The frontman of the band behind the music of Your Name, Weathering with You and Suzume turns out to have worked on one of hip-hop's most anticipated albums of the year. Yojiro Noda of RADWIMPS contributed to five tracks on "BULLY," the new album by Ye, formerly Kanye West, and revealed it himself the day after it came out.

What "BULLY" Actually Is

On March 27, 2026, Ye released "BULLY," his 12th studio album and first solo project since "Donda 2" in 2022. Released through YZY and Gamma, the album features collaborations with Travis Scott, CeeLo Green, Don Toliver, Peso Pluma, and André Troutman, among others.

The album was recorded between 2021 and 2026 across multiple locations including Tokyo and Mallorca, Spain. Sonically it invites comparison to "808s & Heartbreak" (2008) and "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" (2010), with heavy sampling and interpolation and a vocal approach that leans toward singing over rapping.

"BULLY" had a turbulent path to release. Announced in September 2024 with a planned summer 2025 date, it went through multiple delays and work-in-progress versions. Those earlier versions drew criticism for layering AI voice filters of Ye over reference tracks recorded by other artists; Ye has said no AI was used on the final release. The streaming and physical editions also differ, with several songs, including "Highs and Lows," appearing only on the physical release.

Separately, on January 26, 2026, Ye took out a full-page Wall Street Journal ad headed "To Those I've Hurt," apologizing for his past antisemitic conduct. He attributed it to a frontal-lobe injury from a car crash 25 years earlier that went undiagnosed until 2023, and to a resulting bipolar type-1 diagnosis, writing that "I am not a Nazi or an antisemite." The album was expected that same week at the time, and critics read the ad as promotion; Ye denied it. The Anti-Defamation League called the apology "long overdue" and said it did not automatically undo his long history of antisemitism.

One Night That Turned Into Five Tracks

On March 28, the day after "BULLY" dropped, Yojiro Noda revealed his involvement via his social media accounts. He contributed arrangements and recording work to five songs: "Beauty and the Beast," "White Lines," "Bully," "Highs and Lows," and "Circles."

According to Noda, he was invited to meet Ye in Tokyo around October 2024 through a mutual friend. What was meant to be a single evening of adding ideas on guitar and keys turned into live instrument recording work, and five of the tracks they worked on made the album.

Noda described the experience as valuable and enjoyable, saying it was a thrill to hear Ye's new songs before anyone else while working on arrangements in real time. The credits also list other Japanese names, among them Yuma Yamaguchi, Takashi Fukuoka and Mai Ohtani, which suggests a wider Japanese presence in the sessions.

Ye's Deep Connection to Tokyo

This collaboration didn't happen in a vacuum. Ye has maintained a significant presence in Tokyo in recent years. Music journalist Touré reported that "BULLY" was originally conceived as a concept album inspired by Ye's solitary life in the Japanese capital, where he felt free to be himself away from the pressures of American public life.

Ye has been reported DJing at Tokyo clubs during this period, previewing new tracks and remixes, and the city served as both a creative retreat and a recording base for the album, alongside Mallorca in Spain. It was within this Tokyo chapter that two very different musical worlds crossed.

Who Are RADWIMPS?

For international readers who may know the music but not the band name: RADWIMPS is a Japanese rock band formed in 2001, led by vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Yojiro Noda. They reached a global audience through Makoto Shinkai's anime films: "Your Name" (Kimi no Na wa, 2016), "Weathering with You" (Tenki no Ko, 2019) and "Suzume" (Suzume no Tojimari, 2022).

But RADWIMPS' impact extends far beyond anime soundtracks. Noda has been a prolific solo artist under the name "illion" since 2012, releasing music internationally. In 2023, the band completed their first full world tour, selling out venues across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. In 2025, they celebrated their 20th anniversary with a massive domestic tour featuring guest acts like BUMP OF CHICKEN, Vaundy, and YOASOBI. Noda has also contributed songs to SixTONES (a popular J-pop group), voiced a character in Wes Anderson's "Isle of Dogs," and written the theme song "Tamamono" for the NHK morning drama series "Anpan."

Why This Collaboration Matters

Japanese artists contributing to global hip-hop projects at this level is extraordinarily rare. While Japanese music has reached international audiences through anime, gaming, and the growing J-pop/J-rock scene, direct creative involvement in a major Western hip-hop album represents uncharted territory.

Noda has always operated beyond genre boundaries. He has collaborated with Kenshi Yonezu (guest vocals on "STRAY SHEEP"), worked with Western filmmakers, and maintained a bilingual creative practice. Yet joining forces with one of hip-hop's most influential and most contested figures marks a different kind of crossover, one that bridges not just genres but entire creative ecosystems.

Is RADWIMPS Popular in Your Country?

RADWIMPS' music has traveled the world through Makoto Shinkai's films, but this collaboration with Ye could introduce them to an entirely different audience. How well known are RADWIMPS or Yojiro Noda where you live? What do you think about a Japanese rock musician contributing to a major hip-hop album? We'd love to hear your thoughts, share your perspective in the comments!

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