Double (singer)
Encyclopedia
Double is the stage name
for Japanese R&B
singer (born March 14, 1975). Double used to be the name for the two member R&B group consisting of Takako and her sister Sachiko. After the death of her sister in May 1999, Takako started her solo career adopting Double as her stage name. Double has been titled as the "Queen of R&B" and is considered to be a pioneer for being the first artist to bring American-style R&B to Japan.
, Japan. After her older sister came back from a trip to America
, she introduced Takako to the music of Mary J. Blige
.
Inspired by the 1992 video to Real Love
Double and her older sister, decided to enter the music business as R&B artists. The duo began by performing at the US Yokota Air Base
in Fussa, Tokyo
.
chart at #89. They released three more singles, "Desire", "Bed" (both 1998) and "Shake" (1999). "Shake" was the duo's highest charting single, peaking at #21.
Before the release of their debut album Crystal, Sachiko died suddenly from a blood disease affecting the brain. In June, Crystal was released and made its debut at #2. One of the first major successes for modern R&B in Japan it is considered a major influence paving the way for later acts such as Crystal Kay
, Ai
and a re-styled Namie Amuro
.
After the death of her sister, Double went on a hiatus and returned to the music industry in June 2000. Retaining the stage name, Double released her first solo single, "U", which came in at #29 and had a video produced by Brian Alexander Morgan
(Usher
, Mariah Carey
). She released one more single, "Angel", before releasing her eponymous debut solo album, Double, which peaked #13. Double later released an English version of the album, Double (Eng Ver.), which debuted at #30.
In 2004 Double completed a personal ambition to record a Jazz
album, titled "Life is Beautiful" in which she teamed up with leading Japanese producers m-flo
.
In 2007 for her album "Reflex", Double teamed up with US Hip-Hop trio De La Soul
for "Say I Gotta Believe," and with American rapper Ak'Sent
for "We International."
Throughout her career Double has showed a strong sexuality through her image, cover art and videos, something not usually associated with Japanese artists. She has put this down to her influence from Madonna (entertainer)
and has stated that she feels natural to present herself as sexy even if music buyers feel shy to pick up her CDs.
Double has also made a point to avoid appearing on TV shows and remain out of the limelight, performing live only sporadically. She has confessed to being nervous about performing live due to being a perfectionist that can't undo things on stage, thus preferring the studio.
To commemorate her tenth anniversary, Double released her first greatest hits album, 10 Years Best We R&B, which debuted at #2. Double also released her first collaboration album, The Best Collaborations, which like her previous album debuted at #2, selling 63,413 in its first week. The album featured a new song, "Black Diamond", with the "Queen of Hip-Pop" Namie Amuro
and the two performed the track at the finale of Double's 2008 live tour at Tokyo's Studio Coast, whilst also appearing together at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards Japan
.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
for Japanese R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
singer (born March 14, 1975). Double used to be the name for the two member R&B group consisting of Takako and her sister Sachiko. After the death of her sister in May 1999, Takako started her solo career adopting Double as her stage name. Double has been titled as the "Queen of R&B" and is considered to be a pioneer for being the first artist to bring American-style R&B to Japan.
Early life and musical interest
Double was born in NiigataNiigata, Niigata
is the capital and the most populous city of Niigata Prefecture, Japan. It lies on the northwest coast of Honshu, the largest island of Japan, and faces the Sea of Japan and Sado Island....
, Japan. After her older sister came back from a trip to America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, she introduced Takako to the music of Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
.
Inspired by the 1992 video to Real Love
Real Love (Mary J. Blige song)
"Real Love" is a 1992 hit single by hip hop soul singer Mary J. Blige. It was the second single off Blige's debut album, What's the 411?. Written and produced by Mark C. Rooney and Mark Morales and built off a drum sample from hip hop duo Audio Two's 1988 track "Top Billin'"...
Double and her older sister, decided to enter the music business as R&B artists. The duo began by performing at the US Yokota Air Base
Yokota Air Base
, is a United States Air Force base in the city of Fussa, one of 26 cities in the Tama Area, or Western Tokyo.The base houses 14,000 personnel. The base occupies a total area of and has a runway...
in Fussa, Tokyo
Fussa, Tokyo
is a city located in western Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. As of 2010, the city has an estimated population of 59,761 and a population density of 5,840 persons per km². The total area was 10.24 km²...
.
