The renowned artist and emerging rapper formalized their partnership as MNNK Bro. Now, the duo are ready to introduce their work to the world.<\/p>\n
Takashi Murakami\u2019s career spans nearly four decades and in that time he\u2019s produced countless paintings, sculptures, apparel, and other objects, often using his signature flower motif, and selling for as much as $15 million<\/a> and as little as $23<\/a>. His core contribution to history is Superflat, a postmodern art philosophy and movement that uses anime-inspired imagery, bold lines, and bright colors. Fashion enthusiasts know him for his Supreme Box Logo T-shirt collab or era-defining Louis Vuitton bags. Longtime Complex readers recognize him for co-hosting the first ComplexCon with Pharrell, and for his massively popular 2025 collection with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Throughout his career, Murakami has also made a habit of collaborating with musicians from around the world.<\/p>\n Through music, Murakami made himself a household name. He designed merch with K-Pop super group BLACKPINK, worked with renowned jewelers to create pieces for Houston\u2019s Travis Scott and Colombia\u2019s J Balvin. Most famously, he worked closely with Chicago\u2019s Kanye West to define the Graduation era, including his own take on the Dropout Bear that streaked through the sky on the album cover, was animated in the music video for the intro track \u201cGood Morning<\/a>,\u201d and was emblazoned across the accompanying Glow In the Dark tour merch.<\/p>\n For Murakami\u2019s latest foray, he is staying close to home. The 64-year-old artist is working with the 32-year-old rapper JP THE WAVY, who was born in Sh\u014dnan, a coastal area in the Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan. And this isn\u2019t just a one-and-done connection on some album art or merch. Murakami and JP THE WAVY are a duo proper, working under the moniker MNNK Bro. (Mononoke Brothers).<\/p>\n Murakami first took interest in JP THE WAVY in 2023 when he heard his song \u201cPick N Choose\u201d<\/a> at his daughter\u2019s dance recital. Murakami immediately reached out to JP THE WAVY by messaging him on Instagram. The two didn\u2019t release anything together until 2024, when they put out \u201cMononoke Kyoto,\u201d<\/a> which soundtracked Murakami\u2019s first art exhibition in Japan in eight years. Their next goal? To introduce MNNK Bro. to the world.<\/p>\n Despite some sporadic, high-profile moments, like performing at SXSW in 2019 and a feature verse on the F9 soundtrack in 2021<\/a>, JP THE WAVY has yet to break through with American listeners, though he is clearly influenced by American hip-hop. Since releasing his first mixtape in 2017 and getting some hit records under his belt, like 2023\u2019s \u201cWhat\u2019s Poppin,\u201d <\/a>JP THE WAVY has experimented with various sounds in the genre. Sifting through his catalog will reveal similarities to rage, melodic trap, and even the distorted basslines of Michigan rap. JP THE WAVY\u2019s personal style also aligns with the top rappers stateside: Catch him in trendy pieces, like Mowalola\u2019s graffiti bomber jacket, Chrome Hearts cross patch jeans, classic Bape ABC camo hoodies. He\u2019s even tapped jeweler Alex Moss,<\/a> known for his customs for Drake and ASAP Rocky, to create his pieces, including diamond-flooded versions of the original JP THE WAVY character<\/a> created by Murakami.<\/p>\n \u201cI think one day it would be interesting to work with American music producers to try a new sound,\u201d says JP THE WAVY. \u201cI’ve always been focused on breaking through American culture.\u201d<\/p>\n Per Murakami, his role in the duo is to write the lyrics for their songs and to develop the concepts for the music videos and other visuals, as well as to take “an approach reminiscent of Yoko Ono\u2019s\u201d; you can hear him roaring in their songs.<\/p>\n In one of Murakami and JP THE WAVY\u2019s first interviews as the MNNK Bro., the duo discusses how they formed their new act, crossing over into America, embracing the future of creation using AI tools, and more.<\/p>\n JP, what was your reaction to Takashi reaching out to work together? What is the first creative project that you worked on together? Takashi, you’ve collaborated with so many legendary musicians across your career. What about JP THE WAVY made you want to pursue more collaborations with him? What has been the most rewarding part of working together so far? JP: I asked him not to divorce me [laughs]. I want to do this forever with Murakami.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a marriage or something. We have a very deep connection.\u201d You released \u201cLV Murakami\u201d last year. Would you just talk about that experience? JP is a very famous fashionista in Tokyo and he was very interested in connecting with the mainstream fashion industry in Paris. That’s why I asked Pietro if we could make the theme music for our collaboration and a music video. Pietro immediately said yes. Making the music and video project took like two, three days. I sent it to Pietro and he was very happy.<\/p>\n JP, how did it feel to be able to add your music to such a historic collaboration? \u201cMurakami-san was my dream guy to work with, and LV is also a dream brand to work with. In a second, my dream just came true.