Japan’s Hit-Machine – Kumi Koda (倖田來未)
In the jungle of Japan’s music industry, you will find lots and lots of different artists. There is a great danger to get lost and drown in all that weird music. But surely, every country has their own superstar. Kumi Koda (倖田 來未) is Japan’s Britney Spears/Christina Aguilera (you-name-it) R’n’B/pop-queen. Sexy and sweet, she is [...]
D’espairsRay
Welcome to the world of Visual Kei, Japanese rock! This time D’espairsRay will be the topic. The band was formed in 1999 by Hizumi, Karyu, Zero, and Tsukasa. They have toured in Europe and USA, and have actually been in Denmark too, where they played in Pumpehuset Copenhagen in 2006. Their latest appearance was during [...]
The Chinese Diva
A short, critical review of Faye Wong’s music The Chinese love simple pop ballads with easy-to-remember lyrics. In fact, they love them so much that their pop charts don’t seem to feature anything but that – even the international charts. Some bands get big in Japan, but only the most hopelessly sentimental drivel will ever [...]
Gackt – RETURNER 闇の終焉
During the next couple of months, Renmin Shinbun will bring a portrait of a Japanese record artist for every issue. This month, Japanese pretty-boy, Gackt is in focus. Gackt Camui (神威 楽斗) was born in Okinawa, Japan in 1974 and is a famous Japanese celebrity. Not only is he a musician and songwriter, but he [...]