Tokyo's weekly hip-hop, art and culture podcast. Highlighting artists, visitors, culture, and events in the Greater Tokyo Metropolitian area. Late, p.k.a.
Mega, Late, and Steze are the hosts of hip-hop podcast Mega Late Show (MLS) formed in the beginning of 2017. A bi-monthly podcast recorded directly in the heart of the Tokyo Metropolitan area. Together they've undertaken the perpetual task of aggregating event information and exploring Tokyo's vast hiphop landscape. From the off-the-beaten-path beat shows and spontaneous open mic nights, to the ex
plosive b-boy ciphers and graffiti pieces seen from the busiest train lines in the world. Also, making contact with Japan's most influential players and visitors for their podcast chop-up sessions. Breaking the language barrier and bringing the Japanese hip-hop scene to the world is their prime motivator. The MLS crew advance three distinct vantage points, championing all aspects of hip-hop in the Land of the Rising Sun. Mark "Mega Desu" Robinson was born in New York, raised in California, and attended school in Hawaii. He's worn virtually every hat in hip-hop culture. From Bboy, graff-writer, emcee, or DJ; to web moderator, producer, and activist. Mega's time is currently spent traversing Tokyo's labyrinthian network of train lines; networking and documenting all elements of its flourishing yet scattered hip-hop scene. His love for the culture comes with a particular interest in its infamous underground figures, b-boy battles, and street art. Together with co-hosts, Late and Steze, Mega provides one of three unique perspectives on Tokyo's MLS podcast. Coren Rebel!, is from Atlanta (OTP) and currently based in Tokyo. Pro-am rapper, beat-maker, broadcaster, comic enthusiast, stand-up comic enthusiast, 1/2 of iLL Ruminations (whatup Obiaj!), 1/3 of MLS; drinker, hard-headed, SPEAKEASY (Tokyo's #1 Vibe-Out Party) affiliated, semi-bilingual, lyrically major, and minored in Linguistics. More Malcolm than Martin; don't tell Obama. Steven LeFever aka "Steze" was born in Guam and first found hip-hop through Tupac, then Bone Thugz, then Ice Cube, then Too Short, and it grew from there. He began dabbling in art when he would write poetry and practice freestyle hip-hop dancing in his adolescence. Steze went to California for college and studied acting and communications. He eventually found himself in Tokyo, and today, has his hands in acting, filmmaking, writing, YouTubing, as well as some rapping. His newfound commitment to MLS is due to his lifelong love for the culture. Stay tuned to their voices on twitter.com/megalateshow, instagram.com/megalateshow, and soundcloud.com/megalateshow
31/05/2021
The Mexican food options in Tokyo have gotten a lot better over the last decade but there's still only one spot you need to go to for authentic Soul Food.
David and Latonya Whitaker's Soul Food House.
It took a while but we finally got David in studio.
There's hella jokes and depth this episode, so over the next few days imma just drop a few audiograms.
Check out the full episode on YouTube or any place podcasts are streamed. Link in the bio!
All beats by Aru-2
l.shelton
26/05/2021
Hella late for this audiogram but the episode is live and on YouTube.
You think you know someone...
What started out as a convo between friends turned into a really incredible peek into the family lineage, history and art of one of the most innovative and influencial people the Polynesian music and dance performance.
5 generations of impact that forever shaped the western worlds view of Polynesian culture and continuing through Mevina Liufau.
This one is fun, informative and a little drink.
Shout out to my brother Dj Tagg for the co-hosting!
Tune in. Link in the bio!
All beats by ARU-2
@secrethousetokyo
01/05/2021
A convo about Skyzoo's new single "Bed-Stuy Is Burning" and gentrification.
Got the team together to discuss Skyzoo's new lead single "Bed-Stuy Is Burning" from his forthcoming, All The Brilliant Things, album releasing on June 11th....
