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Yuki Chiba
Yuki Chiba
Yuki Chiba
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Key Information

Yuki Chiba (千葉雄喜, Chiba Yūki; born April 22, 1990), formerly known by his stage name Kohh, is a Japanese rapper, singer, and songwriter.

Early life

[edit]

Chiba was born in Oji, Kita, Tokyo, Japan. He was raised by a single mother along with his younger brother, a fellow rapper known as Lil KOHH. His Korean father, whose Korean surname (고/Koh) became the basis of Chiba's stage name, died by suicide after jumping off an apartment building while high on drugs. Chiba's mother struggled with an addiction to methamphetamine. Chiba grew up around violence and drugs along with his crew of local friends.[1][3]

Career

[edit]
Chiba in 2016

Chiba started producing and recording music at the age of 18 with while making various mixtapes, until he met producer 318 and started releasing material under the label GUNSMITH PRODUCTION. He saw an early underground success within the sub-urban Japanese scene when he produced Lil KOHH's song "Young Forever." The accompanying music video went viral in Japan.

In 2014, Chiba released his major 2nd studio album titled MONOCHROME. The album was a fair success among the urban acts and its lead track "I don't mind if I'm poor" (Japanese: 貧乏なんて気にしない, Hepburn: Binbō nante Kinishinai) had a big reception on YouTube.

In 2015, KOHH along with Japanese artist Loota collaborated with Keith Ape's track "잊지마" (It G Ma) which became a major hit single in Japan and South Korea apart from gaining international media attention.[4] Back in Japan, KOHH resumed his work and continued working on his new album DIRT after releasing his delayed 1st album 梔子 (Gardenia). DIRT was released on October 28. The album was also released internationally via iTunes in October 23. Chiba was featured along with OG Maco on the track "BUCHIAGARI" by Japanese DJ RYOW.

In 2016, KOHH collaborated with Frank Ocean on the single "Nikes", available on the physical album copy of Blonde. Chiba was featured in a new song from Japanese American superstar Hikaru Utada, titled "Bōkyaku", from her 6th Japanese album Fantôme.

In 2018, Chiba was featured in an exclusive bonus track "Runway", in the Japanese iTunes version of Mariah Carey's Caution album.

Chiba's fifth studio album Untitled was released by Nippon Columbia on February 2, 2019.[5][6][7]

In 2021, Chiba retired the moniker KOHH, choosing to go by his birth name Yuki Chiba. He would later state in 2024 that he would no longer be performing any songs from the era as well. Chiba took a three-year career break before returning on February 12, 2024. He uploaded an official music video called "Team Tomodachi" (チーム友達), which went viral.[8] Team Tomodachi has had multiple remixes with other artists such as Duke Deuce, ¥ellow Bucks, Jin Dogg, Bun B, Watson, and many more.[9]

Chiba was featured on American rapper Megan Thee Stallion's 2024 track "Mamushi" from her album Megan.[10] The song went viral on social media and became Chiba's first-ever entry into the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 68.[11][12] He made his US TV debut at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards when he performed the song alongside Megan Thee Stallion.[13]

In November 2024, American artist Will Smith released his own remix of "Team Tomodachi", marking one of the highest-profile Western collaborations on the track. Smith announced the remix to his 70 million Instagram followers, later sharing a video teaser that amassed over 3.5 million views.[14][15][16]

Reception

[edit]

Chiba has been mentioned several times as a major influential force to the Japanese hip hop scene in recent years. Chiba has occasionally criticized how small the hip hop scene is in Japan and has tackled major mainstream TVs for its negligence of noticing hip hop. Chiba has also been praised for his smart use of topics like drug use and violence within the Japanese society which are considered controversial in the country.[17] After being featured in "잊지마" (It G Ma, Korean for "don't forget"), KOHH received even bigger praise from international audiences who recognized his use of the phrase 'Arigatō' (Japanese for "Thank you") in his verse as one of the highlights of the hit Korean-Japanese collaboration and praised the artist, whose performance on the track helped launch his career.[18] M-flo's Taku Takahashi has appointed Chiba as one of the main acts in the Japanese hip hop renaissance.[19]

