What makes Serious Japanese by Teriyaki Boyz notable?

The album features the hit single 'TOKYO DRIFT (FAST & FURIOUS)', which gained international attention as part of the Fast & Furious franchise soundtrack, helping to introduce J-rap to a broader audience. Additionally, Serious Japanese solidified the Teriyaki Boyz's status as pioneers of cross-cultural collaboration in music, influencing subsequent artists in both Japan and beyond. Released in January 2009, Serious Japanese is the third studio album from Teriyaki Boyz, following their successful release of Beef or Chicken in 2006. At this point, they had already established themselves as key figures in the Japanese hip-hop scene, blending various genres and cultural references into their music.

How many songs are on Serious Japanese?

Serious Japanese has 14 tracks, running approximately 57 minutes.

Serious Japanese

Teriyaki Boyz · 2009

57 min · 14 tracks · pop music

A vibrant fusion of hip-hop beats and J-pop melodies that encapsulates the energy of urban Tokyo.

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Top tracks — play these first

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TOKYO DRIFT (FAST & FURIOUS) — This track not only became a defining anthem for the Fast & Furious franchise but also showcased the group's ability to merge high-energy rap with cinematic flair.
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WORK THAT! — With its catchy hooks and danceable beat, this track exemplifies the infectious energy that characterizes much of the album, appealing to pop and hip-hop audiences alike.
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SWEET GIRL — This song highlights a softer side of Teriyaki Boyz, blending romantic themes with their signature sound, demonstrating their versatility as artists.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends hip-hop and J-pop effectively, though it lacks depth for repeated listens.

What we noticed

The album opens with a brief intro track that sets a playful tone before launching into high-energy beats in the first three songs.
Several tracks incorporate samples from popular culture, enhancing their urban feel and connecting to contemporary themes.
The final track is a remix of the hit single, which serves as a conclusion but feels somewhat redundant given its earlier placement.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 please come INTRO! 1:46
2 WORK THAT! 4:48
3 AFTER 5 (A.M.) 3:32
4 TOKYO DRIFT (FAST & FURIOUS) 4:17
5 SWEET GIRL 4:21
6 TERIYA-KING 5:50
7 5TH ELEMENT 5:43
8 SERIOUS JAPANESE 3:34
9 ZOCK-ON! 4:04
10 (CAN'T) "BAKE" THAT "FAPE" 6:27
11 いつも IT'S MORE 3:51
12 I still love H.E.R. 5:11
13 get the hell OUTRO 0:57
14 Tokyo Drift (FAST & FURIOUS) REMIX 3:00

What to play next

Go back to

Beef or Chicken

2006

Full Teriyaki Boyz discography Artists like Teriyaki Boyz

pop music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata