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Rip Slyme

November 24, 2006
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Rip Slyme are in a class of their own, with a jazz-inspired sound that has evolved into something that is both entirely hip-hop and entirely unique, feauturing fast tempo, good beats and great rhymes from the MCs who range from the boisterous ragga-style of Ryo-Z to the smooth bass Su, and everything between. They started young (when they got together in 1994, DJ Fumiya was 15 years old, and the others weren’t much older) and keep getting better and better; each album they come out with is even more fun to listen to than the last. They’ve developed a great deal as musicians, so much so that, to be honest, I have to confess that I hate their pre-2001 work as much as I love their later stuff — the difference is that big.

Rip Slyme’s Masterpiece marked the first time in my life that I liked every single song on album. But don’t take my word for it — if you listen to no other Japanese music, please listen to Rip Slyme.

Recommended albums: Masterpiece (2004), Five (2001), Tokyo Classic (2002), Time To Go (2003)


Read on:
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  • Japanese Bands: The List
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  • General, Music
  • Table of Contents

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    8 Responses to Rip Slyme

    1. [...] OK, so, as part of the “regenerating content” strategy of this website, I’ve been writing a quick introduction to Japanese bands (the good ones), similar to the one that used to be up here. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) it’s getting pretty durn long. So, it seemed like the best thing to do, as always when a problem gets large, was to break it down band-by-band. So, be on the lookout for a series of articles on the best Japanese bands! First up is probably Rip Slyme. [...]

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    2. tatoeba on November 30, 2006 at 09:00

      Rip Slyme rules!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    3. Lane on September 29, 2008 at 13:23

      They totally do. I’ve got all of those albums and another entitled Yapparip or something like that. They’re the cat’s pajamas : )

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    4. David on December 17, 2008 at 13:10

      Just started listening to Rip Slyme after coming across this article. I’ve never been one for hip-hop, but this wins me over.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    5. Aaron on January 27, 2009 at 03:23

      Thanks for the recommendation, listening to the Masterpiece album at the moment, so far I didn’t skip a song so that’s a good sign.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    6. Jonathan on March 27, 2009 at 05:48

      www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR7yNQB0VLY

      What is this I don’t even

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    7. Danieru on April 5, 2009 at 17:11

      RIP SLYME made me love Hip-Hop! Japanes Hip hop has a flavor of its own, it’s not as heavy as American Hip-Hop with all the rich-black-guy-with-all-the-bling-and-the-hot-chicks kind of style, but more of songs about daily lives, love and just having fun. I first encountered them with “Nettaiya” that they performed live at Music Station (TV Asahi) and I really was wowed by the performance. I downloaded all their albums and it never fails to keep me loving them. Their music goes on forever!

      Masterpiece is indeed my very favorite album, a perfect arrangement of songs that you just feel incomplete if you won’t go through all of the tracks! :)

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1

    8. Suisei on January 12, 2012 at 09:18

      Thanks for sharing! :D I’ll look this band up. I have been into Jpop and Jrock for a long time. BoA has some Japanese, Korean AND Chinese songs. Also, Utada Hikaru has some good japanese songs too. (She speaks clearly and is easily to hear.) Asian Kung Fu Generation is awesome too. I love their stuff! ^^

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