The official report from “POP YOURS” held on May 18 (Sat.) and 19 (Sun.) at Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Hall 9-11, Chiba, has arrived.
LEX and Tohji headlined “POP YOURS” in 2024. Tickets were sold out for the second year in a row, with a turnout of 35,000, and the live streaming on YouTube was viewed by 560,000 people, recording 1.6 million views.
Below is the full text of the official report.
Japan’s largest hip-hop festival “POP YOURS 2024” (sponsored by Space Shower Network Inc.) was held on May 18 and 19 at Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Hall 9-11 in Chiba, Japan. Last year’s announcement of BAD HOP’s dissolution may have given the festival the image of a “can’t-miss” festival where “something happens,” and tickets sold out immediately after they went on sale to the general public. The lineup for this year’s festival, the third edition, was headlined by LEX and Tohji, and featured a rich variety of 43 leading Japanese hip-hop artists, including LANA, Watson, secret appearances by YENTOWN and Yuuki Chiba’s Shot Live, and a special act, OZROSAURUS. A total of 35,000 people attended the two-day event, which was also broadcast live on YouTube this year, reaching a total of 560,000 viewers and 1.6 million views.
The opening DJ for DAY 1, MARZY, set the mood, and from the morning, the audience was filled with loud cheers and choruses immediately after the show began, as KviBaba, Lunv Loyal, Yvng Patra, and other talented performers were all in the spotlight.
JAKEN from Hiroshima, L.O.S.T, a crew from Nagoya, and Kohjiya, who is the talk of the town for his appearance on Abema’s popular audition program “Rapstar 2024,” appeared in the “NEW COMER SHOT LIVE,” which produces a star every year.
MFS created a stylish stage with their dancers, and Bonbero charmed the audience with his high speed rapping. Red Eye invited D.O. to join them for “Badass Poem Remix,” and at the end of the show, they announced their first Budokan concert in 2025.
JUMADIBA performed at the packed Makuhari Messe with their usual aloof and cool flow. He seemed to enjoy communicating with the audience and conveying his inner emotions through his raps. OZworld followed with a spectacular worldview that would look great on the big stage. They even brought in AI for “RISE TOGETHER,” an official sampling of “Godzilla’s Theme.
Later, kZm, PETZ, JNKMN, Awich, Money Horse, and U-Lee made secret appearances as YENTOWN. STUTS performed their new song “Pointless 5 (feat. PUNPEE)” featuring Schadaraparr. JP THE WAVY’s performance was a perfect fusion of rap and dance, and it was clear that he takes his music very seriously. LANA was a masterpiece. LANA was a masterpiece. He embodied Japanese soul and blues.
JJJ grabbed the hearts of the audience with his soulful spit. He sang “YW” with popular Korean rappers BLASÉ and Bonbero, “Mirror” with MFS, and more. KEIJU sang “Lonely Nights” with tofubeats, followed by “Lonely Nights” and “Mirror” with MFS. OZROSAURUS performed the Japanese rap classic “Area N Night. OZROSAURUS showed off their dignity with the Japanese rap classic “Area Area” and “Players’ Player”. There is a reason why they have been respected in the scene for so many years. The profound words and raps were truly special. The performance was directed by Kento Yamada.
LEX, the headliner of DAY 1, was suspended in the air during the first song “Gold” and synchronized with the giant butterfly wings projected on the LED monitor. The flying performance blew the audience away. They performed “Say Anything” with their friend JP THE WAVY, “5xL” with 5lack, “Psychedelic” with KEIJU, “Mama Mama’s Boy” with KEIJU, and “Bright Room” with his sister LANA. He is a genius who combines delicacy and daring. It was a moving stage performance that made us feel that through his musical activities, he has finally been able to acquire the vigor that is typical of a 22-year-old.