Several videos featuring Chiba have gone viral on social media like YouTube, Facebook and Vine among others.[20][21][non-primary source needed][22]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details Oricon chart[23]
Monochrome
  • Released: July 30, 2014
  • Label: Gunsmith Productions
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 57
梔子
(Gardenia)
  • Released: January 1, 2015
  • Label: Gunsmith Productions
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 26
Dirt II
  • Released: June 17, 2016
  • Label: Gunsmith Productions
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 38
Untitled
  • Released: February 2, 2019
  • Label: Nippon Columbia
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 80
Worst
  • Released: April 29, 2020
  • Label: Nippon Columbia
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 12
The Lost Tapes
  • Released: September 25, 2022
  • Formats: Digital download
 n/a
Team Tomodachi (The Remixes)
  • Released: 2024
  • Formats: Digital download
 n/a
STAR
  • Released: December 11, 2024
  • Formats: Digital download
 n/a

Mixtapes

[edit]

List of mixtapes, with selected deals

Title Details
Yellow Tape
  • Released: November 28, 2012
  • Collection of Chiba lead songs and features
Yellow Tape 2
  • Released: August 31, 2013
  • Collection of Chiba lead songs and features
Yellow Tape 3
  • Released: June 30, 2015
  • Collection of Chiba lead songs and features
Yellow Tape 4
  • Released: December 20, 2016
  • Collection of Chiba lead songs and features
Complete Collection 1
  • Released: May 20, 2015
Complete Collection 2
  • Released: May 20, 2015

