"It's the same as that of ... cute Mr. Udo Suzuki, and even cuter Rika Ishikawa! ... It's a day that produced many singer/songwriters!"
LMFAO, she really has a thing for Rika :shock:
There is also a video where she drools over a Rika's photoshoot (you know the one with the gun and all) :lol:
I've gotta find this! :D
Quote from: TufftyI've gotta find this! :D
HOP ! (http://nobuta.free.fr/VIDS/Hikki_Rika.avi) :D (Direct DL)
Short video but LOL @ Hikki XD
Quote from: TufftyI've gotta find this! :D
HOP ! (http://nobuta.free.fr/VIDS/Hikki_Rika.avi) :D (Direct DL)
Short video but LOL @ Hikki XD
Quote from: TufftyI've gotta find this! :D
HOP ! (http://nobuta.free.fr/VIDS/Hikki_Rika.avi) :D (Direct DL)
Short video but LOL @ Hikki XD
Keep Tryin' [radio rip]
http://s33.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2EHURIP1GPFHN03O2G38TKHE52
Finally something not boring! :P
And that clip's funny! Thanks, HiME! :) Do you happen to have MS ep when Hikki and Tanpopo were on the show?
Tidbit : Hikki said she modeled herself after Rika in Travelling video. :D
This PV is very cool, and the song is also excellent !
Keep Tryin' sounds a bit like Passion... I mean, the tune... Don't you find ?
wow that cover is hypnotizing. i promised myself that i will get this album :) uh when is it coming out?
sweet i already have the cash set aside $35 :) (do i even need to save that much?)
anyone have a video of Shiina Ringo and Utada singing "I Won't Last A Day Without You" if they did make one
thanx for the info, think i'll go with yesasia.com :D
HURRY AND COME June 14, 2006!!!
Careful, yesasia might change their prices. Order it at the price or else they might rip you off (like they always do :D)
i ordered mine from cdjapan. i think a lot of people complain about them, but i haven't had any problems with them... granted i've only ordered from them once before lol...
i was going to go with yesasia cus they were cheaper, but i was oredering the SweetS farewell single as well, and for both items it was a little cheaper at cdjapan.
oh man, i really cant wait for this album
utada - this it love
http://download.yousendit.com/7529DE3C545A398A
wow that's really quick. thanks a lot!!
the song reminds me of her exodus album..
yeah, i've had a radio rip for a couple days now, sounds really good. it reminded me of the exodus album too, but unlike most, i've always loved the exodus album.
but i still don't get how some of the lyrics could be so horrible. her japanese stuff are usually very poetic..
edit: but i still don't get how some of the lyrics could be so horrible. her japanese stuff are usually very poetic..
"she's got a new microphone.. she doesn't need u anymore"
yeah i agree, she should release another album in the states, and be more like Hikki and not like these U.S. if she releases songs like sakura drop, keep trying, or passion i can guanrantee she'll go big here
lmao, she said in an interview that she actually did have a new microphone in the studio and she was just playing around at the end of one of the recording sessions and they decided to keep it at the end of the song
Utada Hikaru - I Love You (Yutaka Ozaki cover-live).mp3
45 sec previews of every track from her new album "Ultra Blue"
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=DCAC29FC53EE5794
damnit why'd i have to find this so late >_<
thanx dan, but can someone reup this :(
ULTRA BLUE is such love it's insane.
(http://img17.imagevenue.com/loc41/th_06793_hikki_weeklythetelevision.jpg) (http://img17.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc41&image=06793_hikki_weeklythetelevision.jpg)
Hikki recently did an english interview on a Japanese variety show! Lots of fun comments, plus she comments on her favorite album, favorite song, and tells us how she came up with the name "Ultra Blue"! Yay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkrqzwmmy84
New Single in November!
ぼくはくま (Boku wa Kuma = I'm a bear)
NHK Minna no Uta theme for October-November
http://www.toshiba-emi.co.jp/hikki/news/index_j.htm
Unconfirmed info:
~ release date 2006/11/06
~ written by Utada Hikaru, arranged by Utada Hikaru and 冨田謙 (Tomita Yuzuru?)
-------
I'm a bear? wtf Hikki, we know you love your teddy Kuma Chang, but wtf are you smoking XD
New Single in November!
ぼくはくま (Boku wa Kuma = I'm a bear)
well..minna no uta is a show for small kids so I guess it therefore has to be a song that smal children can sing along to or something..
already wondering if she will have a PV where she is dressed like a bear xD
She's not just good, she's AMAZING at Tetris. She got that magic 999((9 result sometime ago, and posted a photo at her blog, lemme find it XD
(http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/4784/2006070318521jmd5.th.jpg) (http://img221.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2006070318521jmd5.jpg)
I got a kick out of her Avril Lavigne cover(I think it was "skater boy")
but damn...that Passion music video...my jaw dropped when I saw it!
It's probably my favorite music video
Final Distance~traveling~Sakura Drops trilogy is one of the best visual works in J-pop :yep: Heck, I'd marry Kiriya Kazuaki just for those PVs too lol
I got a kick out of her Avril Lavigne cover(I think it was "skater boy")
I wonder if it was a mistake? Kikuru might have been thinking of her Green Day cover (Boulevard Of Broken Dreams).
Whoa, isn't this MY STORY the oop limited edition? :O Mine was the leggy cover which I hated at first lol
btw we have a thread for J-pop collection pics (http://forum.jphip.com/showthread.php?t=4593) ;)
I love those PVs:heart: Sakura Drops PV made the song even better!XD
i cant believe how popular she is. i dont think she is that great. im not really into the jpop stuff so i guess my opinion doesnt really matter anyway!
i cant believe how popular she is. i dont think she is that great. im not really into the jpop stuff so i guess my opinion doesnt really matter anyway!
ぼくはくま / Boku wa Kuma
2006.11.22 On Sale
NHK Minna no Uta song for October~November
TOCT-40063 (w/original picture book by Hikki)
TOCT-40064 (Regular ed.)
