HUNGER

GAGLE MC HUNGER and longtime Sendai collaborator DJ Casin launch their new project, ABLENDS, with the release of their debut single.
Having shared the stage at numerous shows in recent years, the two now join forces under the name ABLENDS - a wordplay combining the Japanese expression abureru ('to spill over / overflow') with BLEND, reflecting the project's free-flowing approach to mixing sounds, ideas, and styles.
The debut track is built around a previously unreleased beat produced by DJ Mitsu the Beats 15 years ago, brought back to life as the foundation for ABLENDS' first release. Driven by raw energy, playful chemistry, and HUNGER's sharp, direct delivery, the track serves as a bold introduction to the project.
The release also features a remix by Monkey_sequence.19, created in collaboration with DJ Casin. Following the release of his acclaimed beat album Not Lo-Fi, but Anything to Death earlier this year - a distinctive fusion of bass music, hip-hop, R&B, ambient, and other contemporary sounds - Monkey_sequence.19 transforms the original into a deeply experimental, bass-driven, multidimensional rework.
Both the original track and the remix are accompanied by instrumental versions.
Artwork for the release is created by yohey, illustrator of mocrock.
In addition, an ABLENDS rubber keychain is scheduled for release in mid-September. The keychain comes with access to an exclusive ABLENDS live mix, reimagining the old-school experience of carrying music with you in a distinctly modern form.
ABLENDS marks the beginning of a new collaboration rooted in Sendai - blending past and present, spontaneity and experimentation, while keeping the playful spirit of hip-hop at its core.

ABLENDS - Scratches by DJ Casin

ABLENDS (Instrumental)

Monkey_sequence.19

ABLENDS (Monkey_sequence.19 & DJ Casin Remix)

ABLENDS (Monkey_sequence.19 & DJ Casin Remix Instrumental)

TAKUMA THE GREAT

CARREC

CARREC releases the official remix of "J.R. featuring HUNGER", which originally made a massive impact, now with TAKUMA THE GREAT!

Featuring Yokohama's multilingual heavy hitter TAKUMA THE GREAT, this unstoppable train barrels forward with a fierce new face-a must-listen track!

This special remix keeps the raw charm of the original track "J.R." (which featured HUNGER, frontman of the Sendai-based HIP HOP group GAGLE) while bringing in TAKUMA THE GREAT-an MC representing Koganecho, Yokohama, who continues to captivate listeners across diverse music scenes with his multilingual abilities, overwhelming skill, and undeniable presence.
Titled the "Keikyu Line Remix," this version delivers a masterclass in self-boasting packed with an overflowing and colorful vocabulary. His intense new verse resonates brilliantly with HUNGER's fiery hook and CARREC's sharp scratch work. The track has evolved into a fresh anthem, injected with a whole new groove and a heightened sense of speed distinct from the original.

J.R. (Keikyu Line Remix)

KOYANMUSIC

Based in Hokuriku/Kanazawa, CARREC is a master beatmaker of Japanese-style flavor who continues to unleash intense grooves. His acclaimed track "J.R."-which featured Sendai's very own treasure, HUNGER (GAGLE), and sent waves through hip-hop listeners across the nation-returns in a brand-new form.Taking on remix duties is KOYANMUSIC, the mastermind from Sagamihara, Kanagawa, who commands immense respect in the Japanese hip-hop scene. He fuses earth-shaking, groovy drum breaks with his signature synth sound that radiates a mellow yet mysterious glow. Deep within this immersive soundscape, HUNGER's razor-sharp rap cuts through with overwhelming skill. The result is a supreme remix that invites listeners on a journey through the pitch-black night sky and into an endless galaxy.

J.R. (KOYANMUSIC Remix)

DJ MITSU THE BEATS

TKda黒ぶち

An anthem that bears witness to the act of creating every single day.
"365" is the lead digital single from Daily, the collaborative album by DJ Mitsu The Beats × TKdakurobuchi. The shared commitment to making something new every day is what brought these two together. With Gagle's MC HUNGER joining the fold, the track becomes a collision of craftsmen from across the country, each bringing their own heat. 365 days, not one skipped  that gritty, salt-seasoned energy is what all three pour into their words and beats on this anthem. The album's centerpiece, and its most aggressive temperature.

365 (feat. HUNGER)

HUNGER of GAGLE and CARREC Release New Single "J.R."

Japanese Rap Running on Tracks of Its Own Making

"J.R." is a new collaboration between HUNGER and CARREC, with lyrics written by HUNGER and production handled by CARREC.

While the title "J.R." immediately evokes Japan's railway system, it also serves as a double meaning that points directly to "Japanese Rap." Rather than riding on tracks laid by others, the song embodies the philosophy of laying down one's own rails and moving forward on them. That mindset is embedded in the title itself and runs throughout the entire record.

The track launches into motion with the opening line, "I'm not interested in riding on tracks someone else laid, but this is all I need-let's go with J.R." From there, HUNGER weaves together imagery of railways, route maps, runaway trains, bullet trains, and non-stop journeys, connecting the history of Japanese rap with his own present-day perspective. Drawing from the culture and artists who came before him, he transforms that inheritance into something personal, continuing to move forward without hesitation toward the next destination.

CARREC's production provides the driving force of the record-heavy, sharp, and relentlessly forward-moving, much like a train gaining speed. Complementing the song's railway-themed wordplay, CARREC deploys one of his signature techniques: scratching classic Japanese rap records throughout the track. Over this foundation, HUNGER accelerates with a performance that balances humor, sharp commentary, and lyrical precision.

One of the song's defining moments arrives near the end with the line: "Young MCs, please refrain from rushing onto the train." The punchline encapsulates the record's core message. Rather than jumping aboard because of trends or momentum, it speaks from the perspective of artists who have spent years building their own path and continuing to move forward with conviction.

Released alongside the single is a hand-drawn animated music video created by tomokispice. The animation visually captures the track's raw energy and momentum through expressive lines and dynamic movement. Tomokispice also designed the cover artwork, creating a cohesive visual identity that reinforces the world of "J.R."

Mastering was handled by TSUTCHIE of SHAKKAZOMBIE, further enhancing the song's power and sonic character.

In addition to the original version, the release includes an Instrumental, Instrumental w/Cuts, TV Track, and Acappella. Designed not only for DJs but also for rappers and beatmakers, the package leaves room for remixes and reinterpretations, allowing "J.R." to continue its journey through new forms of expression.

More than a song built around railway imagery, "J.R." is a statement on the current state and future direction of Japanese rap. Rejecting predetermined routes and choosing instead to lay their own tracks, HUNGER and CARREC continue to move forward. And this train isn't stopping anytime soon.

ABLENDS - Scratches by DJ Casin

ABLENDS - Scratches by DJ Casin

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