30/04/2021
More from 145 with profession (semi retired) Mixed Martial Artist and trainer, Maurice Shelton.
This part of the convo comes a bit after talking about being on mma forums in the early 2000s. Seeing the type of online politics growing from those places, the likes of 4chan, and eventually Joe Rogans rise in popularity.
Then experiencing those same ideological underpinnings in the gym.
28/04/2021
Full video link in the bio!
Episode 145|||| Had a pretty swell explosive convo with my comrade, professional (semi-retired) mixed martial artist, MMA trainer, actor, historian, and fellow podcaster, Maurice Shelton.
Here's us discussing how we met last year andgiving props to our brother Tracy Jones and just generally being happy.
During the episode we discuss MMA, being Black in those early internet circles, Maurices experiences training and teaching in Japan, the possibility of a UFC fighters Union and some a couple other things.
You can catch Maurice on the This Is Not Information Podcast and teaching at a UFC gym on the denentoshi line. Look forward to seeing Maurice back on the podcast.
l.shelton
22/04/2021
At the Secret House Against the World! Episode 144 with no senpai or kohai's but with falafels and righteousness.
I link with , .valley_ and to discuss their three upcoming collaborative albums. In the middle of all that we talk about Mavi, grappling hooks, not eating deadbirds and the upcoming album.
All beats by .dope.95
Peep my new youtube channel for full video. Like share subscribe and all that. We've got a song reaction video from Mike on their too.
All audio available on all the podcast streaming sites.
22/03/2021
Planting these album reviews videos with and
It's on YouTube somewhere...
I'll start linking once I decide on a name for the channel.
11/03/2021
Promise I'll start reminding you guys of my own actual episodes soon. Working out the video bu****it.
But in the mean time check me out on the Got Faded Japan Podcast.
Two dudes, one goon, booze, Japan and the news!
This is also the first time I've been drunk in almost three years. So tune in.
Link in the bio.
16/02/2021
Episode 140! VivaOla and Wez Atlas of the Solgasa music collective.
Young Wezzy joins in as a guest co-host and together we find out a lot about VivaOla's upbringing, experiences growing up in Tokyo, and his musical training. They also share how they met in high school and began working together. It's an hour long episode so of course a lot more.
Musical bed and all beats by .dope.95 familiarize yourself immediately. Follow and like. He's one of the best out.
Both parts of this episode are out now. Link in the bio
15/02/2021
Took some time off to take some time off. So this post is about two weeks late. Link in the bio!
But yes. We are back with fam from the Tokyo-based hip-hop collective, The Hilt!
Monsieur Jovoni just dropped his debut LP Ainu Negrito! Inspired by his travels, exchange of culture and Black indigenous peoples around the world!
Also of the Hilt, on the guest host mic, KraftyKid!
We talk about the new album, working with the different personalities and styles in the Hilt, the value of your art, supporting art and streaming, indigenous people, working with Popefam, using the n-word, tattoos and general MONSIEUR'IN.
All beats this episode by the super talented, D Dahlinger!
22/01/2021
Slow on the uploads and relaxing on the recording schedule thanks to the corona virus. But both parts of episode 138 with Ktea are out now! Link to part 1 in the bio!
Ktea is a multi-talented dancer, content creator, and people connector here in Tokyo. She's also appeared on a variety of large social media outlets. Viral videos and all that.
Joining us as guest co-host is Naomi Kawahara of , Japan For Black Lives, and Speak Easy TYO fame!
Despite knowing each other for a while and having several mutual friends, this was the first time Ktea and I really got to know each other. So we talk about growing up mixed, dancing, her experiences with Japanese education and society, following through on our thoughts, her experiences with a variety of popular social media creative outlets and then hella music.
Part one for convo, part two for convo plus some of the music were enjoying.
The musical bed is from the incredible . Go by his new album "Warp Haze" on or stream where you do that.
PSA: Humancloud Abandonment by Tracy Jones is dropping any moment now! Go check out the Bandcamp!
