CHEHON Essentials

Japanese reggae star CHEHON brings a rapper's ease with rhymes to the grand tradition of Jamaican toasting. His clean delivery and declamatory verses celebrate his spiritual home of Kingston as much as his actual hometown of Osaka. His tracks brim with kung-fu references as they bounce along to hot dancehall beats. Yet he's more than just a hip-hop-informed toaster: he's equally at ease playing the role of smooth lover man, conveying sweet sentiments alongside rootsy slow jams.