Bennie K
Encyclopedia
Bennie K is an urban
female duo that consists of vocalist Yuki and rapper Cico, who both love American hip-hop music. They met while Yuki was in Los Angeles
undergoing voice training with Roger Burnley. They made their debut in January 2001 with the single "Melody," released on the For Life Music label.
Bennie K's 8th single "Sunrise" (2004) landed them in the top 10 of the Oricon
singles chart for the first time. When their 9th single "Dreamland" (2005) grabbed the #2 spot on the chart, they knew they had just got their big break. Their 4th album "Japana-rhythm" debuted at #1 on the Oricon
albums chart.
Bennie K's songs usually combine Japanese and English — their English is more fluent than most Japanese singers. Although their sound is primarily urban
, they often bend genres and draw from a variety of diverse musical styles — from Latin to country
to dancehall
, just to name a few.
Yuki was born in Osaka Prefecture
, but grew up in Kashima
(鹿島市), Saga Prefecture
, located in Japan’s Kyūshū
region. She has a brother who is 4 years older than she is. Yuki is a graduate of Kashima City’s westside public junior high school. At the age of 14, Yuki successfully passed an audition as her graduation date approached. She subsequently did not appear at her junior high school graduation ceremony so that she could go over to America. While living in Los Angeles
, California
, she went back and forth between attending a local prep school, formal voice training, and dance lessons. This is when she polished her singing ability.
Cico grew up in Suita (吹田市), Osaka Prefecture
, located in Japan’s Kansai region. She has an older brother and sister. Her alma mater was Osaka Kunei Senior High School, but like Yuki, she was also 14 years old when she had the chance to study abroad — except she went to New Zealand
. Cico had quite an outgoing personality at the time, and would come up and speak to just about anybody, in her Osaka dialect no less. This stood out in her community so much so that an article was written in the local newspaper about a “very chatty, Japanese-speaking girl.” Cico ended up spending her high school years in New Zealand as well. At one time, she was enrolled in Ritsumeikan University’s college of international relations, but dropped out mid-semester. Cico eventually went over to Los Angeles
to begin producing rap
and hip-hop
.
, located in Japan’s Chūbu region
. He graduated from Tokai University
in 1950.
(京都) and prayed for future success at the Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社), a shrine famous for Inari
, a god of business and harvest. On their way back, they came across the Gojō Bridge, recalling it as the site of a famous Japanese legend — the battle between Benkei (弁慶) and Ushiwakamaru
(牛若丸). The powerful Japanese warrior monk Benkei is said to have posted himself at this bridge, fighting and winning consecutive duels with 999 passing swordsmen. His 1,000th duel was with Ushiwakamaru and did not end in Benkei’s favor. Benkei joined Ushiwakamaru as a retainer and they had many successful missions together. Yuki and Cico noticed similarities between the legendary duo and themselves — despite an age difference between the two of them, they both seemed to have their sights aimed high. The duo considered “Benkei and Ushiwakamaru” as a name for their act, but later felt it was too unoriginal to just use the names of other people. When Yuki began learning guitar, she started out with Ben E. King’s "Stand by Me
." Being that this was the first song the duo ever sang together, they decided to combine Benkei with Ben E. King — and the name Bennie K was born. To Yuki and Cico, Benkei is a symbol of power; they feel that this name choice reflects their commitment to putting out music that expresses themselves as powerful women.
Urban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
female duo that consists of vocalist Yuki and rapper Cico, who both love American hip-hop music. They met while Yuki was in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
undergoing voice training with Roger Burnley. They made their debut in January 2001 with the single "Melody," released on the For Life Music label.
Bennie K's 8th single "Sunrise" (2004) landed them in the top 10 of the Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
singles chart for the first time. When their 9th single "Dreamland" (2005) grabbed the #2 spot on the chart, they knew they had just got their big break. Their 4th album "Japana-rhythm" debuted at #1 on the Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
albums chart.
Bennie K's songs usually combine Japanese and English — their English is more fluent than most Japanese singers. Although their sound is primarily urban
Urban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
, they often bend genres and draw from a variety of diverse musical styles — from Latin to country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
to dancehall
Dancehall
Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s. In the mid-1980s, digital instrumentation became more prevalent, changing the sound considerably,...
, just to name a few.
Yuki (ユキ)
- Full Name: Yamamoto Yukiyo (山本ゆきよ)
- Birthday: 2.23.84
Yuki was born in Osaka Prefecture
Osaka Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Kansai region on Honshū, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Osaka. It is the center of Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto area.- History :...
, but grew up in Kashima
Kashima, Saga
is a city located in the southern part of Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyūshū, Japan.-Geography:Kashima is located about 60 kilometers southwest of Saga City. It borders the Ariake Sea to the east and Nagasaki Prefecture to the southwest...
(鹿島市), Saga Prefecture
Saga Prefecture
is located in the northwest part of the island of Kyūshū, Japan. It touches both the Sea of Japan and the Ariake Sea. The western part of the prefecture is a region famous for producing ceramics and porcelain, particularly the towns of Karatsu, Imari, and Arita...
, located in Japan’s Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
region. She has a brother who is 4 years older than she is. Yuki is a graduate of Kashima City’s westside public junior high school. At the age of 14, Yuki successfully passed an audition as her graduation date approached. She subsequently did not appear at her junior high school graduation ceremony so that she could go over to America. While living in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, she went back and forth between attending a local prep school, formal voice training, and dance lessons. This is when she polished her singing ability.
Cico (チコ)
- Full Name: Yamamoto Chieko (山本知恵子)
- Birthday: 1.7.78
Cico grew up in Suita (吹田市), Osaka Prefecture
Osaka Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Kansai region on Honshū, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Osaka. It is the center of Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto area.- History :...
, located in Japan’s Kansai region. She has an older brother and sister. Her alma mater was Osaka Kunei Senior High School, but like Yuki, she was also 14 years old when she had the chance to study abroad — except she went to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Cico had quite an outgoing personality at the time, and would come up and speak to just about anybody, in her Osaka dialect no less. This stood out in her community so much so that an article was written in the local newspaper about a “very chatty, Japanese-speaking girl.” Cico ended up spending her high school years in New Zealand as well. At one time, she was enrolled in Ritsumeikan University’s college of international relations, but dropped out mid-semester. Cico eventually went over to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to begin producing rap
Rap
Rap may refer to:*Rapping, performance in which rhyming lyrics are used, with or without musical accompaniment ; while an MC performs spoken verses in time to a beat/ melody**Hip hop subculture**Hip hop music...
and hip-hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
.
DJ Hi-Kick (ハイキック)
Hi-Kick is Bennie K’s manager and DJ. His hometown is in Nagano PrefectureNagano Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Nagano.- History :Nagano was formerly known as the province of Shinano...
, located in Japan’s Chūbu region
Chubu region
The is the central region of Honshū, Japan's main island. Chūbu has a population estimate of 21,886,324 as of 2008.Chūbu, which means "central region", encompasses nine prefectures : Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, Yamanashi, and often Mie.It is located directly...
. He graduated from Tokai University
Tokai University
is a private university in Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1943 by Shigeyoshi Matsumae, who had formerly been the engineering president of the Ministry of Communications...
in 1950.
Formation
During the summer of ’99, Yuki and Cico had a chance encounter. Yuki was on a homestay in Los Angeles, and her residence happened to also be that of Cico’s aunt. While sharing the same quarters, the two really hit it off. Returning to Japan separately, they continued their musical endeavors. Not too long after, they had the opportunity to join forces at a Christmas event, and decided afterward to unite and devote themselves to music.Name origins
In the new year after deciding to work together, Yuki and Cico went to KyōtoKyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
(京都) and prayed for future success at the Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社), a shrine famous for Inari
Inari (mythology)
is the Japanese kami of fertility, rice, agriculture, foxes, industry and worldly success and one of the principal kami of Shinto. Represented as male, female, or androgynous, Inari is sometimes seen as a collective of three or five individual kami...
, a god of business and harvest. On their way back, they came across the Gojō Bridge, recalling it as the site of a famous Japanese legend — the battle between Benkei (弁慶) and Ushiwakamaru
Minamoto no Yoshitsune
was a general of the Minamoto clan of Japan in the late Heian and early Kamakura period. Yoshitsune was the ninth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, and the third and final son and child that Yoshitomo would father with Tokiwa Gozen. Yoshitsune's older brother Minamoto no Yoritomo founded the Kamakura...
