Aiko (singer)

Aiko
Birth name Aiko Yanai[1]
Born November 22, 1975
Origin Suita, Osaka, Japan[2]
Genres Pop
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1998–present (singer)
Labels Pony Canyon
Website aiko.can-d.com

Aiko (stylised as aiko, birth name: Aiko Yanai (柳井愛子 Yanai Aiko)) is a J-Pop singer-songwriter and vocalist.

Music career

In April, 1996, Aiko became a radio host of FM Osaka after graduating from the college. She released a CD which she produced independently with her friends of the college in August. She participated in "The 5th Music Quest Japan Final" on October 10, and was awarded the Excellence Award shared with Ringo Shiina.[3] She released an EP on an independent label in 1997, followed by a single and a mini-album in 1998.

In July, 1998, Aiko debuted on a major label with her first single, "Ashita", which was used as the theme song for the movie Shinsei Toire no Hanako-san.

In 2000, her second album, Sakura no Ki no Shita, reached number one in the Oricon weekly charts, with the total CD sales amounting to 1.4 million copies. Her sixth single, "Boyfriend", sold over 500,000 copies and became her best-selling CD single. She made her first appearance in NHK's 2000 Kohaku Uta Gassen.

Discography

Main article: Aiko discography

Singles

Release date Title Peak
chart
position
July 17, 1998Ashita (あした)89
March 3, 1999Naki Mushi (ナキ・ムシ)26
August 4, 1999Hanabi (花火)10
November 17, 1999Kabutomushi (カブトムシ)8
February 17, 2000Sakura no Toki (桜の時)12
September 20, 2000Boy Friend (ボーイフレンド)2
February 21, 2001Hatsukoi (初恋)3
May 30, 2001Rosie (ロージー)2
November 21, 2001Oyasuminasai (おやすみなさい)2
April 24, 2002Anata to Akushu (あなたと握手)6
August 14, 2002Kondo Made ni wa (今度までには)3
April 23, 2003Chōchō Musubi (蝶々結び)4
August 6, 2003Andromeda (アンドロメダ)3
November 6, 2003Eriashi (えりあし)5
April 28, 2004Kaban (かばん)3
September 1, 2004Hana Kaze (花風)2
February 16, 2005Mikuni Eki (三国駅)2
August 3, 2005Kira Kira (キラキラ)2
November 30, 2005Star (スター)4
July 12, 2006Kumo wa Shiro Ringo wa Aka (雲は白リンゴは赤)3
May 30, 2007Shiawase (シアワセ)2
August 22, 2007Hoshi no Nai Sekai / Yokogao (星のない世界／横顔)2
March 12, 2008Futari (二人)3
July 23, 2008KissHug2
February 18, 2009Milk / Nageki no Kiss (milk／嘆きのキス)1
February 3, 2010Modorenai Ashita (戻れない明日)1
April 21, 2010Mukai Awase (向かいあわせ)2
May 11, 2011Koi no Super Ball / Home (恋のスーパーボール／ホーム)4
November 23, 2011Zutto (ずっと)4
July 17, 2013Love letter / Shigatsu no Ame (Love letter／4月の雨)2
January 29, 2014Kimi no Tonari (君の隣)5
November 12, 2014Atashi no Mukou (あたしの向こう)4
April 29, 2015Yumemiru Sukima (夢見る隙間)

Albums

Studio albums

Release date Title Peak
chart
position
April 21, 1999Chiisana Marui Kōjitsu (小さな丸い好日)24
March 1, 2000Sakura no Ki no Shita (桜の木の下)1
June 20, 2001Natsufuku (夏服)1
September 4, 2002Aki Soba ni Iru yo (秋 そばにいるよ)2
November 27, 2003Akatsuki no Love Letter (暁のラブレター)1
March 2, 2005Yume no Naka no Massugu na Michi (夢の中のまっすぐな道)1
August 23, 2006Kanojo (彼女)1
April 2, 2008Himitsu (秘密)2
March 31, 2010Baby1
June 20, 2012Toki no Silhouette (時のシルエット)1
May 28, 2014Awa no Yō na Ai datta (泡のような愛だった)1

Compilation albums

Release date Title Peak
chart
position
February 23, 2011Matome I (まとめI)2
Matome II (まとめII)3

Independent works

Release date Title Notes
August 1996 Doty Omnibus CD Vol.1 (ドーテイオムニバスCD Vol.1) Various artists album (participated in 3 songs)
December 20, 1997 Astral Box Mini album
April 21, 1998 Hachimitsu (ハチミツ) CD single
May 30, 1998 Girlie Mini album

Performances

Tours

Appearances

Shorts

Radio

Aiko has presented several regular radio programs, including local radio programmes in the Kansai area before she achieved widespread fame in July 1998.

Works

Books

Awards

Year Type Title
1996 Music Quest Japan Final Excellence Prize – Himawari ni Nattara
2000 Teen's Music Festival Final Teen's Grand Prize – Aitsu o Furimukaseru Hoho
Saku ya Kono Hana Award, Music (Osaka city) * This award is given to a person or an organisation who contributes to a promotion of Osaka culture.
2002 Metropolitan Action on Smoking or Health Stop-smoking Grand Prize
The Japan Gold Disc Award Rock Album of the Year – Natsufuku
2004 The Japan Gold Disc Award Rock & Pop Album of the Year – Akatsuki no Love Letter

References

  1. ↑ "Aiko". MTV.com. March 31, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Biography" (in Japanese). Pony Canyon. Archived from the original on 24 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
  3. ↑ YAMAHA MUSIC FOUNDATION. "The 5th MUSIC QUEST JAPAN FINAL". Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  4. ↑ "「キャッチ本゛」閉店のお知らせ - M-ON! BOOKS - エムオン・エンタテインメント". 「キャッチ本゛」閉店のお知らせ - M-ON! BOOKS - エムオン・エンタテインメント. Retrieved 29 December 2014.

External links