Creepy Nuts

Creepy Nuts are a Japanese hip-hop duo formed in 2013 by Osaka-born rapper R-Shitei and Niigata-born DJ and producer DJ Matsunaga. Both established their reputations in competitive hip-hop before achieving mainstream recognition. R-Shitei became the first rapper to win Japan’s ULTIMATE MC BATTLE national championship three consecutive times, from 2012 to 2014, while Matsunaga won the battle division of the DMC World DJ Championships in London in 2019. Their music combines R-Shitei’s intricate wordplay and rapid-fire delivery with Matsunaga’s turntablism and production, which draws on old-school hip-hop, jazz, electronic dance music, and contemporary club sounds. Rather than relying solely on the bravado associated with battle rap, their lyrics frequently explore insecurity, social awkwardness, and the contradictions of success, often with a self-deprecating sense of humour.

After gaining attention through independent releases ‘Tarinai Futari’ (2016) and ‘Joen Danyusho’ (2017), Creepy Nuts made their major-label debut through Sony Music in 2017 and released their first full-length album, ‘Creep Show’, the following year. Their popularity grew through television appearances, extensive touring, and their long-running late-night radio programme All Night Nippon, which they hosted from 2018 to 2023. The 2021 album ‘Case’ delivered their first major streaming hit, ‘Nobishiro’, whose reflections on adulthood and personal growth resonated widely in Japan. The duo also developed close connections with anime, contributing ‘Daten’ to Call of the Night in 2022, the same year they released their third album, ‘Ensemble Play’.

Their international breakthrough arrived in January 2024 with ‘Bling-Bang-Bang-Born’, the opening theme for the second season of MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES. Built around a Jersey club rhythm and an instantly recognisable vocal hook, the song became a viral phenomenon through its accompanying anime dance, topped Japanese charts, and reached No. 8 on the Billboard Global 200. Its success led to a remix collaboration with British singer Dua Lipa on ‘Illusion’. Later that year, Creepy Nuts released ‘Otonoke’, the opening theme for DAN DA DAN, which became another international hit. Both tracks subsequently earned Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, making Creepy Nuts the first Japanese act to receive the distinction for two separate Japanese-language songs.

In February 2025, Creepy Nuts released their fourth studio album, ‘LEGION’, featuring ‘Bling-Bang-Bang-Born’, ‘Otonoke’, and ‘doppelgänger’, the theme for the live-action film Under Ninja. The release coincided with their first headline concert at Tokyo Dome, which sold out immediately, followed by a nationwide arena tour and their first Asian tour. At the inaugural MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN, ‘Bling-Bang-Bang-Born’ won seven awards, including Best Japanese Song and regional honours recognising its popularity across Europe, North America, and Latin America. Their anime work continued with ‘Mirage’ and ‘Nemure’, the opening and ending themes for the second season of Call of the Night.

Creepy Nuts made their Coachella debut in April 2026, closing the Gobi Stage on both festival weekends as part of their first North American tour, which also visited New York, Chicago, and Mexico City. Later that year, they joined The Weeknd as special guests for stadium performances across Asia. Their 2026 singles ‘Fright’ and ‘Running Wheel’ continued their experimentation with club-oriented production, the latter incorporating phonk influences and lyrics about their unexpected journey from Japan’s underground rap circuit to international stages. More than a decade after forming, the duo have taken Japanese-language hip-hop to audiences worldwide while retaining the competitive rap and turntable skills that first brought them together.