Outro track: - IDU (produced by )
official
Tokyo, hip-hop, art, and culture!
08/01/2021
Here are my (Meg) 20 favorite albums of 2020. I also did a previous list of 20 albums that didn't make my top 20. So yeah forty joints from last year that explode in different intervals.
and I have been throwing bombs over at . Factor in that for fresh thoughts. Link in the bio...
06/01/2021
Caught back up with the legendary graff artist homies, Yesca One and Remix.
Between the two of them there are nearly 50 years of writing and thousands upon thousands of cans sprayed around the world.
When it comes to Tokyos graff scene there are few as knowledgeable or infamous as Yesca. And as the clip briefly highlights, Remix is a graffiti king. Worldwide recognition and in some of the greatest crews to ever use krylon.
During this episode we discuss:
- Tokyo as a graffiti city and writing in Japan
- The evolution of writer ethics and perception of "street art"
- the great Black graff writers and seemingly low participation now
- Osaka's Very One bring graff to other countries
- Numerous incredible graffiti artists around the world and a lot of history
- Scribble Jam, Sixtoo, and MF DOOM
- Remix's attempt to finally write in Russia being halted by Covid
Also a lot more.
This episode is a throw back to the MLS days of no specific format, lots of alcohol and talking s**t.
Part one link in the bio.
Part two out on Friday.
REST IN PEACE MF DOOM
All beats from Special Herbs
Outro track: "Footnotes" by FIC featuring MNSR Frites
Thanks for listening. Check us out on all the podcast streaming services. The only podcast in the mud with Tokyos hip-hop, art, and sub-culture communities.
31/12/2020
Me and Late gave our favorite hip-hop albums, artists, songs and general thoughts. Link in the bio.
29/12/2020
25/12/2020
lPart two with Kraftykid and A Valley!
Check part one for a little more information on KraftyKid and how they came to work on their new project Dream Gang.
Here we share a bunch of their music including one unreleased single and also discuss their upcoming work with Ghostpops of Tokyo Dope City Studio.
We also play a gang of new music from Tokyo // Ill Sugi, Wez Atlas, VivaOla, Seeda & Ghostpops, Sirius B w/ GRillah, Also Jansport J, Benny and Sault.
We finish up with some projects in our top 20 of the year and Black super hero powers activating.
Outro track: Deza - Out of Sight
_.valley
22/12/2020
Yo approaching the end of the year and weve almost collected all the Hilt Infinity Gems!
*****Link in the bio****
Krafty Kid aka Mc Gaburi is an emcee, producer, songwriter and also an illustrator.
He's one of the newest members of the Tokyo based hip-hop collective, the Hilt. We've almost had all members of the hilt on the pod and joining us as guest co-host is A Valley. Krafty and Valley are combining as Dream Gang and releasing an EP soon. We get into how Krafty joined the Hilt and how their music has developed.
We also talk about:
- Lil Wayne being dope at rapping but goofy with everything else
- the developing Tokyo rap community and resurgence of lyricism
- growing up in London with Guyanese and Ghanaian parents
- Starting making music young
- Before Type beats, Mike and Earl Sweatshirt, Tyler
- Why and how we listen to or assess the quality of music.
- their creative process & how they write raps
- living in Ikebukuro
PSA - 20 Not Top 20
Upcoming show: Namboku Records at Battica on 12/26
All the background music is by the god, Ill Sugi! His new mixtape Kief Tape Vol. 1 is out now
Outro music: Ill Sugi - Downtown Speaks
18/12/2020
Part two with Deza and Ro Morikawa is out now. Featuring my guy Jet Axel as guest co-host.
Musical bed by my most listened to artist of the year, SOUL.DOPE.95!
Link in the bio!!! Part two is extra long because computer issues and I lost all the stems! Still we talk about our favorites this year. And getting our super powers on December 21st.