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
Title Year Album
"十人十色"
(Chiba, Tokarev, PETZ) 		2013 Non-album single
"Ballin"
(Chiba, SD and SKY-Hi) 		2014 Concrete Green the Chicago Alliance
"Chiraq 2 Japan"
(Chiba, Lil Herb, Seeda and Norikiyo) 		Non-album singles
"Fight for Tokyo"
(Giragiraガールズ, 巌, MEGA-G, MC漢, MC SHOW, MCクローバー, Y'S, YOUNG HASTLE, KOHH, LOOTA, EGO, 海, エリカ)
"Hope – Tokyo Tribe Anthem (Tribes United Version)"
(海, 巌, MC漢, MEGA-G, GIRAGIRAガールズ, D.O, T2K, Y'S, KOHH, 十影, YOUNG HASTLE, VITO FOCCACIO, LOOTA, EGO, MC SHOW)
"Paris (Sam Tiba Remix)" 2016 Homieland Vol. 2
"No Makeup" 2021 Yellow Tape 5
"Team Tomodachi (チーム友達)" 2024 Non-album single
"Shinpai Muyou"
(VALORANT) 		2025 Non-album single
[edit]
Title Year Album Notes
"Gimme the Lights"
(DJ Tatsuki & DJ Chari featuring Yuki, KOHH, and Young Freez) 		2012 A.C.E. Time 2nd Season
"I Need Her Remix"
(Vito (Squash Squad) featuring Nipps, KOHH and Cherry Brown) 		Yellow Tape
"New Days Move (Remix)"
(Aklo featuring Salu, Staxx T(Cream), KOHH & Shingo☆西成) 		Non-album singles
"G.O.L.D"
(DJ Ken Watanabe featuring KOHH) 		2013
"G.O.L.D Part 2"
(DJ Ken Watanabe featuring KOHH, Kayzabro and The Y's)
"Don't Stop Remix"
(DJ Ryow featuring DJ Ty-Koh, KOHH, Dizzle and Socks)
"Bank to Bank"
(Anarchy featuring KOHH) 		DGKA (Dirty Ghetto King Anarchy)
"Hate That Booty"
(Zeebra featuring Y's and KOHH) 		25 To Life
"Somewhere"
(Loota featuring KOHH) 		Dessin
"Boyfriend #2 (Remix)"
(Kowichi featuring Young Hastle, KOHH and DJ Ty-Koh) 		2014 The Diner
"プリンス"
(Y's featuring KOHH, Mony Horse, and Jigg) 		Love Hate Power
"Turn Up"
(DJ Ryow featuring KOHH, Smith-CN and Zeebra) 		#Idwt – In Dreams We Trust
"Hiroi sekai"
(Relax Rekords featuring KOHH, J $tash, and Young Sachi) 		Relax Gang Vol. 1
"aaight"
(DJ Souljah featuring KOHH, Maria (Simi Lab)) 		Non-album single
"Break the Records (Remix)"
(AKLO featuring KOHH & 漢) 		The Arrival
"I'm So High"
(T.O.P. featuring KOHH) 		Underworld Anatomy
"Moon Child"
(Anarchy featuring KOHH) 		New Yankee
" #ヤッチャッタ"
(Minmi featuring KOHH) 		2015 New Minmi Friends -"Bad" "Minmi" To Iu Neta wo Rapper Track Maker Ga Douryouri Shitanoka-
"ピラミッド"
(Salu & the dreambandgunjo featuring KOHH) 		The Calm
"Troy"
(Lord 8erz featuring KOHH, 三島, and RAW-T) 		8ERZ EP
"Lollipop (DJ KM Remix)"
(JOYSTICKK featuring KOHH) 		Non-album single
"Tomareranai"
(JOE IRON featuring KOHH, Steelo and Yuki a.K.A. Juto) 		Yellow Tape 1
"チョーヤバイ"
(GOKU GREEN featuring KOHH and MonyHorse) 		Yellow Tape 2
"Hood rich"
(J $tash featuring KOHH) 		Yellow Tape 3
"般若 (Kazoku)"
[(Hannya) 家族 feat. Chiba]
"잊지마 (It G Ma)"
(Keith Ape featuring JayAllday, loota, Okasian, KOHH)
"Mix Grillz"
(DJ☆GO featuring KOHH and HORI) 		Best for Crusing
"Let Me Know"
(タイプライター&YMG featuring AK-69 and KOHH) 		La La Palooza
"Don't Get Me Started"
(J $tash featuring KOHH) 		Hood Rich
"24 7"
(Brandon Thomas featuring KOHH) 		Good Things Take Time Vol. 3
"Buchiagari"
(DJ RYOW featuring KOHH and OG Maco) 		Non-album single
"Break'em All"
(TeddyLoid featuring KOHH) 		Silent Planet
"Bash"
(SOCKS featuring KOHH) 		Never Dream This Man
"All In"
(Dumbfoundead featuring CA$HPASSION and KOHH) 		2016 We Might Die
"Air Force 1"
(Barry Chen featuring Kenzy and KOHH) 		Rocking Gold
"Bōkyaku"
(Hikaru Utada featuring KOHH) 		Fantôme
"Nikes"
(Frank Ocean featuring KOHH) 		Blonde Featured version appears only in a special CD edition.
"24365"
(5lack featuring KOHH) 		2018 Non-album single
"We Talkin Bout"
(Higher Brothers featuring KOHH) 		2019 Five Stars
"Runway (Remix)"
(Mariah Carey featuring KOHH) 		2022 Caution Remix version appears only in Japanese digital edition.[24]
“Mamushi”
(Megan Thee Stallion featuring Yuki Chiba) 		2024 Megan No. 36 - Billboard Hot 100

Accolades

[edit]
MTV Europe Music Award
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017 KOHH Best Japan Act Won[25]
Space Shower Music Video Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2016 KOHH Best Hip Hop Artist Won[26]
2017 KOHH Best Hip Hop Artist Won[27]
[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Yuki Chiba

