Yuki Chiba

{{short description|Japanese rapper and singer (born 1990)}} {{about|the Japanese recording artist|the radio station|KOHN}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = | image = Yuki Chiba 2024-08-16 (cropped).jpg | caption = Chiba in 2024 | birth_name = 千葉雄喜 (Yūki Chiba) | alias = {{hlist|Kohh|Yellow T20}} | birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1990|4|22}} | birth_place = Oji, Kita, Tokyo, Japan | genre = {{hlist|Hip hop<ref name="Numero">{{cite web|url=http://www.numero.com/en/music/kohh-japanese-hip-hop-fashion|title=KOHH, the new figurehead of Japanese hip-hop|website=Numéro|first=Chloë|last=Fage|date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501173048/http://www.numero.com/en/music/kohh-japanese-hip-hop-fashion|archive-date=May 1, 2017 |accessdate=December 12, 2017}}</ref>|trap<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/2016/09/21/asian-trap/|title=Asian Trap: Why You Need This Genre in Your Life|website=Highsnobiety|date=September 21, 2016|accessdate=December 12, 2017}}</ref>}} | occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter}} | years_active = 2008–present | label = {{unbulleted list| Gunsmith Production|Columbia|RYCE Entertainment (China)}} | website = {{URL|kohh.tokyo}} }}

{{nihongo|'''Yuki Chiba'''|千葉雄喜|Chiba Yūki|born April 22, 1990}}, formerly known by his stage name '''Kohh''', is a Japanese rapper, singer, and songwriter.

==Early life== Chiba was born in Oji, Kita, Tokyo, Japan. He was raised by a single mother along with his younger brother, a fellow rapper known as Lil Kohh. His Korean father, whose Korean surname (고 / Koh) became the basis of Chiba's stage name, died by suicide after jumping off an apartment building while high on drugs. Chiba's mother struggled with an addiction to methamphetamine. Chiba grew up around violence and drugs along with his crew of local friends.<ref name="Numero"/><ref>{{cite web |date=February 28, 2014 |title=団地発！東京のアングラヒップホップ – Rising From the Tokyo Projects |trans-title=Coming from the housing complex! Underground hip hop in Tokyo – Rising From the Tokyo Projects |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn36uJvwIvA |publisher=Vice Japan |language=Japanese |via=YouTube}}</ref>

==Career== thumb|Chiba in 2016 Chiba started producing and recording music at the age of 18 with while making various mixtapes, until he met producer 318 and started releasing material under the label Gunsmith Production. He saw an early underground success within the sub-urban Japanese scene when he produced Lil Kohh's song "Young Forever". The accompanying music video went viral in Japan.

In 2014, Chiba released his major 2nd studio album titled ''Monochrome''. The album was a fair success among the urban acts and its lead track {{nihongo|"I don't mind if I'm poor"|貧乏なんて気にしない|Binbō nante Kinishinai|lead=yes}} had a big reception on YouTube.

In 2015, KOHH along with Japanese artist Loota collaborated with Keith Ape's track "It G Ma" (잊지마) which became a major hit single in Japan and South Korea apart from gaining international media attention.<ref name="Noisey">{{cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/keith-ape-jayallday-loota-okasian-and-kohh-it-g-ma-korean-u-guessed-it/|title="It G Ma" Made Asian rap History|author=Dexter Thomas|work=Noisey|access-date=23 January 2016|date=February 15, 2015}}</ref> Back in Japan, Kohh resumed his work and continued working on his album ''Dirt'' after releasing his delayed first album 梔子 (''Gardenia''). ''Dirt'' was released on October 28. The album was also released internationally via iTunes in October 23. Chiba was featured along with OG Maco on the track "Buchiagari" by Japanese DJ Ryow.

In 2016, Kohh collaborated with Frank Ocean on the single "Nikes", available on the physical album copy of ''Blonde''. Chiba was featured in a song by Japanese American singer Hikaru Utada, titled "Bōkyaku", from their sixth Japanese album ''Fantôme''.

In 2018, Chiba was featured in an exclusive bonus track "Runway", in the Japanese iTunes version of Mariah Carey's ''Caution'' album.

