Soulhead
Soulhead | |
---|---|
Origin | Hokkaidō, Japan |
Genres | Urban contemporary, J-pop |
Years active | 2002 | –2009, 2010–present
Labels | Sony Music Associated Records (former)[1] onenation (former) Avex Group (present) |
Members |
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Website | Soulhead official Sony web site Soulhead official Avex web site |
Soulhead (known as SOULHEAD in Japan) is a Japanese urban contemporary duo consisting of sisters Yoshika (よしか) and Tsugumi (つぐみ). Yoshika was born on July 20, 1978 and her sister was born on January 25, 1981. Both were born in Hokkaidō.
Biography
Before they assumed the name Soulhead, they were known as Batti Baas. Batti Baas released one vinyl single through Handcuts Records called "Lovin' You", which featured Aaron Blackmon. The song was a remake of the Minnie Riperton standard. In February 2002 they released a CD single through Tokuma Japan Communications called "Inside Out". After changing their name to Soulhead, the duo was signed to Sony Music Associated Records. The label sent them one year abroad to Australia and New Zealand to improve their proficiency in English. They released their debut single "Step to the New World" on 24 July 2002 as a vinyl 12" single. In 2006, they were transferred to Sony Music Associated Records' sublabel, onenation. So far they have released 15 singles, 3 regular albums, 2 remix albums & 1 greatest hits album and they have also been featured on 1 single. They have also appeared on various compilations. Soulhead's sound is a blend between various genres such as soul, hip-hop, R&B, dancehall, reggae and funk, and many of their lyrics are in English. They usually work with the production team known as Octopussy. They have also worked on releases with other Japanese artists such as Kumi Koda and Soul'd Out, and Yoshika is also a renowned songwriter who have worked with artists such as Sowelu, Ken Hirai, & Crystal Kay. On 21 February 2007 they released a compilation called Best of Soulhead, which contained all their singles released to date, as well as some B-sides. It came as a CD only, and CD+DVD package.
On February 24, 2010, after a 4-year break, they released a new album titled "SOULHEAD"[2] under Avex Group, their new home. The album charted on the 40th position on the ORICON charts after a week of the release. On September 28, 2011, the duo released their second Avex album, Jump Up The Wall, their last release to date.
Influences
Some musical artists who they respect are Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, The Beatles, Janis Joplin, Takuro Yoshida, and Ice Cube.[citation needed]
Personal life
It was announced in their official blog that Yoshika gave birth to a baby.
Albums
Studio Albums
- Oh My Sister
Rank: #3 / Sold: 214,545- March 5, 2003
- BRAIDED
Rank: #4 / Sold: 139,992- April 28, 2004
- Naked
Rank: #5- March 8, 2006
- SOULHEAD
Rank: #40- February 24, 2010
- JUMP UP THE WALL
Rank: #73- September 28, 2011
Best Albums
- BEST OF SOULHEAD
Rank: #5- February 21, 2007
Remix Albums
- RE-CONSTRUCT ALBUM Vol.1 "REFLECTION"
Rank: #89 / Sold: 9,602- September 26, 2003
- RE-CONSTRUCT ALBUM Vol.2 "CRYSTALLIZED"
Rank: #41- June 21, 2006
Singles[3]
- Lovin' You feat. Aaron Blackman (BATTI BAAS)
- January 7, 2001
- Inside Out (BATTI BAAS)
- June 2, 2002
- STEP TO THE NEW WORLD
Rank: #24 / Sold: 59,287- July 24, 2002 (12")
- August 21, 2002 (CD)
- LOVER, KNIGHT, MAN
Rank: #36 / Sold: 18,410- November 20, 2002
- 空
Rank: #28 / Sold: 16,035- February 5, 2005
- Oh My Sister (Remix)/I'm just going down
Rank: #114 / Sold: 2,561- May 2, 2003
- GET UP! ep
Rank: #28 / Sold: 15,967- July 30, 2003
- You can do that
Rank: #36 / Sold: 18,691- January 21, 2004
- NO WAY
Rank: #50 / Sold: 5,353- March 24, 2004
- AT THE PARTY
- June 2, 2004
- Fiesta
Rank: #35 / Sold: 7,773- May 25, 2005
- SPARKLE☆TRAIN/Got To Leave
Rank: #30 / Sold: 15,324- December 14, 2005
- D.D.D. feat. SOULHEAD
Rank: #5 / Sold: 47,608- December 21, 2005
- Pray/XXX feat. Koda Kumi
Rank: #22 / Sold: 10,109- January 27, 2006
- キミノキセキ/いつまでも…
Rank: #56- December 6, 2006
- Dear Friends
Rank: #60- January 24, 2007
DVDs
- Oh My Sister LIVE & CLIPS
- October 8, 2003
- SOULHEAD tour 2006 "Naked"
- August 9, 2006
- BEST OF SOULHEAD 5th Anniversary tour
- November 1, 2007