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Yuki Chiba (born April 22, 1990), formerly known professionally as KOHH until 2021, is a Japanese rapper, singer-songwriter, and producer from Oji, Kita, Tokyo. He rose to prominence in Japan's hip hop scene during the 2010s through his raw, trap-influenced sound, experimental style, and powerful lyrics reflecting personal realism and hardship, releasing mixtapes and albums that achieved top positions on iTunes charts in Japan. After retiring the KOHH moniker following his final album worst in 2020 and last performances in 2021, Chiba relaunched his career under his real name in 2024, gaining renewed viral success with the track "Team Tomodachi" and international recognition via his feature on Megan Thee Stallion's "Mamushi," a standout bilingual collaboration. Chiba began his music career at age 18, initially producing for his younger brother Lil KOHH before debuting his first mixtape YELLOW TAPE in 2012, followed by YELLOW TAPE 2 in 2013. His breakthrough came with albums such as MONOCHROME (2014), which peaked at No. 6 on iTunes overall and No. 1 in the Hip Hop/Rap category, and KUCHINASHI (2015), which reached No. 1 on both charts. He gained early international attention through his verse on Keith Ape's viral hit "It G Ma" in 2015, and later featured on tracks by major artists including Frank Ocean (on an extended "Nikes" from ), Hikaru Utada, and Mariah Carey ("Runway" remix). His genre-defying approach blended trap with punk and rock elements, earning him a reputation as a defining figure in Japanese hip hop. Following a period of retirement from the KOHH persona, Chiba returned in February 2024 with "Team Tomodachi," which quickly went viral and marked his comeback under his birth name. His feature on Megan Thee Stallion's "Mamushi" from her 2024 album MEGAN further elevated his global profile, showcasing his bilingual rap and crossover appeal. In 2024-2025, he had high-profile collaborations including a remix with Will Smith on "Team Tomodachi" and the track "Maybach" with Murda Beatz, as well as signing with Warner Music Japan and 300 Entertainment to support expanded international releases. Chiba's music continues to reflect his Tokyo roots while bridging Japanese and global hip hop audiences.

Early life

Family and upbringing

Yuki Chiba was born on April 22, 1990, in Ōji, Kita, Tokyo, Japan. He was raised by his single mother after the death of his father, who was of Korean descent and committed suicide when Chiba was a toddler. Chiba has a younger brother who performs as the rapper Lil KOHH. He grew up in the public housing projects of Kita ward in northern Tokyo, in an environment marked by poverty, exposure to violence and drugs, and family struggles including his mother's addiction to methamphetamine.

Entry into music

Yuki Chiba began producing and recording music at the age of 18 around 2008, initially creating various mixtapes as part of his underground activity in Japan's hip hop scene. He collaborated with producer 318 and began releasing material under the independent label GUNSMITH PRODUCTION, which hosted his early projects including the mixtape YELLOW T△PE. Chiba produced his younger brother Lil KOHH's track "Young Forever," released in 2012, which gained viral attention and helped mark his early presence in the scene.

Career

As KOHH: Early years and breakthrough (2008–2015)

Yuki Chiba began his musical career under the stage name KOHH around age 18 in 2008, initially creating mixtapes and partnering with producer 318 under the independent label Gunsmith Production. His debut mixtape Yellow Tape was released in 2012 and became notable for the track "Young Forever," which KOHH produced for his younger brother Lil KOHH and which gained viral popularity through its music video, helping to introduce KOHH's production style and raw aesthetic to the Japanese hip hop underground. In 2014, KOHH released his album Monochrome, featuring tracks such as "Fuck Swag" and the lead single "I don't mind if I'm poor" (貧乏なんて気にしない), which amassed significant views on YouTube and established him as a prominent figure in Japan's hip hop scene for his candid, trap-influenced sound reflecting urban realities. He continued releasing in the Yellow Tape series, including Yellow Tape 3 in 2015, which further built his domestic following during this formative period.

Peak years and international collaborations (2015–2021)

