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Artist Profile

• BANTOU

  Inspired by legendary nightclubs such as Club Jamaica and AFROMANIA, which had a profound influence on Japan's Black music scene from the 1990s to the early 2000s, he awakened as a reggae artist himself. He later joined forces with KEN-T, who was active as a reggae sound in their hometown of Saitama, and together they formed VYBZ BANK, one of Saitama's leading reggae sound crews. After various activities and experiences, he launched his own event JUICY HYPE in Kawagoe, Saitama. What began as a local event has now grown into one of the Kanto area's most recognized showcases, driving the scene forward while also creating opportunities to collaborate not only with reggae artists but also with influential figures from the Japanese West Coast hip-hop scene. Through these connections, he has engaged in diverse music production projects. In recent years, he has returned to his roots as a reggae artist, focusing on solo works he had been creating and collecting over time, while also dedicating himself to releasing music together with his longtime partner KEN-T of VYBZ BANK. With a long-standing career and a unique, DOPE life perspective, his powerful tracks deliver strong messages and stand out with a distinctive individuality in today's scene. As one of Kawagoe, Saitama's representative reggae artists, Bantou continues to be an unmissable presence, and his future releases are highly anticipated.

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• VYBZ BANK

  Formed in 2003 by KEN-T, who had been active since around 2000, VYBZ BANK consists of two members: MC & selector (DJ) KEN-T and reggae artist Bantou. They are based in Kawagoe, Saitama, and have performed at a wide range of events, from major reggae festivals to large clubs and live houses like ageHa in Shin-Kiba and Harlem in Shibuya, as well as underground clubs across Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa, and the entire Kanto region. VYBZ BANK is known for their punchy MCing and intense vibes, along with a setlist that emphasizes "flow," making their live performances incredibly energetic. They play a wide variety of music, including old and new Jamaican and Japanese reggae, as well as HIPHOP and R&B. One of their unique attractions is their original dubplates, which are one-of-a-kind. Beyond their own VYBZ BANK PRESENTS events, they are frequently invited as guests or regular performers at numerous events across the Kanto region, earning widespread support. In recent years, KEN-T has focused on music production and songwriting to further spread VYBZ BANK's music. This year marks the 21st anniversary of their formation, and their regular event "JUICY HYPE," known as Saitama's No.1 BIG PARTY, has surpassed 100 events, continuing to gain momentum. Their regular event in their hometown of Kawagoe, Saitama, consistently draws full crowds. Additionally, the outdoor reggae festival "Midomura Reggae Festival" they host annually during Golden Week in Chichibu, Saitama, has grown to attract crowds of 1,000 people and will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year. Recently, they have also focused on daytime events, appealing to a wide range of audiences from children to adults. VYBZ BANK has become a reggae sound crew representing Saitama that continues to gain attention throughout the Kanto region.

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