Ken Hirai
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese R&B
and pop
singer. Since his debut, Hirai has worked as a model
, actor
, composer
, lyricist
, singer, and spokesperson.
During his career, Hirai has released 32 singles and 11 albums up until October 2010. According to Oricon
, his single Hitomi Wo Tojite (Close Your Eyes) became the best-selling single of 2004 in Japan. While his compilation album Ken Hirai 10th Anniversary Complete Single Collection '95–'05 "Utabaka" became the best-selling album of 2006 in Japan.
, Ken Hirai grew up in Nabari
, Mie Prefecture
.
Hirai began his music career back in 1993 when he signed with Sony Music following a competitive audition in Yokohama
the previous year while he was a university student. His debut single "Precious Junk" and album were recorded the following year in 1994 and released in 1995. The first single, used as the theme to a TV drama, immediately garnered Hirai attention and his second single, was also used for a drama, further capitalizing 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 1996.
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. Hirai was voted "Best New Japanese Act" in a pop poll organized by the RTHK
radio station in Hong Kong
.
Hirai had already shown that he had the urge to perform abroad, so he made a live appearance on the Music Fair show in March 2002 with producer/singer Babyface from a Los Angeles studio. In the summer of that same year, Hirai earned the title of Best Male Artist at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards Japan
, and appeared at the official FIFA World Cup 2002 concert with Chemistry
and Lauryn Hill
.
Already an established star, Hirai went one step further when he released a cover of ; a Japanese version of "My Grandfather's Clock
" by Henry Clay Work) in 2002. A popular nursery rhyme, it was expected to be a minor success, but went on to become one of the biggest hits of the year.
In 2003, Hirai performed for MTV Unplugged
Live in New York, as the first Japanese male solo vocalist. He was also interviewed by CNN
The Music Room, which was televised in 210 countries, and watched by 230 million viewers. His 5th album Life Is..., which contains "Strawberry Sex", "Ring", and his hit single "Ōki na Furudokei", was released on January 22, 2003.
On December 1, 2003, a conceptual album, Ken's Bar, was released. In the album, Hirai selected his favorite songs and covered in his own style. The music was primarily jazz oriented, but covers of many blues numbers were present as well.
Hirai's 2005 single, "Pop Star
", was one of his career's biggest hits, spawning multiple imitations and reaching Number One on the Oricon Charts. The video for the song, which featured Hirai playing 7 different characters and animals, became an instant hit. A cover of the song was featured on the rhythm game Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2
for the Nintendo DS
, and Namco
popular Taiko
game Taiko no Tatsujin
8.
In August 2007, Hirai released his 27th single, titled "Fake Star
", along with a music video that was considered a huge departure for the star due to its risqué subject material.
On February 20, 2008, Hirai released his 28th and 1st double A-side single, titled "Canvas/Kimi wa Suteki (You're Wonderful)". The singles debuted at number 6 on the Oricon charts.
"Canvas" is used as the insert and ending theme song to Fuji TV's Hachimitsu to Clover
drama, which is based on a popular manga. It was written and composed by Hirai, and arranged by Tomita Keichi, as with Hirai's 17th single, "Ring".
On March 12, 2008, Hirai released his seventh studio album, Fakin' Pop. Fakin' Pop is Hirai's first studio offering since 2004's Sentimentalovers.
Hirai released his 29th single, on April 23, 2008. The song is a recut single from Fakin' Pop and was the theme song for the Japanese drama .
On May 27, 2009, Hirai released Ken's Bar II
, continuing the concept of creating jazz covers of his favorite Japanese and English songs. He held a 2009 summer concert tour in Japan under the same name.
On September 23, 2009, Hirai released his 30th single, "Candy
".
On October 21, Hirai's 31st and latest single, titled , was released.
On October 13, 2010, Hirai's 32nd single "Sing Forever" was released. His 33rd single coming out on November 10, 2010 is called "Aishiteru," followed by a new compilation entitled 'Ken Hirai 15th Anniversary c/w Collection '95-'10 "Ura Utabaka"' to celebrate his fifteen years being a singer in the music industry. The compilation includes all the b-sides starting from the first single "Precious Junk."
On May 4, 2011, Hirai released a new single "いとしき日々よ"「for the Japan TV mega hit TV drama JIN-仁
On June 8, 2011, Hirai released his eighth studio album, Japanese Singer.
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
and pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer. Since his debut, Hirai has worked as a model
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
, actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, lyricist
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
, singer, and spokesperson.
During his career, Hirai has released 32 singles and 11 albums up until October 2010. According to 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...
, his single Hitomi Wo Tojite (Close Your Eyes) became the best-selling single of 2004 in Japan. While his compilation album Ken Hirai 10th Anniversary Complete Single Collection '95–'05 "Utabaka" became the best-selling album of 2006 in Japan.
Early life
Born on January 17, 1972 in Higashiosaka, Osaka prefectureOsaka 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 :...
