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Creepy Nuts recently dropped their highly anticipated new album called LEGION, their first in about two and a half years. The project consists of 15 tracks — the most the duo has ever included in a set — including two that made their name known on a global scale: their biggest hit to date, “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born,” and the follow-up single, “Otonoke.”
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While rapper R-Shitei and DJ Matsunaga appear to be enjoying breakout success since last year with global hits under their belts, the track “Tsujoukai” (“usual episode”) on the new album is the pair’s answer to those who see them in that light. This latest Billboard Japan interview by the two artists gives fans a look into their innate strengths as creators they’ve cultivated up to this point, which explains why they’re able to state that any situation is a “usual episode” for them.
I read the lyrics before playing the album, and thought they depicted a “true-to-life documentary” more than ever before. Was this intentional?
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R-Shitei: After trying to write from the perspective of different people in our previous album Ensemble Play, I went back to (focusing on) “living” more so than when we were busy. For me in particular, changes happened in my private life and lots of words came to me naturally. The first song that led to the creation of this album, “Biriken,” started from that kind of hyper-documentary aspect, so the project naturally became all about our own stories.
Then when I listened to the songs, I was surprised to find that the “fewer notes” aspect that Matsunaga-san mentioned in last year’s mid-year interview was even more evident that I’d expected. Was that something you intended to do for this entire album from “Biriken” the first single off the set?
DJ Matsunaga: I didn’t have the entire album in mind, but when I considered “making good songs” (that’s what happened). I want every detail to be high quality, even if you take all the riffs apart and look at just one instrument. Layering a lot of different instruments works out somehow, but with the (relatively sparse) number of sounds on this album, if I compromised even a bit, it probably wouldn’t have worked. I think the most high-quality tracks are ones with a spartan design on the verge of being cheap, that are simple but still sound great, and it feels like I was able to perfect that in my track production.
When did you start thinking that way?
DJ Matsunaga: I’ve always been like that, but the sentiment might have been getting stronger every year. It’s become an absolute must for me lately. I researched and selected everything from the microphones to the preamps and compressors used in the recording. Those kinds of expertise aren’t easily found in Japan, so I had to think and make it myself in the end.
The first track on the album, “Chugaku 22 nensei” (“22nd year of junior high school”), had by far the fewest number of sounds of any of the songs on the set. The title harks back to your song “Chugaku 12 nensei” (2018), which also has a sparse track. Was this also intentional?
DJ Matsunaga: It wasn’t my intent for this one to be entitled “Chugaku 22 nensei” off the bat. R sent the demo back with something I hadn’t imagined.
R-Shitei: At first, I think we both intended to make a song with a completely different mood. But we made the right choice. This time in particular, the process of making the album had that kind of joy to it. Like seeing how far we can use our ideas to go off the rails and make the leap to a place we didn’t imagine.
DJ Matsunaga: That’s true. “Causing an accident.”
I see. And you mentioned “A life of reaching No. 1 on Billboard” in your lyrics. [Laughs]
R-Shitei & DJ Matsunaga: [Laugh]
R-Shitei: Yeah… I took the liberty of using that. [Laughs]
By the way, the engineers who worked on this album have previously worked with some great U.S. rappers including Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, the Creator and more. Did you gain any new inspiration from them?
DJ Matsunaga: The finished sounds are so different. It’s pretty hard to talk about sounds using only terms that everyone can recognize, but they delivered what I wanted to make.
Why did you ask these top-tier engineers to participate?
DJ Matsunaga: There were certain sounds I wanted to make, so I tapped people outside of Japan to make them happen. I asked some great engineers who even raised the bar of the quality I was seeking.
From the eighth track “Get Higher” onwards, I thought that the perspective rapidly turns inward. “Tsujoukai” in particular really seems to express what you want to say most as Creepy Nuts at the moment.
R-Shitei: Rap is about taking your personal experiences from everyday life and interpreting them in a hyper-dramatic way. So that’s “usual” — that’s how I interpret everything, in every situation. It’s true that I write lyrics in a dramatic way, but that’s probably the limit of how dramatic I can be as someone in this line of work. So it’s already wrapped up from my point of view, but from people looking from the outside, it probably appears more dramatic in a way. So that’s why I’m saying it’s a “usual episode” again. This song’s mood is where we’re at right now.
DJ Matsunaga: Wherever we go, people treat us like we’ve entered the final phase (of success). But my life hasn’t changed at all since last year.
R-Shitei: I know, right? I mean, as a rapper, I’ve pulled off something that makes people go, “That’s amazing,” so I do say, “I did it!” but I’m not living a glam life in my lyrics, am I? [Laughs]
No, you’re not. [Laughs]
R-Shitei: I wrote the whole album with that kind of mood, and put my feelings into it, so that’s why I expressed it like that in “Tsujoukai.”
DJ Matsunaga: That’s so true. It doesn’t mean it’s constantly calm, but like a lull.
R-Shitei: I have really intense ups and downs, but that just continues as it always has. I probably interpret everything too extremely. That hasn’t changed. I think that’s why I’m probably cut out to be a rapper.
