Music analysis: Inside the world of Japan’s genre-blurring duo Ziproom
Sometimes you don’t need to understand the language of a song to catch your attention when the flow and vibes are just right, writes Music News Blitz’s Victoria Bruwer.
Kobe-based hip-hop duo, Ziproom, has quietly built a devoted following by making music that feels more like an atmosphere than a performance.
Their tracks are understated, hypnotic and effortlessly cool, combining hip-hop with elements of house, techno, dub and ambient music.
They're built on smooth flows, restrained beats and immersive production that make them just as fitting for a late-night drive as they are for a packed dance floor.
It's a style that not everyone will get, but for those who do get it, Ziproom is proving to be one of Japan's most exciting underground acts.
Self-made from the start
Shimon takes the role of rapper and DJ, while Arich handles rapping alongside beatmaking and mix engineering.
Together, they write, produce and mix their own tracks, taking complete creative control of their sound since the very beginning.
Their music carries influences from Japan's dance music culture, something the duo has encompassed since their earliest releases.
Their debut EP unzip, released in January 2024, even featured artwork by Kotsu of the renowned DJ collective CYK, reinforcing their close ties to the country's electronic music scene.
The result is a sound that's minimalist without feeling empty, rhythmic enough that it's hard not to nod along to.
Their songs rarely feel overcrowded, but rather layered production, relaxed flows and spacious instrumentals that invite listeners to ease into the mood rather than rush through it.
Their music videos also deserve some recognition, with high-quality visuals and their chill streetwear outfits, giving the audience a glimpse of what the style of their music looks like.
READ MORE: Music news: Nobody builds anticipation quite like Tyla as A*Pop arrives
A rapid rise
Ziproom officially entered the music scene in October 2023 with their debut single ‘TUKI NO USAGI.’
Less than a year later, they had already released their first EP, a full length album and several standalone singles, steadily building a discography that introduced more listeners to their distinctive sound.
One track quickly stood out from the rest.
‘Dive’ became the duo's breakout release, amassing more than 14.6 million Spotify streams and establishing Ziproom as a name worth watching within Japan's alternative hip-hop scene.
Other tracks also found dedicated audiences, including ‘Dance With Me,’ which surpassed 1.6 million streams, and ‘Electronica,’ which crossed 1.1 million streams.
Throughout 2025, the pair continued releasing music at an impressive pace, dropping four singles alongside another EP.
‘MINT’ became one of the year's standout tracks, earning more than 519,000 streams and continuing to expand their growing fanbase.
International fans praised the music for its overall vibe despite not understanding the Japanese lyrics.
Those reactions perfectly capture what makes Ziproom stand out.
The duo's music relies less on lyrical accessibility and more on rhythm, texture and feeling.
It's proof that good production can cross borders just as easily as good songwriting.
Today, Ziproom attracts more than 219,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, a figure for artists whose music comfortably exists outside the mainstream.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Music festivals: Creamfields to celebrate 20th anniversary in August
Looking ahead
Compared to the success of Dive, Ziproom's most recent releases have been noticeably quieter.
Their January 2026 album ZOOM IN PEOPLE was followed by singles ‘Get a million,’ ‘Re:fresh’ and ‘I got new shoes’ this past month.
While these newer songs haven't yet matched the streaming heights of earlier releases, they highlight something that has become increasingly clear throughout Ziproom's career.
Their music isn't designed for everyone. It's unapologetically niche.
Rather than aiming for chart domination, the duo continues refining a sound that appeals to listeners searching for something calmer and more immersive than traditional hip-hop.
They are also currently preparing for their next chapter.
Following a sold-out one-man show, the duo is set to release their new EP, NEW GAME, on August 3.
Less than a week later, they'll celebrate the project with a NEW GAME Release Party at Circus Tokyo in Shibuya on August 9, where they're promising a special live set created exclusively for the event.
READ NEXT: Music news: Stop sleeping on EB3N before everyone else finds him