, Ken Hirai grew up in Nabari
Nabari, Mie
is a city located in Mie, Japan.As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 82,739 and the density of 637.63 persons per km². The total area is 129.76 km².The city was founded on March 31, 1954.-Sightseeing Spot:...
, Mie Prefecture
Mie Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan which is part of the Kansai regions on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Tsu.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, Mie prefecture was known as Ise Province and Iga Province....
.
Hirai began his music career back in 1993 when he signed with Sony Music following a competitive audition in Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
the previous year while he was a university student. His debut single "Precious Junk" and album were recorded the following year in 1994 and released in 1995. The first single, used as the theme to a TV drama, immediately garnered Hirai attention and his second single, was also used for a drama, further capitalizing 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 1996.
1997–2000
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 1998 and did not produce any new music during 1999. Fans waited until 2000 for a third album from Hirai, The Changing Same. It was the first single, , that established him as a major player in the Japanese sales charts and overseas. He was the first Japanese artist to take the classic test of a true R&B performer - playing at the Apollo TheaterApollo Theater
The Apollo Theater in New York City is one of the most famous, and older, music halls in the United States, and the most famous club associated almost exclusively with Black performers...
in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he got a warm reception. Capitalizing on a strong fan base in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, Hirai appeared at the MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
Music Summit in Taiwan
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
in August 2000. Hirai was voted "Best New Japanese Act" in a pop poll organized by the RTHK
Radio Television Hong Kong
Radio Television Hong Kong is a public broadcasting organisation in Hong Kong that is operated as an independent department in the government under the Broadcasting Authority. RTHK operates seven radio channels, and produces television programmes that are then broadcast through local television...
radio station in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
2001–2003
2001 saw Hirai's single, "Kiss of Life", used as the theme for the Love Revolution TV drama series. His fourth album Gaining Through Losing, which went to sell 1.5 million all over Asia including Japan, and a national tour of the same name, built on his solid reputation. Hirai's 1st remix album, Kh Re-mixed Up 1 was released on November 28, 2001. Through the album, the artist showed a new part of himself to the audience, which appealed to club-goers and DJs for the first time.Hirai had already shown that he had the urge to perform abroad, so he made a live appearance on the Music Fair show in March 2002 with producer/singer Babyface from a Los Angeles studio. In the summer of that same year, Hirai earned the title of Best Male Artist at the inaugural 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...
, and appeared at the official FIFA World Cup 2002 concert with Chemistry
Chemistry (band)
is a Japanese Pop/R&B duo, composed of and . They were the winners of the Asayan audition in 2000 organized by Sony Music Entertainment Japan....
and Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...
.
Already an established star, Hirai went one step further when he released a cover of ; a Japanese version of "My Grandfather's Clock
My Grandfather's Clock
"My Grandfather's Clock" is a song written in 1876 by Henry Clay Work, the author of "Marching Through Georgia". It is a standard of British brass bands and colliery bands, and is also popular in bluegrass music.-Origin of the song:...
" by Henry Clay Work) in 2002. A popular nursery rhyme, it was expected to be a minor success, but went on to become one of the biggest hits of the year.
In 2003, Hirai performed for MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
Live in New York, as the first Japanese male solo vocalist. He was also interviewed by CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
The Music Room, which was televised in 210 countries, and watched by 230 million viewers. His 5th album Life Is..., which contains "Strawberry Sex", "Ring", and his hit single "Ōki na Furudokei", was released on January 22, 2003.
On December 1, 2003, a conceptual album, Ken's Bar, was released. In the album, Hirai selected his favorite songs and covered in his own style. The music was primarily jazz oriented, but covers of many blues numbers were present as well.
2004–2006
In May 2004, Hirai launched his next album, Sentimentalovers. The album spawned four singles, with being the most successful, becoming the highest-selling single of that year.Hirai's 2005 single, "Pop Star
Pop Star
"Pop Star" is a 2005 single from Japanese singer Ken Hirai. The single went on to top the 2005 Oricon Charts and is known for its remarkable music video, featuring Ken in seven different personas, including a raccoon and his own manager. The Video also helped Ken break into the US and Canadian...
", was one of his career's biggest hits, spawning multiple imitations and reaching Number One on the Oricon Charts. The video for the song, which featured Hirai playing 7 different characters and animals, became an instant hit. A cover of the song was featured on the rhythm game Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2
Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2
is a rhythm video game developed by iNiS and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console. It is the third game to use its gameplay, and is the sequel to Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan while incorporating many of the improvements in gameplay made in Elite Beat Agents...
for the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
, and Namco
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
popular Taiko
Taiko
means "drum" in Japanese . Outside Japan, the word is often used to refer to any of the various Japanese drums and to the relatively recent art-form of ensemble taiko drumming...
game Taiko no Tatsujin
Taiko no Tatsujin
is a series of rhythm games created by Namco. The series has seen releases for the arcade, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii, iOS, Advanced Pico Beena, and mobile phones....
8.
