Yuki Chiba

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This article is about the Japanese recording artist. For the radio station, see KOHN.

Yuki Chiba
Chiba in 2024
Chiba in 2024
Background information
Birth name千葉雄喜
(Yūki Chiba)
Also known as
  • Kohh
  • Yellow T20
Born (1990-04-22) April 22, 1990 (age 34)
Oji, Kita, Tokyo, Japan
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2008–present
LabelsGunsmith Production Columbia
Websitekohh.tokyo

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

Chiba was born in Oji, Kita, Tokyo, Japan. He was raised by a single mother along with his younger brother, 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, sharing the same experience.[1][3]

Career

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

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 being 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), KOHH received an even bigger praise from international audiences who recognized his use of the phrase 'Arigatō' (Thank you) in his verse as the trademark of the hit song and praised the artist whose performance was the one that left the biggest impression on the track.[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

Studio albums

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

Mixtapes

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

As lead artist

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
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
"Runway (Remix)"
(Mariah Carey featuring KOHH) 		2022 Caution
“Mamushi”
(Megan Thee Stallion featuring Yuki Chiba) 		2024 Megan No. 36 - Billboard Hot 100

Accolades

MTV Europe Music Award
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017 KOHH Best Japan Act Won[24]
Space Shower Music Video Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2016 KOHH Best Hip Hop Artist Won[25]
2017 KOHH Best Hip Hop Artist Won[26]

References

  1. ^ a b Fage, Chloë (September 16, 2017). "KOHH, the new figurehead of Japanese hip-hop". Numéro. Archived from the original on May 1, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  2. ^ "Asian Trap: Why You Need This Genre in Your Life". Highsnobiety. September 21, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  3. ^ "団地発！東京のアングラ ヒップホップ – Rising From the Tokyo Projects" [Coming from the housing complex! Underground hip hop in Tokyo – Rising From the Tokyo Projects] (in Japanese). VICE Japan. February 28, 2014 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ Dexter Thomas (February 15, 2015). ""It G Ma" Made Asian rap History". Noisey. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  5. ^ "KOHH Drops Experimental New Album "UNTITLED"". Hypebeast. February 8, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  6. ^ "No Product | musicjapanet".
  7. ^ "UNTITLED: 商品カテゴリー | KOHH | CD/DVD/Blu-ray/レコード/グッズの通販サイト【コロムビアミュージックショップ】".
  8. ^ Rafid, Sabiq (February 21, 2024). "Yuki Chiba returns to take back his crown with 'Team Tomodachi'". liftedasia.com. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  9. ^ Shepherd, Charles (May 16, 2024). "Yuki Chiba retires KOHH era songs from live performances". Electric Bloom Webzine. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  10. ^ Shepherd, Charles (June 24, 2024). "Yuki Chiba featured on Megan Thee Stallion's upcoming album 'Megan'". Electric Bloom Webzine. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  11. ^ Ford, Lucy (July 10, 2024). "Megan Thee Stallion Out-Cosplayed Herself With New Sailor Moon Look". Teen Vogue. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  12. ^ Zellner, Xander (July 9, 2024). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Yuki Chiba, Loco & BabyTron All Score First Entries Thanks to Collaborations". Billboard.
  13. ^ Saponara, Michael (September 12, 2024). "Megan Thee Stallion Brings the Heat With Fiery Medley Featuring Yuki Chiba at 2024 VMAs". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  14. ^ "Will Smith drops surprise remix of Yuki Chiba hit 'Team Tomodachi'". Electric Bloom Webzine. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  15. ^ "Will Smith on Instagram: "My turn. Team Tomodachi (Will Smith Remix) coming 11.1"". Instagram. October 30, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  16. ^ "Will Smith on Instagram: Teaser video for "Team Tomodachi" remix". Instagram. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  17. ^ Cristina Quinn (March 15, 2015). "Rapper Kohh shows a side of Japan that is often ignored". Public Radio International. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  18. ^ Masao Winston, Danny (March 15, 2015). "The verse that launched Kohh's rise into rap stardom". Japan Times. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  19. ^ Ronald (March 15, 2015). "m-flo's Taku Takahashi finally clears up his F*ck J-Pop tweets". Arama Japan, The Japan Times. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  20. ^ "Arigato Japanese Trap Music". March 15, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2016 – via YouTube.
  21. ^ "Japanese Trap Music". Facebook. March 15, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  22. ^ "None". Vine. March 15, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  23. ^ Oricon (in Japanese). KOHH albums on Oricon
  24. ^ "Nominees for Best Japan Act at The 2017 MTV EMA Announced". Arama Japan. October 5, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  25. ^ "Winners – Space Shower Music Video Awards". Space Shower. February 28, 2015. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  26. ^ "Space Shower Music Award, Radwimps get Artist of the Year, Alexandros most voted (in Japanese)". Natalie.mu. March 28, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
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