POP YOURS returned to Chiba’s colossal Makuhari Messe warehouse venue, showcasing the pinnacle of Japan’s hip-hop culture. Featuring old-school legends, rising stars, and current icons, this two-day festival has become a cornerstone for Japanese hip-hop, taking huge strides in pushing the genre into mainstream popularity in the 2020s.
With day one wrapping up with over 40,000 viewers tuning in online at its peak and around 9,000 attendees, the success of this event is not to be understated. To get you prepared for day two, here are some of the standout moments from the first day of POP YOURS.
RELATED: Watch POP YOURS 2024: Japan’s largest hip-hop festival streaming globally
Peanuts-kun: Nutty Beats from Vtuber Underdog
An auto-tuned Vtuber who performs under the guise of an out-of-shape peanut in its underpants, Peanuts-kun exceeded all expectations. Dropping massive club and hard bass tunes coupled with sick bars, all while in full mascot costume, his hip-hop performance was a pleasant surprise. With a lavish setlist, Peanuts-kun left me saying, “I’m looking forward to checking out the new album from that peanut guy,” something I never thought I’d say. Peanuts-kun is like if Crazy Frog had talent and personality, and I’m here for it.
CHINZA DOPENESS: Raw Energy and Old School Charisma
The MC battle champ and legend, CHINZA DOPENESS, made a nonchalant entrance, rolling down the catwalk on a mini-cruiser skateboard in silence. Eschewing flashy visuals or accompanying VJs or DJs, he took the stage solo, delivering sick flows and old-school, somewhat experimental, euphoric beats. As one of the more seasoned artists on the lineup, CHINZA DOPENESS brought the raw energy and charming charisma that only decades of industry experience can provide.
JUMADIBA: Authenticity in Every Beat
Entering to the football stadium chants from his 2021 track ‘Spike!’, JUMADIBA showcased why he’s one of the hottest young underground talents of the 2020s. Despite his seemingly awkward movements and humble demeanor, his top-tier trap and garage-inspired tracks reflected a refreshing authenticity and down-to-earth charm. Delivering straightforward smooth verses, his unique vibe set him apart from the rest of the lineup. Despite his unassuming presence, JUMADIBA’s performance highlighted his genuine talent, establishing him as a standout act amidst the festival lineup.
YENTOWN: A Powerhouse Surprise
Emerging as a surprise headliner of the mid-card slot, Japan’s premier hip-hop collective, YENTOWN, ignited both the live audience and online viewers with the live debut of their inaugural single, ‘Fuko Chu No Saiwai’ (‘Happiness is Misfortune’). Comprised of kZm, PETZ, JNKMN, Awich, MonyHorse, and U-Lee, this release marks the collective’s first joint venture in the decade since their formation. Following this explosive debut, snippets of each member’s solo hits elicited a quick succession of roars from the crowd, culminating in an all-new track where every member unleashed their full lyrical prowess on the mic. With this monumental performance, YENTOWN prove they are poised to dominate the hip-hop scene and establish themselves as the next big crew to watch.
STUTS: A Masterclass in Collaboration
Arguably the day’s best collaboration set, trackmaker and producer STUTS showcased his DIY approach by performing all his beats live on stage. A blistering drum pad solo set the stage for the first collaborators, featuring day 2 act Daichi Yamamoto and the return of CHINZA DOPENESS for ‘Mirrors’. Campanella joined Daichi for ‘Expressions’, followed by veterans Scha Dara Parr (SDP) for a handful of tracks, including a first-time mix of their classic ‘Summer Jam ’95’ and STUTS’ ‘Summer Situation’. Closing the set alongside tofubeats for their 2022 hit ‘One’, pushed STUTS to deliver a memorable verse away from his live decks. STUTS’ fusion of funky, chill tunes, and old-school hip-hop beats, combined with a stellar lineup of MCs and his undeniable hard work, created a truly unforgettable performance of old and new school sensibilities.
JP THE WAVY: Pure Polish
Exemplifying pure polish, JP THE WAVY once again ignited the venue with party hits like ‘Mango Loco’ and ‘What’s Poppin’, alongside the bass-heavy banger ‘Thai Gold’. The live debut of his new single, ‘SMASH HIT’, alongside DJ CHARI and YENTOWN’s kZm, whipped the crowd into a frenzy, following its release just the day before. The booming bass of ‘WAVEBODY’ reverberated through the room, while the trap track ‘Bushido’ from Fast & Furious 9 easily stood out as a highlight. Enhanced by his team’s seamless pop dance choreography, every aspect of JP THE WAVY’s set exuded pure sophistication. WAVY has been in the upper echelon of Japan’s hip-hop scene for years now, and it’s sets like this which remind us why.
LANA: Redefining Diva
The epitome of diva, LANA hit the stage meaning business, decked out in a suit jacket, commanding attention with her undeniable presence. Shedding the jacket by the second track, she was carried down the catwalk by a group of male dancers like some kind of goddess. The pulsating bass and rip-roaring guitar riffs of ‘BASH BASH’ rocked the audience, while her latest single ‘MY LIFE’ injected the set with intense drum and bass energy. ‘For bbys’ slowed the tempo for a moment of introspection led by sweet acoustic guitar melodies. Rounding out the set with the lovesick ’24/7 YOU…’, teenage rebellion anthem ‘L7 Blues’, and the chase your dreams sentiment on the track ’99’, LANA’s varied pick n mix style had a little something for everyone, and her unparalleled star power is a clear sign that we can expect bigger and better things from the young artist.
Ozrosaurus: A Legendary Return
In a special performance by one of the greats, Ozrosaurus took to the stage amidst an aura of darkness following a gradual buildup. MC MACCHO, now in his late 40s, is still spitting like it’s the early 2000s, effortless in his delivery and sounding cool as ice while doing it. The rapid-fire word play on some tracks was enough to leave heads spinning in awe. Career definers like ‘AREA AREA’ and his ZORN collab track ‘Rep’ set alight both the live audience and online viewers. Introducing his newest material, ‘Player’s Player’ and ‘Legend’, MACCHO adds a fresh dimension to his sound while staying true to the roots that established him over two decades ago. In terms of raw rap talent and lyrical prowess, MACCHO undeniably maintains his position at the apex of his game.
LEX: A Grand Entrance and Unforgettable Headliner
The 22-year-old headliner from Kanagawa made the grandest entrance at the festival, emerging from beneath the stage levitating on cables amidst a spectacle of butterfly wings displayed on the big screen. Dropping his fair share of hype guest appearances, including JP THE WAVY and OZworld on ‘WAVEBODY’, Only U and Yung Sticky Wom on ‘STRANGER’, as well as his sister and earlier performer LANA for the heartfelt empowerment track ‘Bright Room’, it was his solo endeavours that set him apart from the pack.
Emotionally charged hits like ’95 Project’ and ‘STAR’ stood out as some of the most powerful tracks of the set, if not the entire festival. With a varied setlist featuring chill easy-listening beats, groove tunes, modern hip-hop staples, and hard-hitting trap, LEX demonstrated why he deserved the headline slot. Combining the looks of Lil Peep and the delivery of Post Malone, tonight, LEX made his potential for widespread mainstream appeal known.