1 Boku wa Kuma
2 Boku wa Kuma (Original Karaoke)
The song is planned to go on air on October 1st (radio) and on October 2nd (TV).
"New single release from Hikaru Utada and her first ever release of a nursery rhyme released as the theme for NHK's program "Minna no Uta." She says she wrote the song when she received a teddy bear--"Kuma-chan"--who was so cute she just started writing! The new single is sweet, soft, and full of love set to sooth the hearts of mothers, fathers, and children. Special Jacket Edition features album art drawn by Hikaru Utada herself!"
I am a bear bear bear bear
I am not a car bear bear bear
I can't walk but I can dance
I can't talk but I can sing
I am a bear bear bear bear
I am a bear bear bear bear
I hate fighting bear bear bear
My rival is fried shrimp
I was probably chocolate in a previous life
I am a bear bear bear bear
Bonjour! Je m'appelle Kuma. Comment ca va?
(Hello! I am Kuma. How are you?)
I am a bear bear bear bear
The winter is cold bear bear bear
In the evening, "Goodnight, Mr. Pillow"
In the morning, "Good morning, Mr. Pillow"
In the evening, "Goodnight, Mr. Pillow"
In the morning, "Good morning, Mr. Pillow"
I am a bear be-be-bear
Mama bear bear
Boku wa kuma kuma kuma kuma
Kuruma jya naiyo kuma kuma kuma
Arukenaikedo odoreruyo
Shaberarenaikedo utaeruyo
Boku wa kuma kuma kuma kuma
Boku wa kuma kuma kuma kuma
Kennka wa yadayo kuma kuma kuma
Raibaru ha ebi-furai dayo
Zennse wa kitto chocolate
Boku wa kuma kuma kuma kuma
Bonjour! Je m'appelle Kuma. Comment ca va?
Boku wa kuma kuma kuma kuma
Fuyu wa samuiyo kuma kuma kuma
Yoru wa "Oyasumi, makura-san"
Asa wa "Ohayou, makura-san"
Boku wa kuma kuma kuma kuma
Yoru wa "Oyasumi, Makura-san"
Asa wa "Ohayou, Makura-san"
Boku wa kuma
Mama kuma kuma
Well, if her album art is anything like her self portrait:
(http://www.aznkid.com/misc/utadaportrait.jpg)
We're in for an artistic masterpiece! :lol:
Here's videos of Utada when she was a part of the Tetris challenge:
Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lQ5smMZOsA)
Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxK1KDSvNm0)
Hikki's unreal...:o
Hikki & Bear:
(http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/5167/hikkikumayz6.jpg)
Why does it look like it was shot during the Ultra Blue photo session? :O
The mother of one of Japan's biggest pop stars was recently caught with more than $400,000 in suspected drug proceeds as she tried to board a plane from New York to Las Vegas, according to federal prosecutors now seeking forfeiture of the funds. In March, screeners at JFK Airport discovered the money in the carry-on luggage of Junko Utada, whose 23-year-old daughter has been described as the Japanese Britney Spears. (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0927062hikaru1.html)
Damn that's cheap.Quote from: aedonWhy does it look like it was shot during the Ultra Blue photo session? :OBecause I think it was.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0927062hikaru1.htmlWTF?! O_O
I hope Utada and her mom are ok, and I wish them all the best. But if you look at the final page of the court document, Junko's address is listed :o
I love Hikky
Automatic is my first J-song
New single in February :w00t:Confirmed!
...
That's sure is a lot of information, but that's all that fan-net reported ._.
utada hikaru - Flavor Of Life >.<
http://download.yousendit.com/FAD0E6C02F10EAF3
The english version of Passion is out! It's called Sanctuary and it's awesome.
check it out----->
ya i prefer japanese style too. some english ones are aight, but sometimes her english lyrics freak me out. like in kettobase
"I want your baby"
"i want your baby"
o_o
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/Nakiatala/2007011917395j.jpg)
Hikki Santa :heart:
My girlfriend and i constantly argue about Utada. I say shes hotter than most japanese women (plus shes from NY originally like me hehe, so i may be a bit partial) but she keeps bringing up the actress from babylon whos name i cant think of right now....im not gonna give up. Utada is so hot.
she kinda drown after her marriage~
shes cool in 1st single~ she's the reason i'm here rite now
yea but after her divorce it seems ok now :ONbingo:
Hikaru Utada, the U.S.-born pop star whose debut album "First Love" set a sales record in Japan and sold millions more across Asia, said Saturday she has ended a 4 1/2-year marriage to the director of her music videos. (http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20070304a3.html)
:ONomg: IS THAT TRUE, reyfer!!!
can you gave us a source of your information? I got to know! :ONtantrum:
So, who saw this coming all along??
Anyone? No? Yes?
*raises hand*
IT'S ALL OVER HER FREAKING MUSIC. Even if you cant understand Japanese, read the translated stuff. It was so damn obvious. And the Exodus albums probably topped it all off nicely. Even in Ultra Blue it still had sad lyrics, and her happy stuff just really sounded like she wanted to have fun...with someone else.
When I saw the making of Passion, her husband was tehre to direct it. And there was absolutely no chemistry in my opnion.
Does it make me sound like a witch to be so happy when i found out the day after my birthday? Hell, I'll admit, it was probably a really awesome thing to happen on my birthday. Every time I watched her together with him, even when I wasnt such a big fan, I could tell she wasn't happy. Even in interviews.
