Text & Photo: Atsuko Tanaka / Edit: BSABURO

T-STONE in Harajuku & Nakameguro

-Tell us about your style today.

The jacket and jeans are the world-famous indigo-dyed brand "BUAISO" from my hometown Tokushima. The color of indigo is also known as "JAPAN BLUE", and many celebrities such as Kanye West and Rihanna have been to BUAISO’s factory to experience indigo dyeing. I wanna expand this indigo dyeing culture even more, so I wore these at 37 degrees Celsius today lol.

-Silver jewelry looks great on the indigo jacket. Do you like silver?

I've always liked it. First of all this tooth ring was made by Toshi, a jewelry designer who appeared in my music video "iU". Originally they were all silver, but I had one tooth made gold and engraved with "I say what I want to say" inside. I heard Billie Eilish ordered the 18-karat gold version of this. Also, the ring with D as a motif is from the brand "DANPACHI" of Mr. Kenshi from MR.BROTHERS who always cut my hair. The other one is a collaboration of the brand "Deep River" from Tokyo Young Vision and the silver jewelry store called THEUSED.

The chain bracelet was given to me by Mr. Kazuki, from a bar called "KING or CLOWN" in Tokushima. Actually, this is puzzle ring. The other one is a gift from the boss of THEUSED, which is from a brand called "Recoil&Co.". I got this pearl necklace of “VINTAGE HOLLYWOOD” from my friend, and the Citizen watch my grandma bought me as a gift for a becoming of age. The time is not accurate anymore, but I always wear it like as charm.

-What is your favorite fashion styles or brands these days?

Recently I like simple style. I really like white Tees, wearing them either over-sized or tightly. I add other colors to it like blue or red. For brands, I like Coach. I’ve got a Coach’s belt and key case on me today.

-Tell me why you choose this place as your favorite location today? What kind of place is MR.BROTHERS to you?

It's definitely a place where I feel motivated. When I first came to Tokyo, I used to go to different barbers, but after I got COVID I thought it was a good time for a change and finally switched to Kenshi-san. The atmosphere of this place is really cool. When I enter the store, I always sit up straight.

-What about Meguro Ginza?

When I was walking around in Nakameguro to explore the neighborhood, I found this shopping district. I thought it was really nice with a warm atmosphere. I like people-watching, so I observed people while walking from the entrance to the exit of the street. I like to imagine what people are doing like, "She came out to buy groceries for dinner" or "This couple looks happy.”

-Are there any shops that you particularly like?

My favorite food is curry and I go to this restaurant “Kakura” regularly to eat their vegetarian curry. I’ve had type 1 diabetes since I was 11 years old, so I try to be careful what I eat and avoid eating meat as much as possible. Their vegetarian curry is so good. It doesn’t have meat inside but it tastes like it does.

-So back to fashion, where do you usually buy clothes?

I buy at mon de jacomo in Tokushima a lot. I go back to Tokushima once a month or once every two months, and if I have enough money at the time, I’ll buy something. I think it's really important where to spend my money, and since they helped me when I was broke, I always want to give back to them when I can.

-Where do you check out fashion online?

Mainly Instagram. I used to like Travis Scott’s vintage and mode style, but recently I like more formal fashion, so I’m checking out Da Baby and Kendrick Lamar.

-What city do you think has the most fashionable people in the world?

Paris. I haven't been abroad yet, but the first city I want to go to is LA, and after that Paris. I often hear the stories of Paris Fashion Week from the owner of mon de jacomo, and the famous rappers who are hanging here and going to see shows. As a rapper aiming to be the best in the world, I really wanna go to see it.

-What are the essential fashion items for you?

White Tees. I usually wear white, with colors for a special shoot. But when I’m in battle mode, I wear black all over. Jewelery and sneakers are also very important. Today, I'm wearing the Jordan 1’s I bought when I was 18. I like to keep my shoes clean so I always polish them with the shoe care brand Crep. One day I want to wear new Air Force 1’s every day like Dr. Dre lol. Also, I carry around a digital camera I bought recently and take my own fashion style pics.

-Are there any styles you would like to try in the future?

I want to wear a kimono and a crisp suit. Also rockabilly and cowboy style seems fun. I'm thinking of going to get a motorcycle license soon, so when I ride I can wear the riders jackets.

-You released your first album "Type 1 Diabetes" the other day. How did you come up with the title?

I've been dealing with this illness for 15 years now, and I kept it hidden until a year and a half ago. I used to get injections in the bathroom, and it always felt like I had a complex. But one day I saw IG stories by the American rapper Boosie Badazz with the same illness as me. He was like, "I want to eat this dish, but I don't have an injection with me now so I can't eat it. So someone bring me an injection". That inspired me and made me think I don’t have to hide the illness so I made the album title "Type 1 Diabetes.”

-What are your favorite songs on the album?

I like every song, but "Don Da Da" is the most impressive song to me. I first listened to hip hop when I was in the 4th grade, and my dad made me listen to ZEEBRA's song "Marriage and the Ideal Reality." I was hooked on hip hop since then. My dad died when I was in junior high school, but I made my dream come true to do a song with Zeebra, so I think my dad is proud of me in heaven.

I also like “ZOMEKI". The president of my agency is also from Tokushima and he is a rapper who goes by the MC name CO-KEY. He released a song that mixed “Awa Odori” and hip hop about 20 years ago that was a hit. While making this album we wanted to make a new song that fused Awa Odori and hip hop again. We featured a professional dance group of Awa Odori called “Takarabune”. I think it's a new kind of party song that has never been heard of before.

-That’s wonderful! I want Japanese culture to spread to the world through your songs. Lastly, what does hip hop mean to you?

It’s my life. I will always continue to be hip hop.

Special Thanks:

MR.BROTHERS CUT CLUB Harajuku

2-31-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

03-6721-1774

http://mr-brothers-cutclub.com/

THEUSED

4-32-6 Jingumae, SKHarajuku88Bldg. 3F, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

0120-496-123

https://theused.jp/

T-STONE

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