Chiba's fifth studio album ''Untitled'' was released by Nippon Columbia on February 2, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/2/kohh-untitled-album-stream|title=KOHH Drops Experimental New Album "UNTITLED"|website=Hypebeast|date=February 8, 2019|accessdate=February 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://musicjapanet.com/de/Home/Details/COCP-40688|title=No Product | musicjapanet|access-date=February 16, 2019|archive-date=February 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216153147/https://musicjapanet.com/de/Home/Details/COCP-40688|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shop.columbia.jp/shop/g/gE9831/|title=UNTITLED: 商品カテゴリー | KOHH | CD/DVD/Blu-ray/レコード/グッズの通販サイト【コロムビアミュージックショップ】}}</ref>

In 2021, Chiba retired the moniker Kohh, choosing to go by his birth name Yuki Chiba. He would later state in 2024 that he would no longer be performing any songs from the era as well. Chiba took a three-year career break before returning on February 12, 2024. He uploaded an official music video called "Team Tomodachi" (チーム友達), which went viral.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rafid |first=Sabiq |date=21 Feb 2024 |title=Yuki Chiba returns to take back his crown with 'Team Tomodachi' |url=https://liftedasia.com/article/yuki-chiba#google_vignette |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=liftedasia.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Team Tomodachi has had multiple remixes with other artists such as Duke Deuce, ¥ellow Bucks, Jin Dogg, Bun B, Watson, and many more.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Charles |date=2024-05-16 |title=Yuki Chiba retires KOHH era songs from live performances |url=https://electricbloomwebzine.com/2024/05/yuki-chiba-retires-kohh-era-songs-from-live-performances.html |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Electric Bloom Webzine |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Chiba was featured on American rapper Megan Thee Stallion's 2024 track "Mamushi" from her album ''Megan''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Charles |date=2024-06-24 |title=Yuki Chiba featured on Megan Thee Stallion's upcoming album 'Megan' |url=https://electricbloomwebzine.com/2024/06/yuki-chiba-featured-on-megan-thee-stallions-upcoming-album-megan.html |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Electric Bloom Webzine |language=en-GB}}</ref> The song went viral on social media and became Chiba's first-ever entry into the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 at number 68.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Lucy |date=2024-07-10 |title=Megan Thee Stallion Out-Cosplayed Herself With New Sailor Moon Look |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/megan-thee-stallion-mamushi-challenge-sailor-moon-cosplay |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=Teen Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Zellner |first=Xander |date=July 9, 2024 |title=Hot 100 First-Timers: Yuki Chiba, Loco & BabyTron All Score First Entries Thanks to Collaborations |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/yuki-chiba-loco-babytron-hot-100-first-debut-1235727544/ |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> He made his US TV debut at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards when he performed the song alongside Megan Thee Stallion.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Saponara |first=Michael |date=2024-09-12 |title=Megan Thee Stallion Brings the Heat With Fiery Medley Featuring Yuki Chiba at 2024 VMAs |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/megan-thee-stallion-medley-yuki-chiba-vmas-2024-1235773415/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

In November 2024, American artist Will Smith released his own remix of "Team Tomodachi", marking one of the highest-profile Western collaborations on the track. Smith announced the remix to his 70 million Instagram followers, later sharing a video teaser that amassed over 3.5 million views.<ref>{{cite web |title=Will Smith drops surprise remix of Yuki Chiba hit 'Team Tomodachi' |url=https://electricbloomwebzine.com/2024/11/will-smith-drops-surprise-remix-of-yuki-chiba-hit-team-tomodachi.html |website=Electric Bloom Webzine |date=November 1, 2024 |access-date=November 1, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Will Smith on Instagram: "My turn. Team Tomodachi (Will Smith Remix) coming 11.1" |url=https://www.instagram.com/willsmith/p/DBuvuxVsTK9/?img_index=1 |website=Instagram |date=October 30, 2024 |access-date=November 1, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Will Smith on Instagram: Teaser video for "Team Tomodachi" remix |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DB1lPPcR4oC/ |website=Instagram |date=November 1, 2024 |access-date=November 1, 2024}}</ref>

