NORIKIYO releases 獄中記 (Prison Diary)

May 23, 2026 | Tokyo, Japan | Team RJHH

Japanese rapper NORIKIYO has just released a new single called 獄中記 (Gokuchu-ki), meaning Prison Diary. This track is unique. NORIKIYO wrote every lyric while locked in a cell. He was sentenced to 3 years in prison in 2023. After serving his full sentence, he recorded the song. The single dropped on May 23, 2026, and is now available on all major streaming platforms.

獄中記 (Prison Diary) / NORIKIYO / Release date: 2026-05-23 / Label: YUKICHI RECORDS / Stream Link

In 2023, NORIKIYO received a 3-year prison sentence. He spent the entire time in a solitary cell. During his time behind bars, he kept writing. He filled pages with lyrics, day after day. Once free, NORIKIYO worked with producer KOYANMUSIC to turn those words into music. The track is built on a simple, authentic hip-hop beat. The style echoes classic 1990s rap. NORIKIYO’s lyrics are sharp and unfiltered. His time in prison made his writing even more powerful. The instrumental was produced by KOYANMUSIC under NORIKIYO’s direct creative direction.

The official music video was released on May 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM Japan Standard Time. The video features animation and was directed by an artist named YOU., a longtime collaborator and friend of NORIKIYO. YOU. handled both the direction and the animation work. Before the official release, a small group of fans got to hear the track early. This happened at a special fan event. The event was a reward for backers of a crowdfunding campaign NORIKIYO ran while in prison. Fans who attended shared their excitement online. For them, this is the first song NORIKIYO recorded after getting out.

NORIKIYO: “Thank you for waiting. For now, taste this as a light jab. And don’t forget the book Gokuchu-ki: Datsugoku no Susume 2! “

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