\u201d Takashi, that LV collaboration came back after many years. How do you feel about the evolution of collaborations from 2003 when you first worked with Louis Vuitton to now? You have a career that spans various decades, but you’re still able to find new ways to create new things and be inspired. What still motivates you this many years later to keep creating? In the \u201cLV Murakami\u201d music video, there’s a small cameo by the jeweler Tetsuya Akiyama of Grillz Jewelz. You both have also collaborated with the jeweler Alex Moss to create some custom chains. What is it like to translate your art through diamonds and jewelry? Hip-hop and jewelry are just very natural cultures that I always followed. When I became a successful rapper, it was my dream to make original jewelry. Verdy actually introduced Alex Moss to me. Ever since, I\u2019ve worked with Alex Moss. We both met in the early stages of our careers. When I had the idea to make jewelry of the MNNK Bro. character, I knew Alex Moss would be the one to make that happen.<\/p>\n Who was another artist in any field that you would both like to collaborate with? JP, there are elements of your sound and style that are very inspired by American hip-hop culture. When did you discover that and who was the artist that you were introduced to? A lot of the art that you create focuses on your Japanese heritage. Why is that important for you to spotlight within your work? JP: I think when Japanese tradition mixes with our own modern sensibility, it becomes something new that no one has even seen before. We are Japanese and we grew up in Japan, so these traditions are deeply integrated within us. So, we want to share it with the world.<\/p>\n Today in music, we see a lot of Asian artists cross over into American culture. When you’re making something new, are you thinking about how it might be received in America? I’m a big wrestling fan and Iyo Sky is one of my favorites. JP, how do you feel about your work being received in America? What are the biggest lessons you have learned working with one another? Takashi Murakami: In the last four, five years in the Japanese music industry, there\u2019s been a boom in Japanese hip-hop. I was very surprised to see that. It\u2019s a reality with JP THE WAVY\u2019s generation and the younger generation too. I am an old guy, I\u2019m 64, but when I work with JP THE WAVY I can cheat my brain into thinking I\u2019m still in my 30s or something. It’s a very good effect on my brain.<\/p>\n JP, is there an American hip-hop artist that you would love to work on music with? Do you have a favorite project of Murakami\u2019s? Takashi, is there a project that you are most proud of from your career? You both work in creative fields. How do you feel about AI? JP: I was denying AI at the beginning, but when Murakami-san mentioned AI, he taught me how wonderful it is. I thought it was very interesting to work with as well. We didn’t use AI for MNNK Bro, but for my own album I am trying to use a little AI to make imagination soul music and put part of it to the beats that I am creating right now. That’s the trial stage.<\/p>\n How has it been creating for the MNNK Bro. project and what can we expect from the future of that partnership? JP: I\u2019m also creating my own album right now, so I\u2019m making Murakami-san wait to finish the MNNK Bro. project. So, as soon as I\u2019m done with my album, I would like to start doing a new project with Murakami-san and am very excited about it.<\/p>\n Takashi, will we hear you try out some rapping on the new project? JP: If you purchase the vinyl version of \u201cLV Murakami,\u201d Murakami-san is actually rapping on vinyl only. So, you have to get it and listen to it.<\/p>\n
JP: The first time we met was back in 2019 when he opened a store for the first time in Japan. When Murakami reached out [in 2023], I was really excited about it. The same day I got a call, I drove to his art gallery to meet him in person.<\/p>\n
Takashi Murakami: “Mononoke Kyoto\u201d was the first project that we did together. We performed together at the opening of my exhibition in Kyoto, and I had great fun dancing around next to JP THE WAVY while he sang.<\/p>\n
Takashi Murakami: I was strongly inspired by his song \u201cPick N Choose.\u201d I loved the wordplay with Pok\u00e9mon\u2019s Pikachu. It made me think that this might be the point at which Japanese hip-hop has started to depart from American hip-hop. American hip-hop is about a very strong message and sometimes a very serious message. JP THE WAVY\u2019s music is the opposite; it\u2019s like a lollipop, sensory and Superflat. It felt very Tokyo to me. I’ve been very interested in Japanese creatives and their originality. Japanese wabi-sabi embodies the concept of \u201ck\u016b (emptiness),\u201d and I respected the fact that JP THE WAVY was studying and engaging with that history.<\/p>\n
Takashi Murakami: The very first question I asked JP THE WAVY was to make an original song for my show. The song was such a good fit. That\u2019s a miracle. I was so happy. It\u2019s almost like a marriage or something. We have a very deep connection.<\/p>\n
\n\u2014Takashi Murakami<\/p>\n
Takashi Murakami: That was a coincidence. It was like God said something to us. It had been a long time since I first collaborated with Louis Vuitton. I was making nothing new. Then suddenly, the CEO of the Louis Vuitton Pietro Beccari, he was my very old friend for over 20 years, he gave me another chance.<\/p>\n
