Intro
Creepy Nuts are a Japanese hip-hop duo consisting of DJ Matsunaga and R-Shitei, currently signed to Onenation and Sony Music Associated Records.
The duo rose to international prominence in 2024 with their biggest hit single to date “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born”, an opening theme for the second season of the anime series Mashle: Magic and Muscles, as their most successful song to date. In Japan, the song was the best-performing song in 2024, topping the Oricon Combined Singles Chart and Billboard Japan Hot 100. It also peaked at number eight on the Billboard Global 200.
The duo gained even more worldwide recognition with the release of their second biggest hit single “Otonoke”, which was included as the opening theme for the hit anime series Dandadan.
history
2013–2017: Formation and Independent Era
Creepy Nuts’ name came about casually, as the duo never expected to become famous. Their first commercial collaboration, “Shirafu de Suikyō,” appeared on the compilation album Popgroup Presents Kaikoo Planet III (August 8, 2013).
They performed at Fuji Rock Festival for the first time in July 2014. In March 2015, the duo signed a management contract with Steel Street and released their debut single “Setsuna” on August 26.
They went on to release two EPs under the independent label Tricker:
- Tarinai Futari (January 20, 2016)
- Joen Dan’yū-shō (February 1, 2017)
Both EPs were supported by nationwide tours — Tarinai Jungyō 2016 Haru Basho and Itsuka no Extra, Live on Stage, respectively.
2017–2023: Major-Label Debut and Rising Popularity
On April 9, 2017, Creepy Nuts announced their major-label debut under Sony Music Entertainment Japan, later establishing their own label, Creepers. Their debut major-label single, Kōkō Debut, Daigaku Debut, Zenbu Shippaishita Kedo Major Debut, featuring the songs “Major Debut Shinan” and “Daga Sore de Ii,” was released on November 8 after a delay from its original August date.
Their first studio album Creep Show was released on April 11, 2018, followed by the Creep Show 2018 tour. The duo also began hosting All Night Nippon in 2018, continuing until 2023. A compilation album, Indies Complete, was released on July 25, featuring works from their independent years.
Creepy Nuts released the EP Yofukashi no Uta on August 7, 2019, supported by a tour from September to December.
Their next EP, Katsute Tensai Datta Oretachi e, arrived on August 26, 2020, marking their first release under Onenation. It featured collaborations with Masaki Suda, and the duo performed a major one-man live at Nippon Budokan on November 11–12, 2020. Their official fan club, Club Creepy Nuts, launched in early 2021.
Their second studio album Case was released on September 1, 2021. Its single “Nobishiro” became their first RIAJ platinum-certified streaming track, surpassing 100 million streams. Case was supported by a tour from September to November. Between 2021 and 2023, they also held a series of two-man lives titled Nariwai with various guest artists.
On September 7, 2022, the duo released their third studio album Ensemble Play, preceded by five singles including:
- “Baka Majime” (collaboration with Ayase and Lilas Ikuta for ANN’s 55th anniversary drama)
- “Daten” (opening theme for the anime Call of the Night)
They toured from September to December 2022 and held a 5th-anniversary major-debut concert at Budokan on November 5. In 2023, they reduced media appearances to focus on producing new music.
2024–Present: Global Breakthrough with “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born”
Creepy Nuts performed “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” as the opening theme for Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 2 (January 7, 2024). The song became a worldwide hit, boosted by the viral “BBBB Dance” challenge.
It achieved major chart success:
- Oricon Combined Singles Chart: 4 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1
- Billboard Japan Hot 100: 19 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 (2nd longest in history)
- Billboard Global 200: Peaked at No. 8
- RIAJ: Diamond certification (500M+ streams) in Feb 2025
- RIAA: Gold certification in the U.S. (500k units)
“Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” became one of Japan’s top-performing songs of 2024.
In early 2024, they released “Nidone”, the theme for the TV series Extremely Inappropriate!, and made a cameo in the drama’s final episode. From March to June, they held their 2024 One-Man Tour.
Later that year, they released “Otonoke”, the opening theme for the anime Dandadan, which became their second Billboard Japan Hot 100 No. 1. The duo closed 2024 with performances at the 66th Japan Record Awards (winning an Excellence Award) and the 75th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
2025: Legion Era and Continued Success
On January 24, 2025, Creepy Nuts released “Doppelgänger”, the theme for the live-action Under Ninja film. This preceded their fourth studio album Legion, released digitally on February 5 and physically on March 12.
Their first concert at Tokyo Dome was held on February 11 and later released exclusively on Amazon Prime Video (April 28).
In support of Legion, the duo scheduled:
- Legion One Man Tour: May–September
- Asia Tour: October–November
They also provided the opening and ending themes—“Mirage” and “Nemure”—for Call of the Night Season 2, and contributed “Get Higher” as the credits theme for Sonic Racing CrossWorlds.
