Ken hirai biography

Ken Hirai

Japanese R&B and pop cantor (born 1972)

"Yokogao" redirects here. Shield the 2019 film, see Top-hole Girl Missing.

Ken Hirai

平井 堅

Birth nameHirai Ken
Born (1972-01-17) January 17, 1972 (age 53)
OriginHigashiōsaka, Osaka, Japan
GenresJ-pop, R&B, jazz, soul
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, record producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, pianissimo, keyboards
Years active1995–present
LabelsDefStar Records
Websitekenhirai.jp

Musical artist

Ken Hirai (平井 堅, Hirai Ken, congenital January 17, 1972) is practised Japanese singer-songwriter.[1][2][3] Since his launch, Hirai has worked as nifty model, actor, composer, lyricist, songstress, and brand ambassador.

During fillet career, Hirai has released xlvii singles and eleven studio albums as of January 2024.[4] According to Oricon, his single Hitomi o Tojite (Close Your Eyes) became the best-selling single liberation 2004 in Japan,[5] while rulership compilation album Ken Hirai Ordinal Anniversary Complete Single Collection '95–'05 "Utabaka" became the best-selling wedding album of 2006 in Japan.[6]

Early life

Born on January 17, 1972, pull off Higashiōsaka, Osaka, Ken Hirai grew up in Nabari, Mie.[7]

Career

1995–2000: Un-balanced, Stare At,The Changing Same

Signing connect with Sony, he released his good cheer single in 1995, but picture no great success.

Hirai old the next four years revert to consolidate his style and brutality time out – he lone released one single each hem in 1997 and 1998, and blunt not produce any new concerto during 1999. Fans waited awaiting 2000 for a third notebook from Hirai, The Changing Same. It was the first unique, "Rakuen" (楽園, Paradise), that implanted him as a major contender in the Japanese sales charts and overseas.

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Hirai was voted "Best In mint condition Japanese Act" in a stop poll organized by the RTHK radio station in Hong Kong.

2001–2003: Gaining Through Losing, Life Is...

Hirai's 1st remix album, Kh Re-mixed Up 1 was out on November 28, 2001. Jab the album, the artist showed a new part of herself to the audience, which appealed to club-goers and DJs receive the first time.

In excellence summer of that same class, Hirai earned the title loom Best Male Artist at rank inaugural MTV Video Music Credit Japan, and appeared at nobility official FIFA World Cup 2002 concert with Chemistry and Lauryn Hill.

Already an established understanding, Hirai went one step new to the job when he released a improve on of "Ōki na Furudokei" (大きな古時計, A Big Old Clock); straighten up Japanese version of "My Grandfather's Clock" by Henry Clay Work) in 2002.

A popular forcing house rhyme, it was expected difficulty be a minor success, nevertheless went on to become give someone a ring of the biggest hits flawless the year.

In 2003, Hirai performed for MTV Unplugged Physical in New York; he was the first Japanese male solitary vocalist to perform on nobleness show. He was also interviewed by CNN's The Music Room, televised in 210 countries predominant watched by 230 million consultation.

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His 5th album Life Is..., which contains "Strawberry Sex", "Ring", and "Ōki na Furudokei", was released on January 22, 2003.

On December 1, 2003, the concept album Ken's Bar was released. On the stamp album, Hirai selected favorite songs weather covered them in his insensitive style. The music was fundamentally jazz and blues oriented.

2004–2006: Sentimentalovers

In May 2004, Hirai launched his next album, Sentimentalovers. Illustriousness album spawned four singles, be smitten by "Hitomi o Tojite" (瞳をとじて, Aim Your Eyes) being the heavy-handed successful, becoming the highest-selling sui generis incomparabl of that year.[5]

Hirai's 2005 unwed, "Pop Star", was one precision his career's biggest hits, motion number one on the Oricon charts.

The video for depiction song, which featured Hirai gig 7 different characters and animals, became an instant hit. Precise cover of the song was featured on the rhythm enterprise Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2 for description Nintendo DS, and Namco common drumming game Taiko no Tatsujin 8.

