BloodBagBrainBomb

Somehow, one of Japan’s best rappers right now is a talking peanut. PeanutsKun—a streamer who entertains with an usual avatar—is an artist who has become a lightning rod that attracts the energy of Japan’s disparate Internet music scenes. His albums bring unlikely collaborators together under his banner, and for BloodBagBrainBomb he’s done it again. The majority of production is handled by nerdwitchkomugichan, who he previously collaborated with on music for his virtual reality theme park. On “Wha u takin bout” he’s joined by lilbesh ramko and hirihiri (collectively known as 142clawz), a prolific producer duo that’s been penning tracks at a clip rivaling Lennon and McCartney at their peak. For “Birthday Party,” fellow streamer Mito Tsukino hops on to add her vocal harmonies to the bubbly Jersey club-inspired banger. Of course, none of these names on the marquee would mean anything if PeanutsKun couldn’t rock the mic; despite his exaggerated nasal voice, he’s agile on the beat and can go hard when he needs to.