==Reception== Chiba has been mentioned several times as a major influential force to the Japanese hip hop scene in recent years. Chiba has occasionally criticized how small the hip hop scene is in Japan and has tackled major mainstream TVs for its negligence of noticing hip hop. Chiba has also been praised for his smart use of topics like drug use and violence within the Japanese society which are considered controversial in the country.<ref name="Metropolis">{{cite news|url=https://theworld.org/stories/2015/03/05/japan-hip-hop-artists-dont-want-street-cred|title=Rapper Kohh shows a side of Japan that is often ignored|author=Cristina Quinn|publisher=Public Radio International|access-date=23 January 2016|date=March 15, 2015}}</ref> After being featured in "잊지마" (It G Ma, Korean for "don't forget"), KOHH received even bigger praise from international audiences who recognized his use of the phrase 'Arigatō' (Japanese for "Thank you") in his verse as one of the highlights of the hit Korean-Japanese collaboration and praised the artist, whose performance on the track helped launch his career.<ref name="The Japan Times">{{cite news |author=Masao Winston |first=Danny |date=March 15, 2015 |title=The verse that launched Kohh's rise into rap stardom |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2015/12/20/music/verse-launched-kohhs-rise-rap-stardom/ |url-access=subscription |accessdate=23 January 2016 |work=Japan Times}}</ref> M-flo's Taku Takahashi has appointed Chiba as one of the main acts in the Japanese hip hop renaissance.<ref name="Arama Japan">{{cite news|url=http://aramajapan.com/featured/m-flos-taku-takahashi-finally-clears-up-his-fck-jpop-tweets/50922/|title=m-flo's Taku Takahashi finally clears up his F*ck J-Pop tweets|author=Ronald|publisher=Arama Japan, The Japan Times|accessdate=23 January 2016|date=March 15, 2015}}</ref>

Several videos featuring Chiba have gone viral on social media like YouTube, Facebook and Vine among others.<ref name="YouTube">{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YynGH8Uuts|title=Arigato Japanese Trap Music|via=YouTube|accessdate=23 January 2016|date=March 15, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Facebook">{{cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/ShaadowSefiroth/videos/913544665343047/|title=Japanese Trap Music|publisher=Facebook|accessdate=23 January 2016|date=March 15, 2015}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=March 2019}}<ref name="Vine">{{cite news|url=https://vine.co/v/Ot0vgw0mWq5|title= None|publisher=Vine|accessdate=23 January 2016|date=March 15, 2015}}</ref>

==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col" style="width:12em;" | Title ! scope="col" style="width:17em;" | Album details ! scope="col" | Oricon chart<ref name="Oricon Albums">''Oricon'' (in Japanese). [https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/581287/rank/album/ KOHH albums on Oricon]</ref> |- ! scope="row" | ''Monochrome'' | * Released: July 30, 2014 * Label: Gunsmith Productions * Formats: CD, digital download | align="center" | 57 |- ! scope="row" | ''梔子'' ''(Gardenia)'' | * Released: January 1, 2015 * Label: Gunsmith Productions * Formats: CD, digital download | align="center" | 26 |- ! scope="row" | ''Dirt II'' | * Released: June 17, 2016 * Label: Gunsmith Productions * Formats: CD, digital download | align="center" | 38 |- ! scope="row" | ''Untitled'' | * Released: February 2, 2019 * Label: Nippon Columbia * Formats: CD, digital download | align="center" | 80 |- ! scope="row" | ''Worst'' | * Released: April 29, 2020 * Label: Nippon Columbia * Formats: CD, digital download | align="center" | 12 |- ! scope="row" | ''The Lost Tapes'' | * Released: September 25, 2022 * Formats: Digital download | align="center" | n/a |- ! scope="row" | ''Team Tomodachi (The Remixes)'' | * Released: 2024 * Formats: Digital download | align="center" | n/a |- ! scope="row" | ''Star'' | * Released: December 11, 2024 * Formats: Digital download | align="center" | n/a |}

===Mixtapes=== '''List of mixtapes, with selected deals''' {| class="wikitable" !Title !Details |- |''Yellow Tape'' | * Released: November 28, 2012 * Collection of Chiba lead songs and features |- |''Yellow Tape 2'' | * Released: August 31, 2013 * Collection of Chiba lead songs and features |- |''Yellow Tape 3'' | * Released: June 30, 2015 * Collection of Chiba lead songs and features |- |''Yellow Tape 4'' | * Released: December 20, 2016 * Collection of Chiba lead songs and features |- |''Complete Collection 1'' | * Released: May 20, 2015 |- |''Complete Collection 2'' | * Released: May 20, 2015 |}

