MANHATTAN RECORDS / LEXINGTON CO. LTD.

by David Paul

Questions answered by:

Tomo Shimizu - Manhattan Records Store Manager. Mainly handles 
stocking of new records and importing from the U.S.

Makiko Okada - A&R at File Records, a Japanese hip-hop record 
company. Has assisted the record releases of artists such as 
Rhymester and Microphone Pager.



How and when did you first get into Hip-Hop?

        I started to have interest in hip-hop around `85, `86. Back 
then hip-hop was starting to catch some attention in discos and 
clubs, but still they were joints that played black music in 
general; they only played popular rappers such as LL Cool J and Run 
DMC, along with the R&B hits of the time. It wasn`t till much later 
till hip-hop started to get broader support. I started to appreciate 
Sugar Hill and other after I personally began business at Manhattan 
Records. I also started listening to rap music from the early `80`s. 
However, to this point I have liked R&B from the 60`s and 70`s the 
most, so I really started listening to hop-hop since three years ago 
when we started dealing with new 12 inch releases. Obviously, 
generation gaps would dictate which hip-hop era people began 
listening to rap music. Some started with Run DMC and the Beastie 
Boys, later kids with De La Soul, A.T.C.Q., and the Jungle Brothers, 
and there is an even later generation called the "New School," which 
consists of people who got into hip-hop with L.O.N.S., Brand Nubian, 
KMD, etc. These generation groups basically categorize the hip-hop 
audience in Japan.

*Before we continue, it is important to note that hip-hop has yet to 
turn into a big industry in Japan. For this reason there are very 
few artists who have signed with a major label, whereas the 
underground scene has been growing consistently. A group that would 
sell platinum records like Gangstarr, is non-existent. Upon this 
background the following questions are answered.

Which rap groups are popular out there?

        Among the ones who have signed with a major label, East 
End+Yuri, and Scha Dara Parr (SDP) are the two most popular. Also 
there is a singer named mc A.T., who claims to be a rapper and 
resembles the style of Hammer. On the underground side there is ECD, 
the oldest in the J-rap scene, who has signed with a major label 
without changing his original style. In terms of sales he cannot be 
compared with the previous two, but he is well-known, judging from 
his long career.
        Then there is Microphone Pager, whose appearance on Tommy 
Boy`s Planet Rap in `93 caught a lot of attention, and is currently 
the undisputed champs in the underground scene with a cult-like 
popularity. Also, a group called King Giddra, who honed their skills 
in Oakland have a new album on the way, they have come up strong the 
past couple of years.
        Rhymester is an artist that is getting support from both the 
underground and the popular audience. His key to success has been 
the combination of dope tracks and lyrics that portray the reality 
of Japanese listeners.
        Groups that are rapidly rising on the popularity chart, are 
Lamp Eye, and Mellow Yellow, both with recent CD releases. Lamp 
EyeÕs influence on the scene has been visible through others that 
are trying to emulate his style, despite his very recent debut. 
There are other groups planning on releasing their albums such as 
Soul Scream, You The Rock, and these groups can be expected to come 
up in the future.



Does Japan have a lot of local rappers  (name some)?

        Certainly there are groups that are active outside of Tokyo, 
and for those that are in Tokyo, including unknown and low-profile 
MCs, there seems to be around a hundred. However, we are yet to see 
a local act come up with quality sound that is up to the level of 
Tokyo.

I hear that DJs are just as popular as rappers out in Japan, is that 
true? If so why do you think that is?

        The popular DJs aren`t always the club (mixing) DJs but are 
also the scratch DJs, and their overall popularity isn`t any less 
than the rappers. The trend of scratch DJ popularity can be 
attributed to the Japanese audience who prefer easy-to-catch visual 
gimmicks.

What is the breakdance scene like out there?

        The scene seems to have been developing rapidly the past 
couple of years. In terms of numbers, they`ll outdo their rapper 
counterparts, and they`re also more spread out into the local areas. 
The reason for this situation may be the easier accessibility of 
information through the media in the locals, compared to rap music.

How much do records cost out there?

                The production cost for five thousand CDs would be 
400-500 yen* each. In Japan, there are only two or three vinyl 
pressing factories, and not many press vinyl for sales purposes in 
those plants. Although it is hard to give an estimate, 200 to 300 
records pressed in Japan would cost 700-800 each. (*note: currently 
- $1 roughly translates to 100 yen -8/22/95) The sales price for a 
Japanese artist (on CD) is 2500-2800 yen, a foreign artist`s album 
re-released in Japan goes for 2000-2500 yen. Vinyl by a Japanese 
artist, releases by a major label, costs 3000-4000 yen. Imported CDs 
cost 1400-1600 yen, 12" vinyl 800 yen, album vinyl cost 1600 yen.

Is bootleg vinyl popular out there? If so is it imported or pressed 
out there?

                It is never on high popular demand, but on days of 
new stocks, they may sell out in a matter of few days. There are 
rare instances of pressing in Japan, but in some cases record stores 
place special orders to abroad and then put them on sale back home. 
The reason for low record production in Japan (refer to question 
above) are simply the absence of vinyl plants and high costs. A lot 
of the companies place orders outside the country (N.Y., London, etc.).

How popular is vinyl out there compared to CDs & Cassettes?

        In Japan, the market for cassette tapes is almost 
non-existent. Only a few of the general "popular" listeners actually 
own a turntable, so they naturally resort to CDs. 80% of vinyl 
buyers listen to either hip-hop, reggae, or house, which altogether 
fall into the club music category, half of them is hip-hop.



How is the graffiti scene out there do a lot of kids piece?

        In certain areas of Tokyo, numerous tags can be spotted. 
There are some graffiti artists, headed by Kazz of the CBS, but in 
definition, graffiti doesn`t necessarily fit inside the hip-hop 
culture in Japan. There are strict laws prohibiting tagging on 
public property, which seems to severely restrict and deter active 
graffiti artists.