Yuki Kitano is Nickelman. Originally from Osaka, Japan, he still calls the vibrant city of Osaka home. Yuki started making music as Nickelman over 15 years ago, but has dedicated the last 11 years to seriously fine tuning his sound. Along with hip hop beat maker FROGMAN, the two worked under the moniker of Freemanz Production, putting out synth space lo-fi projects, though their independent label Deepconstruction Records.

Nickelman is set to release his upcoming solo feature LP titled “Elements* via URBNET, on June 7, 2019*. *Elements* carries through a smoky lo-fi hip hop sound, intertwined with samples of jazz, soul, and rare groove beats. In speaking to the creation process, Yuki says

“I used an MPC2000XL, SP-303, and Tape Echo to make the tracks.Those lo-fi sounds are recorded by cassette tapes and compressed. The record is both danceable beats and a relaxing chill sound. It’s trip music you can dance to be and be stoned.”