KMNZ NERO and VESPERBELL’s Yomi (ヨミ) have teamed up for a cover of Stormy, the original collaboration between Nissy (Takahiro Nishijima of AAA) and SKY-HI — and honestly, this pairing makes more sense than most official collabs. Two voices that already live in the hip-hop lane, taking on one of the sharpest two-MC tracks in recent J-pop memory.

KMNZ NERO and Yomi Bring a Different Edge to Stormy

The original Stormy works because of the push-pull between Nissy’s melodic side and SKY-HI’s rap delivery — a track built around the line 「王冠を奪え ただ一つだけ」 (“Seize the crown, there’s only one”). What makes this cover interesting is that NERO and Yomi don’t split neatly into “singer” and “rapper” boxes. Both come from MC backgrounds, so the vocal handoffs land with a competitive edge rather than a tidy pop structure. It reads less like a cover and more like two artists claiming the throne for themselves.

A Collaboration That Feels Inevitable

KMNZ have been a virtual hip-hop unit from day one, so a track this rap-forward is squarely home turf for NERO. Yomi, one half of VESPERBELL — the RK Music duo signed with Warner Music Japan — brings a darker, heavier tone that slots into the song’s mood without sanding anything down. Neither voice tries to imitate the original’s phrasing; they bend it to fit their own registers instead, which is exactly what a good cover should do.

The Production Keeps It Tight

Credit where it’s due: Baron (バロン) on mix keeps both vocals sitting forward and punchy without letting the two voices step on each other, which matters a lot on a track built on rapid exchanges. The video side is handled by Nobio (のびお) on illustration and Yugu (ゆぐ) on movie work — a clean, stylish presentation that lets the performances carry the weight.

Why This Cover Matters

KMNZ’s release cycle has been one of the most consistent in the virtual hip-hop space, and crossover covers like this are how the scene keeps itself honest. Pairing a KMNZ member with a VESPERBELL vocalist isn’t the obvious booking — and that’s precisely why it works. If you slept on this one because the original was already everywhere, go back. The crown-stealing energy is the whole point.

Track Credits

• Title: Stormy
• Vocals (MC): KMNZ NERO, VESPERBELL Yomi (ヨミ)
• Original Artists: Nissy × SKY-HI
• Mix: Baron (バロン)
• Illustration: Nobio (のびお)
• Movie: Yugu (ゆぐ)
• Released: October 28, 2026

▶ Watch: KMNZ NERO × VESPERBELL Yomi — Stormy (Cover) on YouTube