BUDS MONTAGE

At its core, "BUDS MONTAGE" is a profound, melancholic reflection on survival, redemption, and the unbreakable bond of brotherhood within the Japanese underground rap group, NAMEDARUMAAZ (舐達麻). Far from being a simple, hedonistic weed anthem, the song serves as a lyrical collage (a "montage") of their lived experiences, transforming the harsh realities of their outlaw past into a cinematic and deeply poetic narrative.

A primary theme of the song is redemption and the rejection of highly destructive habits. In the opening verse, BADSAIKUSH candidly references his past struggle with hard drugs, specifically methamphetamine (referred to as "semi-transparent crystals" or "半透明な結晶"). He lists the physical toll it took, including hearing loss in his right ear and damaged veins in his left arm, expressing disgust at that chapter of his life. The transition to marijuana represents a shift towards a more meditative, grounded, and productive lifestyle. It is depicted not just as a drug, but as a lifestyle, a livelihood, and a medium for artistic focus.

The emotional anchor of "BUDS MONTAGE" is the tragic loss of their founding member, 104 (Toshi), who died on June 3, 2009, during a high-speed police chase following a safe-cracking heist. This event fractured the lives of the members (with BADSAIKUSH and DELTA9KID serving prison sentences shortly after) but also galvanized their resolve. When BADSAIKUSH raps, "I am me, but with you and me, I become me" (俺は俺だが お前と俺で 俺になる), he is speaking directly to the late 104. The song suggests that his spirit lives on through their music and their tightly-knit collective, APHRODITE GANG. Marijuana smoke serves as a physical medium to connect with the dead; when they inhale, they are stepping into a spiritual plane to commune with 104.

Additionally, the song deals with themes of pride in their hometown of Kumagaya, Saitama (famously dubbed "Hottown" due to its record-breaking summer heat). Rather than fleeing to the glitz of Tokyo, they choose to remain rooted in their damp, humid hometown, creating high-art rap that rejects mainstream commercialism. By emphasizing their physical labor in cultivation and lyric-writing over quick, easy fame, they construct a philosophy where the hardcore lifestyle is treated with absolute gravity, sincerity, and romanticism.

The narrative unfolds in the haze of a smoke-filled room, starting with a stark look backward at a dark, chaotic past. Memories flicker of a time spent chasing the dangerous allure of semi-transparent crystals, a path of hard drugs that left physical scars—a deaf right ear and damaged veins in a scarred left arm. Reflecting on those self-destructive days, there is a deep, visceral sense of regret and aversion to the needles that once dominated life. Now, that toxic cycle is replaced by the comforting, grounded ritual of rolling premium marijuana in a reverse zigzag roll, a gesture performed with the quiet intensity of writing a heartfelt wish. Amidst the swirling white smoke, the focus shifts to a higher philosophy shared with a tightly knit brotherhood. Together, they cultivate their own medicine, turning their backs on the empty promises of superficial wealth and societal fame. Rooted in the scorching, humid landscape of their hometown, Kumagaya in Saitama, they claim their identity and plant their feet firmly. The shadow of tragedy looms large as the memory of their fallen brother, 104, who died in a fatal police chase in 2009, is invoked. There is a deeply emotional, spectral conversation with his spirit, suggesting that when legal or physical confinement ends in a few days, they will reunite in the spiritual realm of smoke. 'I am myself, but it takes both you and me to make me whole,' a profound declaration of undying brotherhood that defies death itself.

The recurring rhythm of the hook steps in like a sacred mantra, calling for the purity of smoke and the rejection of falsehoods, deceit, and excuses, casting their dangerous journey as a spiritual odyssey guided by a higher breath. Following this, the perspective shifts to a complex tapestry of survival and growth. Through intricate wordplay and natural imagery, the hard-fought cultivation of their green crops is compared to breaking out of a shell and spreading massive wings in a pouring rain. Under the heavy, wet skies of June, the dense, sticky buds of their harvest are gathered like divine gifts. Despite the constant threat of law enforcement and the cold realities of the streets, they stand united, splitting their earnings and wearing their heavy gold chains and GAKKIN tattoos with pride. It is an uncompromised testament to survival, where the illicit lifestyle is elevated to a form of pure, poetic art, and every rolled joint is an orange beacon of hope in a cold, indifferent world.