Music career
On February 4, 1998, Double made her debut as a duo, with sister Sachiko Hirasawa. They released the single, "For Me", which debuted on the 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...
chart at #89. They released three more singles, "Desire", "Bed" (both 1998) and "Shake" (1999). "Shake" was the duo's highest charting single, peaking at #21.
Before the release of their debut album Crystal, Sachiko died suddenly from a blood disease affecting the brain. In June, Crystal was released and made its debut at #2. One of the first major successes for modern R&B in Japan it is considered a major influence paving the way for later acts such as Crystal Kay
Crystal Kay
Crystal Kay Williams , known by her stage name Crystal Kay, is a singer and songwriter from Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan...
, Ai
AI (singer)
Ai , born November 2, 1981 as , is a Japanese R&B singer and rapper. She is currently under EMI Music Japan.-Early life:...
and a re-styled Namie Amuro
Namie Amuro
is a Japanese R&B and pop singer, entertainer, and former actress who at the height of her popularity was referred to as the "Teen Queen" and the title "Queen of Japanese Pop Music". Born in Naha, Okinawa, Amuro debuted at the age of 14 as an idol in the girl group Super Monkey's...
.
After the death of her sister, Double went on a hiatus and returned to the music industry in June 2000. Retaining the stage name, Double released her first solo single, "U", which came in at #29 and had a video produced by Brian Alexander Morgan
Brian Alexander Morgan
Brian Alexander Morgan is a record producer that was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas. Morgan was raised by his mother Mabel Mitchell along with his sister Toni Medlock . He has produced recordings for SWV, COKO, Nicole Wray, Martha Wash, Usher and JoJo, among others. He is also known for his...
(Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
, Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
). She released one more single, "Angel", before releasing her eponymous debut solo album, Double, which peaked #13. Double later released an English version of the album, Double (Eng Ver.), which debuted at #30.
In 2004 Double completed a personal ambition to record a Jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
album, titled "Life is Beautiful" in which she teamed up with leading Japanese producers m-flo
M-flo
is 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...
.
In 2007 for her album "Reflex", Double teamed up with US Hip-Hop trio De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
for "Say I Gotta Believe," and with American rapper Ak'Sent
Ak'Sent
Krystle Kantrece Johnson , better known by her stage name Ak'Sent, is an American rapper from Los Angeles, California.-Early life & career:...
for "We International."
Throughout her career Double has showed a strong sexuality through her image, cover art and videos, something not usually associated with Japanese artists. She has put this down to her influence from Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
and has stated that she feels natural to present herself as sexy even if music buyers feel shy to pick up her CDs.
Double has also made a point to avoid appearing on TV shows and remain out of the limelight, performing live only sporadically. She has confessed to being nervous about performing live due to being a perfectionist that can't undo things on stage, thus preferring the studio.
To commemorate her tenth anniversary, Double released her first greatest hits album, 10 Years Best We R&B, which debuted at #2. Double also released her first collaboration album, The Best Collaborations, which like her previous album debuted at #2, selling 63,413 in its first week. The album featured a new song, "Black Diamond", with the "Queen of Hip-Pop" Namie Amuro
Namie Amuro
is a Japanese R&B and pop singer, entertainer, and former actress who at the height of her popularity was referred to as the "Teen Queen" and the title "Queen of Japanese Pop Music". Born in Naha, Okinawa, Amuro debuted at the age of 14 as an idol in the girl group Super Monkey's...
and the two performed the track at the finale of Double's 2008 live tour at Tokyo's Studio Coast, whilst also appearing together at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards Japan
MTV Video Music Awards Japan
The MTV Video Music Awards Japan are the Japanese version of the MTV Video Music Awards.Like the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, in this event artists are awarded for their songs and videos through online voting from the same channel viewers...
.
Trivia
Double originally thought her career would be in the beauty industry as a makeup artist or hairdresser, if she did not pursue a career as a singer.Studio albums
- 1999: Crystal
- 2000: Double
- 2002: Vision
- 2003: Wonderful
- 2007: Reflex
- 2011: Woman
Concept albums
- 2001: Double Eng Ver.
- 2004: Life Is Beautiful
- 2007: Virgin Mix
- 2009: Second Virgin Mix
Compilation albums
- 2008: 10 Years Best We R&B
- 2008: The Best Collaborations
- 2010: Ballad Collection Mellow
Remix albums
- 1999: Crystal Planet
- 2002: Gee (GTS) Presents Double Greatest Remix
- 2002: Re:Vision
- 2004: Too Wonderful
- 2007: Reflex Remix