DJ Matsunaga: Lately I feel kind of at a loss because I don’t get worked up over anything. But I guess that means I can focus on sounds. Maybe my mind’s in a place where I can concentrate on sound production.
R-Shitei: So if you think about it like that, it’s a good thing, isn’t it? I’d probably want to immerse myself in that frame of mind as much as I can once I get into it. Then lots of words come out, but when we were really busy, we had to deal with other work before I could (write lyrics). This time, we were able to use plenty of time luxuriously…
DJ Matsunaga: …so we were able to dive in deep.
R-Shitei: Yeah, that was what was so great. Matsunaga was in his “lull” and was able to dive deep into his sounds. I was able to live everyday life immersing myself in the ups and downs and in the little things.
When I interviewed another act the other day, the composer said they wrote the melody as a “representation of their emotions,” and another member wrote the lyrics by “sharing the emotions” in that melody. You two seem to be the complete opposite of that.
DJ Matsunaga: But when we’re playing catch with the music, I channel R-Shitei’s lyrics a lot. First I send him the riff, and then when he sends back the lyrics and rap, a story is added to it. So the criteria for sifting through which sounds will highlight that is born. I think our process is similar R being the screenwriter and me being the cinematographer, adding pictures to the script.
I see!
DJ Matsunaga: I tailor everything to the lyrics. Like for “Emmanuelle,” I really focused on that. Like the part in the verse where he says, “Unadareta oreni…” (“Downcast, I’m…”), I imagined the way R is feeling then and made the background music to fit that. I spend a lot of time doing all that.
R-Shitei: To be more precise about “facing music luxuriously” that I’ve been talking about, I mean that I had ample time to face my emotions and get inside myself.
DJ Matsunaga: I totally get what you mean.
R-Shitei: Right? That’s how something like “doppelgänger” came to be. Having different versions of yourself — and it’s not a matter of which is good or bad — is what a doppelganger represents. And in line with that, (the album’s title) LEGION is an army of demons, which in my mind is the monster Legion from the movie Gamera 2: Attack of the Legion, and that huge swarm that gathers consists of me and and my own emotions, you know?
Lastly, there’s a line in “Tsujoukai” that goes, “Turntable and microphone, what we do doesn’t change.” What always impresses me about your shows is the stoic way you always hype up the audience with just the turntable and microphone, no matter what venue you perform in. Could you elaborate on your commitment to this style?
R-Shitei: Probably because that’s ultimately our “max.”
DJ Matsunaga: That’s exactly it! We do it because it’s the best for us. A lot of hip-hop artists have bands or dancers join in during the performance… but if a band joins in, you don’t need me anymore.
R-Shitei: [Laughs]
DJ Matsunaga: The bigger the stage, the more people want to embellish the shows. I have mixed feelings about that. We just want to be able to keep doing some raw, incredible rapping and awesome DJing.
But I think there aren’t many people who can say that with such certainty… It takes courage to say that.
DJ Matsunaga: You’re right… I might have been arrogant. [Laughs] I want our stages to be like that because I’m really proud of what we do.
R-Shitei: I guess it’s because our strongest desire is to hit hard with our rapping and DJing.
—This interview by Maiko Murata first appeared on Billboard Japan
This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin roundup and playlist — curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features fresh new music, including albums by Yandel (Sinfónico) and Eladio Carrión (DON KBRN). Plus, rising salsa stars Luis Figueroa and Christian Alicea team up for “Si Llamas,” marking their first collaboration and a nod to their commitment to keep fueling salsa’s newfound global appeal. […]
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The Black Keys’ “The Night Before” becomes their ninth No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart, lifting two spots to the top of the survey dated April 12.
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The duo earns its first leader since “Beautiful People (Stay High)” reigned for five weeks in early 2024. In between, “On the Game” reached No. 5 last July. The Black Keys first topped Adult Alternative Airplay in 2011 with “Lonely Boy,” a year after making their initial appearance with “Tighten Up” (No. 12 peak).
With nine No. 1s, The Black Keys move into sole possession of the fifth-most leaders since Adult Alternative Airplay was first published in January 1996.
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Most No. 1s, Adult Alternative Airplay:14, U213, Coldplay11, Dave Matthews Band (including two solo by Dave Matthews)11, Jack Johnson9, The Black Keys8, Death Cab for Cutie8, The Lumineers8, John Mayer
Concurrently, “The Night Before” rises 7-5 on Alternative Airplay and is bubbling under Mainstream Rock Airplay. On the all-rock-format, audience-based Rock & Alternative Airplay chart, it bullets at its No. 8 high with 3.1 million audience impressions (up 2%) in the week ending April 3, according to Luminate.
“The Night Before” is the lead single from No Rain, No Flowers, The Black Keys’ 13th studio album. Though it’s expected in 2025, the set doesn’t yet have a release date. It follows 2024’s Ohio Players, which debuted at No. 5 on the Top Alternative Albums chart in April 2024 and has earned 85,000 equivalent album units to date.
All Billboard charts dated April 12 will update Tuesday, April 8, on Billboard.com.
