The Universe of Yurufuwa Gang: Japan’s Coolest Duo

Bands have ruled the world of music for decades now, and they’re absolutely timeless, with each member adding more charm to the music.

However, duos are just as incredible, if not more charismatic. One thing is for certain: the best duo in the Japanese music scene is unmistakably the eclectic Yurufuwa Gang. 

Yurufuwa Gang is composed of the jovial Nene and the equally talented Ryugo Ishida. Nene was born in 1994 in Tokyo and always yearned for someplace other than her native city, hoping to be a superstar overseas. Ishida was born in 1993 in a small town in Ibaraki prefecture and had a rough childhood, often skipping school and escaping familial conflicts.

They met at a club one night as they bonded over their tattoos, and they soon realized that musically and artistically, they were on the same wavelength. Soon after, the duo formed Yurufuwa Gang and released their first album Mars Ice House in 2017. During the same year, they had their first breakthrough song, gaining attention nationally thanks to their music video Dippin’ Shake. 

Yurufuwa Gang is best known for their languorous song Don’t Stop the Music, and their recent hit Unforgettable. Their musical influence stems from techno, ambient, noise, RnB, and old-school rap, creating the sensation of a faraway galaxy. Simultaneously earthy and otherworldly, this sick duo plays with trippy visuals, psychedelic sounds, and unorthodox lyrics, creating a wave of peaceful, like-minded fans among the saturated hip-hop industry. They’re avant-garde, innovative, and everything anyone would ever want to be, creating a new wave of kaleidoscopic, acid Japanese hip-hop from the ground up. 

Although they both through many hardships, they’re one of the most accomplished Japanese hip-hop artists, and today have fans worldwide. Inspiring plenty of other musicians and artists alike, Yurufuwa Gang is recognized as one of the coolest duos in the country. 

About the Author:
Mizuki Khoury
Born in Montreal, based in Tokyo. Sabukaru’s senior writer and works as an artist under Exit Number Five.