Shounanno Kaze

A Japanese reggae group, Shonan no Kaze formed in Shonan, Japan, and released their first album independently (on their 134 Recordings label) in 2003. Members and founders Red Rice and Han Kun, both reggae and hip-hop fans, got together with DJ Shock Eye and Wakadanna and the lineup was finalized. Their full-length debut, Real Riders, was a moderate hit, and within a year they had released their Top Five follow-up, Raga Parade. The band released its third full-length in 2006, but kept relatively quiet in 2007. In 2008 the J-reggae crew returned to the popular consciousness with their single "Ougon Soul," which was used as the theme song to The Negotiator. ~ Chris True