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Tuesday, February 28, 2006
KEN HIRAI - KING OF JAPANESE R&B
Ken Hirai (Hirai Ken, born January 17, 1972), a Japanese R&B singer, was born in Higashi-osaka, Osaka prefecture, and grew up in Nabari, Mie Prefecture. Contrary to popular belief, Ken is a full-blooded Japanese, though some think otherwise due to his appearance. His soulful voice, piercing falsettos and unconventional looks had won his fans' hearts when he made his debut back in the 1990s. Some musical artists whom he respects are Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye etc.
Biography
Ken Hirai, current king of Japanese R&B, began his music career back in 1993 when he signed with Sony Music following an audition in Yokohama the previous year while he was a student. His debut single "Precious Junk" and album were recorded the following year and released in 1995. The first single, used as the theme to a TV drama, immediately garnered Hirai attention and his second single, "Kataho zutsu no earphone" also used for a drama, further capitalized on his unique sound. Hirai's debut album, "un-balanced", went on sale the same year and was followed by a second, "Stare At", in December of the following year.
Taking things more slowly, Hirai used the next four years to consolidate his style and take time out - he only released one single each in 1997 and '98 and didn't produce any new music during 1999. Fans had to wait until 2000 for a third album from Hirai, "The Changing Same", and it was the first single "Rakuen" (paradise) that established him as a major player in the domestic charts and overseas. He was the first Japanese artist to take the classic test of a true R&B performer - playing at the Apollo Theater in New York, where he got a warm reception. Capitalizing on a strong fan base in Asia, Hirai appeared at the MTV Music Summit in Taiwan in August 2000. Voted Best New Japanese Act in a pop poll organized by the RTHK radio station in Hong Kong.
Ken Hirai performing at MTV Unplugged
2001 saw his single "Kiss of Life" used as the theme for the popular "Love Revolution" TV drama series. His fourth album "Gaining Through Losing" (it went to sell 1.5 million all over Asia including Japan) and a national tour of the same name built on his solid reputation. 1st remix album "Kh remixed-up 1" was released in November, 2001. Through the album, the artist showed wholly new part of himself to the audience, and appealed to club-goers and DJs for the first time.
He had already shown that he had the urge to perform abroad, so his live appearance on the Music Fair show in March 2002 with producer/singer Babyface from an LA studio was very much part of the plan. In the summer, things like winning the Best Male Artist at the inaugral MTV Music Video Awards Japan and appearing in the official FIFA World Cup concert with CHEMISTRY and Lauryn Hill seemed like they were just par for the course. Already an established star, Hirai went one step further when he released a cover of "Okina Furudokei" (My Grandfather's Clock) in 2002. A popular nursery rhyme, it was expected to be a minor success, but it went on to become one of the biggest hits of the year.
In 2003, Ken performed for MTV Unplugged Live in New York, as the 1st Japanese male solo vocalist. Also, he was interviewed by CNN "THE MUSIC ROOM", which was televised in 210 countries, and watched by 230 million viewers.
5th album "LIFE is...", which contains "Strawberry Sex", "Ring", and super-hit single "Okina Furudokei" (My Grandfather's Clock) was released on January 22, 2003.
In December 10, 2003, conceptual album "Ken's Bar" was released. In the album, Ken selected his favorite songs and covered in his own style.
In May 2004 "SENTIMENTALovers" was made public. The album spawned 4 singles, with "Hitomi wo Tojite" (I Close My Eyes) the most successful, also becoming the biggest-selling single of that year.
Discography
Singles
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Kataho Zutsu no Earphone (Literal Translation: A earphone by one) (lyrics Ken Hirai, music Ken Hirai/Shun Yamashita) ( June 21, 1995) -
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Doshaburi (Downpour) (lyrics & music Ken Hirai) ( August 21, 1996) -
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Love Love Love (lyrics & music Ken Hirai) ( May 30, 1998) -
Rakuen (Paradise) (lyrics Makoto Atozi music Masahito Nakano) ( January 19, 2000) -
why (lyrics Ken Hirai music Ken Matsubara) ( May 10, 2000) -
LOVE OR LUST (lyrics Ken Hirai music Ken Hirai/Ken Matsubara) ( October 18, 2000) -
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KISS OF LIFE (lyrics Ken Hirai music Ken Hirai/Masahito Nakano) ( May 16, 2001) -
Missin' you ~It will break my heart~ (lyrics Ken Hirai music Babyface) ( January 30, 2002) -
Strawberry Sex (lyrics Ken Hirai/Taku Tada music Ken Hirai/Masahito Nakano) ( May 22, 2002) -
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LIFE is ... ~another story~ (lyrics & music Ken Hirai) ( May 8, 2003) -
style (lyrics Ken Hirai music Yasuhiro Minami) ( July 30, 2003) -
Hitomi wo Tojite (Close my eyes) (lyrics & music Ken Hirai) ( April 28, 2004) -
Kimi wa Tomodachi (You're my friend) (lyrics & music Ken Hirai) ( May 29, 2004) -
Omoi ga Kasanaru Sonomae ni (Before the memories pile up) (lyrics & music Ken Hirai) ( October 6, 2004) -
Albums
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Compilations
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10th Anniversary Complete Single Collection '95-'05 ( "UTABAKA") ( November 23, 2005
Others
Facts
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Hirai once participated in a music session with Babyface, who admired Hirai's singing ability. He said, "I think that Hirai can be popular in the world if he releases CDs in English". -
At the end of 2003, Hirai was fortunate to be invited by Stevie Wonder to join his Japanese show, and co-performed "You Are The Sunshine of My Life". -
External Links
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