Now, I just hope she's doing okay, even if they didn't have strong feelings for each other, it still must be hard. Either way, I'm just glad that she has room now to find someone else. I expect happier music smile.gif *even though I effing love her metaphoric ballads*
I'll quote myself from a post I made earlier in another forum:
-Owaranai_sLaVe
I like it! Sounds like it's come from the First Love era :heart:
Hikki cut her hair!! (http://www.u3music.com/message/index.php?m=1&d=2007062120564j.xml)
hm I'm not a big fan. She looks like a boy! XD
(http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/2402/profphdw0.jpg)
New Single
Beautiful World/Kiss & Cry
2007.08.29 on sale
TOCT-40120
1,200 yen (tax out)
Tracklist:
01.Beautiful World
02.Kiss & Cry
03.Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) -2007 MIX-
04.Beautiful World [Original Karaoke]
05.Kiss & Cry [Original Karaoke]
06.Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) -2007 MIX- [Original Karaoke]
(http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/2402/profphdw0.jpg)
(http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/2402/profphdw0.jpg)(http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/6315/2007063012126jvd4.jpg)
Wow (lol)
Here it comes(lol)
Looks somehow similar to something(lol)
Just look at that yellow one-piece, that face angle, and that meaningless posing of left arm!
This is the wonder of coincidence(lol)
(http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/2402/profphdw0.jpg)(http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/6315/2007063012126jvd4.jpg)
Hikki posted this on her blog :lol:
http://www.u3music.com/message/index.php?m=1&d=2007063012126j.xmlQuote from: http://hikki.blogspot.com/2007/06/wow-lol.htmlWow (lol)
Here it comes(lol)
Looks somehow similar to something(lol)
Just look at that yellow one-piece, that face angle, and that meaningless posing of left arm!
This is the wonder of coincidence(lol)
lot'sa great picture here.. nice yellow dress hikki.. hehe.. ' is she married yet ' .. lol.. look like nvr married lor.. not like angela aki.. maybe because age factor..
I loved Hotel Lobby (yes I did ;D)
New Single
Beautiful World/Kiss & Cry
2007.08.29 on sale
TOCT-40120
1,200 yen (tax out)
Tracklist:
01.Beautiful World
02.Kiss & Cry
03.Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) -2007 MIX-
04.Beautiful World [Original Karaoke]
05.Kiss & Cry [Original Karaoke]
06.Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) -2007 MIX- [Original Karaoke]
Hikki dyed her hair...Has Hikki ever dyed her hair before? I'm not die-hard fan enough to remember XD
(http://www.u3music.com/message/img1/2007080923384j.jpg)
And it suits her nicely! :heart: :heart:
Credit to: http://www.u3music.com/message/index.php?m=1&d=2007080923384j.xml
No wonder I couldn't remember she did, it was around 2001 (Distance era) XD
(http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/1200/utadadistanceag5.th.jpg) (http://img405.imageshack.us/my.php?image=utadadistanceag5.jpg)
i'm looking for one of hikaru old songs
Hikari -PLANITb Remix
any one got it ? can i hav it ?
pLease ... pretty PLEase . ?? :kneelbow:
Jeff Buckley.
He's my faaaaaaaaaaaaavortite artist!
He made a damn good album and died, so the number of works he left is not so many, but I believe he still has a lot of fans.
I was shown this CD jacket with his autograph when I was on a radio show of J-Wave, got pretty excited, went wild like crazy and then took a picture of it by my ke-tai.
Up until then, I always wondered "Why everyone loves to have things like autographs?" every time I was asked for my autograph. But having seen this Jeff Buckley's autograph I learned the value of autographs!
"Wow! So he did sign this autograph! And I'm looking at it right now! I'm holding it in my hand!" - this thought gave me some indescribable, electrifying excitement. I felt like I contacted Jeff Buckley just a lil bit. It's a quite "indirect" way of contact, though.
Maybe this could give you more reality than photos.
I really love "Grace," the only album he left, and having been listening to it hundreds of times. His two-CD live album "Live At Sin-e," that contains the live recordings he casually did in the places like cafe bars before he got popularity, is his another masterpiece.
I wonder which genre he belongs to - maybe it could be the common Rock/Pop or something like that I guess?
Or should I better call it "Beautiful Rock"? "Beautiful" might be a little too abstract expression.
"Painful Rock." I describe his music like that, if you ask me. Sounds good huh, Painful Rock.
By the way his face looks kinda like the combination of Hideaki Ito and Ethan Hawke . . . if you ask me. What do you think about this! I have a good feeling that I'm right on target about this . . . !
I'll be so happy if you could get what I mean! (lol) What do you think?
You know, there's this ke-tai site called "Kao Cheki!", right? The site that let you know the analysis date of which celebrity you look like, after you submit your face photo to it.
I got a bunch of emails from you guys telling me "Why don't you try it Hikaru-chan!" so I tried it the other day . . .
And the results were . . .
No. 1 Hoshino Aki
No. 2 Yoshizawa Hitomi
That's the answer I got from it. (No. 3 was an idol girl I didn't know)
. . . Ho, Hoshino Aki?! Yoshizawa Hitomi?!
Ehhhhhhhhhh?!
I mean,
Why I didn't get Utada Hikaru ! ! (lol)
Maybe it depends on the type of picture - I thought so and sent a couple of different photos to it, but got the same results every time.
Among those fan mails that let me know about "Kao Cheki" I remember some people told me "I tried it and the result was Utada Hikaru!" so it IS in the database for sure . . .
But I half expected it actually, cuz people tell me I'm totally different from what I look like in the photos whenever I meet them face to face. I half expected "Utada Hikaru" wouldn't come out if I submit my usual picture to it.
Some time ago, when my American band members came to Japan they told me "we saw someone that totally looked like you on the cover of a gravure magazine!!", so I got the magazine and guess what, it was Hoshino Aki san who was on the cover . . . There was such an episode . . .
Have I got any parts that look like her?! I don't think so. I mean, I'm like I wanna say sorry to Hoshino Aki san . . . I mean it . . .
I'm sorry . . . (._.*)
Hello, people!
Summer has come and gone. I hope you all enjoyed your summer breaks.
I didn't do a single summer-ish thing this year... it was just too hot in Tokyo!!! I spent most of my time indoors.
I am currently in New York, having meetings with the IDJ folks, discussing the direction of the next english-language album, how and when we should get started on its production, and so on.
We got to meet with some producers and track-makers that I'm interested in working with.