Kevin Gates and Brittany Renner appear to be romantically involved after the pair shared a sweet moment together on Instagram. On Thursday (April 3), Gates posted a clip from his Instagram Live onto his page, where he was seen riding shotgun and catching a vibe to Soul For Real’s “Candy Rain.” He then panned the […]
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On Tuesday, Thug reposted a blogger’s photo of Marissa Viverito on the stand, calling her the “biggest liar in the DA office.” That sparked fans to flood the DA’s social media with hate messages. Judge Whitaker wasn’t feeling the post, calling it “not wise,” but ultimately said it wasn’t enough to send Thug back to jail. After reviewing the terms of Thug’s probation, the judge decided not to revoke it.
However, he did give Thug a light verbal warning, telling him it might be a good idea to keep certain opinions to himself, especially when it comes to the legal system. While the judge didn’t throw the book at Thug this time, he did make it clear that Thug needs to be more careful about what he posts online, especially when it could cause problems in the courtroom. The whole situation shows how social media can stir things up, with fans backing Thug and taking things way further than he might have intended.
When Young Thug was released from prison, he was given strict probation rules to follow. These included staying out of trouble and avoiding any illegal activities. He was also prohibited from associating with known criminals or gang members. Additionally, Thug had to stay away from social media posts that could cause legal issues or stir up controversy, as his online behavior had previously led to trouble. It’s a reminder to Thug and everyone else that social media energy can spill over into real-world consequences.
Eminem’s daughter, Hailie Jade, announced on Friday (April 4) that she gave birth to her first child in March — and she revealed her son’s name, which pays homage to her “Rap God” father. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Slim Shady is officially a grandpa. “Happy […]
Some call it “the festival of the future” due to its eclecticism and bold approach to creating lineups aimed at a multigenerational audience. For others, AXE Ceremonia brings together major alternative music shows in inclusive spaces, where the distinction from other festivals is evident — from the outfits attendees choose for the occasion to the sonic acts showcased during the marathon event.
But for Diego Jiménez, director and co-founder of the festival, it’s the place that provides the opportunity to host the creator of the popular corridos tumbados genre, Natanael Cano, as a headliner one night — and the next day, the two-time Grammy-winning American rapper Tyler, Tyler The Creator. Amidst all that, attendees can hear trip-hop veterans Massive Attack, British sensation Charli XCX, South Korean boy band Tomorrow X Together, and Argentine experimental trap duo Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso.
“We like to differentiate ourselves from other festivals by focusing on youth culture rather than a specific genre or musical style,” Jiménez tells Billboard Español about the festival, whose 12th edition will take place this Saturday and Sunday (April 5 and 6) at Parque Bicentenario in Mexico City.
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“Seeing Tyler, The Creator on a lineup at major festivals around the world is more common, but seeing him one day and Natanael Cano the next doesn’t happen often elsewhere. That gives AXE Ceremonia a very strong personality,” adds the organizer.
Produced by the company ECO Live, this year’s festival lineup is rounded out by a diverse group of international bands and solo artists — including Parcels, Gesaffelstein, Nathy Peluso, The Marías, Meme del Real, pablopablo, Lil Yachty, Artemas, Hanumankind, A.G. Cook, NSQK, The Dare, Simpson Ahuevo, Brutalism 300, and Luisa Almaguer — making it one of the most innovative offerings of the spring festival season.
The 12th edition of the festival will mark the return of Natanael Cano to Mexico City, who previously performed as an emerging artist in 2022. This time, he will take center stage as a headliner after becoming one of the stars of Mexican regional music and delivering a sold-out concert at the Estadio GNP Seguros in August 2024.
“Watching an artist grow like that is very exciting, and it speaks to this dialogue that exists between this city and the rest of the world — of becoming a cultural capital — and how the vision of culture and music from a Mexican perspective has an international impact,” Jiménez observes.
Additionally, this year the festival introduces K-pop to its musical offerings for the first time by inviting South Korean boy band Tomorrow X Together, allowing it to cater to another segment of the audience —Generation Alpha, or those born in the early 2010s. “We like to seek balance, those connections between the past and the present, to create a snapshot of what’s happening today,” Jiménez notes.
The organizer also highlighted the introduction of a new space dedicated to tropical music, salsa, merengue, bachata, and cumbia in this year’s edition of the festival, which will feature two iconic dance halls from Mexico City: Miki’s and Barba Azul.
“Speaking of the present and the past, if you listen to Bad Bunny’s album (Debí Tirar Más Fotos), it’s based on sounds from the past — that distinctly Latin sound. How does youth interact with these sounds? You create a new space,” he explains.
The festival’s organizers expect to gather 55,000 people per day, totaling 110,000 attendees over the weekend. In past editions, the festival’s stages have hosted prominent figures in music such as Björk, Rosalía, Kendrick Lamar, LCD Soundsystem, Travis Scott, James Blake, Wu-Tang Clan, A$AP Rocky, Aphex Twin, Snoop Dogg, Animal Collective, Underworld, Nicolas Jaar and Fuerza Regida.
The Jonas Brothers are kicking off their upcoming 20th anniversary tour at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium this summer. To celebrate, the sibling trio visited their hometown venue to join former New York Giants quarterback, Eli Manning, for his YouTube talk show. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news […]