KOHH's peak years from 2015 to 2021 marked his transition into greater international prominence, driven by major album releases, high-profile collaborations, and viral tracks that expanded his influence beyond Japan's hip-hop scene. In 2015, he released Gardenia (梔子) on January 1, followed by Dirt on October 28, both under Gunsmith Productions, with Dirt gaining international distribution via iTunes and featuring tracks like "Dirt Boys" with Dutch Montana and Loota. The track "It G Ma" (잊지마) by Keith Ape, featuring KOHH alongside JayAllDay, Loota, and Okasian, emerged as a viral hit in 2015, blending Korean and Japanese rap styles and drawing widespread media attention for its aggressive trap sound and global appeal. KOHH's international collaborations intensified in subsequent years. In 2016, he contributed a Japanese verse to the extended version of Frank Ocean's "Nikes," included in the physical magazine edition of , marking a notable crossover into mainstream global music. That same year, he featured on Hikaru Utada's "Bōkyaku" (Boukyaku/Oblivion) from her album Fantôme, blending his raw style with Utada's pop sensibilities. In 2018, KOHH appeared on Mariah Carey's "Runway," a bonus track exclusive to the Japanese edition of her album Caution. His later studio albums included Untitled (2019), released February 2 under Nippon Columbia with minimal promotion, and Worst (2020), issued April 29 as a 15-track project that reflected introspective themes. KOHH received recognition for his impact, winning the Best Hip Hop Artist award at the Space Shower Music Video Awards in 2016 and 2017, as well as the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Japan Act in 2017. These accolades underscored his standing as a leading figure in Japanese hip hop during this period of heightened activity and cross-cultural reach.

Retirement of KOHH and hiatus (2021–2023)

In late 2021, Yuki Chiba retired the stage name KOHH that he had used throughout his career up to that point and began identifying professionally under his birth name, Yuki Chiba. His final performance under the KOHH moniker occurred on December 28, 2021, at the BADASSVIBES co-bill concert with The Cro-Magnons at Tokyo Dome City Hall. Following this event, Chiba suspended music releases and entered a hiatus that extended through 2023, during which he shifted focus to other creative endeavors, such as contributing essays titled “Yuki Chiba's Chats” to a monthly literary magazine. This transition to his real name reflected a deliberate artistic change, marking the conclusion of his KOHH era after more than a decade of activity under that persona.

Relaunch as Yuki Chiba (2024–present)

In 2024, Yuki Chiba relaunched his music career under his real name following the 2021 retirement of his previous moniker KOHH. He released the single "Team Tomodachi" on February 13, 2024, produced by Koshy, marking his first solo track and music video under the new identity; the song quickly achieved viral status domestically and internationally, inspiring widespread user-generated content on social media. "Team Tomodachi" spawned multiple remixes throughout 2024, expanding its reach through regional and international collaborations. These included the Dirty Kansai Remix in March featuring Young Coco and Jin Dogg, the Tokai Remix in April with SOCKS, ¥ellow Bucks, MaRI, and DJ RYOW, the Duke Deuce Remix, and a Will Smith remix released later that year. A compilation album, Team Tomodachi The Remixes, followed in May, incorporating additional contributions from artists such as Bun B, JNKMN, PETZ, SKY-HI, and others. Chiba achieved further international recognition in June 2024 with his feature on Megan Thee Stallion's "Mamushi" from her album MEGAN, also produced by Koshy; the track blended English and Japanese lyrics and gained traction through social media challenges. Later in 2024, Chiba released his album STAR, his first full-length project under his real name. In 2025, he released the single "Shinpai Muyou," which served as the official anthem for Riot Games' VALORANT VCT Pacific Stage 2 event. On August 29, 2025, Chiba signed a recording deal with Warner Music Japan in partnership with 300 Entertainment in the to support his global expansion; the agreement includes his relocation to Los Angeles and plans for U.S. performances, including his debut concert at The Roxy in Los Angeles and an appearance at the Head In The Clouds Festival in New York.

Musical style

Genres and production

Yuki Chiba's music primarily spans hip hop and trap, characterized by an inimitable, genre-defying approach that incorporates experimental elements and blends various sonic influences. His sound often features raw, powerful lyrics that draw from personal experiences and the rougher aspects of life, delivering a distinctive authenticity that has defined his appeal since his early career as KOHH. Chiba frequently handles aspects of production himself, having begun writing and producing music from a young age and maintaining full creative control as an independent artist, which allows him to push sonic boundaries and blend genres freely. His production often involves dark, growling beats typical of trap influences, with collaborations alongside producers such as Koshy contributing to a gritty, resonant sound in his work. Over time, Chiba's style has evolved from the underground trap-influenced rawness of his KOHH era to a more global, accessible approach in his 2024 relaunch, incorporating swagged-out pop elements and viral-friendly hooks while preserving his core raw lyricism. Later works have introduced bilingual elements, mixing Japanese and English lyrics to enhance cross-cultural appeal, as notably heard in his feature on Megan Thee Stallion's "Mamushi."