So, uh, yeah, I'll be getting started on another album soon. We're not on any sort of schedule, not rushing at all, and it looks like its going to be a nice mellow start, taking it step by step. We'll just see how it goes. But the general feeling is good.
Just thought you might like to know that ;)
The photo is of Kuma-chan (with his pillow) looking out the window from our hotel room.
Talk to you again soon!
Au revoir~ :)
They just better do a hell of an awesome job promoting her this time!
As a Evangelion-fan, it seems that liking Utada Hikaru's music is a new must for me. So, any recommendations from the oldskool-Utada-fans?
The funny thing, she gonna record an English album but while doesn't she release a new English single but a new Japanese song???
I hope the new album will got much attention than EXODUS, I myself thinking EXODUS is one of the best albums of Hikki evenwhen it wasn't advertised well.
As a Evangelion-fan, it seems that liking Utada Hikaru's music is a new must for me. So, any recommendations from the oldskool-Utada-fans?
I honestly hated Exodus except for Kremlin Dusk, the whole album was crap. I hope her new English one is more like her Japanese songs.
... Not to sound crazy but i have all her cds with pics to prove...jph!p consists of crazy (and of course lovely) people ! That's why this place is so awesome :D
ahha... btw... I had Exdous pre-ordered at a local tower records and picked it up the day it came out... I'm sad I didn't see that many people picking it up too but hopefully.... hopefully this new english album will be better promoted... I dun't know if anyone has seen the Easy Breezy Video , but they only played it late night on Mtv... (in america) ... So hopefully it'll be better this time around.
The promotion for Exodus was next to non-existent.
G g guess what ! !
I've come in 10th place!
at the ranking of "the female celebrities who look good in glasses"!
Yaaay Yaaay ( ^-^ )
Actually I seldom wear glasses in public (lol) I wonder it that's all right (lol)
'Cause you know . . . I've shown my pictures wearing glasses just when I upload them here every once in a while!
Which means, the people who saw my picture here on this site voted for me . . . !
What an honor~ I appreciate that~
I was quite surprised to learn this, which made me very happy~ ( ^-^ )
Maybe I'll take more picture wearing glasses~
So, this time I'm not wearing glasses (lol)
I tried to take a picture right in the place where I took the photo of "Pencil" I uploaded here exactly 2 months ago (a corner of the studio, my fave place) striking the same pose, but I did a slightly different pose as I thought it'd be boring to do the exact same pose.
I put a pencil behind my ear! You know, you can hardly see someone who's actually doing this, in the real world~. I mean, I really wanna do this, but I'm quite poor at doing this as the pencil easily falls down since it's pretty hard to get it stable. So I adore those who can do this properly. Well, not that much, though.
By the way, I uploaded that photo 2 months ago, but as I previously mentioned in a message, it was about this time of 2 years ago that I took that photo. Right in the middle of ULTRA BLUE's recording.
22 years old and 24 years old
Have I changed?
new english album?! i hope its better than her first english album. i dont know though. i didnt really like the "remix" she did to that ne-yo song. oh well...it could be good.
Can't wait for the english album!
Utada assembles top producers for new albumhttp://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-4332
Island Def Jam has released some information about Hikaru Utada's upcoming English album. Although the title is still unknown, the release date has been set for March 24 in the U.S. and March 4 in Japan. A total of 10 songs have been lined up for the album, which was recorded in New York, Atlanta, and Tokyo.
The lead single "Come Back to Me," which was unveiled earlier this month on MySpace and on Utada's Island Records site, will begin radio airplay in the U.S. on February 9. The song will also be made available on iTunes the same day.
It has also been revealed that "Come Back to Me" was produced by Stargate, the Norwegian team that has created hits for major artists such as Ne-Yo and Beyonce. Another producer involved on the album is Tricky Stewart, who has previously worked with artists like Rihanna and Mariah Carey.
I have a few hunches about why Utada didn't market so well in 2004.
The promotion for Exodus was practically non-existent. Like tenkei says, all I remember was that MTV interview and that's it. Rather surprising considering even then Timbaland was one of the most popular producers to work with.
I just hope there's more promotion this time round and I bet Hikki is aware that she needs more promotion this time round too.
http://i40.tinypic.com/24xqdqu.png
When I start making a song, for one second I see an amazing view—and in that instant, it cracks and falls to pieces. Then the rest of the process is trying to put the pieces back together. So when it feels familiar, when I see what I saw in that moment the song was conceived, then I know it’s done.—Utada
^It's actually the same video as the one posted at the top of this page (22). It's not the MV yet.
Has anyone heard COME BACK TO ME on airwaves yet? Supposedly it was supposed to play since Feb 09 and radio dj critics are already commenting about it (all good so far) but I haven't heard it. Then again, I don't listen to the radio as much as I used to.
-O_sLaVe
I wonder why she had an MRI... Hope she's not sick!
Ugh, Don't compare BoA and Utada >.> It's so hard to choose who I value most awesome and who I support more...
I feel guilty for posting the dl link since this is coming out in stores everywhere anyway...PM it to whose who ask?
What to do...
Big in Japan just isn’t big enough for at least two Asian singers in 2009. Hikaru Utada (pictured) and Boa, two of Tokyo’s top-selling artists, are releasing English language CDs this month in an attempt to win over American pop and R&B fans.
For decades, Japanese music managers and American record labels have tried to crack the lucrative stateside market with top-selling artists, including Seiko Matsuda in the 1980s and Toshi Kubota in the 1990s. Each time, the endeavor invariably fails; last year, Universal didn’t even bother releasing an English-language record from one if its rising R&B stars, Ai, despite the fact that the singer was born in L.A., is fluent in English and can belt like Beyoncé.
While Boa and Utada are certainly not the first artists to dream of “making it” in the West, Utada’s “This Is the One” and Boa’s “The First Album” represent a potential watershed moment for Asian pop stars in America: Both offerings arguably surpass previous crossover attempts from the land of the rising sun.
Los Angeles-based record producer Joey Carbone, who has worked in Japan with singers such as Yuki Koyanagi and Crystal Kay, stated in an e-mail that "both records are good...Boa is a great dancer and a good singer. Utada is a very good singer and a great songwriter."
Kun Gao, CEO of San Francisco-based anime-centric website Crunchyroll.com, agrees that both are a cut above the usual Japanese exports.
“Both Boa and Utada are very popular, not only with world-wide audiences but also have extremely loyal and rapidly growing U.S. fans,” he said.
But the performers have their work cut out for them. “When Japanese and Korean singers have tried to have a hit in the U.S.," Carbone said, "they have changed their look and sound to try to appeal to the U.S. market, and it hasn't come across as real."
Boa and Utata are stars in Japan and beyond -- Boa is actually Korean and maintains a good-sized fan base in her native country, although her career is more prosperous in Tokyo, where she currently lives. Utada has sold more than 50 million records in Japan, and it looks as if “This Is the One” is yet another hit; she currently has the second top-selling download in Japan, according to iTunes, for her the first single, "Come Back to Me," off her all-English disc, which debuts here digitally March 24 (and physically May 12).
But winning over hearts in the Heartland won’t be easy for Utada; mainstream U.S. pop fans who listen to Top 40 radio stations such as KIIS-FM (102.7) are typically reluctant to embrace foreign stars they aren't used to seeing on Perezhilton.com or in the pages of Us Weekly, with notable English and Canadian exceptions.
However, Utada sees herself as more American than Japanese.
“I grew up in New York,” she said from Island Records’ Manhattan office earlier this week. “In Japan, I’m seen as a bit of a foreigner, but in America, I get comments like ‘Your English is so good.’ So in both places I’m a bit of an outsider, but I think that comes out in my music, and everyone feels like an outsider on some level. If people can connect with me there, that would be great.”
Although Utada’s been down this road before with another English language release aimed at U.S. listeners (2004’s “Exodus,” which sold fewer than 60,000 copies, according to Soundscan), this time the bilingual multi-instrumentalist seems to have found her true voice with a more focused effort.
Tracks such as “Merry Christmas Mister Lawrence (FYI)” overflow with confidence, hooks and hip-hop-inspired beats. The first single off the 10-song set, the piano-driven, vaguely Alicia Keys-esque “Come Back to Me,” only hints at the riches buried throughout the offering, which Tricky and the sought-after production duo Stargate produced. “Apple and Cinnamon” sounds like a cross between Kate Bush and a Prince outtake from “Around the World in a Day." And “Dirty Desire” might sound good in a club played between Lady Gaga and an old Vanity 6 tune. Almost the entire record is highly listenable, with risky but rewarding twists.
But, alas, Utada has a weak spot, and it might be her lyrics. Take, for example, “Dirty Desire.” While Utada claims the verses are tongue-in-cheek, it’s not clear that lyrics such as “And in my fantasies/I love you long time/Doing my nine to five/I'm thinking six and nine/I gotta make you mine” are ironic.
“My lyrics have a distinct feel and I don’t take myself too seriously,” she said. And what about her evoking perhaps the most odious sexual stereotype of Asian women, the “love you long time” phrase that crept into the urban vernacular after 2 Live Crew sampled a memorable scene from Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket”?
“I’m not easily offended, because I find humor in everything,” she said. “It’s not that different from a rapper saying, ‘Love you long time.’ I just happen to be an Asian girl. I can’t be afraid of what people think when I write.”
Utada has little to fear from her female fans, who may actually appreciate the racy content and the more thoughtful lyrics sprinkled throughout “This Is the One.” She's also won over at least one important male fan in the U.S., a potential advocate who could prove crucial to her success at radio.
“I was pleasantly surprised with Utada,” KBKS-FM music director Eric Tyler said from Seattle on Wednesday after hosting her in-studio. " 'Come Back to Me' makes me raise an eyebrow."
In contrast to Utada’s radio blitz spearheaded by Island Records (apparently, L.A. Reid is a fan and wants to break Utada urgently this year), Boa is taking her music directly to the streets and clubs of America. The South Korea-born singer, who released her debut English disc Tuesday, is hitting Los Angeles and Las Vegas hard in support of “First.”
“In America, Asian society is really big," the heavily accented singer said earlier this month at her L.A. showcase. "They have supported me a lot.” The trilingual singer may not have the backing of a major U.S. label, but she may end up the bigger star in the long run, thanks to infectious dance floor stompers such as “Eat You Up” that should make Britney Spears jealous. The tune was, in fact, cooked up in Copenhagen by Danish songwriters Remee and Thomas Troelsen and fine-tuned at Bloodshy & Avant's studio in Stockholm, where Spears’ vocals have flowed through monitors many a time.
But Boa will need more than Britney-style beats and Asian American fans if she hopes to ever break outside of Asia. At her showcase, a representative from Snoop Dogg’s team was talking with Boa’s representatives, apparently interested in a collaboration (nothing has been confirmed yet, both camps say). Boa will certainly need a high-profile collaboration to make a splash in the States, despite a stellar record full of potential hit songs, including a duet with Sean Garrett, "I Did It for Love".
But even with Garrett, Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake or some other champion on her side, Boa may go only so far. “I believe that Boa has a better chance of selling in the U.S. [long term], but I do not think she will ultimately be very successful," Carbone said. "The field of female solo artists doing that exact same type of track is so saturated, there's no room for someone like Boa, a virtual unknown in the U.S. It's just too difficult for her to distinguish herself against everyone else that do similar tracks.”
Regardless, count on Boa and Utada to keep trying well into the next decade. The U.S. just might be big enough to find room for both in its collective pop-music heart.
-- Charlie Amter
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog...-boaset-si.html (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog...-boaset-si.html)
Utada will be appearing at the following Sephora Locations:
Sephora Hollywood & Highland
Tuesday, March 24 - 6-8PM
6801 – Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
Sephora 5th Avenue
Wednesday, March 25 - 6pm-8pm
597 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Sephora South Beach
Friday, March 27 - 7-9pm
721 Collins Ave
Miami, FL 33139
Album Release, Karaoke Contest, and Exclusive Q&A !
