February 12, 2026 | Tokyo, Japan | Team RJHH
Emerging rapper Masato Hayashi, discovered through the audition show “RAPSTAR 2025“, which streams exclusively on ABEMA, has just released the music video for his track “HIROYUKI“, a visual collaboration that’s already making waves.
“RAPSTAR” has established itself as the essential launchpad for discovering new talents in Japanese hip-hop. The 2025 edition broke all records with 6,780 applications, a historic figure that reflects the growing enthusiasm for this competition. Following rigorous selection by a jury composed of major figures from the hip-hop scene, five artists made it to the finals: sh1t, Sonsi, VERRY SMoL, Masato Hayashi, and Pxrge Trxxxper.
The grand finale, “RAPSTAR 2025 FINALS,” took place on December 13th during the hip-hop event “STARZ 2025“. On this occasion, Masato Hayashi performed “HIROYUKI,” a track that immediately captivated the audience. Since its digital release on January 28, 2026, the song has been enjoying resounding success across all streaming platforms. The official music video, released online on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 9 PM, bears the signature of Japanese director and photographer Leo Iizuka. The video aptly captures Masato Hayashi’s stage presence while highlighting the biting humor of his lyrics. A production featuring beatmaking by ineedmorebux that confirms the potential of this newcomer.
