[English Translation]
Study of the appeal and efficacy of female rap
By bounce
Like Japanese pop singer Ayumi Hamasaki having a crack at rapping on m-flo's latest album, or like popular idol group Momoiro Clover Z who was rapping to lyrics written by writer/editor/actor/comedian/rapper Seiko Ito newly announcing their upcoming collaborations with Japanese hip hop MC, Chinza Dopeness or track maker and MC, EVISBEATS, or like actually it was generally common practice for Hello! Project girls to include rap in their performances, it is already quite some time that not only up-for-challenge young idols but a large number of female artists have added rap into their options of vocal expressions, whether it be introducing some rap verses into the songs or doing the whole track in rap. In the meantime, it is also the case that so-called female MC s are gaining more traction from a wider range of audience.
So, if it isn't about the originality any more, it's probably more about who raps in what way nowadays... Here we will skip the evaluations of whether they sound proper hiphopish or not, but rather focus on how female 'speech' is being made to function effectively as a vocal tool, and explore how the allure is then converted into originalities in each piece of work, an excellent study when the scene has never been as vibrant as ever!
▼Related Works
left to right: m-flo's album 2014 "FUTURE IS WOW" (rhythm zone), Momoiro Clover Z's album 2013 "5th Dimension" (Starchild), Morning Musume。'14's compilation album "Morning Musume。'14 Coupling Collection 2" (zetima), MARIA's album 2013 "Detox" (SUMMIT)、Moe and ghosts' album 2012 "Yurei Tachi (meaning Ghosts)" (UNKNOWNMIX), COPPU's album 2011 "Twilight" (in ditch)、Negicco's album 2013 "Melody Palette" (T-Palette)
lyrical school "brand new day"
Written by Hiromi Go
This is the 'Brand New' school! A great song for the new season!!!!!!
Perhaps slightly over the top to call them the czar of the field, but nobody would possibly disagree to referring to them as the first 6 piece team to pioneer and establish the new field of "rapping idols" that surprisingly never existed until then. lyrical school who has been steadily gaining recognition has just completed their latest single in 4 months, "brand new day".
Their first album "date course" released by the current members lists many and various creators whom the members only met for the first time. The last single, "Waratte.net / My Kawaii Nichijotachi (meaning Smile.net / My Sweet Ordinaries)", were both written by Illreme, the hip hop musician from western Kansai area, but this time their ambitions seemed to have increased... The title track is done by AxSxE of hardcore free jazz band NATSUMEN, also famous for his works with Japanese artist Kaela Kimura, and the lyrics were freshly written by Japanese rapper LITTLE, currently in top shape with his ongoing releases from his special rap unit UL formed with MCU from Japanese hip hop group Kick the Can Crew, or the super grand 5MC+1DJ dream unit Hasta la Vista formed with members from Rip Slyme or Spontania. One of the charms of lyrical school was the rap-like-talking flow, but added to that this time, the tight rapping with strong emphasis on the rhyming intertwines perfectly with the tracks, carefully trailing guitar loops and bringing out the best gallantry of the six. A pretty new and fresh touch celebrating the new release.
Meanwhile, the coupling track "Sing, Sing" will let the listener comfortably enjoy the trustworthy sounds produced by Sensui Masacherry (former member of WEEKEND), long-acquainted from their tengal6 (=precursor of current lyrical school) days. Don't miss the tracks, "Hitoribocchino Labyrinth (meaning The Lonely Labyrinth)" remixed by Japanese producer and DJ tofubeats, and "Ribon wo Kyutto (meaning Tighten up your Ribbon)" remixed by connie, the sound producer for Japanese idol unit, Negicco, only included in the first limited editions, version B!
▼Related Works
left to right: lyrical school's album 2013 "date course" (T-Palette), LITTLE's album 2014 "Akari Title 1" (Tokuma Japan)