===Singles===

==== As lead artist ==== {| class="wikitable" ! scope="col" style="width:25em;" | Title !Year ! scope="col" style="width:12em;" | Album |- |"十人十色" (Chiba, Tokarev, PETZ) |2013 |{{Non-album single}} |- |"Ballin" (Chiba, SD and SKY-Hi) | rowspan="4" |2014 |''Concrete Green the Chicago Alliance'' |- |"Chiraq 2 Japan" (Chiba, Lil Herb, Seeda and Norikiyo) |rowspan="3" {{Non-album singles}} |- |"Fight for Tokyo" (Giragiraガールズ, 巌, MEGA-G, MC漢, MC SHOW, MCクローバー, Y'S, YOUNG HASTLE, KOHH, LOOTA, EGO, 海, エリカ) |- |"Hope – Tokyo Tribe Anthem (Tribes United Version)" (海, 巌, MC漢, MEGA-G, GIRAGIRAガールズ, D.O, T2K, Y'S, KOHH, 十影, YOUNG HASTLE, VITO FOCCACIO, LOOTA, EGO, MC SHOW) |- |"Paris (Sam Tiba Remix)" |2016 |''Homieland Vol. 2'' |- |"No Makeup" |2021 |''Yellow Tape 5'' |- |"Team Tomodachi (チーム友達)" |2024 |rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}} |- |"Shinpai Muyou" (VALORANT) |2025 |}

