fixed on a single person is woven through each of the three artists’ distinctive expressions.
Kvi Baba’s introspective lyrics, idom’s delicate vocals, and SALU’s urbane flow overlap to create a depth unique to this collaboration.
Selected as the ending theme for ABEMA’s news program ABEMA Prime in May 2024, the song has reached a broad audience.
It’s a piece that keeps you company on late-night drives or in quiet moments spent thinking of someone special.
ImNEW!dodo
This track became a viral hit thanks to TikTok, surpassing 15 million plays.
Released by dodo in September 2019, it’s a love song that recounts memories of a past relationship in simple, unadorned words.
It portrays the bittersweet feeling of visiting places once shared as a couple, now alone, conjuring the other’s face, and the realization that the destination never mattered—as long as “you” were there—expressed through a mellow track and chill flow.
Its airy sound and romantic lyrics are irresistibly pleasant, and the song’s success prompted dodo to decide to pursue music full-time.
A 7-inch vinyl edition followed in September 2024.
It’s the perfect song for when you want to revisit the sweet-and-sour memories of love.
24/7 YOU…LANA
This is a love song that portrays a sweet yet bittersweet romance.
In the lyrics woven by LANA, there’s a longing to spend 24 hours with the one she loves, resonating deeply with listeners.
The song carefully depicts the emotional journey from a casual relationship to true love, vividly reflecting contemporary views on romance.
Released on YouTube on February 14, 2024, this track is recommended for those who want to savor sweet moments with a partner or who are dealing with complicated feelings of love.
LANA’s emotionally rich vocals and the lyrics interweaving Japanese and English will capture listeners’ hearts and never let go.
Never Grow UpCHANMINA
Raising her profile through the High School Rap Championship, female rapper Chanmina quickly climbed the steps to stardom.
While she initially released many hard-hitting rap tracks, lately her music tends to be more melodic.
Her song “Never Grow Up” is also crafted with an R&B-like vibe.
Stay (feat. LEX)NEW!KM
A work released in March 2021 by KM, a producer who represents the Japanese rap scene, featuring young rapper LEX.
While depicting a glamorous lifestyle, its delicate lyrics portray the shifting emotions of young people who carry sudden bouts of loneliness and anxiety.
The lingering emptiness that doesn’t fade even when with a lover or friends, and the feelings swaying between ambition and pressure on the path to stardom, are expressed over KM’s meticulously crafted, melodic track.
Rather than a straightforward love song, it becomes a multilayered piece that also encompasses the desire for validation and wavering self-esteem.
Included on the album EVERYTHING INSIDE, the track’s creation was also featured in a GQ JAPAN men’s culture magazine documentary.
It’s a poignant teen anthem about telling yourself you’re fine while secretly wishing someone would stay by your side.
Bedtime Candy No. 2NEW!Kubota Kai
A mellow hip-hop number that portrays the complex mix of sweetness and self-loathing felt by a young man who ends up spending the night with the person he secretly liked.
It’s the lead track from Miyazaki-born Kubota Kai’s 2019 EP “Myōjō,” and its appeal lies in its literary lyrics—quoting poet Chuya Nakahara—and its urban, R&B-tinged production.
From the late-night push and pull to the emptiness of the morning after, the song unfolds with detailed scenes that pierce the heart with an unvarnished take on love.
The flow that moves between rapping and singing is addictive, making it a track you’ll want to listen to while wandering through the city at night.
Miss Luxury feat. LANA, JP THE WAVY, ¥ellow Bucks Prod. DJ PMXYZERR
A glamorous hip‑hop love song themed around luxury romance.
Featured on the album “Dark Hero,” released in February 2025, the track brings together a star-studded lineup of LANA, JP THE WAVY, and ¥ellow Bucks, with production by DJ PMX.
Each artist delivers a distinctive verse expressing admiration and affection for dazzling women, set against a modern sound that incorporates elements of G-funk and West Coast hip-hop.
It’s the perfect song for those wanting to spend special moments with a significant other, or anyone looking for stylish background music for a drive.