The creation of "BUDS MONTAGE" is inextricably tied to the artistic chemistry between NAMEDARUMAAZ and the renowned producer GREEN ASSASSIN DOLLAR (GAD). Released as a digital single on July 30, 2020, with the music video debuting two days prior on July 28, the song was formulated during a period when the group was rapidly ascending from the underground to the absolute forefront of Japanese hip-hop.

The musical foundation of the track lies in a brilliant piece of sample-based production by GREEN ASSASSIN DOLLAR. He sampled the melancholic 2007 Italian pop ballad "Eppure Sentire (Un senso di te)" by the singer Elisa. GAD expertly pitched up and sliced Elisa's soaring, emotional vocals, layering them over a warm, dusty lo-fi boom-bap rhythm. This beat, which GAD had originally featured on a beat tape under the title "DICE," provided the perfect nostalgic and somber canvas for the group's heavy, autobiographical lyricism. The vocal delivery was mixed by the legendary Japanese hip-hop engineer BACHLOGIC, ensuring that the raw, gravelly voices of the rappers cut cleanly through the lush, emotional instrumentation.

Lyrically, the song was penned by BADSAIKUSH, G-PLANTS, and DELTA9KID. In a fascinating arrangement choice, DELTA9KID performs the hypnotic hook of the song, even though the lyrics for the chorus were originally written by G-PLANTS. An alternate version of the song exists where DELTA9KID performs a full verse while G-PLANTS handles the hook, highlighting the collaborative and fluid nature of the group's studio sessions.

To capture the visual essence of the track, the group collaborated with director Taichi Kimura and photographer Tomoyuki Kawakami. Kimura, known for his gritty, cinematic, and atmospheric style, filmed the music video in the damp, overcast streets of Kumagaya and surrounding industrial landscapes. The video avoided typical flashy hip-hop tropes (such as sports cars or models) and instead focused on realistic, gloomy portrayals of their everyday lives, tattoos, and natural environments, which perfectly matched the song's melancholic, romantic tone. Upon release, the video became an overnight viral sensation, gaining over 700,000 views in just 48 hours and eventually surpassing 60 million views, securing its place as an absolute classic of Japanese rap history.

The rhythmic structure and rhyming patterns of "BUDS MONTAGE" showcase a sophisticated understanding of Japanese hip-hop prosody, matching a relaxed musical pacing with dense, intricate lyricism.

Rhyme Scheme and Types:

• Vowel Matching (Bo-in Rhyming): In Japanese rap, rhyming is heavily based on matching vowel sequences (assonance). BADSAIKUSH and G-PLANTS utilize multi-syllabic vowel rhymes throughout. For example, G-PLANTS matches the vowel sound sequence of "Kotodama" with "Otonas" or "Katamari" (a-a-a-i) with "Kazakami" (a-a-a-i). This creates a highly cohesive and flowing sonic texture.
• Internal and Chain Rhyming: Instead of simple end-rhymes (AABB), the track is packed with internal rhymes. BADSAIKUSH's verse features a masterclass in homonym chaining: "sashitahari" / "mizuo sashi" / "iyake ga sashita". The repetition of the "sashi" syllable acts as a rhythmic anchor, pulling the listener through a complex emotional transition.

Tempo and Flow:

• Laid-Back Boom-Bap Rhythm: The song is set to a classic, relaxed boom-bap tempo of approximately 82 BPM. The drums have a slight swing, characteristic of lo-fi and classic hip-hop.
• Behind-the-Beat Delivery: The rappers employ a "laid-back" flow, meaning their vocal delivery lands slightly behind the actual drum transients. This technique enhances the song's cool, unhurried, and chemically relaxed atmosphere. It reflects the physical state of being under the influence of marijuana, matching the physiological theme of the lyrics with the physical rhythm of the performance.

The enduring power of "BUDS MONTAGE" lies in its mastery of both literary and musical techniques, merging street authenticity with high-level artistic craftsmanship.

Literary Techniques:

• Homophonic Wordplay (Kakekotoba): G-PLANTS brilliantly employs homophonic wordplay when he raps about "haburi". He juxtaposes "羽、振り" (the flapping of wings) with "羽振り" (financial prosperity or influence). This dual meaning suggests that their struggle to fly (survive) is what ultimately leads to their wealth and influence. He also uses "営利" (commercial/profit-making) and "鋭利" (sharp/piercing) as homophones to describe how their words are sharp like blades, piercing the ears of the listeners.
• Rhyme Chaining and Consonance: G-PLANTS' verse is highly praised for its rhythmic assonance and consonance. In the line "Kara o yaburi yakumawari wa muite iku kazakami / Nemoto kara karamaritsuki karitorishita katamari," he repeats the hard "K", "R", and "M" sounds. This creates a highly satisfying, percussive vocal rhythm that rolls naturally over the beat.
• Conversational Narrative Voice: BADSAIKUSH utilizes a unique, conversational rap style. He speaks directly to the listener and his deceased friend 104 with a raw, unvarnished emotional tone, making his verses feel like intimate, late-night confessions rather than structured songs.

Musical Techniques:

• Chop-and-Flip Vocal Sampling: GREEN ASSASSIN DOLLAR's production is built around a genius manipulation of Elisa's "Eppure Sentire". By pitching up her vocals and chopping them into fragments, he transforms a straightforward pop ballad into a haunting, ghostly choir that floats behind the beat. This creates a melancholic, spiritual counter-melody that elevates the emotional stakes of the rap verses.
• Lo-Fi Boom-Bap Aesthetic: Rejecting the trap-heavy, 808-dominated trends of 2020 hip-hop, the song utilizes a warm, dusty, mid-tempo boom-bap drum pattern. The snare has a soft, filtered snap, and the bassline is deep and round, wrapping the entire track in a nostalgic, lo-fi aura.
• Sonic Spatial Design: Mixed by BACHLOGIC, the track leaves ample space for the vocals. There is a wet, atmospheric reverb applied to the background sample, creating a sense of physical space—like being inside a humid, smoke-filled warehouse in Kumagaya during a summer downpour.

"BUDS MONTAGE" is widely considered an absolute, modern classic ("classic") in the history of Japanese hip-hop, exerting an immense cultural influence that breached the boundary between underground street culture and mainstream fascination.

• Unprecedented Underground Success: Despite containing explicit, un-broadcastable lyrics about marijuana cultivation, safe-cracking, and drug use, the song achieved massive commercial success entirely independently under APHRODITE GANG HOLDINGS. The music video has amassed over 61 million views on YouTube, an astronomical figure for independent hardcore rap in Japan, proving that raw street authenticity could capture the national imagination without mainstream media backing.
• The Junichi Tosaka Phenomenon: In a testament to the song's literary and poetic value, former NHK national news anchor Junichi Tosaka uploaded a video of himself reciting the lyrics of "BUDS MONTAGE" in his signature, ultra-formal news-reading style. This viral crossover highlights how the group's lyricism transcends typical street rap clichés, being recognized as a form of modern, narrative poetry akin to traditional Japanese literature.
• Fashion and Lifestyle Impact: The visual aesthetic of the music video, directed by Taichi Kimura, sparked a massive fashion trend among Japanese youth. The combination of clean-cut hair (skin fades and slicked-back wet crops), heavy 18k and 24k gold chains, and high-end street apparel—particularly from the brand WACKO MARIA (with whom the group frequently collaborates)—became the definitive uniform for a generation of hip-hop fans in Japan.
• Legacy in Japanese Rap: The track solidified the subgenre of "lo-fi thug rap" in Japan, proving that hardcore, outlaw rappers did not need aggressive trap beats to sound menacing or authentic. Instead, the marriage of street-hardened crime narratives with nostalgic, jazz-infused lo-fi beats became a highly emulated blueprint across the domestic scene.

"BUDS MONTAGE" is rich with vivid street-level metaphors, wordplay, and symbolic imagery that elevate its narrative from a street-hustling log to a piece of poetic literature. Key symbols and metaphors include:

• Semi-Transparent Crystals (半透明な結晶): This serves as a direct metaphor for methamphetamine. By describing it as a beautiful but destructive crystal, BADSAIKUSH illustrates the seductive yet poisonous nature of hard drugs that threatened to consume his youth before he walked away from them.
• The Needle and Water Wordplay: BADSAIKUSH uses a brilliant Japanese linguistic chain: "刺した針の数が今に水を刺し嫌気が刺した" (The number of needles I stabbed now throws cold water on my life, and I am disgusted by it). Here, "stabbing needles" (刺した針) physically refers to intravenous drug use, which metaphorically "throws cold water" (水を差す - a Japanese idiom meaning to spoil or disrupt) on his current success. The repeating verb "sasu" (刺す/差す) highlights how his dark past continuously punctures his present.
• Smoke (煙 / SMOKE): Smoke is the ultimate motif of the song. Beyond its obvious reference to marijuana, smoke represents transition, mystery, and a bridge to the spiritual world. It is a protective shield that wraps them away from the prying eyes of the law ("煙に巻き" - to wrap in smoke / mystify), and a medium through which they can commune with their late brother, 104.
• Zigzag Reverse Roll (zigzagの裏巻き): Rapping that he rolls his joints "like writing a wish" (願い事のようにリリックを書いて), BADSAIKUSH draws a direct parallel between the act of rolling marijuana and the act of writing lyrics. Both are sacred, meticulous rituals done in the dark, driven by a deep yearning for a better future.
• Birds in the Pouring Rain: G-PLANTS uses the imagery of "birds raising splashes as they flap their wings in the pouring rain" (降りしきる雨の中 飛沫揚げた羽ばたき). This serves as a metaphor for resilience. Spreading their wings under heavy, damp skies represents their determination to rise and achieve financial and spiritual prosperity ("haburi" / 羽振り) despite the oppressive circumstances of their environment.

The structural and thematic unity of "BUDS MONTAGE" is maintained through key recurring lyrical and musical motifs that emphasize the group's philosophy and history.

• The Hook (The Sacred Mantra): The chorus, performed with DELTA9KID's smooth, low-toned vocal delivery, contains the core creed of the group: "手にSMOKE／災いや偽りはいらない／音に浸かるこの旅／言い訳は聞かない" (Smoke in hand, no need for disaster or lies; on this journey immersed in sound, I hear no excuses). This recurring hook acts as a moral filter, demanding absolute purity and authenticity from their circle, rejecting the fake elements of the music industry and street life alike.
• The "GODBREATH" Motif: The hook closes with "吹いた神の息吹／GODBREATHの導き" (The breath of God blew, guided by the GODBREATH). This is a direct callback to their breakthrough 2019 album, "GODBREATH BUDDHACESS". Repetitively invoking "God's breath" elevates the cultivation and smoking of marijuana to a divine, spiritual path of guidance rather than a simple illegal act.
• The 104 Motif (R.I.P 104): The sudden, raw line, "104が朝死んだらこうなった" (When 104 died that morning, this is what happened), serves as a devastating structural anchor. 104 (Toshi) is the ghost that haunts all of Namedarumaaz's music. By repeating his name and referencing his death, the group reminds the listener of their origin story. Their success is not a happy accident; it is a desperate, beautiful monument built on the ashes of their fallen brother.
• The Humid Summer Motif: References to rain, moisture, and "Hottown Kumagaya" recur in G-PLANTS' and BADSAIKUSH's verses. The physical climate of their hometown—suffocatingly hot in the summer, damp, and misty—acts as a sensory motif that colors the mood of the entire track, grounding their romanticism in a very real, tangible geography.