==== As featured artist ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! scope="col" style="width:25em;" | Title !Year ! scope="col" style="width:12em;" | Album !Notes |- |"Gimme the Lights" (DJ Tatsuki & DJ Chari featuring Yuki, KOHH, and Young Freez) | rowspan="3" |2012 |''A.C.E. Time 2nd Season'' | |- |"I Need Her Remix" (Vito (Squash Squad) featuring Nipps, KOHH and Cherry Brown) |''Yellow Tape'' | |- |"New Days Move (Remix)" (Aklo featuring Salu, Staxx T(Cream), KOHH & Shingo☆西成) |rowspan="4" {{Non-album singles}} | |- |"G.O.L.D" (DJ Ken Watanabe featuring KOHH) | rowspan="6" |2013 | |- |"G.O.L.D Part 2" (DJ Ken Watanabe featuring KOHH, Kayzabro and The Y's) | |- |"Don't Stop Remix" (DJ Ryow featuring DJ Ty-Koh, KOHH, Dizzle and Socks) | |- |"Bank to Bank" (Anarchy featuring KOHH) |''DGKA (Dirty Ghetto King Anarchy)'' | |- |"Hate That Booty" (Zeebra featuring Y's and KOHH) |''25 To Life'' | |- |"Somewhere" (Loota featuring KOHH) |''Dessin'' | |- |"Boyfriend #2 (Remix)" (Kowichi featuring Young Hastle, KOHH and DJ Ty-Koh) | rowspan="8" |2014 |''The Diner'' | |- |"プリンス" (Y's featuring KOHH, Mony Horse, and Jigg) |''Love Hate Power'' | |- |"Turn Up" (DJ Ryow featuring KOHH, Smith-CN and Zeebra) |''#Idwt – In Dreams We Trust'' | |- |"Hiroi sekai" (Relax Rekords featuring KOHH, J $tash, and Young Sachi) |''Relax Gang Vol. 1'' | |- |"aaight" (DJ Souljah featuring KOHH, Maria (Simi Lab)) |{{Non-album single}} | |- |"Break the Records (Remix)" (AKLO featuring KOHH & 漢) |''The Arrival'' | |- |"I'm So High" (T.O.P. featuring KOHH) |''Underworld Anatomy'' | |- |"Moon Child" (Anarchy featuring KOHH) |''New Yankee'' | |- |" #ヤッチャッタ" (Minmi featuring KOHH) | rowspan="16" |2015 |''New Minmi Friends -"Bad" "Minmi" To Iu Neta wo Rapper Track Maker Ga Douryouri Shitanoka-'' | |- |"ピラミッド" (Salu & the dreambandgunjo featuring KOHH) |''The Calm'' | |- |"Troy" (Lord 8erz featuring KOHH, 三島, and RAW-T) |''8ERZ EP'' | |- |"Lollipop (DJ KM Remix)" (JOYSTICKK featuring KOHH) |{{Non-album single}} | |- |"Tomareranai" (JOE IRON featuring KOHH, Steelo and Yuki a.K.A. Juto) |''Yellow Tape 1'' | |- |"チョーヤバイ" (GOKU GREEN featuring KOHH and MonyHorse) |''Yellow Tape 2'' | |- |"Hood rich" (J $tash featuring KOHH) | rowspan="3" |''Yellow Tape 3'' | |- |"般若 (Kazoku)" [(Hannya) 家族 feat. Chiba] | |- |"잊지마 (It G Ma)" (Keith Ape featuring JayAllday, loota, Okasian, KOHH) | |- |"Mix Grillz" (DJ☆GO featuring KOHH and HORI) |''Best for Crusing'' | |- |"Let Me Know" (タイプライター&YMG featuring AK-69 and KOHH) |''La La Palooza'' | |- |"Don't Get Me Started" (J $tash featuring KOHH) |''Hood Rich'' | |- |"24 7" (Brandon Thomas featuring KOHH) |''Good Things Take Time Vol. 3'' | |- |"Buchiagari" (DJ RYOW featuring KOHH and OG Maco) |{{Non-album single}} | |- |"Break'em All" (TeddyLoid featuring KOHH) |''Silent Planet'' | |- |"Bash" (SOCKS featuring KOHH) |''Never Dream This Man'' | |- |"All In" (Dumbfoundead featuring CA$HPASSION and KOHH) | rowspan="4" |2016 |''We Might Die'' | |- |"Air Force 1" (Barry Chen featuring Kenzy and KOHH) |''Rocking Gold'' | |- |"Bōkyaku" (Hikaru Utada featuring KOHH) |''Fantôme'' | |- |"Nikes" (Frank Ocean featuring KOHH) |''Blonde'' |Featured version appears only in a special CD edition. |- |"24365" (5lack featuring KOHH) |2018 |{{Non-album single}} | |- |"We Talkin Bout" (Higher Brothers featuring KOHH) |2019 |Five Stars | |- |"Runway (Remix)" (Mariah Carey featuring KOHH) |2022 |''Caution'' |Remix version appears only in Japanese digital edition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/jp/album/caution-japan-version/1442037584?l=en|title=Caution (Japan Version)|website=iTunes Store|access-date=August 4, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116173453/https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/caution-japan-version/1442037584?l=en|archive-date=November 16, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |"Mamushi" (Megan Thee Stallion featuring Yuki Chiba) |2024 |''Megan'' | No. 36 – Billboard Hot 100 |}

==Accolades==

;MTV Europe Music Award {{awards table}} |- | 2017 | KOHH | Best Japan Act | {{won}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://aramajapan.com/news/nominees-best-japan-act-2017-mtv-ema-announced/81175/|title= Nominees for Best Japan Act at The 2017 MTV EMA Announced|publisher=Arama Japan|accessdate=14 November 2017|date=October 5, 2017}}</ref> |}

;Space Shower Music Video Awards {{awards table}} |- | 2016 | KOHH | Best Hip Hop Artist | {{won}}<ref name="SPACE SHOWER">{{cite news|url=http://tokyomusicodyssey.jp/awards/winners/|title=Winners – Space Shower Music Video Awards|publisher=Space Shower|accessdate=29 February 2016|date=February 28, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> |- | 2017 | KOHH | Best Hip Hop Artist | {{won}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/223653 |title= Space Shower Music Award, Radwimps get Artist of the Year, Alexandros most voted (in Japanese)|publisher=Natalie.mu|accessdate=14 November 2017|date=March 28, 2017}}</ref> |}

==External links== * [http://kohh.tokyo/ Official Site]

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chiba, Yuki}} Category:1990 births Category:Living people Category:Japanese male singer-songwriters Category:Japanese male rappers Category:People from Kita Category:Singers from Tokyo Category:Japanese people of Korean descent Category:Naturalized citizens of Japan Category:Japanese people of Portuguese descent Category:Trap musicians Category:21st-century rappers Category:21st-century Japanese male composers Category:21st-century Japanese composers