“…a unique and richly researched study of the culture and society of Japan’s lower classes, as well as an interesting look at the unique musical culture that has developed in Kansai. It will undoubtedly be of great interest to ethnomusicologists, hip hop scholars, and those engaged in the sociocultural study of modern Japan.” • Ethnomusicology Review“Armstrong’s book is a fine analysis of Kansai’s underclass and its hip-hop subculture. It is an important contribution that brings a more differentiated understanding of contemporary Japan and its developments.” • Anthropos“This excellent and fascinating ethnography will stand the test of time and will provide useful material for those who want to understand important ideas of Japanese sub-cultures and how they intersect with local, national and global trends over time.” • Roger Goodman, Nissan Professor of Modern Japanese Studies, University of Oxford
