UmedaCypher (梅田サイファー) is a Japanese hip-hop collective from Osaka formed in 2007 and built around cypher-style rap performance. The group takes its name from Umeda, one of Osaka’s best-known districts, and its identity comes from a crew format rather than a single frontman.
UmedaCypher is centered on multiple MCs who trade verses, emphasizing rhythm, wordplay, and group chemistry across their songs and live performances. The collective’s lineup includes R-Shitei, KZ, KennyDoes, TAKE-M, KBD, KOPERU, peko, OSCA, tella, ILL SWAG GAGA, タウリン, teppei, and YugaSoda, and that ensemble approach gives the project a flexible sound that stands out in Japan’s rap scene.
Active since the late 2000s and continuing through the 2010s and beyond, UmedaCypher reflects the rise of regional rap scenes outside Tokyo and the growth of crew-based performance culture in Japanese hip-hop. In 2026, the group also announced a full-lineup tour and released new material, reinforcing its reputation for energetic delivery and direct, collaborative expression.
For listeners searching for Japanese rap artists or UmedaCypher members, the group offers a clear entry point into modern Japanese hip-hop, especially for fans drawn to collective vocals and battle-inspired energy. Its roots remain in Osaka, but its appeal reaches a broader audience interested in contemporary Japanese music.
