Japanese rap collective Umeda Cypher announced on July 5 that it will hold its first-ever solo concert at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan on February 23, 2027, titled “Umeda Cypher ONE MAN LIVE ‘THE CYPHER in Nippon Budokan.'” In the same announcement, the 13-member group revealed that it will go on an extended hiatus starting in 2027.
Members framed the break as a positive step rather than a breakup. Member KZ wrote that going on hiatus is “a necessary choice to power up, so that I can keep rapping for the rest of my life, both as part of Umeda and as a solo artist,” adding that he plans to travel and gain new experiences before returning. R-Shitei (R-指定), who is also one half of the duo Creepy Nuts, said the group’s 13 solo rappers were “not the type to be satisfied being one-thirteenth of something,” and encouraged fans to watch each member’s individual output in the meantime. Other members, including teppei, peko, and Cosaqu, echoed that the pause is meant to let each rapper recharge and grow before an eventual reunion.
Before the hiatus begins, the group will hold two self-produced “UC WEEK” shows, in Tokyo on September 20 and Osaka on September 27, 2026, followed by a joint event with fellow group SPARK!!SOUND!!SHOW!! called “TAIYOLO x HAPPY DO BOUNCE!!” in Osaka on October 2. Advance ticket applications for all three shows are being accepted through Ticket Pia until July 19 at 11:59 p.m.
Who is Umeda Cypher?
Umeda Cypher was formed in 2007 when a group of friends began gathering on a pedestrian bridge in Osaka’s Umeda district to freestyle rap together — a practice known as a “cypher,” which gives the group its name. The collective grew into a 13-member, leaderless crew with no single frontman, building a following through independent shows before signing to a major label and releasing its major-label debut in 2023. One of its members, R-Shitei, is also part of the duo Creepy Nuts, known overseas for the 2023 hit “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born.”
Several members have said they plan to keep performing individually during the hiatus, including under existing solo names such as ILL SWAG GAGA and HATCH, who has said he will focus on both rap and visual art. The group has not set an end date for the hiatus but said it hopes to reunite once each member has grown through solo work.
