Into the Otherwordly Dimension of Tohji
Springing up from SoundCloud around 2017, Tohji is today an ingenious phenom. Recognized by his sporty, supersonic style, he’s much more than just a rapper.
Born in 1996 in London, Tohji moved to the Tokyo metropolitan area, where he has been based since. After dropping out of high school, he enrolled in the Musashino Art University and formed his collective Mall Boyz, with his rapper friend gummyboy and other like-minded creatives.
He started producing music and planning events then, but reached a wider audience when he was featured on the first season of The Birth of a Rapstar on AbemaTV, a TV series where rising Japanese rappers compete with their skills and potential. This pushed him into the Tokyo hip-hop scene and grabbed the attention of fans worldwide. In fact, he has been featured multiple times on the popular YouTube channel NEET Tokyo, as well as in magazines like Ollie.
Musically acclaimed, Tohji explores eclectic genres like electro, hyperpop, rave, and punk, although he has previously said that he looks up to the overt universe of y2k Japanese popstars. He has collaborated with other big names such as kZm and Loota. His debut was assured by his first mixtape “Angel”, but these were recently removed from all platforms in solidarity with the victim of the producer’s crimes, along with other artists who worked with the shunned producer. Regardless, this mixtape was full of chartbusters and set the tone for his career. Since, Tohji released multiple singles, EPs, and albums, which have secured him countless shows nationally and internationally.
Eye-catching, vivid, and innovative, Tohji is nothing short of a superstar. With bursts of cyber y2k and androgynous streetwear, he’s also part of an apparel brand VANILLANI.
About the Author:
Mizuki Khoury
Born in Montreal, based in Tokyo. Sabukaru’s senior writer and works as an artist under Exit Number Five.