Outro track: Budamunk Mr Brady & Moka Only - Bright Light
dope.95
16/12/2020
Wrote a little surface level history about one of the longer beat shows taking place in Tokyo.
Theyve also got an event at Contact in Shibuya tomorrow. Couple homies on the set list. Pay attention!
Shout out to Ishii!
- Meg
90 BPM TAKEOVER, the incredibly dope beat show, is probably the closest we get to the Low End experience in Japan.Tokyo has an incredible number of dope beat shows but the diversity in sound and co…
15/12/2020
Part one of Episode 135 is up!
Deza and Ro Morikawa are two of the newer faces in Tokyo music community. Both of them moved to Tokyo a little over a year ago and met through their English company. Deza is an emcee/ producer and Ro is pianist/vocalist and producer.
After a series of serendipitous events, they both found out that each other made music. So they decided come together, make some music and release the Pick EP. Go check that out all the streaming joints and also on fridays episode.
Also my guest host this episode is fellow music affcianado and host of the upcoming Japanese music culture show "TKY03," Jet Axel.
Here on part one we take sometime to find out how they met and how they came together to make music. Also...
- Coming from Ottawa and Virginia
- Moving to Tokyo right before corona times
- Poetry, Burroughs, the cut up method
- Connecting with people in Tokyo
- Normalizing complimenting men
- What is hip-hop culture? Taking classes, defining it
Nombe Dojo
Musical Bed by the illest!! Soul.dope.95 please go support my guy! His newest project Writers Block is fire.
Support independent and local art!!!
RIP TINY ZEUS LISTER!
dope.95
Outro song : featuring MJ the Sensei & Hondo Felder - Earth's Children
11/12/2020
Peace!!
Both parts of episode 134 are out and feature the YouTube content creator duo, Stash Cairo and Dj L-Spade. Together as Tokyo Stash and Spade, they share and discuss music and Tokyo. They're a seemingly unlikely combo. Stash being slightly older, from Canada, and without much substantial hip-hop knowledge; and L-Spade being from the American South and very much a hip-hop head.
We talk about a variety of topics including bad good reaction videos and discussing Christmas song.
This part of the video is on part two of the recording and we're discussing Deerhoof and their song Xmas Tree.
Check that out now. Also you can see the entire recording on their youtube channel albeit without the musical bed.
Tokyo Spotlight: X-Bar and Antenna America in Ginza
Musical bed were beats by Pigeondust.
Tokyo Stash & Spade on YouTube
04/12/2020
Episode 133. Both parts out now. Link in the bio.
Very hyped to share this weeks guests. We've got two rising artists of the Solgasa Collective, Tommi Crane and Wez Atlas!
They both grew-up in and outside of Japan, met in college, and have been spending the last few years cultivating their sound. Im a huge fan of all the music they've been dropping, so definitely tune in.
Joining in as guest host is my blood cousin, emcee, and member of the Hilt, A Valley.
Here are some of the topics we discuss in part one.
- their start as musicians and approach to the craft
- the formation of Solgasa and the other members, VivaOla and Michel Ko
- Writing lyrics in English and Japanese
& hella much more
The musical bed is all beats by the incredible Jansport J. Peep his newest project Any Weather!
PSA: PSA by Tommi Crane and Wez Atlas
Show focus: Tight at Club Asia on December 5th featuring Dj Krush.
Namboku showcase "Lofi Improv" at Battica on December 26th. Don't miss it.
Spotlight : hipland friendship
Sophia Refugee Support Group
Outro track: "Ajisai" by Daiichi Yamamoto (produced by Flat Stanley)
_.valley
27/11/2020
Both parts of episode 132 are out!! Link in the bio.
This episode were with the incredible, Tahirih Walker! Singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and self described "put-er on-er." She grew up in Brooklyn during the golden age of hip-hop. Having a father that managed Jazz and rap artists and a sister pioneering global hip-hop fashion, she was thrown the world of art at a young age.
