Japanese hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts, comprising rapper R-Shitei and DJ Matsunaga, never expected international fame when they came up with the unusual name for their group back in 2013. Popular in Japan for a while now, they became global sensations this year with the track Bling-Bang-Bang-Born used in the second season of the anime Mashle: Magic and Muscles. The song topped hip-hop charts in over 10 countries, dominated Instagram reels, and increased the manga’s digital sales 10 times over.
The pair followed up their success with another hit Otonoke, the intro track for the recently released anime series Dan Da Dan. Clearly, Creepy Nuts is here to redefine the global hip-hop scene with its genre-bending music style. Here’s everything you need to know before tuning in to their sound.
Who is Creepy Nuts?
Creepy Nuts began as a casual collaboration between R-Shitei and Matsunaga, who first met as teenagers at a rap and DJ event in Osaka. Though formed in 2013, the duo made their major label debut in 2017 with Sony Music and have since redefined Japanese hip-hop with their experimental tracks. While R-Shitei is the only freestyler to win Japan’s top rap battle, UMB Grand Championship, three times consecutively, DJ Matsunaga clinched the 2019 DMC World DJ Championship, the largest DJ competition.
R-Shitei, whose real name is Kyōhei Nogami, grew up in Osaka listening to iconic J-pop artists like Keisuke Kuwata and Miyuki Nakajima. On the other hand, Matsunaga honed his craft with a deep appreciation for turntablism and hip-hop’s technical roots. Known for mixing creative, addictive sounds, he also performed in the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Creepy Nuts’ music blends innovation, nostalgia, and experimentation that resonates with anime fans and hip-hop enthusiasts alike. Their mini-album To Us Former Prodigies (2020) hit No. 2 on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart, while their track Nobishiro became their first to surpass 100 million streams in December 2022. In the same year, Daten, the opening song for the anime Yofukashi no Uta (Call of the Night), peaked at No. 35 on the Japan Hot 100.
What’s their hook?
Their genre-defying sound. Creepy Nuts’ music refuses to stick to one genre and their tracks are earworms that are hard not to groove to. The duo’s synergy showcases each of their expertise—R-Shitei’s sharp lyrics on self-reflection and societal themes and Matsunaga’s masterful sound mixing combine to create a unique sound. For the incisive (and often, comedic) lyrics, R-Shitei draws inspiration from rakugo, a traditional Japanese comedic storytelling art where a solo performer enacts multiple characters with minimal props.
The ‘Bling-Bang-Bang-Born’ factor
What catapulted Creepy Nuts to international fame was Bling-Bang-Bang-Born, the opening track of the anime series Mashle Season 2, released in January this year. Its infectious rhythm, peppy beats, and witty wordplay quickly captivated anime fans worldwide. The track went viral on Instagram, inspiring edits and videos featuring Mashle’s protagonist performing his comedic dance.
The song dominated markets in Thailand, Singapore, France, the UK, South Africa, the US, and Brazil. It topped the Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan charts for five consecutive weeks, cementing Creepy Nuts’s reputation as a global phenomenon in both the music and anime worlds.
Fun fact: Creepy Nuts was a fan of Mashle’s manga way before they created their track Bling-Bang-Bang-Born!
‘Otonoke’ and onward
Building on their momentum, Creepy Nuts released Otonoke, the opening theme for the supernatural horror anime Dan Da Dan, this October. The infectious rhythm, combined with funky visuals and a melodious pre-chorus, quickly made Otonoke a hit among fans.
Another notable feature of the song is the pop culture references to Japanese cult horror films like The Ring and The Grudge, as well as M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense, Signs, and The Village. Reflecting the eerie essence of the series, Otonoke captures the horror faced by protagonists Okarun and Momo in the series while highlighting their growing bond.
Creepy Nuts, who are regulars on popular radio shows like All Night Nippon and TV variety programmes, recently collaborated with Dua Lipa on a remix of her single Illusion, which topped Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. Next year, they are all set to hit a career milestone with their first-ever performance at Tokyo Dome, Japan’s largest music venue.
The duo have emerged as one of the most popular music acts from Japan, and now, with their double hits in one year, they continue to win hearts worldwide.
So, if you haven’t already checked out Creepy Nuts’ songs, now, with Season 1 of Dan Da Dan nearing its conclusion in December, might be the perfect time.
