Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on March 2012

One can’t help noticing the lack of African Americans on the bill of this year’s Springroove R&B fest. Where previous installments had headliners like Kanye West, this year’s come in the form of French mega DJ David Guetta and K-pop juggernaut 2NE1. With Harlem rapper Azealia Banks the only African American on bill, it’s easy to draw the logical conclusion—the fortunes of American hip-hop are currently on the wane in Japan. Notwithstanding, groove riders will be happy to welcome the return of Springroove after last year’s post-quake cancelation.

Makuhari Messe, Apr 1 (listing).