Here she shares some of her experiences growing up with some of hip-hops greatest acts like Jay-Z and Guru. And what it's been like living and working in Japan for the last 20 years.
We barely scratch the surface of her amazing life and career but I'm certain she'll be joint us again soon.
Guest hosting are the good homies Maya Hatch and Ramses of the Sugar Shack
Some topics discussed on part one
- Her father managing jazz and rap artists
- Her sister, April Walker, pioneer fashion designer and found of Walker Wear
- Starting her singing career and eciding between music administration or artistry
- Recording with D-Train, Run Dmc, Jay-Z and more
- Growing up in Brooklyn during hip-hops golden age
- Falling in love with Japan
- Social issues in Japan and how Brooklyn has changed
- Settling more into her marketing and entrepreneur experience
- Meeting Maya And performing with Exile Atsushi at Saitama Super Arena
- The Ladies of Rhythm and Blues shows and Beats Blues Band
- Her new e-commerce site, Brooklyn Girl Presents. And vocal training
Shows: Tokyo Love Hotels Nov 28th
The Hilt at Sound Museum Vision on the 28th
Sunday Cookout Nov 29th at the Legacy Lounge
BEATS Blues Band at Fussa on December 4th
Tight featuring dj Krush at Club Asia on Dec 5th
All beats by our guy Soul.Dope.95!
Outro song: Tajima Hal & - Chameleon Club
Bklyngp.comdope.95
23/11/2020
From Part 2 of our interview with Don Dre aka Piggles Di Gaijin and Robbie Heat a couple weeks back.
On part two we usually focus on music and popular culture conversations. Y'all know I'm always here for a little Drake hate lol.
Make sure to check out part one to find out more about both of these cats. And go follow them on instagram.
We share a few of Don Dre and Robbies tracks and here are a few of the other topics we discuss:
- Vybz Kartel and the colorism
- Lil Vicious
- Homophobia and the progress made in the dancehall community
- Ladies in the scene
- Free Myndz and Masicka
- A bunch of the solid food places
Shout out to Fat Von Free for all the beats on this episode. Go peep him immediately.
Both parts of our interview with Jet Axel are live!
Jet Axel is his real name and hes a Tokyo-based model by way of the UK. He's also a Japanese music aficionado who developed his knowledge of Japanese music on the podcast, Japan Alternative Sessions.
He'll be using that knowledge as one of the new hosts of TKY03 for the Tokyo Music Channel. The show is tentatively launching in January and Jet will be co-hosting alongside Zucca of Wild Stomp. TKY03 will be focusing on interviewing artists in Japans thriving music sub-cultures. Offering interviews with Japanese and English subtitles.
Joining as guest host is actor, director, sound technician, and Mega Late Show founder, Steve "Steze" Lefever.
- Stezes new documentary about Guam's Koko bird
- Jets early interest in non-mainstream music leading into hosting a Japanese Music podcast
- Serendipitous encounters in Tokyo
- Japanese music and it's subcultures
- Performing music in the japan
- Jet working with, Zucca, the lead singer of Wild Stomp and their upcoming show "TKY03" with the Tokyo Music Channel
- Cyberpunk 2077 and unethical business practices
- Stumbling into fashion modeling
- Shinichi Osawa and being featuring in Rhyme SO's "Fashion Blogger" music video
- experiences with talent agencies in Tokyo
PSA: Run The Jewels "No Save Point" and Mad Dog Jones art on the track.
Tokyo Spotlight: Free Wave Agency
The entire musical bed is by the indelible Soul.Dope.95!!
New music: Marcus D - Blinding Light
dope.95
#
05/10/2020
Miyama McQueen-Tokita is a classically trained professional Koto and bass koto musician from Melbourne, Australia. (Plus she's an underground hip-hop head.)
This week she joins us alongside jazz pianist, hiphop producer, friend of the show and Namboku Records label head, Aaron Choulai.