Hello Everyone,
ALBUM OUT MAY 12
On Tuesday, May 12th Utada is releasing the physical version of her latest album
This Is The One. This album version includes three exclusive bonus tracks never available before on CD. Pre-order it on Amazon now.
UTADA MYSPACE KARAOKE CONTEST
Myspace Karaoke is hosting an exclusive contest with Utada. Sing your best version of her latest hit “Come Back To Me” and you could win a trip for you and three of your friends to karaoke with Utada in Tokyo, Japan. Enter now! (http://ksolo.myspace.com/music/utada)
UTADA EXCLUSIVE Q&A
Dying to ask Utada a question? Well now is your chance! Utada is hosting a special question & answer session just for her fans. Go to www.Utada.com (http://utada.com/news/) and post your question as a comment in the news section of the site and you just might get your answer!
UTADA IN STORE APPEARANCES
Utada will be making special appearances at stores across the country during the week of May 11th at the following locations
UTADA IN STORE APPEARANCES: Click here for more info (http://utada.com/news/)
Tuesday, 5.12 @ 7:00 PM
Best Buy
529 5th Ave
New York, NY 10017-4608
Wednesday, 5.13 @ 6:00 PM
Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood & FYE
1000 Universal Studios Blvd
Ste. 99
Universal City, CA 91608
Thursday, 5.14 @ 6:00 PM
Best Buy
1717 Harrison
San Francisco, CA 94103-4272
Friday, 5.15 @ 6:00 PM
FYE @ Southcenter Mall
2636 Southcenter Mall
Ste. 2110
Seattle, WA 98188-2823
Saturday, 5.16 @ 3:00 PM
Sam Goody
1450 Ala Moana Blvd.
Ste. 1049
Honolulu, HI 96814-4607
UTADA POSTPONES U.S. PROMOTION FOR ALBUM RELEASE
Renowned international singer and songwriter, Utada, who is set to release her new album This Is The One on May 12th (the Island Def Jam Music Group), has been forced to postpone her promotions to launch the album along with a series of in-store appearances. The 26 year-old artist, who had planned to arrive today May 11th to promote and drive the album release, has been diagnosed with an acute case of left relapsing peritonsillitis.
Utada, who is Japan's best selling artist ever, was set to make highly anticipated in-store appearances in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, and Honolulu to promote the May 12th album. Upon consultation with doctors and a brief hospitalization, she's been advised not to travel or use her voice for at least two weeks. A full recovery is expected.
According to the artist’s representative, “Utada was very much looking forward to sharing her new album with her U.S fans and is very disappointed that her illness has forced her to postpone these promotional activities. She looks forward to rescheduling them as soon as she can."
Fans are encouraged to check www.utada.com (http://www.utada.com) for more information.
January 15 - Honolulu, Hawaii - The Pipeline Cafe @8pm - On sale Nov. 14
January 19 - Hollywood, CA - House of Blues Sunset Strip - CONFIRMED.
January 21 - Seattle, WA - Showbox at the Market @8pm - Presale Nov. 12, Public sale Nov. 14
January 24 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore @8pm - Presale Nov. 14, Public sale Nov. 15
January 30 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues @8pm - Presale Nov. 10, Public sale Nov. 14
February 2 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues @8pm - Presale Nov. 11, Public sale Nov. 13
February 5 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club @7pm - On sale Nov. 14
February 8 - New York, NY - The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza @8pm - On sale Nov. 13
February 12 - London, UK - O2 Academy Islington @7pm - O2 Priority Nov. 11, Public sale Nov. 13
Get it now! Come hang out with me and tenkei :lol:
The thing I love with Utada and Rika is that I swear, Utada wants to be / fuck Rika :fap
Can't find it anywhere but there's another short video of Utada practically fawning over one of Rika's photoshoots where she's dressed in black holding a pistol. Utada was imitating the pose and then talking very excitedly about it XDI found that same post right before I left for LA. :lol: What's also funny is that not too long ago I was reading the Wiki article for "Final Distance" (which I hoped she would sing but didn't) and saw that it only reached #2 despite huge sales numbers. I wondered how tough the competition could've been that time, then I saw the release date...
*EDIT*
Thanks to HiME on the first page for the upload! (http://nobuta.free.fr/VIDS/Hikki_Rika.avi) :w00t:
Utada ends relationshiphttp://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-5738 (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-5738)
Wed, January 27, 2010 (1:49am EST)
Pop star Hikaru Utada (27) has reportedly broken up with her boyfriend. She was dating an artist eight years older than her, but sources say they drifted apart due to a lack of time together. The media in Japan first reported on Utada's relationship last September, though the singer said that she had already revealed the romance in earlier interviews in the U.S. However, Utada started preparing for her current overseas tour, resulting in less time for the couple. They ultimately broke up, and now Utada is focused on her music career. Her tour started on January 15 in Honolulu and visits a total of eight cities in the U.S. After that, she will perform in London on February 12. Utada has been one of the top artists in Japan since her 1999 debut album "First Love," which currently holds the record as the best-selling Japanese album of all time. She unexpectedly married director Kazuaki Kiriya (41) in 2002, but they divorced in 2007.
WHOA that is THE MOST EPIC FUCKING RECAP SAI!!! Hikki is awesome :rockon:
lol, heard ALL about DJ Mike from OpsMonkey's show last nite. at least H&A had an anime cover band
Good to hear you had a great night! And you even got to hear First Love live! I'm happy that you finally got to hear it, I know just what the feeling is like to have one of your favourite artists play a song that's so close to your heart. :DAww, thanks. :heart: It was really amazing hearing it, I'm still giddy thinking about it. ^^;
Anybody else hitting up the Irving Plaza show on Monday?
Geek Hikki is awesome, no arguing on that (nongeek Hikki is still awesome, too) And wish I listened to Ops show! I didn't realize he was doing a Hikki review show!