JP: When Murakami reached out to me, I just happened to be in the studio with a producer, so I was in a situation where I could create music right away. I just started the second after he called. Murakami-san was my dream guy to work with, and LV is also a dream brand to work with. In a second, my dream just came true. We shot the video on my birthday. So, I felt like the world was actually congratulating me and celebrating me.<\/p>\n
\n\u2014JP THE WAVY<\/p>\n
Takashi Murakami: I wasn\u2019t creating music before. That is a huge evolution. I went to JP THE WAVY\u2019s studio in Central Tokyo. It was very nice vibes. Now, I can say \u201cvibes\u201d like the young people. But I never was in touch with that feeling in my life, huge sound and very low beats. I\u2019m using a completely new area of my brain. I constantly use it to make visuals, but using it to make sound is a hugely different thing.around.<\/p>\n
Takashi Murakami: My anxiety. Ever since I was a child, I\u2019ve suffered from severe memory problems, and my grades were always poor, so I grew up believing that I was worthless as a human being. So for me, the only thing that would hold together, even if I forget things, is to keep creating continuously.<\/p>\n
JP: They are my favorite jewelers. The \u201cLV Murakami\u201d video director was looking for someone to drive a taxi cab with grills on for the video. I thought Akiyama-san would be the perfect person in that video<\/p>\n
JP: I think one day it would be interesting to work with American music producers to try a new sound. But Murakami-san is always picturing the MNNK Bro. as Japanese artists expressing Japanese culture and creativity to the world.<\/p>\n
JP: Eminem was the first artist that I heard growing up through an iPod TV commercial in Japan. My parents were always into American music as well. I also studied hip-hop dance when I was a young child. I also was influenced a lot by Missy Elliott, Kanye West, and Pharrell Williams.<\/p>\n
Takashi Murakami: I’m always thinking about the time after my passing, my death. I think about my identity as Japanese, and in this project, I think about viewing Japanese hip-hop culture retrospectively from the perspective set in the future. When I think about this collaboration with JP THE WAVY, it must be that in the landscape that remains after our deaths, we will have achieved something epoch-defining. For example, Andy Warhol collaborating with Velvet Underground captured what New York meant at that time. I want my collaboration with JP THE WAVY to be an important pillar of 2020s Japan.<\/p>\n
Takashi Murakami: I am definitely thinking about how my works are received outside of Japan, especially in America. That’s part of the reason why I really focus on Japan and Japanese elements. There’s a women\u2019s wrestler in the WWE, Iyo Sky, who speaks a lot in Japanese, but she’s in the center of the American pro wrestling world. I really believe that American culture has the huge capacity to accept and embrace other cultures. I think it’s very important that we honestly and earnestly speak about where we stand, where we come from, where we stand as Japanese people, and then that would make us fit better in American entertainment. That’s my belief and that’s what I’m doing.<\/p>\n
Takashi Murakami: I really want to collaborate with WWE. Asuka is another one of the central people in WWE. It\u2019s amazing to see these Japanese women be so mainstream. That progression is a very important thing.<\/p>\n
JP: I totally agree with what Murakami-san just said. I’ve always been focused on breaking through American culture as well.<\/p>\n
JP: I have a lot to learn from him. Like when Murakami-san talks about after his death, I never thought about that before. But it’s very true that life is limited and I\u2019m thinking more about how I\u2019m going to live my life. When Murakami-san and I are in the studio, I\u2019m learning from him all the time.<\/p>\n
JP: There’s a lot of artists that I would like to work with, like Pharrell Williams and Kanye West. They’re my teenage idols. That’s the top two. I would like to work with Drake and Don Toliver too.<\/p>\n
JP: There\u2019s a lot of them, but Louis Vuitton of course. I would like to purchase the entire archive. I also like the collaboration with Doraemon. And Kanye West\u2019s Graduation cover. I listened to that and watched the \u201cGood Morning\u201d video over and over again when I was teenager.<\/p>\n
Takashi Murakami: I created Superflatism. That word is one of my iconic moments in my creative history. That was almost 25 years ago. I can survive in the art world and culture through that word, Superflat.<\/p>\n
Takashi Murakami: For two years now, I\u2019ve been playing with Suno AI to make my own music. Also my company has over 300 people. I use AI for more seamless communication with one another. It reminds me of when I was working and discovered the world wide web emerged 3- years ago.<\/p>\n
Takashi Murakami: We really want to go into the American music industry. This is a very new phase. This is our very first music project interview. That is a fantastic thing.<\/p>\n
Takashi Murakami: I am already working on one album with Suno AI. It\u2019s about nostalgia for Asia and the songs are enka-like in approach. It’s a completely different project from JP THE WAVY-san\u2019s project. I\u2019m having them sung like a female singer performing an anime opening song. But I highly enjoy the hip-hop stuff. That comes from my collaboration with WAVY. I am looking for a new AI system to memorize my voice and produce hip-hop with my voice.<\/p>\n