Meet The Videographer Changing the Face of Japan’s Youth Hip-Hop Scene
Hip-hop has been booming overseas, and it seems like rappers are making all the buzz, replacing the long-lived popstar era. It is increasing in popularity everywhere.
Although the hip-hop community here can be considered underground, it’s creating space for creativity, freedom and partying in an otherwise prudent society. It is easy to attribute this new wave to its rappers, but the face behind the camera is just as important.
Meet Ken Haraki, a Tokyo-based cinematographer and director, incredibly acclaimed for his extensive body of work touching Japan’s underground hip-hop scene.
This Shizuoka native found an interest in cinematography from a young age, as he would relish in foreign films. Moving to Tokyo at the age of 18 to pursue a career in video production, Haraki started working solo late 2018. Although it’s only been a few years, he’s well-known among the crowd of Japanese rappers and above all, incredibly popular, thanks to his easy-going and welcoming nature.
Tight-knit with the Tokyo Young Vision label, he has directed almost all of their music videos, as well as working with the up-and-coming rap sensation JP THE WAVY and Jubee and classics like AK-69 and BIM. It’s no doubt that he has contributed to the rise of these artists, but Haraki has also worked with a few brands, like XLARGE for X RIOT and Onitsuka Tiger.
His style is distinctive, warm-toned but edgy, giving off an aura of chilled-out retro film. His signature is most definitely the mix of elements of vintage cinema and newer features like CGI VFX and neon lighting. On top of that, he keeps his colour palette cohesive, constituted of blues, greys, and oranges, which is incredibly impressive since his content relies on different kinds of songs and people he works with. Haraki’s flair for a timeless look is what makes him attract viewers from all around the world, which is a feat for a hip-hop scene which seems alienated from the rest of the world.
About the Author:
Mizuki Khoury
Born in Montreal, based in Tokyo. Sabukaru’s senior writer and works as an artist under Exit Number Five.