Speaking of Boku wa Kuma, I didn't know that Kuma Chang was gay. :shocked:
Oh Hikki.....
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/saikami/th_2010012715593e.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/saikami/?action=view¤t=2010012715593e.jpg)
Gay Kuma series :)
Macho-gay Kuma, girly-gay Kuma, and drag queen Kuma!
Actually, I don't think I've ever really explained it here, but Kuma really is gay (he's a boy but likes men only, no interest in girls...) so these illustrations flowed pretty naturally.
Oh, did I just out Kuma?
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/saikami/th_2010021109404j.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/saikami/?action=view¤t=2010021109404j.jpg)
I went to a department store in NY with my stylist-san to buy clothes for my extra show in London.
We went up to the floor by escalator where dresses were displayed and this mannequin-san welcomed us . . .
Ta - daaah
OH MY
GOD!
Her breast is
Out off ! ! !
(´ロ`)Oh my god, super sexy!
She's striking a sexy pose like that. Excellent.
(Okay . . . correction)
I wonder if it was an accident or someone did it on purpose (lol) The most feared accident that could happen when women wear this type of off-the-shoulder clothes . . .
It's not the one I bought, by the way. (lol)
Utada!! yaaay I saw her live 11th Feb in London, o2 Academy Islington :DD
(Where Gackt is playing todai haha)
Anyway, she was seriously awesome ^_^ her voice is amazing
Looks like she can't be bothered anymore.Well, she did announce her hiatus after the singles collections vol. 2 is out.
First important announcement in a while
I can't believe how quickly time goes - it's already been 12 years since my debut with "Automatic," which was called "that sensational video of dancing in a low ceiling room."(lol) I was 15 at that time.
Lately when I first meet someone they say, "Oh so you're still 27~! I thought you would be around 30, since I have this image that you have a very long career~. And you looked quite grown-up when you debuted."
27 years old, it's young in a sense . . . but not that young in another sense.
When I think back I find I've always worked on music ever since I was 15. Spent my life overprotected by people around, so that "Utada Hikaru" can stick to music. People say I have plenty of life experience for my age, but as a matter of fact what I've experienced is quite lopsided.
I have had chances to do something uncommon thanks to this job. I thank you all my fans, all my staff from the bottom of my heart.
That said, there is this part of me which has stunted since around 15, when I started living my life focused on artist activities. That is the part, important as a human being.
Over the past 12 years I've challenged various things as an artist, and I think I've grown up a bit through those experiences. And I need to grow up as a person, aside from music, to evolve further.
Based on those thoughts I have made a big decision!
I am going to stop flashy "artist activities" for a while and focus on "human activities, " starting from next year.
This is not a "retirement announcement"! Nor is this "rest" or "recreation."
This period is going to be the period form me to face the real me as a person, by studying something new eagerly and humbly, seeing and learning things in this while world I don't know yet. I think that's something that should be called "human activities," different from "artist activities."
And that should lead to my growth as an artist too, as a result.
Of course I may be making music or singing as I like, during that time.
When the time comes that I realize I have grown up a little as a person, and I feel the need to let you all hear my music, that is about time I should do so.
I didn't like it just to hide without showing up in front of my fans, and to jump into "human activities" with no regrets, I'm gonna go on full-throttle to do music activities till the end of this year!
First of all, I'm gonna release Single Collection vol 2 in upcoming autumn. I've made a lot of singles after the relase of vol 1.
This time I'll put some new songs in it!
Maybe 4 songs or so, 5 hopefully . . . ! I'm right in the middle of recording, trying to make them something that can tell you my recent feelings, change of my heart. Pleae wait for a while, I'll let you know as soon as the release date is fixed.
Other than that there are more things already fixed and I'll tell you about them soon! Like, a CM I appear in and such . . . expect a lot!
I thank all the staff of EMI being receptive to my offer to take off from artist activities from next year.
I've always made them nervous or worried, still they've always believed in me, supported me. Thank you very much.
I can focus on "human activities" with an easy mind thinking they will wait for my return, believing me.
I guess each one of you has a different impression on my decision, but please believe me and wait for my return. I have no idea how long it gonna be - 2 years or 5 years, but I shall return, more matured. Give me some time.
Well before that I'm gonna release new songs in autumn, then winter and there should be some opportunities to show you recent me, as well as interact each other. So that's all for today. (Also I'm thinking of starting twitter for a limited time! That way I can reply to you directly)
Last of all, thank you for reading this long message. I hope this can help to tell you my current feeling, as much as possible.
August 9th 2010
Utada Hikaru
I can't keep quiet about this.
In an article by Sponichi about me there's this comment of Miyake-san, the producer of EMI, which says he "represents my feeling,"
And I was like "What the?!" - totally surprised, when I saw it.
It doesn't represent my feeling very well (lol)
Put simply, his comment is like "Being famous at the age of 15 made her unable to go to McDonalds and Shibuya 109. It seems she feels she's got a lot, lost a lot." Something like that.
I was so surprises as it totally missed the point, so I called Miyake-san to ask for the details. To ask him what was wrong with his comments. To ask him to explain about it.
Miyake-san said Sponichi made a call and he responded to it. Then Sponichi tweaked what he said, plus they mixed what he had said in an interview done like 10 years ago, and voila - that his comment was created. He told me this time he didn't say something like that.
Well I can understand it, since I had the same experience, like they developed something that wasn't in line with what I intended, by tweaking the content of interview with me. but
But, this is just
Too much~!
It's too different from what I'm feeling!
(´;ω;`) *cries*
McDonalds, 109 and such . . . it's ridiculous_| ̄|○
Maybe they wrote it that way thinking gossip-lovers would snap at it if they used some well-known proper names.
Matter of fact, I go to fast-food shops, use the restroom at convenience stores, take trains just normally_| ̄|○
I really can't take it if people think I would go on a hiatus from next year due to such low-level reason! (lol)
Well apart from that, the important thing is
I don't think "I've lost a lot!"
What's "to lost"?!