(牛若丸). The powerful Japanese warrior monk Benkei is said to have posted himself at this bridge, fighting and winning consecutive duels with 999 passing swordsmen. His 1,000th duel was with Ushiwakamaru and did not end in Benkei’s favor. Benkei joined Ushiwakamaru as a retainer and they had many successful missions together. Yuki and Cico noticed similarities between the legendary duo and themselves — despite an age difference between the two of them, they both seemed to have their sights aimed high. The duo considered “Benkei and Ushiwakamaru” as a name for their act, but later felt it was too unoriginal to just use the names of other people. When Yuki began learning guitar, she started out with Ben E. King’s "Stand by Me
Stand by Me (song)
"Stand by Me" is the title of a song originally performed by Ben E. King and written by King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller, based on the spiritual "Lord Stand by Me,", plus two lines rooted in Psalms 46:2-3...
." Being that this was the first song the duo ever sang together, they decided to combine Benkei with Ben E. King — and the name Bennie K was born. To Yuki and Cico, Benkei is a symbol of power; they feel that this name choice reflects their commitment to putting out music that expresses themselves as powerful women.
BK Project
Following the release of "The “Bestest” Bennie K Show," Bennie K went off the radar for many months. On 8.19.09, Yuki and Cico updated the official Bennie K website, announcing that they would be starting a new venture called BK Project. The duo sincerely apologized for their delay in dispelling any rumors about their absence that may have stirred up anxiety in fans. Yuki has decided to put her singing on hold — and will shift to the role of producer — desiring to take on a greater goal of supporting other amateur and professional musicians. Yuki and Cico both recognize that they have received a great deal of help from other artists over the years — which greatly contributed to their successes — and feel that now is the time to show their gratitude by giving back to the music community. They will be working with American singer Becca for their first production under the project — a single entitled "Dreamer" that will be released under the name Bennie Becca on 11.4.09.Studio albums
- [2002.07.24] Cube - #235
- [2003.11.05] Essence - #124
- [2004.11.04] SynchronicitySynchronicity (Bennie K album)-Track listing:CD Track List:# Synchroni-city ~Opening~# Oasis feat. Diggy-MO' # Treasure# Sunrise # Okay # Stay Awhile ~Interlude~# 1 4 3 ~Yuki's Room~# Draculea ~Cico's Castle~# Benkei & Ushiwakamaru...
- #5 - [2005.11.09] Japana-rhythmJapana-rhythm-Track listing:CD Track List:# Haru: Opening # Utopia # Happy Drive: Taste Your Stuff# Unity# Natsu: Interlude # Dreamland# Osaga# Puppy Love Pt. 2# Aki: Interlude # Tabibito # Sky# Moonchild...
- #1 - [2007.05.23] The World - #3
Mini-albums
- [2004.05.08] The Bennie K Show (ザ･ベニーケー･ショウ) - #48
- [2006.08.02] The Bennie K Show: On the Floor Hen (ザ・ベニーケー・ショウ: On the Floor編) - #5
Best albums
- [2008.04.23] Best of the Bestest - #1 (Billboard Japan); #2 (OriconOricon, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
) - [2008.10.29] The "Bestest" Bennie K Show
Singles
- [2001.01.24] Melody
- [2001.05.23] School Girl
- [2001.10.31] Sunshine
- [2002.04.24] Nai / P-Dad
- [2003.03.05] My Way
- [2003.07.23] Better Days
- [2003.10.22] Tegami / Nagori Natsu (手紙 / なごり夏; Letter / Traces of Summer)
- [2004.09.22] Sunrise (サンライズ) - #10
- [2005.06.08] Dreamland - #2
- [2005.09.21] Sky - #9
- [2006.11.08] Joy Trip - #5
- [2007.03.07] 1001Nights - #17
- [2008.02.20] Monochrome (モノクローム) - #9
- [2008.09.03] Music Traveler / with SOFFet
Collaborations and other works
- [2004.12.15] 2Backka2BACKKA2BACKKA is a Japanese hip-hop group formed in 1999. Their single "Namida," released on November 5, 2008, is the first ending theme to the anime Skip Beat! Their single Sky もう一度あの時のように was used for the soundtrack to the 2005 Xbox 360 video game Project Gotham Racing 3....
