Dragon Ash

Dragon Ash is the group to bring rap and hip hop into the Japanese mainstream. The group, formed in 1997, has even coined a new genre in Japanese popular music: Mixture-kei. Their use of rap, hip hop, punk, rock, reggae, and Latin influences makes their music not only unique but they popularized hip hip in a country where little was being produced in the genre. Their lyrics are often positive and upbeat in comparison to today's American gangsta rap. The group has enjoyed some notoriety outside of Japan since the release of their song Shizukana Hibi no Kaidan o, which was the ending theme for the popular Japanese film Battle Royale. They continue to produce music and tour today.

Group Members

• Kenji Furuya (vocals, guitar)
• Izuko Baba (bass)
• Makoto Sakurai (drums)
• BOTS (DJ since 1999)
• Hiroki (Guitar since 2003)
• ATSUSHI (Dancer since 2003)
• DRI-V (Dancer since 2003)

Album Discography

• Rio de Emocion (2005)
• Harvest remixes (2004)
• Harvest (2003)
• Lily Of Da Valley (2001)
• Viva la Revolution (1999)
• Buzz Songs (1998)
• Mustang! (1997)

External Links

• Official Website
• Dragon Ash at Japan Sugoi