Kenji Hasegawa
In 1990, he began his DJ career at the outdoor party “yoyogi friendship project” held with friends in Yoyogi Park.
For over 30 years since, he has been active as a DJ, music selector, and party organizer.
He is the resident DJ and organizer of the popular Sunday afternoon party “Sunday Afternoon Session ‘gallery’“, which celebrates its 17th anniversary this year.
In 1995, he co-founded the Tokyo branch of the popular London record shop “Mr. Bongo” in Shibuya, where he served as store manager.
From 1999 to 2003, he worked at Avex as an A&R director in the club music and dance music division.
Since becoming a freelancer in 2003, his diverse activities have included:
- DJing
- Working as an A&R director
- Writing about music
- Curating music for radio programs
- Providing music for fashion events
- Organizing DJ events such as the nighttime pool sessions at Hotel New Otani.
In 2010, he became the manager of the live house and theater “Ongaku Jikken-shitsu Shinseikai” in Nishi-Azabu, where he served until April 2014.
In February 2015, he joined Lawson HMV Entertainment, working as a staff member at HMV record shop Shibuya, specializing in analog records. He continues to spread music culture while actively performing as a DJ.
For over 30 years since, he has been active as a DJ, music selector, and party organizer.
He is the resident DJ and organizer of the popular Sunday afternoon party “Sunday Afternoon Session ‘gallery’“, which celebrates its 17th anniversary this year.
In 1995, he co-founded the Tokyo branch of the popular London record shop “Mr. Bongo” in Shibuya, where he served as store manager.
From 1999 to 2003, he worked at Avex as an A&R director in the club music and dance music division.
Since becoming a freelancer in 2003, his diverse activities have included:
- DJing
- Working as an A&R director
- Writing about music
- Curating music for radio programs
- Providing music for fashion events
- Organizing DJ events such as the nighttime pool sessions at Hotel New Otani.
In 2010, he became the manager of the live house and theater “Ongaku Jikken-shitsu Shinseikai” in Nishi-Azabu, where he served until April 2014.
In February 2015, he joined Lawson HMV Entertainment, working as a staff member at HMV record shop Shibuya, specializing in analog records. He continues to spread music culture while actively performing as a DJ.
Artist Interview
What are your musical roots?
I was inspired by punk culture during my high school years, and its spirit has had a profound influence on me. Artists like the Sex Pistols, The Clash, Laughin' Nose, and The Blue Hearts were particularly important to me.
Later, I became deeply immersed in reggae after seeing Aswad perform in Japan in 1988, which ultimately led me down this path.
Later, I became deeply immersed in reggae after seeing Aswad perform in Japan in 1988, which ultimately led me down this path.
Which artists or labels are you most excited about right now?
- 1.BBE MUSICFrom legendary artists of the past to artists at the forefront of the contemporary scene, they continue to put out outstanding releases, from reissues and discoveries to remixes, with every release.
- 2.MR. BONGOAs the name suggests, the focus leans toward Latin and Brazilian music, but they also cover African music. The quality of their releases is consistently excellent, for the same reason I rate BBE Music so highly.
- 3.FLOWER RECORDSA long-established Japanese club music label that continues to release numerous gems by domestic artists, from house and club jazz to reggae. Their antenna for great music is always finely tuned, regardless of whether it is new or old.
Tokyo's Local Scene
What is happening in your local music scene right now?
These days, I feel that Tokyo stands alongside New York and London, or perhaps even surpasses them, as a global music city. Despite being an island nation with a largely homogeneous population, Japan has had domestic releases of music from all over the world since the 1950s, not long after the war. This went far beyond major stars like Elvis Presley and The Beatles, extending to obscure jazz and rock, African, Latin, Brazilian, and countless other styles. Japan has also been importing music directly from around the world since that time. This incredibly rich cultural foundation is something truly extraordinary on a global scale, and I believe it is an immeasurable treasure. I hope that by keeping this history in mind and consciously sharing Tokyo's unique and vibrant music culture with the world, we can continue to help its music scene grow and thrive.
What local spots would you recommend?
Listening Bar
Music Bar SAHARA— 聖蹟桜ヶ丘 / Seiseki-sakuragaoka
A DJ bar in Seiseki-Sakuragaoka, Tama City, Tokyo. Centered around young local DJs, music lovers of all ages gather from different parts of the city to meet, play, and enjoy the night together. It is a truly special place where incredible talents, known and unknown, happen to cross paths and contribute to the atmosphere of SAHARA. It is a true intersection of music and people.
Record Shop
Lighthouse Records— お茶の水 / Ochanomizu
An internationally acclaimed destination that needs no introduction for lovers of dance music. Even after moving to Jimbocho, the sound system and the comfort of the space remain exceptional. And of course, the selection is always outstanding, from new releases to used records.
Café
SUNDAY— 横浜・子安 / Koyasu, Yokohama
Located along National Route 1, about a five-minute walk from JR Koyasu Station, I think. The warm interior makes it incredibly comfortable, and the food is great too. The space is designed so that you can move freely between the restaurant and the adjoining room with a great sound system, making it a place where both music and conversation naturally come alive.
Which local DJs/artists would you recommend?
DJ NORI
norihisamaekawaA truly legendary DJ, both in reputation and in reality, and a treasure of the global music scene. On the dancefloor, the message within each track is played in a way that sinks deep into the hearts and bodies of the people dancing. For DJs like us, they are like a master and mentor, showing us through their performances what it truly means to play music.
Showcases
Artists from Tokyo
The cosmos, human life, the act of living, history. And parties and gatherings as their manifestation in the spirit of B
Born in 2001. Began DJing and organizing events in January 2024. Builds his sets primarily around techno, footwork, and
Played in a band during the 2000s. Started DJing around 2015. Since late 2023, has been a regular DJ at Ponpoko Mountain
Yumi Iwaki is a Tokyo-based electronic sound artist. Her work traces immersive soundscapes that feel like drifting throu
akii is a Tokyo-based DJ and selector. Moving fluidly between Roots Dub, Steppers, Dub Techno, Experimental Bass, and Am
The cosmos, human life, the act of living, history. And parties and gatherings as their manifestation in the spirit of B
Born in 2001. Began DJing and organizing events in January 2024. Builds his sets primarily around techno, footwork, and
Played in a band during the 2000s. Started DJing around 2015. Since late 2023, has been a regular DJ at Ponpoko Mountain
Yumi Iwaki is a Tokyo-based electronic sound artist. Her work traces immersive soundscapes that feel like drifting throu
akii is a Tokyo-based DJ and selector. Moving fluidly between Roots Dub, Steppers, Dub Techno, Experimental Bass, and Am
L?K?O is a singular artist who fuses the ritual instinct of a club DJ with the experimental spirit of a turntablist, cre