Shoot To Kill NYC

07/18/2025

Here’s a teaser featuring legendary beatboxer and performer Afra.

Afra, born Akira Fujioka in Suita, Osaka, is widely regarded as Japan’s pioneering human beatboxer. Inspired by a 1996 performance by Rahzel in New York’s Central Park, Afra began teaching himself beatboxing. After high school, he moved to New York to immerse himself in the hip-hop scene, training with Kenny Muhammad and joining the MB2000 crew.

Afra gained international recognition as the first Japanese beatboxer featured in the documentaries Scratch (2001) and Breath Control (2002). His 2004 Fuji Xerox commercial brought beatboxing to mainstream Japanese audiences. In 2009, he collaborated with DMC of Run-DMC for adidas Originals’ global “House Party” campaign, reworking “My Adidas.”

In 2005, Afra formed Afra & the Incredible Beatbox Band with Kei and K-Moon, releasing albums like Always Fresh Rhythm Attack and Heart Beat, which showcased beatboxing without instrumental accompaniment.

Afra has performed at major festivals worldwide, including Sonar (Spain), Big Day Out (Australia), and Summer Sonic (Japan). He also appeared in anime series such as Samurai Champloo and Devilman Crybaby.

Currently, Afra continues to perform, teach, and judge beatboxing events across Japan. He collaborates on cultural and gaming projects, such as Izanagi Games’ Project RAP, and mentors emerging talent, furthering the art of beatboxing in Japan and worldwide.

Follow us on our journey to bring the history of hip hop in Japan to life:

Land of the Rising Mic

Coming soon.

Here’s a teaser featuring legendary beatboxer and performer Afra.Afra, born Akira Fujioka in Suita, Osaka, is widely regarded as Japan’s pioneering human bea...

12/04/2024

We are very proud of our new episode of The Rivalries. This was such an incredible story to follow all the way to the National Championships.

Episode 16 "The Battle of the Burgs" presented by LG is now streaming on the NCAA Championships Channel and On-Demand via LG Channels.

For nearly 30 years, NCAA DIII wrestling has seen only two champions: Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN, and Wartburg College, in Waverly, IA. Known as ...

10/14/2024

Since the inception of NCAA DII women's rowing in 2002, Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA, and Cal Poly Humboldt in Arcata, CA, have been dominant forces. Western Washington's seven-year championship streak from 2005 to 2011 was finally ended by Cal Poly Humboldt.

Today, the rivalry remains fierce. Fresh off a national championship win under new coach Matt Weise, Cal Poly Humboldt faces a resurgent Western Washington, who has rebuilt their varsity 8 and aims for victory this year. With both teams eyeing the national championship, their upcoming conference race in Gold River, CA promises high stakes and intense competition.

The Rivalries presented by LG Global episode 15 is now streaming on the NCAA Championships Channel and On-Demand via LG Channels.

Since the inception of NCAA DII women's rowing in 2002, Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA, and Cal Poly Humboldt in Arcata, CA, have been domin...

09/04/2024

In the middle of the Pacific, two of the best NCAA DII tennis teams, the University of Hawaii Hilo Hawaii Hilo Vulcans Athletics and Hawai'i Pacific University, compete not just for national championships but for the title of Hawaii's best. This rivalry stands out with its laid-back Aloha spirit, where respect and camaraderie shine. As they prepare for their biannual showdown, we witness a thrilling yet friendly clash, where even in defeat, both teams celebrate Hawaii's success.

The Rivalries presented by LG Global is now streaming on the NCAA Championships Channel and On-Demand via LG Channels.

In the middle of the Pacific, two of the best NCAA DII tennis teams, the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Pacific University, compete not just for nat...

07/16/2024

Steeped in tradition and honor, the Army vs. Navy rivalry stands as a beacon of American sportsmanship. Dating back to the late 1800s, this rivalry goes beyond football -- it's a part of every sport for both academies, especially in baseball. With new coaches at the helm, both teams set their sights on winning the upcoming "Star Series". Amidst the historic grounds of the United States Naval Academy and the United States Military Academy at West Point, where future heroes are molded, baseball serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment. As these cadets and midshipmen step up to the plate, they epitomize the values of service and sacrifice that define our nation's legacy and compete to define a rivalry.

Season 3 of The Rivalries presented by LG Global is now streaming on the NCAA Championships Channel and On-Demand via LG Channels

Steeped in tradition and honor, the Army vs. Navy rivalry stands as a beacon of American sportsmanship. Dating back to the late 1800s, this rivalry goes beyo...

06/06/2024

A look back at Season 2 of The Rivalries as we prepare for the debut of Season 3.

These are the NCAA stories you haven’t heard.

