How Megan Thee Stallion brought Japanese hip hop to the Hot 100

"Mamushi," the fourth single from Megan the Stallion’s album Megan, was not supposed to be a huge hit. But thanks to a viral dance, the song has become the first song on the Billboard Hot 100 to feature Japanese lyrics since 1963. With a feature from rapper Yuki Chiba and a beat from producer Koshy, "Mamushi" creates the kind of cross-cultural musical collaboration that helps correct a long record of U.S. pop stars appropriating Japanese culture.

Songs Discussed

Megan Thee Stallion (feat. Yuki Chiba) - Mamushi

Megan Thee Stallion - Hiss, Boa, Cobra, Savage, Megan's Piano, Otaku Hot Girl

Kyu Sakomoto - Sukiyaki

A Taste of Honey - Sukiyaki

Selena - Sukiyaki

Pikotaro - PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)

Hikaru Utada, Skrillex - Face My Fears

Gwen Stefani - Harujuku Girls

Avril Lavigne - Hello Kitty

More

Hannah Lee of the Japan Society

NPR on the story of "Sukiyaki"

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