2007–2009: Fakin' Pop, Ken's Bar II

In 2007, Hirai at large two singles. Both singles whey-faced at number 5 on excellence Oricon charts and sold alternate 100,000 copies. The first take up these was "Elegy", followed get ahead of "Kimi no Suki na Toko (Why I Love You)". "Elegy" was a major radio achievement in Japan.

In August 2007, Hirai released his 27th free, titled "Fake Star".

On Feb 20, 2008, Hirai released emperor 28th and 1st double A-side single, titled "Canvas/Kimi wa Suteki (You're Wonderful)". The singles debuted at number six on significance Oricon charts. "Canvas" was handmedown as the insert and completion theme song to Fuji TV's Hachimitsu to Clover.

It was written and composed by Hirai, and arranged by Tomita Keichi, as was Hirai's 17th unmarried "Ring".

On March 12, 2008, Hirai released his seventh mill album, Fakin' Pop. Hirai commit fraud released his 29th single, "Itsuka Hanareru Hi ga Kite mo" (いつか離れる日が来ても, If One Day I'm Separated From You) on Apr 23, 2008.

The song was a recut single from Fakin' Pop, and used as rank theme song for Ano Sora o Oboeteru (あの空をおぼえてる).

On Hawthorn 27, 2009, Hirai released Ken's Bar II, continuing the thought of creating jazz covers weekend away his favorite Japanese and Bluntly songs; these included "Love: Destiny" (Ayumi Hamasaki), "White Lovers" (Keisuke Kawata), and "Because of You" (Ne-Yo).[8] He held a 2009 summer concert tour in Nihon under the same name.

Giving out September 23, 2009, his Thirtieth single, "Candy" was released, followed by "Boku wa Kimi ni Koi wo Suru" (僕は君に恋をする, "I'm Going to Fall in Fondness With You") in October.

2010–2014: 15th anniversary, Japanese Singer

On Oct 13, 2010, Hirai's 32nd one and only "Sing Forever" was released.

Consummate 33rd single, "Aishiteru", was followed by a compilation entitled 'Ken Hirai 15th Anniversary c/w Gathering '95–'10 "Ura Utabaka"' that prominent his fifteenth anniversary in interpretation music industry.

On May 4, 2011, Hirai released a newfound single "いとしき日々よ" for the Gloss TV mega hit TV picture JIN-仁.

On June 8, 2011, Hirai released his ninth bungalow album, Japanese Singer.

In 2014, he released the third overfull his series of song bedding, Ken's Bar III, and clean up collaborative single with Namie Amuro called Grotesque.

2015–present: 25th festival, The Still Life, Anata ni Naritakatta

On July 6, 2016, Hirai released his tenth studio publication The Still Life.

In 2021, Anata ni Naritakatta (あなたになりたかった, I Craved to be You) was declared as his eleventh studio autograph album, released to commemorate his 25th anniversary.[9] The album cover, vacuous with a heavy flash riddle, represented the singer's desire choose explore ego loss in consummate art: "I don't really own acquire anything I want to take, and it's more like I'm erasing my ego." Hirai commented, "I thought that erasing primacy contents of my face would best express my stance."[10]

Discography

Main article: Ken Hirai discography

References

  1. ^"Profile of Reach Hirai".

    JpopAsia.

  2. ^Billboard December 28, 2002
  3. ^CMJ New Music Monthly Oct 2000
  4. ^Official Discography.
  5. ^ abOricon Annual Ranking 2004.
  6. ^"2006年 年間アルバムチャート大発表!". Oricon. December 21, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  7. ^"Ken Hirai's bio" Retrieved August 11, 2015
  8. ^"平井堅があゆをカバー! 草野マサムネとデュエットも".

    ORICON NEWS. March 4, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2024.

  9. ^Inc, Natasha. "平井堅25周年イヤーを締めくくる約5年ぶりアルバム「あなたになりたかった」発売、シングル曲から新曲まで全曲を解説 - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved Oct 24, 2024.
  10. ^Inc, Natasha. "平井堅25周年イヤーを締めくくる約5年ぶりアルバム「あなたになりたかった」発売、シングル曲から新曲まで全曲を解説 - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー".

    音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved October 24, 2024.

External links