Yokohama-raised rapper and cultural powerhouse Tohji has dropped the high-concept music video for his latest single, ‘Tenkasu’. The release paves the way for his landmark 11,000-capacity arena show in Yokohama this February.
The video, directed by Phương Vũ of Hanoi’s ANTIANTIART collective, pulls from influences as varied as biker films, tropical sci-fi, and citizen-shot protest footage. Filmed in Vietnam, the collaboration pairs the rebellious spirit of Vietnam’s underground art scene and Tohji’s trailblazing vision, for a chaotic, futuristic visual world.
The new single, released digitally on December 11th, ‘Tenkasu’, takes its name from the crunchy tempura flakes, whose biomorphic shapes mirror the surreal themes of the track and its artwork. The cover shows Tohji as the embryonic form of an alien gladiator, a preview of the otherworldly ideas that could shape his forthcoming record.
Tohji’s arena show at Yokohama’s PIA Arena MM on February 2, 2025, will mark the largest solo concert of his career. First teased during his POP YOURS 2024 set, the event exemplifies his growth from SoundCloud upstart to one of Japan’s defining rap talents.
This latest chapter follows a whirlwind 2024 for Tohji, which saw the release of his first English-language single, ‘Phenomeno’, a tour through Europe and North America, and a headline set at Tokyo’s POP YOURS festival.
About Tohji
Tohji, born in London in 1996 and raised in Yokohama, started making music in his teens, finding his voice on SoundCloud in 2017. He quickly gained a following as a voice for Japan’s disaffected youth, organizing events and eventually forming Mall Boyz with collaborator gummyboy.
Known for blending hyperpop, electro, and rave, Tohji’s music is as eclectic as his influences. His collaborations span global and local talent, with appearances on yeule’s ‘Perfect Blue’, Mura Masa’s ‘slomo’, and kZm’s Bloc Party-sampling TikTok hit ‘TEENAGE VIBE’.
Beyond music, Tohji is a creative force. He founded the fashion brand VANILLANI and has directed videos for other artists. In 2023, London based club culture online music broadcaster and club promoter, Boiler Room, spotlighted his u-ha party series in Tokyo with a performance that made waves online, cementing Tohji’s status as a global phenomenon-in-waiting.
Tohji ‘ARENA’
- 2nd February (Sun) – Yokohama, PIA Arena MM
Tickets for Tohji’s largest solo performance to date are available via Ticket PIA.
Tohji
Tenkasu
Release Date: 11/12/2024
Label: Eastern Margins
Stream: Links
