Rapper Yuki Chiba and pianist Ryo Takaiwa have released their first full-length album as Nijiz, a new improvised blues-rooted project. Titled ‘Indigo Blue’, the album was released digitally on September 10th.
The 14-track album was recorded entirely in single takes, with Chiba handling vocals and Takaiwa providing all instrumentation. The sessions were completed without overdubs, relying on instinct and chemistry between the pair, both of whom are the same age and first met two years ago at Tokyo jazz bar Brother, which Takaiwa was running at the time. A spontaneous jam session during that first meeting laid the groundwork for what would become Nijiz.
While best known for his work in Japanese hip-hop, Chiba delivers melodic vocals here alongside Takaiwa’s piano-led arrangements. Songs such as ‘ビザの申請’ (‘Visa Application’) and ‘借金’ (‘Debt’) arrive just months after Chiba’s announcement at his Budokan concert on July 3rd that he would be relocating to Los Angeles.
Other contributions on the record include Daichi Hashizume on drums and Risako Oshima on violin.
REALTED: Yuki Chiba shifts from hip-hop to enka with new track ‘Jameson Ginger’
Chiba and Takaiwa will perform live as Nijiz for the first time at Blue Note Tokyo on Friday, December 5th, where Takaiwa will appear as a guest pianist during Chiba’s scheduled solo set. Two performances are scheduled, with the first starting at 6:00 PM and the second at 8:30 PM.
Dates and tickets
| Date | Location | Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Dec 2025 | Blue Note Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan |
Nijiz (Yuki Chiba & Ryo Takaiwa)
Indigo Blue
Release Date: 10/09/2025
Label: King Record co. ltd/HEROIC LINE
Stream: Links
