Yuki Chiba

Yuki Chiba, better known by his stage name KOHH, is a pioneering Japanese hip-hop rapper and singer born on April 22, 1990, in Oji, Kita, Tokyo. His upbringing in a challenging environment heavily influenced his music, as he was raised by a single mother grappling with methamphetamine addiction following his Korean father’s suicide. Despite these hardships, KOHH found solace and expression in music.

KOHH’s musical journey began at 18, producing and recording tracks while creating various mixtapes. His breakthrough came when he partnered with producer 318 and began releasing music under the label GUNSMITH PRODUCTION. His early success was marked by the viral hit “Young Forever,” produced for his younger brother, Lil KOHH.

In 2014, KOHH released his second studio album, MONOCHROME, which achieved notable success within Japan’s urban music scene. The album’s lead track, “I don’t mind if I’m poor” (貧乏なんて気にしない, Binbō nante Kinishinai), resonated widely on YouTube, cementing KOHH’s status as a rising star.

KOHH’s international breakthrough came in 2015 with his collaboration on the track “잊지마” (It G Ma) with South Korean artist Keith Ape and fellow Japanese artist Loota. The song became a major hit in both Japan and South Korea, gaining international media attention and elevating KOHH’s profile globally. He followed this success with the release of his album DIRT, which further solidified his reputation in the hip-hop scene.

In 2016, KOHH’s reach extended further when he collaborated with Frank Ocean on the track “Nikes” from Ocean’s album Blonde. He also featured on Hikaru Utada’s song “Bōkyaku” from her album Fantôme and contributed to Mariah Carey’s Japanese edition of her album Caution.

KOHH continued to push boundaries with his fifth studio album, Untitled, released in 2019 by Nippon Columbia. His distinctive style, characterized by raw and powerful lyrics, has garnered a devoted fan base both in Japan and internationally.

In 2021, KOHH announced his retirement under the moniker KOHH, opting to use his birth name, Yuki Chiba. He declared that he would no longer perform songs from his KOHH era. After a three-year hiatus, Chiba returned to the music scene on February 12, 2024, with the viral release of the music video “Team Tomodachi” (チーム友達). This track featured multiple remixes with artists like Duke Deuce, ¥ellow Bucks, and Bun B, showcasing Chiba’s continued relevance and adaptability.

In 2024, Chiba also gained significant attention by featuring on Megan Thee Stallion’s track “Mamushi” from her album Megan. This collaboration marked his first entry into the US Billboard Hot 100, debuting at number 68 and introducing Chiba to a broader international audience.

KOHH’s influence on the Japanese hip-hop scene is profound. He has been vocal about the genre’s underrepresentation in mainstream Japanese media and has been praised for addressing controversial topics such as drug use and violence. His impact was further recognized when M-flo’s Taku Takahashi cited him as a key figure in the Japanese hip-hop renaissance.

Yuki Chiba’s journey from a troubled childhood to international acclaim as KOHH exemplifies his resilience and talent. His evolution as an artist continues to inspire fans and shapes the future of Japanese hip hop.