01Profile
A RYOHU Photo
RYOHU
Rapper — Tokyo
03Interview
Name
Ryohu
What do you do?
Rapper
Where are you from?
Tokyo
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
It’s not a gig that I was at, but if YouTube counts, it’s the video I saw of a Skepta gig. I watched it around three years ago when Skepta, Stormzy and Giggs were making a name for themselves. I heard about a show that was almost in grime folklore because it was so crazy it nearly got axed, so I wanted to check it out. I didn’t know so much about grime at the time, but it was as good as advertised.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I feel UK music shares an affinity with Japanese music in that it’s based around chord changes over a melody, but I don't know if I can pinpoint a single subculture. If I had to narrow it down, it would be the chain of connectivity that runs through the grime to drill genres.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
That's a tough question to answer. I'm going to say the Nippon Budokan, where I featured as part of a Base Ball Bear show in January 2012. I was only around 20 or 21 when I stood on that stage, so playing such an iconic venue at that young age left a lasting impression. The crowd looked just like this wall of people. I'd like to play my own show there.
If you could be on the line up with any band in history?
The Kinks. I’d like to write a song with the original line-up. It’d be cool to do it in the present day because I’d love to see what effect modern day recording technology would have on their sound.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
The rapper Berwyn. He released an album in 2021, but I don’t think he’s yet reached the ears of many Japanese rap fans. I guess drill artists have a strong hold over me. I’d also say the rapper like Knucks. I rarely go to shows nowadays because of COVID, so I get all my influences from YouTube or subscription channels. When I occasionally go out, I’ll see some young DJs at shows or events, and they play drill tracks. It’s clear the UK scene has influenced them because their sets have that cooled down sound you get with UK music, compared to the hot and earthy sounds you get from the US.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
What is the concept of the playlist?
Rather than organising chronologically, I started by picking out UK based artists whose music continues to impress me. There was no way I could leave out Little Simz and Jevon they were the first artists that came to mind. I guess you could say I am learning from the past. Then, I added artists who have come up in the last two years or so.
The first track you played on repeat?
From around my fifth year in primary school, I started listening to hip hop and was so into it that I didn’t listen to anything else for ages. When I was around 18, I was in a band called ZUTTOZU LETELLZ with some members from the rock band OKAMOTO’S. It was around that time I started getting into bands like Ramones and The Who. Ramones are New York punk, so as we are focused on UK music I guess I’ll choose The Who’s ‘My Generation’ as the first track I had on repeat.
A song that defines the teenage you?
I’m going to choose The Beatles’ track ‘Strawberry Fields Forever.’ I really love the outro.
One record you would keep forever?
If it's an album I physically own, then probably... The Yardbirds' album ’Five Live Yardbirds.' It's the only album I own, but I love the feel of the whole record.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
It’s a lyric by Dave, the UK rapper. I read an online article that had Japanese translations of rap lyrics, and I learned that on his track ‘Location (Feat. Burna Boy)’, Dave uses clever wordplay with “P” and “Ns” so they act almost like a double metaphor. To be honest, I’ve been so busy recently that I haven’t had time to catch up on anything newer than that.
Best song to turn up loud?
For this, I imagine singing along while I'm in the car, so I'll say Stormzy and his track 'Blinded by Your Grace, Pt. 2 (Acoustic)'. I like everything about that track, including the YouTube video.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I think the fact I mention The Kinks and Ramones in passing conversation might be unexpected for some people. But if I had to name others, I would say something off the Disclosure album, ‘Caracal’. I listened to ‘Magnets (Feat. Lorde)’ a lot.
03Interview
Name
Ryohu
What do you do?
Rapper
Where are you from?
Tokyo
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
It’s not a gig that I was at, but if YouTube counts, it’s the video I saw of a Skepta gig. I watched it around three years ago when Skepta, Stormzy and Giggs were making a name for themselves. I heard about a show that was almost in grime folklore because it was so crazy it nearly got axed, so I wanted to check it out. I didn’t know so much about grime at the time, but it was as good as advertised.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I feel UK music shares an affinity with Japanese music in that it’s based around chord changes over a melody, but I don't know if I can pinpoint a single subculture. If I had to narrow it down, it would be the chain of connectivity that runs through the grime to drill genres.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
That's a tough question to answer. I'm going to say the Nippon Budokan, where I featured as part of a Base Ball Bear show in January 2012. I was only around 20 or 21 when I stood on that stage, so playing such an iconic venue at that young age left a lasting impression. The crowd looked just like this wall of people. I'd like to play my own show there.
If you could be on the line up with any band in history?
The Kinks. I’d like to write a song with the original line-up. It’d be cool to do it in the present day because I’d love to see what effect modern day recording technology would have on their sound.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
The rapper Berwyn. He released an album in 2021, but I don’t think he’s yet reached the ears of many Japanese rap fans. I guess drill artists have a strong hold over me. I’d also say the rapper like Knucks. I rarely go to shows nowadays because of COVID, so I get all my influences from YouTube or subscription channels. When I occasionally go out, I’ll see some young DJs at shows or events, and they play drill tracks. It’s clear the UK scene has influenced them because their sets have that cooled down sound you get with UK music, compared to the hot and earthy sounds you get from the US.
04Playlist Notes
What is the concept of the playlist?
Rather than organising chronologically, I started by picking out UK based artists whose music continues to impress me. There was no way I could leave out Little Simz and Jevon they were the first artists that came to mind. I guess you could say I am learning from the past. Then, I added artists who have come up in the last two years or so.
The first track you played on repeat?
From around my fifth year in primary school, I started listening to hip hop and was so into it that I didn’t listen to anything else for ages. When I was around 18, I was in a band called ZUTTOZU LETELLZ with some members from the rock band OKAMOTO’S. It was around that time I started getting into bands like Ramones and The Who. Ramones are New York punk, so as we are focused on UK music I guess I’ll choose The Who’s ‘My Generation’ as the first track I had on repeat.
A song that defines the teenage you?
I’m going to choose The Beatles’ track ‘Strawberry Fields Forever.’ I really love the outro.
One record you would keep forever?
If it's an album I physically own, then probably... The Yardbirds' album ’Five Live Yardbirds.' It's the only album I own, but I love the feel of the whole record.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
It’s a lyric by Dave, the UK rapper. I read an online article that had Japanese translations of rap lyrics, and I learned that on his track ‘Location (Feat. Burna Boy)’, Dave uses clever wordplay with “P” and “Ns” so they act almost like a double metaphor. To be honest, I’ve been so busy recently that I haven’t had time to catch up on anything newer than that.
Best song to turn up loud?
For this, I imagine singing along while I'm in the car, so I'll say Stormzy and his track 'Blinded by Your Grace, Pt. 2 (Acoustic)'. I like everything about that track, including the YouTube video.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I think the fact I mention The Kinks and Ramones in passing conversation might be unexpected for some people. But if I had to name others, I would say something off the Disclosure album, ‘Caracal’. I listened to ‘Magnets (Feat. Lorde)’ a lot.
Ryohu - One Way feat. YONCE (Official Music Video)
Ryohu – True North (Official Music Video)
Ryohu – The Moment (Official Music Video)
Ryohu - All in One (Official Music Video)