Japan R&B Music
Top 12 Japanese Male R&B Singers
In a country with many cultures and traditions has arrived one of Asia’s top rhythm and blues music scenes, a music scene of gifted and talented Japanese male R&B singers. From J-Pop, Japanese pop music, to Japanese hip-hop and even Japanese rock music, there are a number of thriving genres throughout Japan. Through the crowded industry of hundreds of musicians has risen the musical cleverness of Japanese male R&B artists, singers that are truly in a class by themselves.
Some of the first remnants of Japanese R&B singers were the soul, funk, disco, and city pop era of Japan during the 1970s and the 1980s. Artists like Mariya Takeuchi, Seiko Matsuda, Anri, Toshiki Kadomatsu, Yumi Matsutoya, Rajie, Taeko Onuki, Hi-Fi Set, Junko Ohasi, Kiyotaka Sugiyama, Hiroshi Sato, Miki Matsubara, Minako Yoshida, or Amii Ozaki were a few of the earliest rhythm and soul artists of Japan. From Japan superstars, legends, and all-time sellers to Japanese artists that reached success within a specific niche of music, Japanese R&B music was born during the 1970s and 1980s.
While the 1970s and the 1980s were filled with talented Japanese soul and funk singers, or at least artists that implemented the soul and funk sound into their music, the 1990s and most importantly the 2000s was the era where Japanese male R&B singers began to solidify their stance in the company of other genres in Japan. Years following the success of numerous artists from the 1970s to the 2000s, Japanese R&B music has thrived like never before, especially with large roster of top Japanese male R&B singers.
Top 12 Japanese Male R&B Singers
1. Joji
Joji initially gained popularity through his comedic online persona, Filthy Frank, on YouTube. However, in 2017, Joji began to shift his focus towards a music career under his current moniker, with blends elements of R&B, lo-fi, and alternative pop. A musical style is characterized by his soft and soulful vocals, some of Joji’s most popular songs include “Slow Dancing in the Dark,” “Yeah Right,” and “Gimme Love.” He has released multiple projects, including his debut album “Ballads 1” in 2018 and Nectar in 2020.
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2. fujii kaze
From his earliest beginnings, showcasing his talent with a piano and an ambition to be a great singer, Fuji Kaze as arguably become one of Japan’s top singers of today’s generation. From 2010 to 2019, many first came to know Fuji Kaze covering popular songs and showcasing his multi-talents in front of a piano on YouTube. Finally, in 2019 Fuji Kaze made his first official debut. With no looking back, Fuji Kaze has produced hits like “Kirari,” “Nan-Nan,” “Shinunoga E-Wa,” and many more, all on the two classic albums of Love All Sever All and Help Ever Hurt Never.
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3. gen Hoshino
Known for hit songs like “Koi,” “Sun,” “Fushigi,” “Idea,” and “Doraemon,” Gen Hoshino has been making a name for himself nationally in Japan since the start of the 2010s. Varying through multiple sounds, from J-Pop to alternative and soft rock to rhythm and blues, Gen Hoshino is one of the most versatile and diverse artists of the roster of Japanese R&B singers.
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4. shoto Shimizu
One of the purest forms of R&B music, despite debuting during the late 2000s with a mixture of good vibes through hip-hop music and rhythm and blues, for the past couple of years Shoto Shimizu has been on a swift rise to the top of Japanese R&B music. With a career spanning for three decades, from the late 2000s to the 2020s, the veteran Japanese R&B singer has a long list of hits, including songs like “Curtain Call” and “My Boo.”
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5. SIRUP
Former 2020 Breakthrough Artist of the Year, SIRUP is one of the newcomers of Japanese music, but has been one of the most talented of late. While just getting his career off the ground, SIRUP has already established himself among fans and listeners with songs like “Loop,” “Swim,” and “Superpower,” with the obvious expectation of more to come.
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6. J Soul Brothers
A top Japanese boy band, the name and brand of J Soul Brothers has extensive record in Japan’s popular music scene. The origins of the group predates many of today’s aspiring artists, with the first appearance of the J Soul Brothers being during the early 1990s. Originally starting out as a dance group during the 1990s, the J Soul Brothers would have multiple generations of success, including the 1990s and early 2000s with HIRO, the late 2000s, and now with the J Soul Brother III of the 2010s and 2020s. Of late, many J Soul Brothers have kickstarted their solo careers, including ØMI, Takanori Iwata, and Ryuji Imaichi.
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7. Nulbarich
A soulful band that made its debut during 2016 with songs like “Hometown” and “New Era,” is currently still on the rise, but that does not negate from the fact that some of the music to be performed in Japan is by Nulbarich. Led by producer JQ, Nulbarich has since debuted songs like “Lost Game,” “ain’t on the map yet,” “VOICE,” “It’s Who We Are,” and a several other popular songs.
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8. NOA
One of the top freshman Japanese male R&B singers, NOA has been mastering his musical craft since his early years as a child in South Korea. Years of perfecting his artistry, NOA eventually led himself to becoming one of Japan’s top rising stars in music, while making his first debut through Universal Records. Following his first appearance, NOA has released songs like “Taxi,” “Lights Up,” “Paradise,” and “Don’t Waste My Time.”
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9. ReN
Known for the hit song あーあ。and “Life Saver,” ReN has building a catalog of music that contains a great mixture of J-Pop, R&B, and even alternative music. While still on the rise and up and coming, ReN is a special talent that is versatile when it comes to the style and sound of his music. Beginning with 2016’s album Lights, ReN has successfully made a name for himself through Japan’s music scene with releasing three albums, Lights, Life Saver, and ReNBRANDT, and numerous songs, all well received.
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10. CIMBA
With a career dating as far back as the early 2000s, CIMBA is not only one of the few Japanese male R&B artist that have been active in music for close to 20 years, but is a special talent that has often transitioned between Japan’s R&B scene and the country’s native hip-hop scene. A catalogue of music with a selection of hits has helped CIMBA obtain longevity in today’s Japanese music scene.
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11. Tonun
A newcomer to Japanese music, despite just kickstarting his career Tonun has presented himself as a star in the making, or at least a talented artists with all of the makings of star. With only a handful of songs , like “Tokyo Cruisin’,” “Sugar Magic,” “Blue Spring,” and “Last Love Magic,” , we are only receiving a first glimpse of what is more to come from the up and coming artist.
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12. Takasetoya
Making his debut in 2020 with release of the solo project Now the Won, TakaseToya is one of Japanese top rising R&b singers. Since his arrival, he has released several projects, including 2021’s MEMO RANDUM and 2022’s The 2nd of Undecimeber. His must check out songs include “Doushite,” “The 1st of the 13th Month,” “Memorandum Self Cover,” “Tears Tears,” and several more that showcased a rare talent.
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Honorable Mention Japanese Male R&B Singers
– Kan Sano: Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
– SPICYSOL: Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
– Tendre: Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
– Michael Kaneko: Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
– kenta dedachi: Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
– VIvaOla: Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
– kenya fujita: Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
– SOUTH BLUE: Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
– SUKISHA: Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
Japanese Male R&B Artists Related Topics
1 Top 15 Japanese Female R&B Singers
2 Top 12 Japanese Fashion Styles
3 Top 20 Japanese Rappers
4 Top 20 Filipino R&B Artists
5 Top 20 Indonesian R&B Artists
*Unofficial Order. The more popular artists that have a combination of the most followers, streams, views, and most recent releases are near the top.
*If any artists are missing from the list email media@kulturevulturez.com