The Rivalries presented by LG Global is now streaming on the NCAA Championships Channel and On-Demand via LG Channels.

Rivalries in college sports are particularly heated, a usual end-of-season matchup with annual high stakes everyone looks forward to. Sometimes, they offer your…

02/14/2024

Harvard University and Dartmouth are two of the world’s most iconic Ivy League schools. Household names for academic excellence, the two Ivies are also homes to the NCAA’s most explosive emerging sport - Women’s Rugby. Harvard Women's Rugby and Dartmouth Women's Rugby are the top two NCAA DI Women’s Rugby Teams in the nation. As the two Ivies' annual rivalry matchup kicks into gear, we continue the story of two teams carrying women’s rugby into the future - all the way to the 2023 NIRA Championship finals. This is the story of the women carrying Women’s Rugby forward, putting their bodies on the line for the sport they love most, and their complex dynamic with competition. In this special episode, it isn’t just a rivalry - it’s a rematch.

LG Global Presents The Rivalries is now streaming on the NCAA Championships Channel and on demand via LG Channels Home App

Harvard and Dartmouth are two of the world’s most iconic Ivy League schools. Household names for academic excellence, the two Ivies are also homes to the NCA...

12/22/2023

In a series first - The Rivalries revisits two legendary schools from season one to unpack a different side of the longest-standing NCAA DII rivalry. In Western South Dakota, for 138 years, defending football champions The Black Hills State University Yellow Jackets (BHSU) and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Hardrockers (SDSMT) have been matching up every year to claim their right to the coveted Homestake Trophy.

The name of their annual battle is known as The Black Hills Brawl. As the 2023 Brawl looms, both fanbases in Spearfish and Rapid City, South Dakota, ignite while each team is left to steel themselves for war. But despite their battle for Homestake supremacy waging on for over a century, the Yellow Jackets and the Hardrockers are just getting started.

The Rivalries presented by LG Global is now streaming on the NCAA Championships Chanel & on demand via the LG Channels Home App.

In a series first - The Rivalries revisits two legendary schools from season one to unpack a different side of the longest standing NCAA DII rivalry. In West...

08/02/2023

We're very excited to have recently wrapped our first leg of production in Tokyo Japan for our upcoming documentary titled: "Land of the Rising Mic". An in-depth look at the history of hip-hop in Japan.

More info and details coming soon. If you'd like to learn more, please keep up with our webpage and social media channels.

IG:
TWITTER:

www.landoftherisingmic.com

07/03/2023

In the heartland of America, two fierce NCAA DII rivals have been battling it out on the softball diamond for nearly four decades. This year, led by the winningest coach in NCAA DII history, the nationally acclaimed Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks are determined to strike out the Augustana University Vikings, the most successful DII softball program in the country. With National Championships under their belts and a fierce competitive spirit, this year’s matchup promises to be a clash of the titans, and the stakes have never been higher.

Check out our preview of 'The Rivalries’ Episode 10 “Head-to-Head in the Heartland”

LG Global Presents: 'The Rivalries' now streaming on the NCAA Championships Channel & on demand via the LG Channels Home App.

In the heartland of America, two fierce NCAA DII rivals have been battling it out on the softball diamond for nearly four decades. This year, led by the winn...

06/16/2023

In Claremont, California, two of the nation's top three NCAA DIII Women's Tennis teams are more than just fierce rivals - they're next-door neighbors. Defending National Champions, Claremont McKenna College Harvey Mudd College Scripps College (CMS), are gearing up for a showdown against their longtime rivals, Pomona-Pitzer Tennis (PP), in the highly-anticipated “Sixth Street Rivalry.” When these neighboring universities face off on the tennis court, their shared campus becomes a battleground, where each team battles not only for bragging rights, but also to claim their spot atop the conference rankings.

Check out our preview of Episode 9 of 'The Rivalries'

LG Global Presents: 'The Rivalries' now streaming on the NCAA Championships Channel & on demand via the LG Channels Home App.

In Claremont, California, two of the nation's top three NCAA DIII Women's Tennis teams are more than just fierce rivals - they're next-door neighbors. Defend...

05/25/2023

Every year, Alaska's only two DI collegiate hockey programs go head-to-head, in a 'best of...' set of six for supremacy on the arctic ice. This year, the 'reborn' UAA: University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves shoot to stop the surging University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks and dash their national tournament hopes.

Check out our preview of "The Alaska Governor's Cup" Episode 8 of 'The Rivalries'

LG Global Presents: 'The Rivalries' now streaming on the NCAA Championships Channel & on demand via the LG Channels Home App.

LG Presents: The Rivalries Episode 8: "The Governor's Cup" University of Alaska Anchorage vs University of Alaska Fairbanks Video by: Shoot To Kill…