Ken Hirai
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Ken Hirai |
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Ken Hirai (平井堅, Hirai Ken, born on January 17, 1972) is a Japanese R&B and pop singer. His soulful voice and unconventional looks won him fans following his debut in 1992. Since his debut, Hirai has worked as a model, actor, composer, lyricist, singer, spokesperson.
During his career, Hirai has sold close to 14 million copies of his albums and singles. His Oricon achievements include a #1 Yearly 2004 (for a single) and one #1 Yearly 2006 (for an album)
Early life
Born January 17, 1972 in Higashiosaka, Osaka prefecture, Ken Hirai grew up in Nabari, Mie Prefecture.
He 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, "Katahou Zutsu no Earphone"「片方ずつのイヤホン」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.
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 '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"(楽園, lit. 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. Hirai was voted "Best New Japanese Act" in a pop poll organized by the RTHK radio station in Hong Kong.
2001 - 2003
2001 saw Hirai's single, "Kiss of Life", used as the theme for the popular "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 in November, 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 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, recognition like winning the Best Male Artist at the inaugural MTV Video Music 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 "Ooki na Furudokei"「大きな古時計」(Lit. 'A Big Old Clock'; 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, Ken performed for MTV Unplugged Live in New York, as the 1st 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 super-hit single "Ooki na Furudokei", was released on January 22, 2003.
In December 10, 2003, the 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, "SENTIMENTALovers" was made public. The album spawned 4 singles, with "Hitomi wo Tojite" (瞳をとじて, Close Your Eyes) being the most successful, also becoming the highest-selling single of that year.
Hirai's 2005 single, "Pop Star", was one of his career's biggest hits, spawning multiple imitations and reaching No. 1 on the Oricon Charts. The video for the song, which featured Hirai playing 7 different characters and animals, became an instant household hit. It features heavily on YouTube. A cover of the song was featured on the rhythm game Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2 for the Nintendo DS.
2007 - 2008
In 2007, Hirai released two singles. Both singles peaked at number 5 on the Oricon charts and also sold around 100,000 copies. The first of these was "Elegy", followed by "Kimi no Suki na Toko". "Elegy" is considered by Hirai's fan community to be his finest single, and it was a major radio success in Japan.
In August 2007, Hirai released his 27th single, entitled "Fake Star", along with a music video that was considered a huge departure for the star due to its risqué subject material.[citation needed]
On February 20, 2008, hirai released his 28th and 1st double A-side single, titled "Canvas / Kimi wa Su.te.ki♡ (You're Won.der.ful)". 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, (just like Hirai's 17th single, "Ring"). "Canvas" has been described as a pop ballad.[citation needed]
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, "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 April 23, 2008. The song is a recut single from Fakin' Pop.
Discography
Singles
| # | Information | Oricon Chart Weekly Peak | Copies Sold in Japan | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st / Debut | Precious Junk
|
# 50 | 44,000 | un-balanced |
| 2nd | Katahō Zutsu no Earphone
|
- | - | |
| 3rd | Yokogao
|
- | - | Stare At |
| 4th | Doshaburi
|
- | - | |
| 5th | Stay With Me
|
- | - | |
| 6th | Heat Up
|
- | - | The Changing Same |
| 7th | Love Love Love
|
- | - | |
| 8th | Rakuen
|
# 7 | 537,810 | |
| 9th | Why
|
# 8 | 211,000 | |
| 10th | LOVE OR LUST
|
# 6 | 264,000 | gaining through losing |
| 11th | Even if
|
# 3 | 334,000 | |
| 12th | Miracles
|
#4 | 240,000 | |
| 13th | Kiss of Life
|
# 2 | 555,330 | |
| 14th | Missin' you: It will break my heart
|
# 4 | 115,000 | Life is... |
| 15th | Strawberry Sex
|
# 13 | 49,000 | |
| 16th | "Ooki na Furudokei" (大きな古時計)
|
# 1 | 772,000 | |
| 17th | Ring
|
# 1 | 322,000 | |
| 18th | Life is... another story
|
# 3 | 191,000 | SENTIMENTALovers |
| 19th | style
|
# 12 | 44,000 | |
| 20th | "Hitomi wo Tojite" (瞳をとじて, Close Your Eyes)
|
# 2 (weekly) # 1 (yearly) |
893,000 | |
| 21st | "Kimi wa Tomodachi" (キミはともだち, You're My Friend)
|
# 5 | 161,000 | |
| 22nd | Omoi ga Kasanaru Sono Mae ni... (思いがかさなるその前に…)
|
# 1 | 272,000 | |
| 23rd | Pop Star
|
# 1 | 244,000 | Fakin' Pop |
| 24th | "Bye My Melody" (バイマイメロディー)
|
# 2 | 81,400 | |
| 25th | "Elegy (Aika)" (哀歌 (エレジー))
|
# 5 | 119,000 | |
| 26th | "Kimi no Suki na Toko" (君のすきなとこ)
|
# 5 | 102,800 | |
| 27th | Fake Star
|
# 6 | 32,000 + | |
| 28th | Canvas / Kimi wa Su.te.ki (キャンバス/君はス．テ．キ♥)
|
# 6 | 38,600 + | |
| 29th | Itsuka Hanareru Hi ga Kite mo (いつか離れる日が来ても)
|
# 19 | 18,500 + | |
| 30th | CANDY
|
tbc | tbc | - |
Albums
| # | Information | Oricon Chart Weekly Peak | Copies Sold in Japan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st / Debut | " un-balanced "
|
#57 | 18,000 |
| 2nd | " Stare At "
|
- | - |
| 3rd | " The Changing Same "
|
#1 | 1,263,000 |
| 4th | " gaining through losing "
|
#2 | 1,067,780 |
| 5th | " Life is... "
|
#1 | 806,000 |
| 6th | " SENTIMENTALovers "
|
#1 | 1,660,885 |
| 7th | " Fakin' Pop "
|
#2 | 332,297 |
Compilation albums
| # | Information | Oricon Chart Weekly Peak | Copies Sold in Japan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 10th Anniversary Complete Single Collection '95-'05 “歌バカ” ("Utabaka")
|
#1 | 2,104,349 |
Others
| # | Information | Oricon Chart Weekly Peak | Copies Sold in Japan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | " Kh re-mixed up 1 "
|
#6 | 186,000 |
| 2nd | " Ken's Bar "
|
#2 | 491,000 |
| 3rd | " Ken's Bar II "
|
#2 | 120,000 |
References
External links
- Ken Hirai - Official website
- Ken Hirai - Second Official website
- Nippop Profile
- Ken Hirai ~ Flying Easy ~
- En Francais : French Multimedia Site