Kohjiya is having a major moment. The Nagasaki-born rapper claimed the RAPSTAR 2024 crown and now has his sights set on even bigger stages—he's performing back-to-back shows at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan on June 1st and 2nd. Before stepping into the spotlight at Japan's most prestigious concert venue, the 24-year-old reflected on the unlikely path that brought him here.

Born in 2002 in Nagasaki's Koujiyamachi district, Kohjiya grew up surrounded by music and international influences. His older siblings played instruments, and his family would rotate homemade CD compilations in the car, exposing him to everything from Shiina Ringo to rock and reggae. His MC name itself is a nod to his birthplace—after a couple of changes, he settled on Kohjiya around age 15.

Hip-hop didn't click immediately. When he first heard rap, he thought it was too aggressive. That changed in fifth grade when classmate SHIÓLA, a dancer, introduced him to Das EFX, Busta Rhymes, and Nas. Kohjiya was transfixed. He started hunting for East Coast-style clothes at Mercari and vintage shops, standing out in a town where his peers mocked rap culture.

By sixth grade, Kohjiya and SHIÓLA had formed MADz's, a crew focused on production as much as rapping. They were obsessed with beat-makers like Fla$hBackS—Kohjiya spent hours trying to decode sample sources from their debut album—and later KANDYTOWN. His first paid concert experience came watching Willy Wonka's tour as a middle schooler, an experience that felt transformative.

Kohjiya's early education came from cult hip-hop shows: "High School Rap Tournament" and "Freestyle Dungeon" taught him technique through careful listening and imitation. He consumed everything—DOWN NORTH CAMP, 5lack, and the full lineage of Japanese underground rap.

Now, with his first full album under his belt and a Budokan takeover approaching, Kohjiya represents something specific about Japan's rap scene: a artist who grew up worshipping its pioneers and is now stepping into their role. From a kid burning CDs to a Budokan headliner—that's the trajectory when you're serious from day one.