IO

IO is a Japanese rapper, visual creator, and art director known for his role in the Tokyo-based hip-hop collective KANDYTOWN LIFE and the creative group BCDMG, which includes JASHWON, BOMBRUSH!, LostFace, and G.O.K. Growing up in the same neighborhood as his KANDYTOWN peers, IO gained early attention through the 2014 UNITED ARROWS cypher “NiCE UA 37.5: ‘Break Beats is Traditional,’” performing alongside MURO, ANARCHY, KOHH, and fellow members YOUNG JUJU and DONY JOINT. Despite not having debuted at the time, he appeared on the cover of OLLIE magazine and was featured in EYESCREAM and WOOFIN, cementing his status in Japan’s street fashion and music scenes. In 2015, IO, YOUNG JUJU, and DONY JOINT released the free collaborative project Nothing New in partnership with CARHARTT. IO made his solo debut on February 14, 2016, with the album Soul Long, followed by his second album Mood Blue in April 2017. His visuals and music videos, including his appearance on Kid Fresino’s track “Special Radio,” filmed in New York, also attracted attention. In 2025, IO released his third studio album Just Album, further establishing himself as a versatile and influential figure in Japanese hip-hop culture.

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