When House Shoes was in Japan, I had a chance to talk with him about the beat scene.
One thing that struck me was how impressed he was by the support he saw in Japan—not just for the music, but for the artists and the culture itself.
At one point, our conversation turned to Los Angeles.
We talked about how the Low End Theory era may have been the peak of the LA beat scene.
Not necessarily because the music was better.
But because of the energy that surrounded it.
That led us to talk about how Japan might now have one of the strongest beat scenes in the world.
Not simply because of the talent.
But because people here genuinely respect and support the art.
After spending more than twenty years in Los Angeles and moving back to Tokyo in 2021, I realized that I had slowly stopped seeing what was happening here through fresh eyes.
Sometimes it takes someone from the outside to remind you what you already have.
Several weeks later, during the 3rd Party Special Edition featuring Thes One, I found myself thinking about that conversation again.
I'm grateful that I get to be here, building something in Tokyo.
Time is never guaranteed.
That is one more reason not to wait.
Chikara
July 18, 2026