Chris Hart (musician)

Chris Hart
Born 25 August 1984
San Francisco, California, United States
Origin Japan
Genres J-pop
Occupation(s) Singer
Instruments Vocals, Guitar
Years active 2003-present
Labels Universal Sigma (Universal Music Group) (2013-present)
Website chris-hart.net

Chris Hart (クリス・ハート Kurisu Hāto, born August 25, 1984) is an African-American singer who gained popularity as a J-pop artist in Japan.

Early life

Chris was born August 25, 1984 to musician parents in the San Francisco Bay Area, his parents separated when he was 2.[1] He developed an interest in Japanese music, language, and culture beginning age 12 after taking a Japanese class at his school.[1] He was moved by the kindness of the people he met in Japan the next year during his summer vacation.[1] He majored in music and Japanese in college, and took jobs in an airport and with a Japanese cosmetics company to maintain his connection. From his teens until moving to Tokyo, Japan at age 24, Hart performed in Japanese as lead vocalist for the band Nikita w/Metallic Beasts, before starting his own solo rock band, LYV. During his time as LYV, Hart wrote all lyrics and music in Japanese. Upon moving to Japan, Hart took a job working on vending machines. Chris has an older sister and a younger half-brother. [1]

Music career

In 2011, a YouTube video Hart made was noticed by executives for the Nippon Television show Nodo Jiman Za! World, a reality contest which features non-Japanese singing Japanese songs, and he was invited to compete in the show. He appeared at least twice in 2012. Producer Jeff Miyahara noticed Hart's performance, and asked to produce him.[1]

In 2013 his cover of the Yusaku Kiyama song "Home" reached number 8 in Japanese sales on the Oricon Singles Chart.[2] His album of cover songs, released soon after, reached third, selling over 300,000 copies.[3]

Hart released an original collaboration single "Yume Ga Samete" with JPOP Legend, Matsuda Seiko for their label, Universal Sigma's 10th anniversary.

Hart and Seiko Matsuda sang "Yume ga Samete" at the 64th annual Kōuhaku Uta Gassen.

On February 26, 2014, Hart released his first original single, "I LOVE YOU", and his first original album "Song for You" on March 19, 2014.

Hart released his follow up to Heart Song, "Heart Song II", on June 25th, 2014. It ranked #2 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. He later released a Christmas album, "Christmas Hearts" on November 12, 2014. The album ranked #8 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and would be Hart's fourth consecutive album to rank in the top 10. It was later announced that Hart would participate in the 65th annual Kōuhaku Uta Gassen. He sang "Ito" by Nakajima Miyuki.

In 2015, it was announced that Chris Hart would release a single with The Gospellers and embark on his 3rd nationwide tour. The 47 prefecture tour is the first for a non-japanese artist.

Discography

Albums
Singles

Awards and certifications

55th Annual Japan Record Awards
28th Annual Japan Gold Disc Awards
RIAJ Certifications
Oricon Weekly Charts

-Longest Consistent Top 10 Ranking for a Non-Japanese Male Solo Artist. (5 straight weeks in Top 10 as of 7/30/14)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Chris Hart". Universal Music., English translation here
  2. ↑ "Chris Hart Makes Triumphal Return to US and Announces Debut in Japan". Barks. May 2013.
  3. ↑ Azusa Uchikura (September 3, 2013). "Big in Japan: American Chris Hart finds J-pop home". Associated press.

External links