Hime (Japanese Rapper)

Hime , born in 1979, is a Japanese hip hop artist whose first studio album was released in 2003. Her stage name, which literally means princess in Japanese has become an idiom for the growth of solo female hip hop in Japan and her work has been incredibly popular both in Japan and abroad. Her first album, Hime Hajime, released in October of 2003 was produced in DJ Honda’s studio.

Themes

Hime is best known for her thematic use of multiple Japanese cultural touchstones such as tanka meter, kabuki sampling and narration styles taken from bunraku. Female empowerment also appears in many of her songs as a common theme and as the self described “Japanese Doll” She strives to further the role of Japanese women in society and the arts. While much of her material is taken from Japanese culture, Hime borrows liberally from American Hip Hop for her personal style of dress and presentation, a theme that has become highly popular in Japan in recent years.

Discography

Hime’s albums to date include:

• Hime Hajime (姫始) – October 8, 2003
• Ukina (浮き名) – November 10, 2004
• Hitogoyomi (一暦) – April 12, 2006

External Links

• Hime’s MySpace Page