Influences

Yuki Chiba's music draws heavily from his challenging upbringing in the Oji district of Kita, Tokyo, a working-class area marked by poverty, violence, and drug exposure that profoundly shaped his raw, autobiographical lyrical themes of survival, self-worth, and unflinching realism. Raised by a single mother after his Korean father's suicide when he was a toddler, Chiba faced family struggles including his mother's meth addiction and related mental health issues, experiences that inform his stark reportage of hardship and resilience without melodrama. His younger brother, fellow rapper Lil KOHH, shared this difficult environment, and the brothers found escape and expression through music, collaborating early on tracks like "Young Forever" and navigating their circumstances together artistically. Chiba's influences span Japanese hip hop pioneers and global sounds, beginning with an early introduction to classic Japanese hip hop group King Giddra via a friend's older brother in elementary school. He has cited King Giddra alongside international artists such as Kanye West, as well as punk and rock acts including Nirvana, The Blue Hearts, and the Sex Pistols, reflecting a broad palette that blends Japanese roots with alternative influences. His adoption of contemporary U.S. trap elements was shaped by artists like Young Thug, OG Maco, and Travis Scott, contributing to his gritty, street-oriented sound that echoes Tokyo's urban realities. These personal and cultural touchstones—Tokyo street life, family trauma, and diverse musical inspirations—coalesce in Chiba's lyrics, which often reference his neighborhood loyalties and origins while exploring darker themes drawn from lived experience.

Discography

Studio albums

Yuki Chiba has released seven studio albums throughout his career, initially under the stage name KOHH and later under his real name. His debut studio album, Monochrome, was released on July 30, 2014. This was followed by Gardenia (梔子) on January 1, 2015, which peaked at number 26 on the Oricon Albums Chart and charted for seven weeks. He then released DIRT on October 28, 2015, which peaked at number 19 on the Oricon Albums Chart and charted for four weeks. In 2016, he released DIRT II, which reached number 38 on the Oricon Albums Chart with four weeks on the chart. After a period of less frequent releases, Untitled came out on February 9, 2019. Worst was released in 2020, with its complete box edition peaking at number 12 on the Oricon Albums Chart, marking his highest-charting effort under KOHH. Following the retirement of the KOHH moniker in 2021, a hiatus, and his relaunch under his real name, Chiba released STAR in 2024. This album represented a new phase in his career, aligning with his global breakthrough that year.

Mixtapes and EPs

Chiba's early career under the KOHH moniker featured a prominent series of mixtapes known as the Yellow Tape series, which began in 2012 and continued into the later years of his KOHH era, helping establish his raw trap-influenced sound in Japan's hip hop scene. The series began with Yellow Tape, his debut mixtape released in November 2012 as a collection of lead songs and features. It was followed by Yellow Tape 2 in August 2013, Yellow Tape 3 in June 2015, Yellow Tape 4 in December 2016, and Yellow Tape 5 in July 2021, each continuing to showcase his production and lyrical style through informal, high-energy releases. Chiba also issued compilation volumes under titles such as the Complete Collection series, which gathered and re-presented material from the Yellow Tape mixtapes; examples include Complete Collection 1 (From "Yellow Tape 1") and Complete Collection 2 (from "Yellow Tape 2"), released in the mid-2010s. In 2022, Chiba released The Lost Tapes, a project compiling previously unreleased tracks from his KOHH era, consisting of 12 songs and marking a reflective collection of earlier material. No formal EPs are prominently documented in this period beyond occasional mini-album releases such as the digital Dirt II (Side A) and Dirt II (Side B) in 2016.

