As soon as we met in person we knew it would be a match made in heaven. Our goal was to transport people to another dimension where atmospheric ambiance and hip hop beats co-exist in a perfect unison. Working together was effortless and was further enhanced by the aerial atmosphere in the studio.
Gena & Reo Matsumoto
THE RELEASE
A chance encounter in a Bulgarian bar sparked the creative fire that became “Polaris”, a boundless collaboration between the Japanese handpan player and beatbox champion (2012) and one of the most forward-thinking hip-hop producers.
During his latest travels, Tokyo-born, Amsterdam-based handpan virtuoso and beatboxer Reo Matsumoto crossed paths with Gena, one of Bulgaria’s most forward-thinking hip-hop producers. The connection was instant – energy so undeniable that even the team at Stereofox, witnessing it firsthand, knew something special was unfolding.
Fusing Gena’s razor-sharp production, rooted in the golden era of ‘90s hip-hop, with Reo’s mesmerizing handpan melodies that transport listeners to distant, mystical landscapes, “Polaris” is a sonic journey unlike any other. Their synergy is both effortless and electric, creating an unmatchable force that pushes the boundaries of genre and emotion.
Prepare to be immersed in this new sonic odyssey where rhythm meets resonance, and two worlds collide to form something truly extraordinary.
THE ARTIST
Gena
Founding member of the most prolific hip hop act in Bulgaria for the past 13 years – So Called Crew. Gena is a champion of the classic hip-hop sound, movie fanatic & all-mighty sample being. He's part of Stereofox's Bulgarian Beat Wave compilations (featured on CLASH, KCRW), produced Y A N A's Under My Skin album & half of Leena's Labyrinth of the Subconscious LP (both available on vinyl).
- Part of Stereofox’s highly-acclaimed Bulgarian Beat Wave vol. 1 compilation, featured on BBC 1, CLASH Magazine, Bandcamp frontpage, KCRW, etc.
- Featured on Deezer’s R&B UK editorial for his work with YANA
- Sold-out vinyl campaign for Leena’s debut album Labyrinth of the Subconscious (distributed worldwide via Fat Beats)
re os - REO MATSUMOTO
A professional beatmaker, handpan player and music director, Reo started his music journey with beatboxing, becoming Japan’s Beatbox Champion in 2011. He started releasing beats under the alias Re Os – Reo Matsumoto in 2021, sharing his own unique perspective on chillhop with vibrant, melodically rich compositions.
- Beatboxing champion of Japan in 2011
- 3M streams on all DSPs combined
- Music included in campaigns of renowned brands such as VANS, Converse, National Geographic
- Featured on Apple Music’s LoFi Japan, Worldwide Yoga, and New in Electronic
- Support on Spotify’s Midnight Chill editorial
- Interviewed and included in Roland’s article on the evolution of Japanese beat scene, together with names like Nujabes, Budamunk, Daedelus, and more
- Organizer of handpan players festival in Japan, Netherlands, France and Germany
- Founder of Good Fellas Tokyo – a collective specializing in organizing beat events in Japan
