Yokai Jaki: Osaka Hardcore Rap
Japan’s reputation as “zen” is global.
It’s easy to picture evergreen bamboo forests, the much-coveted tea ceremonies spread out on tatami flooring and body-mending natural springs. It’s clear that this side of the culture is an essential facet of the country and its soft power - and undeniably appreciated - but the complete opposite is also prominent, especially in the world of art: the kaleidoscopic Superflat movement, the ero-guro genre, the undying nightlife of Tokyo, etc. But even beyond this, there is much fierier, as seen with rapper Yokai Jaki.
Dante’s depiction of Inferno is comparable to Yokai Jaki’s hellish vocals and unchained beats. Born in the early 2000s, the Osaka native Yokai Jaki keeps his life relatively private, and though new fans are always dying to get to know him better, his artistry is what’s most fascinating.
Hardcore and hip-hop are traditionally an unlikely mix, but when done right, it’s a combo that never gets old. It keeps you tense and awake as if inhibitions are nothing more than an afterthought. Yokai Jaki is definitely the best artist in this crossover genre: with raspy screams powering every song, the overlapping chaos of samples, beeps, and crashes meddle into insanity.
Completely liberated and free of all restrictions, the rapper’s music is a symbol of hallucinogenic violence and youth, entirely torn apart by the seams, with gore and glitches pooling in. It’s unhinged, like a never-ending trip looped by punk, emo, and utter distortion.
No one is truly ever ready for what Yokai Jaki is capable of, and that’s probably what's so addictive about him. It’s hard to get tired of his songs as it revs up your senses, and the music videos perfectly accord themselves to the devilish mania and tremor-inducing songs.
About the Author:
Mizuki Khoury
Born in Montreal, based in Tokyo. Sabukaru’s senior writer and works as an artist under Exit Number Five.
