Meet kZm - The Rapper Elevating Tokyo Hip Hop
Japan has been on a high wave of groundbreaking hip-hop.
Bringing to the surface underground artists like KOHH, Lex, Daoko, and Awich, Japanese rap has been sprouting as a genre overseas in the past few years. Here at the heart of J-rap, Soundcloud and social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have been boosting the careers of many budding rappers, whether they may be based in Osaka, Nagano, or Tokyo. One household name is kZm [pronounced ka-zu-ma], a Tokyo native hip-hop beast.
Starting off his career in the mid-2010s in the Tokyo rap group kiLLa, kZm’s name took off in 2018 with his solo debut album “Dimension” and set a new standard in the community with his hit “Dream Chaser”, characterized by an intro borrowed from the song Mr Brightside by the Killers. kZm is one of the first J-rappers to build a bridge between Shibuya’s hype and influence with Western genres.
His music is like no other, with touches of math rock and pop-punk, all while retaining a soothing harmony. kZm’s authenticity is what’s most touching: he raps about his most personal experiences, hence the themes of nostalgia, youth culture, and his city, but also he gets inspired by bigger topics, like mental health and the importance of creative freedom.
kZm has proven himself to be part of the leading generation of Japanese pop culture, giving us the future before it’s even time. Notably, he hosted a virtual live show in 2020 to celebrate the release of his album “Distortion”, with collaborative merch with globally recognized artist Verdy and creative crew YouthQuake. He has found a way to remain active even during strict COVID regulations, performing at secret parties in Tokyo.
Although he may still hold little influence in the Western music industry, kZm’s talent and unique outlook on making music and life are certain to assure him the same level of success that he has here in today’s hotspots of the music industry.
About the Author:
Mizuki Khoury
Born in Montreal, based in Tokyo. Sabukaru’s senior writer and works as an artist under Exit Number Five.
