IO "Soul Long" CD

This is the Japanese rap version of "ILLMATIC"!! IO, a central figure of KANDYTOWN, the hip-hop crew that has been dominating the streets, is making his solo debut! This will be a shocking debut for the scene that brings together a wide range of top-notch producers, from big names to young talents, including MURO, MUMMY-D (RHYMESTER), DJ WATARAI, JASHWON (BCDMG), OMSB (SIMI LAB), KID FRESINO, GRADIS NICE, Neetz, MASS-HOLE, and YUSHI!

IO, a rapper and core member of KANDYTOWN, the crew whose release is currently the most anticipated, is making waves in the street and fashion worlds! Featuring MURO, MUMMY-D, DJ WATARAI, JASHWON, OMSB, KID FRESINO and others, this is an unquestionable solo debut album that will dominate not only the Japanese rap scene in 2016, but also the street scene! This will be the new guideline for Japanese rap in 2016 and beyond!

◆ KANDYTOWN is a young hip-hop crew based in Setagaya that is creating a buzz not only in the Japanese rap scene but also in the apparel industry with their street-only releases (all of which sold out instantly!), performances at numerous popular events, and being featured in street and fashion magazines. The crew's central figure is IO, who has been gaining attention for his wide range of activities as a rapper, model, visual creator, and more, having made a big splash by joining BCDMG, the top creator group in the Japanese rap scene!

◆ At the end of 2014, he participated in the cipher "NiCE UA 37.5: "Break Beats is Traditional"" organized by UNITED ARROWS, along with ANARCHY, KOHH, and KANDYTOWN members YOUNG JUJU and DONY JOINT, under the DJ of MURO, and attracted a lot of attention not only from the street but also from the fashion world. Even before his debut, he was on the cover of OLLIE magazine, and was picked up as a featured artist by street/fashion magazines such as EYESCREAM and WOOFIN! He is also the most popular rapper right now, who made heads go wild with "Special Radio" from KID FRESINO's latest album "Conq.u.er" in which he guest-starred! Before the debut album, he also released a free download work "Nothing New" jointly with YOUNG JUJU and DONY JOINT with full support from CARHARTT! The apparel industry was also involved, and the stage for his debut was perfect!

The debut album was released on February 14, 2016. That day also marks the first anniversary of the death of YUSHI, the late charismatic king who was the spiritual pillar of KANDYTOWN and who grew up with IO since childhood... The album also includes songs that were produced using the beats and raps that YUSHI left behind during his lifetime.

◆ In addition to YUSHI, some of the best creators in the scene have gathered to celebrate the debut of this young talent, IO! KING OF DIGGIN', who needs no introduction and was linked in the cipher above, MURO, Mr. DRUNK aka MUMMY-D (RHYMESTER), DJ WATARAI, who has produced many Japanese rap classics, JASHWON from BCDMG, KID FRESINO, whose collaboration on "Special Radio" was extremely fresh, OMSB (SIMI LAB), who has been friends with IO since they were teenagers, MASS-HOLE from Nagano, whose masterpiece album "PAReDE" has been highly praised in various circles, and other distinguished producers have announced their participation! Among those involved, "Soul Long" is already being whispered as the Japanese rap version of "ILLMATIC" (Nas's classic debut album), and is guaranteed to become a classic even before its release!

◆ The opening song quotes the rap left behind by YUSHI, and KANDYTOWN members also appear as guests, including KODP singer BOO on the title track "Soul Long" produced by MURO! Bonus tracks include "Tap Four (Remix)", a song produced by KID FRESINO with FRESINO himself participating in the rap, and "Dig 2 Me", the representative song that made IO known to the world, with new remixes by Big Santa Classic and MUD from KANDYTOWN that fans will love!

◆ The artwork is by Takuya Ueoka, a notable illustrator and graphic designer who was IO's senior in his student days and has also worked on the covers of KANDYTOWN's street album "Kruise," KOHH's "MONOCHROME," and Wednesday Campanella's "Zipangu." The album is also supported by top-class staff who are active in a wide range of fields, mainly in the Tokyo street and hip-hop scenes, including photographer Cherry Chill Will and styling/art direction by Shintaro Kurokawa!

◆ To coincide with the release of this album, he will be featured in a variety of media outlets, including street/fashion magazines, music sites, and DOMMUNE! He will be on the cover of WOOFIN magazine's "Japanese Rap Special Edition" (published January 30, 2016), and will also be featured in a 10-page feature! This man will be the first to make a big splash in the scene in 2016!