Yuki Chiba, who’s aiming to add global fans under a new Warner Music deal. Photo Credit: Space Shower
Warner Music Group (WMG) is looking to break another Japanese act on the international stage, as it’s finalized a deal with Tokyo-born rapper Yuki Chiba (formerly known as KOHH).
WMG just recently announced its agreement with the “globally recognized Japanese star” Chiba, who last year released “Mamushi” with Megan Thee Stallion. As described by the major, that effort, which has about 285 million Spotify streams, “generated massive buzz across social media.”
Now, Warner Music and the 35-year-old are apparently working to take things to the next level. Technically signed to Warner Music Japan, Chiba is relocating to Los Angeles and coordinating with WMG’s 300 Entertainment in pursuit of “continued global growth and ambitions,” the major spelled out.
Evidently, the professional intends to hit the ground running in the States. Chiba is set to deliver his “first-ever U.S. concert” at LA’s The Roxy on September 18, two days before performing at Head in the Clouds’ New York edition.
Meanwhile, Nike-partnered Chiba and Warner Music are leaving the door open to popularize different Japanese talent yet.
One example: The artist is preparing to host Chiba Fes in his home city. This “new cultural event…will feature collaborations with a diverse range of artists and creators, becoming a new cultural platform connecting Japan with the world,” Warner Music elaborated.
“We are delighted that Yuki Chiba,” Warner Music Japan head Takeshi Okada added in part, “an artist with truly one-of-a-kind creative talent and an undeniable presence, has chosen us as a partner for the next chapter of his career. … With a strong and growing fan base both in Japan and overseas, Chiba-san is poised to take to the world stage.”
There are multiple pieces in play here, but time will tell whether J-pop (and Japanese music broadly) can truly rival K-pop in terms of superfan dedication and worldwide reach, most recently demonstrated by Netflix’s Kpop Demon Hunters.
On one hand, this backdrop might not be a critical element of the emerging story surrounding Chiba himself as an artist. On the other hand, it’d be difficult to ignore the industry’s growing list of related investments.
Earlier in 2025, for instance, Warner Music/10K inked a deal with Japanese dance group Psychic Fever, which is firing off social media promo posts in English and Thai while simultaneously making the radio rounds in Japan.
Then, February saw Universal Music scoop up the majority of Japan’s A-Sketch; March brought a Believe-Teichiku Entertainment distribution pact and a $1 million J-pop capital commitment from Handcraft Entertainment, with both emphasizing the involved talent’s perceived buildout potential.
Lastly, Live Nation in April bought Hayashi International Promotions with an eye on connecting “Japanese artists with growing global fanbases.”