2007–2011
In 2007, Hirai released two singles. Both singles peaked at number 5 on the Oricon charts and sold around 100,000 copies. The first of these was "Elegy", followed by "Kimi no Suki na Toko (Why I Love You)". "Elegy" was a major radio success in Japan.In August 2007, Hirai released his 27th single, titled "Fake Star
Fake Star
"Fake Star" is Ken Hirai's 27th single. The song is described as being an up-tempo song. It was used as the Meiji Confectionary "Fran Aromatier" CM song...
", along with a music video that was considered a huge departure for the star due to its risqué subject material.
On February 20, 2008, Hirai released his 28th and 1st double A-side single, titled "Canvas/Kimi wa Suteki (You're Wonderful)". The singles debuted at number 6 on the Oricon charts.
"Canvas" is used as the insert and ending theme song to Fuji TV's Hachimitsu to Clover
Honey and Clover
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Chika Umino. It is also known as and H&C. It is published by Shueisha, initially serialized from June 2000 to July 2006 in the magazines CUTiEcomic, Young YOU, and Chorus, and collected in ten bound volumes...
drama, which is based on a popular manga. It was written and composed by Hirai, and arranged by Tomita Keichi, as with Hirai's 17th single, "Ring".
On March 12, 2008, Hirai released his seventh studio album, Fakin' Pop. Fakin' Pop is Hirai's first studio offering since 2004's Sentimentalovers.
Hirai released his 29th single, on April 23, 2008. The song is a recut single from Fakin' Pop and was the theme song for the Japanese drama .
On May 27, 2009, Hirai released Ken's Bar II
Ken's Bar II
-Oricon sales charts :...
, continuing the concept of creating jazz covers of his favorite Japanese and English songs. He held a 2009 summer concert tour in Japan under the same name.
On September 23, 2009, Hirai released his 30th single, "Candy
Candy (Ken Hirai song)
"Candy" is Ken Hirai's thirtieth single, released on September 23, 2009. It is his first single in over a year and five months.-Track list:-Oricon sales chart:-Billboard Japan sales chart:- Physical sales charts :...
".
On October 21, Hirai's 31st and latest single, titled , was released.
On October 13, 2010, Hirai's 32nd single "Sing Forever" was released. His 33rd single coming out on November 10, 2010 is called "Aishiteru," followed by a new compilation entitled 'Ken Hirai 15th Anniversary c/w Collection '95-'10 "Ura Utabaka"' to celebrate his fifteen years being a singer in the music industry. The compilation includes all the b-sides starting from the first single "Precious Junk."
On May 4, 2011, Hirai released a new single "いとしき日々よ"「for the Japan TV mega hit TV drama JIN-仁
On June 8, 2011, Hirai released his eighth studio album, Japanese Singer.
Studio albums
- 1995: Un-balancedUn-balancedUn-balanced is a 1995 album by Japanese pop singer Ken Hirai.-Track list:1 Futari no Meiro 二人の迷路2 Negative3 Precious Junk4 Egao 笑顔5 Katahō zutsu no Ear phone 片方ずつのイヤフォン6 Easy7 Yaburitai 破りたい8 Aozora 青空9 Hanabira 花びら...
- 1996: Stare AtStare AtStare At is the second studio album released by singer Ken Hirai under the label Sony Records. Now released by DefStar Records . It was released on December 1, 1996.-Overview:...
- 2000: The Changing SameThe Changing SameThe Changing Same is the third studio album to be released by Japanese singer Ken Hirai. It was released on June 21, 2000 under Sony Music Japan subsidiary DefSTAR Records....
- 2001: Gaining Through LosingGaining Through LosingGaining Through Losing is the fourth studio album released by Japanese singer Ken Hirai. It was released on July 4, 2001 under the label DefStar Records .-Overview:...
- 2003: Life Is...Life Is...Life Is... is the fifth original studio album to be released by Ken Hirai under the label Defstar Records . When released, it reached #1 on Japan's Oricon sales...
- 2004: SentimentaloversSentimentaloversSentimentalovers is the sixth full length album released by singer and songwriter Ken Hirai. It was released on November 24, 2004 and sold over 1,660,885 copies.- Summary :Sentimentalovers charted for 52 weeks...
- 2008: Fakin' PopFakin' PopFakin' Pop is the seventh original studio album by Ken Hirai. It was released on March 8, 2008 under the label Defstar Records -Summary:...
- 2011: Japanese Singer
Compilation albums
- 2005: Ken Hirai 10th Anniversary Complete Single Collection '95-'05 "Utabaka"
- 2010: Ken Hirai 15th Anniversary c/w Collection '95-'10 "Ura Utabaka"
Other albums
- 2001: Kh Re-mixed Up 1
- 2003: Ken's Bar
- 2009: Ken's Bar IIKen's Bar II-Oricon sales charts :...
External links
- Ken Hirai - Official website
- Ken Hirai - Ken Hirai Official website by PINUPS artist Inc.
- Nippop Profile
- En Francais : French Multimedia Site