BudaMunk & Chikaramanga

BudaMunk & Chikaramanga are beatmakers whose paths converge at the intersection of Tokyo and Los Angeles, embodying a deep-rooted connection to both the golden era of Hip Hop and the evolving beat culture of both cities.

They first crossed paths in the early 2000s at a show in Los Angeles where Giant Panda and BudaMunk’s crew, Live Radio, shared the stage—a moment that sparked their long-standing connection.

BudaMunk, born and raised in Shinjuku, Tokyo, moved to LA in 1996 and began crafting beats during his time there. After returning to Japan in 2006, he released numerous projects—both solo and with groups like Sick Team and Green Butter—through influential Japanese labels such as Jazzy Sport and Dogear. Balancing commercial work with a strong underground presence, his sound eventually reached global audiences through releases on Delicious Vinyl, Fat Beats, and more.

Chikaramanga, known for his role in the iconic LA-based Hip Hop collective Giant Panda, brought his craft back to Tokyo after leaving a mark on the underground scene of the early 2000s. Renowned for his mastery of the Akai MPC 60 and Maschine, he also heads the LA-based label TRES, driven by a mission to “preserve the tradition, yet stimulate the progress.” Drawing inspiration from 70s and 80s Japanese vinyl, his beats connect the roots of hip hop with its next wave.

Together, BudaMunk & Chikaramanga channel their shared experiences in Tokyo and Los Angeles into timeless beats—bridging distinct approaches to beatmaking with a unified vision to push the culture forward on a global scale.