Notable singles

Yuki Chiba's notable singles span his career under both KOHH and his real name, often marked by viral impact and cultural resonance in hip hop. His breakthrough came with a featured verse on Keith Ape's "It G Ma" (잊지마) in 2015, a trap anthem that exploded in popularity across Japan, South Korea, and internationally, introducing his raw delivery to global audiences and helping define Asian trap's rise. After retiring the KOHH moniker and a hiatus, Chiba relaunched in 2024 with "Team Tomodachi" (チーム友達), his first official single under his real name, which rapidly went viral as a chant-heavy trap banger with an infectious, repetitive hook. The track drew widespread remixes from artists including Will Smith, Duke Deuce, and others, amplifying its global crossover appeal and establishing his return. In 2025, Chiba released "Shinpai Muyou," a collaboration with VALORANT that transformed competitive gaming energy into a motivational mantra of resilience over pounding production, broadening his reach beyond hip hop. Later that year, "Ski Ga Ski" (隙が好き) featuring Big Sean showcased his continuing evolution, blending anime-inspired themes with high-profile collaboration.

Notable collaborations

Early and domestic features

Yuki Chiba, performing as KOHH, built his early reputation in Japan's hip hop scene through collaborations and guest features with domestic artists, establishing him as a key figure in the underground trap and rap movement. He produced the track "Young Forever" for his younger brother, rapper Lil KOHH, which appeared on KOHH's debut mixtape Yellow Tape (2012) and gained viral attention in Japan. The brothers later collaborated on the 2015 track "Tomodachi (feat. Lil KOHH)" from KOHH's release Kuchinashi. KOHH frequently worked with Japanese producer and rapper Loota, including early appearances on Yellow Tape and later on tracks such as "Dirt Boys (feat. Loota & Dutch Montana)". In 2015, KOHH featured on Korean rapper Keith Ape's "It G Ma (잊지마)" alongside Loota, Okasian, and JayAllDay; the track became a viral hit in Japan and South Korea, amplifying KOHH's domestic profile through its raw trap sound. One of his most prominent domestic features came in 2016 with Hikaru Utada, when he guested on "Bōkyaku (Oblivion)" from Utada's album Fantôme, pairing his rap verse with her pop artistry on a No. 1-charting Japanese release.

International features and "Mamushi"

International features and "Mamushi" Yuki Chiba has engaged in several high-profile international collaborations that have expanded his reach beyond Japan. As KOHH, he featured on a Japan-exclusive remix of Mariah Carey's "Runway" in 2018, where he traded verses with the global superstar over a track blending pop/R&B and hip-hop elements. He also contributed a guest verse to an exclusive version of Frank Ocean's "Nikes" that appeared only on the physical release of the album in 2016 (included with the Boys Don't Cry magazine), adding a haunting Japanese-language section not available on streaming platforms. Chiba's most prominent international collaboration came in 2024 with American rapper Megan Thee Stallion on "Mamushi," a bilingual track from her third studio album MEGAN.) The song, released June 28, 2024, features Chiba rapping in Japanese alongside Megan's English verses, with lyrics incorporating Japanese cultural references including the mamushi (a Japanese pit viper), yen, sake, and chopsticks, while continuing the album's snake-related renewal imagery. Chiba is credited as a co-writer alongside Megan Thee Stallion and producer Koshy, who also handled production. "Mamushi" peaked at number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Chiba's first top-40 entry on the chart, and reached number 1 on the chart.) The track gained widespread attention through a viral TikTok dance challenge that generated hundreds of thousands of user videos, with Megan herself participating in the trend, including one clip cosplaying as Sailor Moon's Usagi Tsukino. Megan Thee Stallion and Yuki Chiba performed "Mamushi" together at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on September 11 at UBS Arena in Long Island, where Megan (serving as host) delivered a medley of "BOA," "HISS," "B.A.S.," and "Mamushi" before bringing Chiba out as a surprise guest during the "Mamushi" segment; the performance featured dancers and drummers dressed entirely in red. The collaboration significantly elevated Chiba's profile outside Japan and contributed to his broader international recognition following his 2024 relaunch under his real name.

