Taro Imai

Model / DJ / Staff at JKPT — Tokyo

01Profile

A Taro Imai Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
TARO IMAI. Born in Kyoto, Living in Tokyo.

What do you do?
Model / DJ / Staff at JKPT.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Octavian, rapper. I thought Grime was the best of hip-hop in London, but Octavian attracted me with his different rap style from Grime. It must have been the right time to see his gig as I was just starting to like 4 on the floor styles and trap music. I guess the gig took place in September 2018 at the reception party for Stone Island in Minami Aoyama. He was closing it and It was the first day on the tour for him so he was quite aggressive and great.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
It has to be Grime. I got to know it because of Skepta’s album ‘Konnichiwa’, released in 2016, and I was shocked in many ways. Grime sounded similar to the Japanese language somehow. I particularly got knocked down by ‘Shutdown’.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
It’s closed now but I choose UC Ucess The Lounge in Harajuku. I played a lot there when I started DJing. Those memories, you know.

If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
Legends don’t really interest me much for now so I would say Octavian or Skepta. I’d DJ behind them or be their stylists.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I’d love to chill out with Octavian in London.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I name Bakar, actually from the States but based in London now. He is positioned well between hip-hop and soul music. I encounter new artists through producers or ones featured in tracks of my favourite artists.

04Playlist Notes

How did you select the tracks for this playlist?
I like fashion just as I like music. I chose rappers who I’d distinguish as stylish or have sympathy with their background. English is not my mother tongue so I value my instinct when I hear tracks for the first time.

The first track you played on repeat?
‘Anarchy In The UK’ by Sex Pistols. I got to know them when I was in the first or second grade of junior high school - through the influences from Vivienne Westwood and Boy London. I started listening to hip-hop at the same time actually.

A song that defines the teenage you?
Hard question… as I only got to know British rap music. I may choose ‘Don’t Play’ by Travis Scott and Big Sean featuring The 1975, British rock band.

One record you would keep forever?
‘Spaceman’ by Octavian. Since I’m crazy over him right now (laugh). I’m not sure it’s ‘forever’, though.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
It’s the name of a track, not a lyric, but I say ‘No Intro’ by Lancey Foux. It suddenly kicks off with rap without the intro, and I like that straight forward edge.

Best song to turn up loud?
‘Cigarettes & Cush’ by Stormzy ft. Kehlani and Lily Allen. It starts with something like R&B or ballad and going Grime afterwards. I sing it loud when I drive (laughs).

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
‘Rocketman’ by Elton John. I got to know this because of ‘High’ by Young Thug. I like it as much as I copped his tour shirt in a vintage shop.

Any new music you are listening to right now?
Michael Phantom. I got to know him as one of the artists collaborating with Octavian. He is an Asian rapper who featured in ‘Bet’ by Octavian.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
TARO IMAI. Born in Kyoto, Living in Tokyo.

What do you do?
Model / DJ / Staff at JKPT.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Octavian, rapper. I thought Grime was the best of hip-hop in London, but Octavian attracted me with his different rap style from Grime. It must have been the right time to see his gig as I was just starting to like 4 on the floor styles and trap music. I guess the gig took place in September 2018 at the reception party for Stone Island in Minami Aoyama. He was closing it and It was the first day on the tour for him so he was quite aggressive and great.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
It has to be Grime. I got to know it because of Skepta’s album ‘Konnichiwa’, released in 2016, and I was shocked in many ways. Grime sounded similar to the Japanese language somehow. I particularly got knocked down by ‘Shutdown’.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
It’s closed now but I choose UC Ucess The Lounge in Harajuku. I played a lot there when I started DJing. Those memories, you know.

If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
Legends don’t really interest me much for now so I would say Octavian or Skepta. I’d DJ behind them or be their stylists.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I’d love to chill out with Octavian in London.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I name Bakar, actually from the States but based in London now. He is positioned well between hip-hop and soul music. I encounter new artists through producers or ones featured in tracks of my favourite artists.

04Playlist Notes

How did you select the tracks for this playlist?
I like fashion just as I like music. I chose rappers who I’d distinguish as stylish or have sympathy with their background. English is not my mother tongue so I value my instinct when I hear tracks for the first time.

The first track you played on repeat?
‘Anarchy In The UK’ by Sex Pistols. I got to know them when I was in the first or second grade of junior high school - through the influences from Vivienne Westwood and Boy London. I started listening to hip-hop at the same time actually.

A song that defines the teenage you?
Hard question… as I only got to know British rap music. I may choose ‘Don’t Play’ by Travis Scott and Big Sean featuring The 1975, British rock band.

One record you would keep forever?
‘Spaceman’ by Octavian. Since I’m crazy over him right now (laugh). I’m not sure it’s ‘forever’, though.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
It’s the name of a track, not a lyric, but I say ‘No Intro’ by Lancey Foux. It suddenly kicks off with rap without the intro, and I like that straight forward edge.

Best song to turn up loud?
‘Cigarettes & Cush’ by Stormzy ft. Kehlani and Lily Allen. It starts with something like R&B or ballad and going Grime afterwards. I sing it loud when I drive (laughs).

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
‘Rocketman’ by Elton John. I got to know this because of ‘High’ by Young Thug. I like it as much as I copped his tour shirt in a vintage shop.

Any new music you are listening to right now?
Michael Phantom. I got to know him as one of the artists collaborating with Octavian. He is an Asian rapper who featured in ‘Bet’ by Octavian.