Rin音

Overview

Rin音 (pronounced Rinne, born September 16, 1998) is a Japanese male rapper and songwriter from Munakata, Fukuoka Prefecture. Signed to ROOFTOP, he also serves as a Munakata Ambassador. His breakout single "snow jam" topped Spotify's Japan Viral chart, and he won the Best New Artist award at the 62nd Japan Record Awards in 2020.

Career

Rin音 began his career as a rapper at 18 and started writing original songs in order to enter MC battles. He rose to prominence by winning the 2018 Tenjin U20 MC Battle Round 1, finishing runner-up at KMB vol.7, and winning Churitoris World.

While still at university, he debuted on July 18, 2019 with the digital-only EP "film drip." The single "snow jam," released digitally on February 19, 2020, hit No. 1 on Spotify's Japan Viral chart; its YouTube music video has passed 21 million views and the song has exceeded 100 million streams.

In June 2020 he was chosen as one of the 2020 acts in Space Shower Network's SPACE SHOWER RETSUDEN NEW FORCE series for promising newcomers. That month he also appeared on TV Asahi's Music Station and on THE FIRST TAKE. From the single "Houkiboshi Ame Ten" (箒星飴店), released September 9, 2020, distribution has been handled by Virgin Music under Universal Music. In December 2020 he appeared at the 62nd Japan Record Awards, where he received the Best New Artist prize, and on CDTV Live! Live! programs.

On July 21, 2021 he became the 12th Munakata Ambassador. He went on to appear on NHK's Shibuya Note and TV Tokyo's Premium MelodiX! in 2021, and on Buzz Rhythm 02 and MUSIC BLOOD (as a collaborator of Kami wa Saikoro wo Furanai) in 2022. His commercial work includes the 2020 KBC "Water and Green Campaign" and Mondelez Japan's Ritz Crackers in March 2021.

With the single "GIRICHOCO," released digitally on January 28, 2026, distribution moved to Capitol Records under Universal Music.

Musical Style

Rin音 is categorized under J-pop, J-R&B, J-rap and Japanese indie. His roots in MC battles as a rapper combine with his work as a songwriter who writes his own material.

Personal

He is known for being poor at keeping his smartphone charged and always carries a mobile battery. His self-styled "official big brother" is KBC announcer Taiga Nagaoka.