References

  1. https://www.tunecore.co.jp/artists/yukichiba?lang=en
  2. https://hq.rostr.cc/insider/news/yuki-chiba-signs-with-warner-music-japan-300-entertainment
  3. https://www.hercampus.com/culture/who-is-yuki-chiba-explainer/
  4. https://www.revolt.tv/article/13-of-yuki-chiba-hardest-songs-and-collaborations
  5. https://www.kcrush.com/crushofthemonth/yuki-chiba-a-prominent-figure-in-japanese-hip-hop/
  6. https://araent.net/yuki-chiba/
  7. https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/34695/1/kohh-japanese-rapper
  8. https://sabukaru.online/articles/japans-biggest-living-legend-kohh
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Q82eEVhbs
  10. https://kids.kiddle.co/Yuki_Chiba
  11. https://music.apple.com/jp/artist/kohh/622236256?l=en
  12. https://open.spotify.com/album/7fPyeK1TSi6H1Kx8UO0Ihn
  13. https://open.spotify.com/album/0KYwjhv3SYVG2DgfK3qXuM
  14. https://www.vice.com/en/article/keith-ape-jayallday-loota-okasian-and-kohh-it-g-ma-korean-u-guessed-it/
  15. https://www.thefader.com/2016/08/21/japanese-rappers-kohh-loota-boys-dont-cry-frank-ocean-blond
  16. https://music.apple.com/br/music-video/boukyaku-feat-kohh/1444999394?l=en-GB
  17. https://mariahcareynetwork.com/music/unreleased/runway.html
  18. https://genius.com/albums/Kohh/Untitled
  19. https://genius.com/albums/Kohh/Worst
  20. https://www.liveone.com/artist/kohh/7614632
  21. https://liftedasia.com/article/yuki-chiba
  22. https://electricbloomwebzine.com/2024/05/yuki-chiba-retires-kohh-era-songs-from-live-performances.html
  23. https://niewmedia.com/en/specials/046981/
  24. https://open.spotify.com/album/1P21UjZvPPhykRVtsPyhCl
  25. https://www.wmg.com/news/globally-acclaimed-japanese-artist-yuki-chiba-inks-deal-with-warner-music
  26. https://toolost.com/news/article/artist-spotlight-yuki-chiba
  27. https://grammy.com/news/japanese-rap-went-global-in-2024-awich-yuki-chiba
  28. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2015/12/20/music/verse-launched-kohhs-rise-rap-stardom/
  29. https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/581287/products/album/
  30. https://music.apple.com/mt/album/star/1809230208
  31. https://linkco.re/xsBeDt16?lang=en
  32. https://music.apple.com/us/album/kohh-complete-collection-1-yellow-t-pe-1-%E3%82%88%E3%82%8A/993001723
  33. https://open.spotify.com/album/6Y4kd53bpzt1drmLSbLNpA
  34. https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-lost-tapes/1646662738
  35. https://www.discogs.com/artist/3897390-Kohh
  36. https://sabukaru.online/articles/the-unspoken-impact-of-hip-hop-hit-it-g-ma
  37. https://www.vice.com/da/article/2015-the-year-korean-rap-broke/
  38. https://www.balenciaga.com/en-it/yuki-chiba
  39. https://liftedasia.com/article/yuki-chiba-big-sean
  40. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kohh/622236256
  41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QFH0h4tzjI
  42. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPC9erC5WqU
  43. https://www.tokyohive.com/article/2017/01/utada-hikaru-drops-pv-for-boukyaku-featuring-kohh
  44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39jTFTh5Z1c
  45. https://genius.com/Megan-thee-stallion-mamushi-lyrics
  46. https://genius.com/Megan-thee-stallion-mamushi-lyrics/q/writer
  47. https://music.apple.com/my/song/mamushi-feat-yuki-chiba/1752025863
  48. https://musicchartsarchive.com/artists/megan-thee-stallion
  49. https://www.tiktok.com/@theestallion/video/7386439857289088287?lang=en
  50. https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-megan-the-stallion-bring-out-yuki-chiba-for-mamushi-at-the-2024-mtv-vmas/
  51. https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a62151910/megan-thee-stallion-vmas-2024-performance-video/
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