AUTHOR

Ito Kotaro

7 articles

A Shibuya-based writer covering street culture and hip-hop news, with a focus on explaining the background and context of developments in US and Japanese hip-hop.

Other writers

BLAISE on Codein Dreaming with $AINT STØNE: Capturing Shibuya as It Happens

BLAISE discusses making Codein Dreaming with BSTA’s $AINT STØNE, preserving rough edges and turning everyday life in Shibuya into music.

Ito Kotaro September 22, 2026

DJ KORIN Interview: “ARMAND,” Jetlag, T.U.G. and NEIGHBORS TAPE 2

Ito Kotaro August 21, 2026

BLAISE & D-SETO Interview: HUMAN JUNCTION, Bay Area Flow and Patience

Ito Kotaro August 21, 2026

Rommy Montana Interview: How 03- Performance Built FROM BLOCK 03-

Ito Kotaro August 19, 2026

FORCE Festival 2026 Complete Guide | October 25 at Higashi-Ogishima East Park, Kawasaki

Ito Kotaro May 10, 2026

NITRO MICROPHONE UNDERGROUND’s XBS on news23 — Japanese Hip-Hop’s Second Chapter

Ito Kotaro May 10, 2026

ULTRA-VYBE 40th Anniversary “FORTH FROM FORTY” — Two Days of Japanese Rap Underground History, with 漢 a.k.a. GAMI, D.O, THA BLUE HERB, DJ KRUSH and More

Ito Kotaro April 22, 2026