feat. Bennie K - Orugooru Tokei (オルゴール時計; Orgel Clock) (found on 2Backka2BACKKA2BACKKA is a Japanese hip-hop group formed in 1999. Their single "Namida," released on November 5, 2008, is the first ending theme to the anime Skip Beat! Their single Sky もう一度あの時のように was used for the soundtrack to the 2005 Xbox 360 video game Project Gotham Racing 3....
indie album "Turn") - [2005.08.24] M-FloM-flois a Japanese hip hop group consisting of producer and DJ Taku Takahashi and emcee Verbal.Former member Lisa left the group in 2002 to pursue a solo career, and the remaining members then started the M-Flo Loves... project working different vocalists for each song over three albums, including the...
Loves Bennie K - Taste Your Stuff (found on M-FloM-flois a Japanese hip hop group consisting of producer and DJ Taku Takahashi and emcee Verbal.Former member Lisa left the group in 2002 to pursue a solo career, and the remaining members then started the M-Flo Loves... project working different vocalists for each song over three albums, including the...
studio album "Beat Space NineBEAT SPACE NINEBeat Space Nine is the fourth studio album released by the Japanese group M-Flo. This album is the group's first #1 studio album....
") - [2005.10.12] SeamoSEAMOis a Japanese rapper and hip-hop artist better known under his alias Seamo . He made his debut in 2004 using the alias , but later changed his name to Seamo. He made his solo debut in 2005 with the Japanese record label BMG Japan with the single...
with Bennie K - a love story (found on SeamoSEAMOis a Japanese rapper and hip-hop artist better known under his alias Seamo . He made his debut in 2004 using the alias , but later changed his name to Seamo. He made his solo debut in 2005 with the Japanese record label BMG Japan with the single...
single "A Love Story" and studio album "Get Back on Stage") - [2005.11.02] M-FloM-flois a Japanese hip hop group consisting of producer and DJ Taku Takahashi and emcee Verbal.Former member Lisa left the group in 2002 to pursue a solo career, and the remaining members then started the M-Flo Loves... project working different vocalists for each song over three albums, including the...
Loves Bennie K - Taste Your Stuff (Happy Drive) (Remix by Kevin BlechdomKevin BlechdomKevin Blechdom, born Kristin Erickson, is an American experimental electronic musician/performance artist from San Francisco, California.-Life and career:...
) (found on M-FloM-flois a Japanese hip hop group consisting of producer and DJ Taku Takahashi and emcee Verbal.Former member Lisa left the group in 2002 to pursue a solo career, and the remaining members then started the M-Flo Loves... project working different vocalists for each song over three albums, including the...
remix album "Dope Space NineDope Space NineDope Space Nine is the fourth remix album released by M-Flo, containing remixes of songs from their fourth studio album, Beat Space Nine.- Track listing :#One Day #So Exclusive #Dopeman...
") - [2007.10.24] 2Backka2BACKKA2BACKKA is a Japanese hip-hop group formed in 1999. Their single "Namida," released on November 5, 2008, is the first ending theme to the anime Skip Beat! Their single Sky もう一度あの時のように was used for the soundtrack to the 2005 Xbox 360 video game Project Gotham Racing 3....
+ Bennie K - Home (found on 2Backka2BACKKA2BACKKA is a Japanese hip-hop group formed in 1999. Their single "Namida," released on November 5, 2008, is the first ending theme to the anime Skip Beat! Their single Sky もう一度あの時のように was used for the soundtrack to the 2005 Xbox 360 video game Project Gotham Racing 3....
single "Home" and studio album "Touch") - [2009.04.29] 2Backka2BACKKA2BACKKA is a Japanese hip-hop group formed in 1999. Their single "Namida," released on November 5, 2008, is the first ending theme to the anime Skip Beat! Their single Sky もう一度あの時のように was used for the soundtrack to the 2005 Xbox 360 video game Project Gotham Racing 3....
+ DJ Hi-Kick - Orugooru Tokei feat. Bennie K '09 Remix (オルゴール時計; Orgel Clock) (found on compilation album "Sparks")
DVD
- [2006.05.10] Trippin' Channel: Live Japana-Rhythm
- [2006.09.06] The Bennie K Show: On the Floor Hen? (ザ・ベニーケー・ショウ: On the Floor編?)
- [2007.11.07] THE "New" World: World Tour!? in Japan