A masterpiece of Japanese black music. A noteworthy work embodying the soul of black music.
Black music originally refers to music genres with roots in Africa, encompassing a very wide range such as jazz, blues, funk, soul, R&B, and hip-hop.
When we think of black music, we tend to picture songs by overseas artists, but in fact there are many cool tracks within Japan that have brilliantly incorporated black music.
In this article, we’ll showcase a selection of black music created by Japanese artists all at once!
From popular singer-songwriters to bands, we’ve gathered songs from a variety of artists, so take this opportunity to give them a listen!
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Masterpieces of Japanese black music. Featured works embodying the spirit of Black music (31–40)
Lonely Genius (So What)Yu Sakai feat. Terrace Martin
Yu Sakai, who delivers authentic black music sounds honed at the source, included “Kodoku no Tensai” (“Genius of Solitude”) on his 2020 album Touch The World.
The song’s intro quotes a phrase from “So What,” the classic by Miles Davis, the jazz trumpeter whom Sakai deeply admires.
The recording features renowned American jazz musicians.
Although the tempo is relaxed, the forward-driving 16-beat groove makes it a very satisfying track.
THE EDGETHE BAWDIES
THE BAWDIES, whose soulful vocals and strong sense for music deeply influenced by Black music have earned them high acclaim.
This song was released in 2016 as their 11th single.
It embodies their determination as they stand on the edge of a cliff.
EchoPAELLAS
PAELLAS is a four-piece band based in Tokyo.
This song is the lead track from their 2018 mini-album “Yours.” It sings of unwavering feelings for “you.” The stylish sound is pleasant to the ear.
TokyoParade in the Rain
The groovy, crisp guitar cutting is what makes ame no parade’s “Tokyo” stand out.
Although ame no parade made their major-label debut in 2016, this is a single they released in their indie days that same year.
It’s an uplifting track with a forward-driving groove, expressing the feelings they had when leaving their hometown of Kagoshima to move to Tokyo.
Vocalist Kohei Fukunaga has roots in jazz and Black music and reportedly enjoyed listening to artists like Akiko Yano and Hanaregumi.
WE AREeill
Singer-songwriter eill, who develops her own musicality based on Black music.
Her track “WE ARE” is addictive, with her emotional vocals entwining around a bass-heavy beat.
Despite its stylish sound, the lyrics delve deeply into human vulnerability and the self that confronts it, and that message is profoundly moving.
The way she builds the hooks is skillful, and the song’s structure keeps you engaged from start to finish—I’m genuinely impressed!
Masterpieces of Japanese black music. Featured works embodying the spirit of black music (41–50)
Cold DancerScoobie Do
This is a song by SCOOBIE DO, a band formed in 1995.
It’s included on their 2017 album “CRACKLACK.” The bouncy guitar riff in the intro really sticks in your ears.
The music video, which looks like they’re playing Red Light, Green Light (Daruma-san ga koronda), is unique.
Tokyo 2020Nao Yoshioka
Tokyo 2020 is a single released in 2022 by Nao Yoshioka, a soul singer from Osaka who is based in New York.
The song was created while she was temporarily staying in Tokyo after she was forced to put her activities in the U.S.
on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s a mellow, soulful track that lets you fully savor the voice of an artist active on the global stage.
The electric sitar tone used in the intro calls to mind the Stylistics, a group emblematic of Philly soul.