Musical style
Creepy Nuts’ music style is a distinctive fusion of Japanese hip-hop, jazz, and pop elements, with a dash of Latin rhythms and big Jersey club energy. Their sound is characterized by catchy melodies, witty lyrics, and a blend of high-energy beats and sophisticated jazz influences.
At the heart of Creepy Nuts’ music are DJ Matsunaga’s memorable melodies and hooks, which make their songs instantly catchy. R-Shitei’s clever wordplay, storytelling, and humor add depth and complexity to their lyrics, exploring themes of life, love, and social issues. The incorporation of jazz elements, such as saxophone and piano, gives their music a sophisticated, laid-back vibe, setting them apart from other hip-hop artists.
Creepy Nuts’ music is rooted in Japanese hip-hop, with influences from classic and contemporary artists. Their sound is also reminiscent of pop-rap, with catchy hooks and melodies that make their music accessible to a broad audience. The fusion of jazz elements with hip-hop creates a unique, sophisticated sound that has drawn comparisons to artists like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Brockhampton.
Achievements
2020
- MTV Video Music Awards Japan – Best Hip-Hop Video – Katsute Tensai Datta Oretachi e – Won
2021
- CD Shop Awards – Grand Prize (Red) – Katsute Tensai Datta Oretachi e – Nominated
- CD Shop Awards – Finalist Award (Red) – Katsute Tensai Datta Oretachi e – Won
2022
- CD Shop Awards – Grand Prize (Red) – Case – Nominated
- CD Shop Awards – Finalist Award (Red) – Case – Won
- CD Shop Awards – Comment Award – Case – Won
2023
- CD Shop Awards – Grand Prize (Red) – Ensemble Play – Nominated
- CD Shop Awards – Finalist Award (Red) – Ensemble Play – Won
2024
- Abema Anime Trend Awards – Opening Animation Award – Otonoke – Won
- Anime Grand Prix – Best Theme Song – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – 7th place
- Anime Trending Awards – Opening Theme Song of the Year – Daten – 4th place
- Anime Trending Awards – Ending Theme Song of the Year – Yofukashi no Uta – Won
- Asia Star Entertainer Awards – Hot Trend – Creepy Nuts – Won
- The Television Drama Academy Awards – Drama Song Award (1st Quarter) – Nidone – Won
- Tokyo Drama Awards – Best Theme Song – Nidone – Won
- TikTok First Half Trend Awards – Special Award – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- U-Can New Words and Buzzwords Awards – Top 10 – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Top 10
- Yahoo! Japan Search Awards – Music Category – Creepy Nuts – Won
- Japan Record Awards – Excellent Award – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
2025
- AMD Awards – Excellence Award – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- Anime Grand Prix – Best Theme Song – Otonoke – 2nd place
- Anime Trending Awards – Opening Theme Song of the Year – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Nominated
- Anime Trending Awards – Opening Theme Song of the Year – Otonoke – Won
- Crunchyroll Anime Awards – Best Anime Song – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Nominated
- Crunchyroll Anime Awards – Best Anime Song – Otonoke – Won
- Crunchyroll Anime Awards – Best Opening Sequence – Otonoke – Won
- Crunchyroll Anime Awards – Best Opening Sequence – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Nominated
- Japan Gold Disc Award – Song of the Year by Download (Japan) – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- Japan Gold Disc Award – Best 3 Songs by Download – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- Japan Gold Disc Award – Song of the Year by Streaming – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- Japan Gold Disc Award – Best 5 Songs by Streaming – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- JASRAC Awards – Silver Award – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- MTV Video Music Awards Japan – Song of the Year – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- Music Awards Japan – Artist of the Year – Creepy Nuts – Nominated
- Music Awards Japan – Best Japanese Hip Hop/Rap Artist – Creepy Nuts – Won
- Music Awards Japan – Best Japanese Dance Pop Artist – Creepy Nuts – Nominated
- Music Awards Japan – Song of the Year – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- Music Awards Japan – Best Japanese Song – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- Music Awards Japan – Best Japanese Hip Hop/Rap Song – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- Music Awards Japan – Best Japanese Dance Pop Song – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- Music Awards Japan – Best Anime Song – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Nominated
- Music Awards Japan – Best Music Video – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Nominated
- Music Awards Japan – Best Viral Song – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- Music Awards Japan – Best Japanese Song in Europe – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- Music Awards Japan – Best Japanese Song in North America – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- Music Awards Japan – Best Japanese Song in Latin America – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- Reiwa Anisong Awards – Best Work Award – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Won
- Reiwa Anisong Awards – Best Work Award – Otonoke – Nominated
Gallery