Miyama joins us to discuss her debut solo record "Sonobe." Through the album she conveys her unique and contemporary approach to the centuries old instrument.
We discuss :
- Miyama's introduction to the instrument and traditional training
- How the koto is different from other contemporary classical instruments
- Being comfortable performing in Japan as a half Japanese Australian woman
- The subtle changes in Japanese society insofar as their perception of foreigners
- Where to find koto performances in Tokyo and noise/ experimental music scene
- Some upcoming performances in Tokyo and performing Koto in New York
- Change the perception of traditional koto music and continuing the tradition by expressing her uniqueness through the instrument
- being the coolest koto player in the world
Musical bed provided by the Soul.Dope.95 !
Tokyo shoutout: Tokyo Speaks Podcast
Tokyo Spotlight: Hishaku Yakitori in Ekoda
dope.95
30/09/2020
Hey gonna be a while until I revamp and clean this FB page up. In the meantime, check for all the new episode posts on Instagram.
- Meg
23/09/2020
Stepped in with Dante Carver to co-host with my brother, Tokyo Cliff, on his newest episode of Tokyo Speaks.
Dante had to step out pretty quickly after we hit record but we had a convo for about an hour before that. Dante and Arthell are old friends and It was an absolute pleasure sitting with these brothers. Thier success in Japan is truly unparalleled and they serve as archetypes of potential for little Black kids across the globe. I walked away inspired and rejuvenated in my resolve.
Check it out. Link in the bio.
Episode 87: In 2016, Arthell Isom and his twin brother, Darnell Isom, founded D'ART Shtajio Inc. - the first foreign-owned anime studio in Japan. Arthell and his studio has worked on projects for Netflix, Grammy Award-winning music artist, The Weeknd, and was recently featured in Pharrell and Jay-Z's "Entrepreneur" music video. In this episode we discuss the following topics:
- Arthell's love for illustration and background painting for anime
- Studying at the Academy of Arts University in San Francisco
- Black culture & anime
- Working on a project for The Weeknd
- Working for Ghost in the Shell Art Director, Hiromasa Ogura
- Founding in his own anime studio in Japan
The Mega Late Show (MLS) formed in the beginning of 2017. A hip-hop podcast hosted by Mega and Late and recorded directly in the heart of the Tokyo Metropolitan area. Together they've undertaken the perpetual task of aggregating event information and exploring Tokyo's vast hip-hop landscape. From the off-the-beaten-path beat shows and spontaneous open mic nights, to the explosive b-boy ciphers and graffiti pieces seen from the busiest train lines in the world. Also, making contact with Japan's most influential players and visitors for their podcast chop-up sessions. Breaking the language barrier and bringing the Japanese hip-hop scene to the world is their prime motivator. The MLS crew is advancing distinct vantage points and championing all aspects of hip-hop in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Mark "Mega Desu" Robinson was born in New York, raised in California, and attended school in Hawaii. He's worn virtually every hat in hip-hop culture. From Bboy, graff-writer, emcee, or DJ; to web moderator, producer, and activist. Mega's time is currently spent traversing Tokyo's labyrinthian network of train lines; networking and documenting all elements of its flourishing yet scattered hip-hop scene. His love for the culture comes with a particular interest in its infamous underground figures, b-boy battles, and street art.
Late, p.k.a. Coren Rebel!, is from Atlanta (OTP) and currently based in Tokyo. Pro-am rapper, beat-maker, broadcaster, comic enthusiast, stand-up comic enthusiast, 1/2 of iLL Ruminations (whatup Obiaj!), Smooth As Eggs; drinker, hard-headed, SPEAKEASY (Tokyo's #1 Vibe-Out Party)/Life Parc affiliated, semi-bilingual, lyrically major, and minored in Linguistics. More Malcolm than Martin; don't tell Obama.
Stay tuned to their voices on:
