October 23, 2025 | Tokyo, Japan | Team RJHH
Two legendary Japanese hip-hop albums are set to hit record store shelves in vinyl format. Label P-VINE has announced the first-ever vinyl release of “MATADOR”, the debut album from the group MSC originally released in 2003, as well as the EP “帝都崩壊” (Teito Houkai), released in 2002 under the name MS CRU. These long-awaited reissues will be available on January 21, 2026.
A Legendary Group from Tokyo’s Rap Scene
MSC was a collective based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, made up of five rappers: KAN (also known as 漢 and GAMI), TA-BOO (TABOO1), PRIMAL, O2, and GO (aka G-PRINCE). The group first gained attention with their CD-R demo “M.S.C.D.001” and their appearance on the compilation “homebrewer’s vol.1”, which originated from the rap column of the specialist magazine blast.
Two Albums That Defined an Era
The EP “帝都崩壊” (Teito Houkai) was released in 2002 under the name MS CRU, serving as a precursor to MSC’s formation. The following year, in 2003, the collective released “MATADOR” under their definitive name, MSC. Both works left a deep mark on the Japanese music scene. Their raw, intense storytelling, combined with masterful use of the Japanese language in their rhymes, had a massive impact. More than twenty years after their release, these albums remain cornerstone works of early 2000s street music.
Limited Collector’s Editions
P-VINE will release limited-edition pressings complete with an obi strip (the traditional paper band that accompanies Japanese records). The “帝都崩壊” (Teito Houkai) EP will be available as a single vinyl priced at ¥4,620 (¥4,200 before tax). It features five tracks spread across two sides:
“MATADOR” is receiving an even more ambitious treatment, with a double vinyl and cassette release. The double vinyl will retail for ¥6,820 (¥6,200 before tax), while the cassette will be priced at ¥2,750 (¥2,500 before tax). The album features fifteen tracks, including standout collaborations with artists such as DJ BAKU, 志人 (Shijin), and Red Rice and 若旦那 (Wakadanna) from 湘南の風 (Shōnan no Kaze). Pre-orders are already available on the P-VINE SHOP. These reissues offer a rare opportunity for collectors and Japanese hip-hop fans to own these long-celebrated classics on vinyl — more than two decades after their original release.