JOLAGREEN23: LOST IN TOKYO
Some cities are more than destinations. They become obsessions. For JOLAGREEN23, Tokyo is one of them.
Since emerging on the French rap scene, the artist has built a world defined by contrasts. Between light and darkness, vulnerability and intensity, chaos and control, his music explores spaces that rarely seek comfort. It is an artistic approach that finds a natural echo in the Japanese capital, a city where futuristic skylines coexist with timeless alleyways and tradition meets constant reinvention.
During his latest visit to Tokyo for the filming of upcoming music videos, we photographed JOLAGREEN23 in the heart of the city that has long fueled his imagination. Far from the familiar settings of French rap, the illuminated streets of Shibuya, the towering signs of Shinjuku, and the relentless energy of Tokyo become a fitting extension of his artistic universe.
For JOLAGREEN23, Japan is not a recent fascination nor simply a striking backdrop. Over the years, the country has become a recurring source of inspiration, shaping both his creative vision and visual identity. That influence can be felt throughout his work, in the atmosphere he creates, the worlds he builds, and the attention he pays to every detail.
This connection becomes especially evident as he moves through Tokyo. The artist seems naturally at home within an environment where visual excess exists alongside remarkable discipline. It is a balance that mirrors his own approach to creativity: instinctive yet deliberate, raw yet meticulously crafted.
Photographed by Allan Abani during this Japanese chapter, JOLAGREEN23 is captured in a different light. More than a portrait series, these images document the meeting point between an artist and a city that has long inspired him. Each frame reflects a dialogue between cultural fascination and artistic expression.
In an era where imagery is often consumed as quickly as music itself, JOLAGREEN23 belongs to a new generation of artists who view visuals as an essential extension of their work. Fashion, architecture, atmosphere, and storytelling all become part of a larger narrative.
Perhaps that is why his rise extends beyond the boundaries of traditional rap. His audience is drawn not only to the music, but to the complete universe surrounding it, one built with the same level of intention and coherence as a filmmaker crafting a cinematic world.
Tokyo offers more than a spectacular backdrop. It acts as a mirror, reflecting the tensions that define his work: a fascination with movement, modernity, and intensity, balanced by a constant search for meaning and authenticity.
As his career continues to reach new heights, this Japanese chapter feels like a natural step in his artistic evolution. A moment where music, imagery, and travel converge to tell a larger story.
For JOLAGREEN23, Tokyo is not simply a city.
It is a state of mind.
Writer: Charles Vane
Photographs: Allan Abani