Creepy Nuts Discuss Their New Album ‘LEGION’ and the Meaning Behind ‘Tsujoukai’
On April 15, 2025
Table of Contents
- Key Highlights
- Introduction
- A Return to Roots: The Making of LEGION
- Tsujoukai - An Exploration of Normalcy Amidst Success
- The Evolution of Sound
- Collaborations and Inspirations
- Keeping it Raw: Performance Philosophy
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Key Highlights
- Creepy Nuts released their new album, LEGION, containing 15 tracks, their most extensive project to date.
- The duo’s song “Tsujoukai” reflects their mindset and represents their commitment to genuine self-expression amidst their rise to fame.
- The artists emphasize quality over quantity in their music, showcasing an introspective and personal style that distinguishes their latest work.
Introduction
On April 4, 2025, renowned Japanese hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts unveiled their highly anticipated album LEGION, marking a significant comeback after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus. This project, featuring 15 tracks, is an exploration of their experiences and emotions, coupled with their signature blend of rap and DJ artistry. At the heart of this album lies the track “Tsujoukai” (“usual episode”), which serves as a profound reflection of the duo's thoughts and feelings about their journey through fame and creativity.
But what does it mean for artists like Creepy Nuts to approach their craft from such a personal lens? And how have their experiences shaped the narratives within their music? This article delves into these questions, drawing from insights shared in a recent interview by Billboard Japan, where rapper R-Shitei and DJ Matsunaga opened up about their creative process, the stories behind their songs, and their unique artistic vision.
A Return to Roots: The Making of LEGION
Creepy Nuts' journey has been characterized by an evolution of style and theme, with LEGION marking a pivotal transition in their sound and lyrical content. R-Shitei discussed the album's genesis, emphasizing the importance of personal storytelling:
“After trying to write from the perspective of different people in our previous album Ensemble Play, I focused on ‘living’ more than before. The first song that led to this album, ‘Biriken,’ started from that hyper-documentary aspect, naturally aligning the project with our own stories.”
This approach resonates throughout the album, as the duo seeks to capture the nuances of everyday life and the emotions that accompany them. They strive to express authenticity in their lyrics, a notable departure from more dramatic embellishments often found in the genre.
Tsujoukai - An Exploration of Normalcy Amidst Success
The track Tsujoukai stands out as a statement piece within LEGION, challenging the perceptions of fame and success. While outside observers may view Creepy Nuts as having reached the peak of their careers, both R-Shitei and Matsunaga insist that their daily experiences remain grounded and unchanged despite their rising fame.
R-Shitei elaborated on this sentiment:
“Wherever we go, people treat us like we’ve entered the final phase (of success). But my life hasn’t changed at all since last year. I wrote the whole album with that mood and put my feelings into it…”
This candid acknowledgment of their journey provides a refreshing perspective, illustrating that despite external successes, their internal dialogues and life situations remain tethered to a more familiar reality.
The Evolution of Sound
A central theme in LEGION is the duo’s commitment to a more minimalist sound palette, emphasizing quality and detail rather than sheer volume. DJ Matsunaga noted his commitment to crafting tracks with fewer components:
“I think the most high-quality tracks are ones with a spartan design on the verge of being cheap, that are simple but still sound great... if I compromised even a bit, it probably wouldn’t have worked.”
This focus on "fewer notes" is not merely a stylistic choice but a deliberate technique designed to enhance the clarity and emotional weight of their tracks.
Collaborations and Inspirations
In their creative process, Creepy Nuts have expanded their collaborative efforts, enlisting top-tier sound engineers known for working with international rap artists like Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar. This crossover not only injects new vitality into their sound but also elevates their production quality to meet global standards.
Matsunaga highlighted the impact these collaborations had:
“The finished sounds are so different. It’s pretty hard to talk about sounds using only terms that everyone can recognize, but they delivered what I wanted to make.”
By drawing inspiration from various influences, the duo continues to push boundaries within the hip-hop genre, ensuring that their music resonates on both a personal and universal level.
Keeping it Raw: Performance Philosophy
Creepy Nuts pride themselves on maintaining a straightforward performance style, relying solely on the turntable and microphone to engage their audience. R-Shitei articulated this commitment:
“A lot of hip-hop artists have bands or dancers join in during the performance… but if a band joins in, you don’t need me anymore.”
This minimalist approach emphasizes their lyrical dexterity and DJ skills, showcasing their ability to command a stage without additional embellishments.
Conclusion
Creepy Nuts’ latest album LEGION represents a significant chapter in their artistic journey, marked by a blend of personal narrative, minimalist sound design, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. The duo’s insights into their creative process reveal a depth of thought and intention that speaks to their strengths as artists and resonates with fans seeking genuine connection through music.
Through tracks like Tsujoukai, Creepy Nuts articulates a message that surpasses mere entertainment, offering a lens into their world as they navigate the complexities of success. This interplay between personal experience and artistic expression continues to set them apart in a rapidly evolving industry.
FAQ
What is Creepy Nuts’ new album called?
Creepy Nuts’ new album is titled LEGION.
How many tracks are included in LEGION?
The album features 15 tracks, the most the duo has included in a project to date.
What does the track Tsujoukai signify?
Tsujoukai reflects the duo’s mindset and is a response to their experiences with fame, emphasizing that their lives remain unchanged despite external perceptions of their success.
Who produced Creepy Nuts’ new album?
The album features collaborations with top-tier sound engineers who have previously worked with renowned U.S. rappers, enhancing the production quality of their tracks.
What is Creepy Nuts’ performance philosophy?
The duo emphasizes a minimalist performance style, relying solely on a turntable and microphone, showcasing their skills without additional embellishments.
Join the Club!
Join Now, Starting at $44
Quality music. Delivered to your inbox.
Exclusive 15% Off for Teachers, Students, Military members, Healthcare professionals & First Responders - Get Verified!
FREE ${item.title}
You qualify for a free ${item.title}!
Shop more qualifying products
here.
