Dragon Ash is a pioneering Japanese rap rock group formed in 1996 by Kenji "KJ" Furuya and Makoto Sakurai. As one of the first acts to bring hip hop to mainstream Japanese audiences, the group blended rap with rock elements, helping establish the genre's foundation in Japan during the late '90s and early 2000s. Their fusion approach influenced a generation of Japanese artists exploring the intersection of hip hop and alternative music.
The group's innovative production and energetic live performances made them key figures in Japan's electronic and urban music landscape. Through their work and collaborations within the broader Japanese hip hop and rock communities, Dragon Ash contributed significantly to diversifying the country's music scene and opening doors for electronic and experimental sounds in mainstream Japanese culture.