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RAPSTAR 2026

RAPSTAR2026 has drawn 12,953 applicants, the highest ever, and is set to premiere October 10 on ABEMA with a 10 million yen prize.

Synthesized from 2 Yomimono stories · updated Aug 29

RAPSTAR2026, ABEMA's rapper discovery audition, has drawn 12,953 applicants, the highest in the program's history and nearly double last year's 6,780. The 2026 season premieres October 10 on ABEMA, with a winner's prize of 10 million yen, up from 3 million. Seven producers provided beats for application videos.

The prize increase was announced in June, when the program confirmed the winner's prize of 10 million yen, the highest ever. Applications opened June 1 through June 12, and the finals are set for December 29 as part of the STARZ 2026 event. Beat makers for the audition videos include Chaki Zulu, D3adStock, and others.

The near-doubling of applicants and the raised prize signal the program's growing pull in the hip-hop scene, according to the coverage.

Key facts

Applicants
12,953 applicants, the highest ever, nearly double last year's 6,780
Premiere date
October 10 on ABEMA
Winner's prize
10 million yen, up from 3 million
Application window
June 1 through June 12
Finals
December 29 as part of the STARZ 2026 event
Beat makers
Chaki Zulu, D3adStock, and others

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Noted
drawn 12,953 applicants · 2026-08-21
Noted
premieres October 10 on ABEMA · 2026-08-21
Noted
10 million yen prize, up from 3 million · 2026-08-21
Announced
winner's prize of 10 million yen, highest in program history · 2026-06-01

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/rapstar-2026. CC BY 4.0.

All coverage

Aug 21

RAPSTAR2026 Draws 12,953 Applicants, Highest Ever

ABEMA's rapper discovery audition RAPSTAR2026 has drawn 12,953 applicants, the highest ever, nearly double last year's 6,780. The 2026 season premieres October 10 on ABEMA, with a 10 million yen prize, up from 3 million. Seven producers provided beats for application videos.

Jun 1

RAPSTAR 2026 Raises Winner Prize to 10 Million Yen, Highest Ever

The next-generation rapper audition project RAPSTAR 2026 has been announced with a winner's prize of 10 million yen, the highest in the program's history. Applications open June 1 through June 12. The finals will be held December 29 as part of the STARZ 2026 event. Beat makers for the audition videos include Chaki Zulu, D3adStock, and others.