Nagan in the streets of Aoyama captured by Stefan de Vilder, Tokyo, February 2025
Nagan Server is a multi-hyphenate musician hailing from Tokyo, Japan. Not only does he have a solo career, but he also founded a band named N.S. DANCEMEBLE. Nagan draws inspiration from multiple genres—primarily hip-hop and jazz—which he blends masterfully into performances where he plays the contrabass and raps, sometimes simultaneously.
Last February, we had the opportunity to see Nagan and his band perform live at a Tokyo venue. The agility with which he transitions not only between different musical genres but also between playing the contrabass and rapping was incredible. He made it all look effortless—a true performer in every sense of the word. After the show, we caught up with him and captured him wandering the streets of Tokyo.
Question S&C: Last time we spoke, you mentioned that you might want to tour in Europe. Are there any plans in the making? We saw that you just released a new project—does that mean a tour might be coming?
Answer NS: I’m playing at REVERBERATE’s party during Men’s AW26 Paris Fashion Week in January, 2026. My new band, N.S. DANCEMBLE, just dropped our debut EP “N.S.D”, but we haven’t planned a European tour yet.
Question S&C: The combination of rapping and playing contrabass seems like a very unique one. How did this combination come about, and how do you switch so effortlessly between the two during a performance?
Answer NS: I began as a hip-hop rapper, but while digging through samples from A Tribe Called Quest, Common, and Nas, jazz became a big part of who I am. I fell in love with the sound of the contrabass and started blending live jazz and hip-hop so the audience could feel where those two worlds intersect.
Question S&C: When we saw you play, we were impressed not only by how you were able to switch between vocals and the contrabass (or do both simultaneously) but also by your ability to move across different musical genres. It seems like you perform in a state of flow. Do you let that take the lead while performing or making music, or is it much more focused? Is there perhaps a silver thread that connects everything together you lock into?
Answer NS: I am trying to be as natural as possible during a show. When I am performing two things at once, I can’t keep up if I overthink it – so I perform as if I am just dancing naturally instead.
Question S&C: Would you say that, in any of your endeavors, there is a philosophy that you adhere to? Are there any rituals you do, or habits you have, to get into the right mindset? Or, is every project treated with an entirely different approach?
Answer NS: I always make sure to never forget respect both for the past and the present. To keep being an originator, I try new things every day. My approach naturally changes from project to project, because even a single different combination can create a completely new color and I enjoy that.
Question S&C: When you first came across Sine & Cosine, what was it that stood out to you? Has your relation to the products evolved over time, and if so, in what way?
Answer NS: I see so many shared values between my musicianship and what Sine & Cosine represents that the team has become a circle of trust and deep respect for me.
Nagan posing at the Nihonbashi bridge captured by Stefan de Vilder, Tokyo, February 2025