The Yellow Monkey (ザイエローモンキー), often abbreviated to yemon (イエモン), is a popular Japanese rock band formed in 1989. Its name derives from an ethnic slur and is an ironic reference to the belief that Japanese rock groups could never be "authentic". In 2003, HMV Records Japan rated them #81 in their "Top 100 Japanese pops Artists". Although band activities were ceased starting from January 2001, except for later releases of band material such as compilations and DVDs, The Yellow Monkey actually broke up on July 7, 2004.