You keep getting things as long as you live!
Don't you?(*´ー`*)
At least I live everyday with such a thought.
That's all for now!
“(`(エ)´)ノ彡☆ !!
A rather unique dating rumor has been published by a couple of tabloids yesterday. They claim that actress Fukada Kyoko (27) and songstress Utada Hikaru (27), who is currently on a hiatus, are in a love relationship.
Apparently both of them have often been seen at a certain bar in the Shinjuku Ni-chome district of Tokyo. That district is known for having the world's highest concentration of gay bars and thus there are a lot of places made for lesbian women as well. However, recently there have also been an increase of heterosexual women that just want to be more comfortable without any men around who visit such places.
One witness who saw the two celebrities at such a bar back in July described their appearances. First she saw Fukakyon sitting at the counter, having a few glass by herself. She was a wearing quite a revealing dress and showed a lot of cleavage that day. A little later Utada appeared at the bar as well and unlike the feminine appearance of Fukakyon, she had more of a rockish vibe wearing a shirt with a skull design and trousers. It wasn't the only time they have been spotted in this district. In fact, several people working in Ni-chome revealed that they have been seeing those two quite a few times already.
Only a month later Utada suddenly announced her hiatus, but the tabloid isn't trying to indicate any connection to those sightings.
An official of a TV station commented, "Since last year I've often heard stories about both of them being spotted in Ni-chome. There even have been a couple of interesting reports going a bit more into detail about their encounters… Anyway, it's been known for a while already that Fukakyon really loves lesbian bars. She always goes there to have a drink and raise her spirit just before filming a drama and so on. There even is one favorite place she likes to go when she finishes a project."
Throughout her career, Fukakyon has been in quite a couple of official and unofficial relationships with men. She's already being referred to as a "nikushoku joshi", a so-called "carnivorous woman" that is very active in the field of love. Her most recent relationship with Shimizu Akira's son that started last year already came to an end earlier this year. Now people start to believe that the end of her relationship with him could be related to her new relationship with Utada.
"Utada and her are very close friends and almost meet each other on a weekly base. Moreover it's an inviolable rule that even as a celebrity you never get any kind special treatment in such bars and after all there aren't really that many places where they would be able to share a few drinks without having to worry about attracting the public attention….," the TV station official continued.
They sure would make an interesting couple, but it's highly doubtful that this rumor will turn out to be more than just a wild idea of a weekly tabloid.
UPDATE--Hikki's official response: "You wish! lol" (http://twitter.com/utadahikaru/status/27395546193)Someone please say that I wasn't the only one here that read this and thought "Well...actually..." (http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/jphip02387.gif)
UPDATE--Hikki's official response: "You wish! lol" (http://twitter.com/utadahikaru/status/27395546193)Someone please say that I wasn't the only one here that read this and thought "Well...actually..." (http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/jphip02387.gif)
EMI Music is proud to announce that it has reached a new agreement with Hikaru Utada and her management office, u3music, for a new global recording contract.http://twitter.com/utadahikaru/status/1649838772985856 (http://twitter.com/utadahikaru/status/1649838772985856)
Since EMI released Hikaru Utada’s debut single, ‘Automatic/Time Will Tell’, in 1998, sold 2 million copies, the singer-songwriter has become one of the most successful Japanese recording artists in the country’s history.
More than 9.9 million copies of her debut album ‘First Love’ were shipped domestically and abroad, still the most successful Japanese language album ever.
She has recorded five original albums and 21 singles. In particular, her single ‘Flavor of Life’ was downloaded more than 9 million times upon release, a world record at the time. Hikaru Utada has now sold in total over 50 million singles, albums and DVDs worldwide.
Outside of Japan, Hikaru Utada’s music has been released under the name ‘UTADA’. Going forward, her music activities in all countries and languages will now be united under one name, Hikaru Utada.
Roger Faxon, CEO, EMI Group: “We are very happy that EMI’s global network, expertise and passion will continue to contribute to and support the musical and creative vision of the superbly talented Hikaru Utada. “
■リリース情報
「Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.2」
11月24日(水)発売
品番:TOCT-27027・28 (CD2枚組) 価格:3,300円(税込)
<収録内容>
【Disc 1】
1. Prisoner Of Love フジテレビ系ドラマ「ラスト・フレンズ」主題歌
2. Stay Gold 花王「アジエンス」新CMソング
3. HEART STATION レコード会社直営♪CMソング
4. Kiss & Cry 日清カップヌードルTVCM FREEDOMシリーズ新テーマソング
5. Beautiful World 「ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版:序」テーマソング
6. Flavor Of Life -Ballad Version- TBS系 金曜ドラマ「花より男子2」イメージソング
7. ぼくはくま NHK みんなのうた 2006年 10月~11月のうた
8. This Is Love 日清カップヌードルFREEDOM キャンペーンテーマソング
9. Keep Tryin' LISMO! au LISTEN MOBILE SERVICE TVCM タイアップソング
10. Passion 「KINGDOM HEARTS II」テーマソング
11. Be My Last 映画「春の雪」主題歌
12. 誰かの願いが叶うころ 映画「CASSHERN」テーマソング
13. Beautiful World -PLANiTb Acoustica Mix- 「ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版:破」テーマソング
【Disc 2】
1. 嵐の女神
2. Show Me Love (Not A Dream)
3. Goodbye Happiness
4. Hymne à l'amour ~愛のアンセム~ ペプシネックスCMソング
5. Can't Wait 'Til Christmas
<初回限定盤特典>
★三つ折りペーパースリーヴ+ケース仕様
★くまお守り封入
★横浜アリーナ 2daysコンサート招待応募抽選案内封入
(1000組2000名をご招待 ■応募締切:2010年11月28日23:59まで)
<予約購入者特典>
★新曲「Goodbye Happiness」のVIDEO CLIPを収録したDVD
(詳細はオフィシャルサイトをご確認下さい)
[2010/11/22] 宇多田ヒカル コンサート「WILD LIFE」 SPACE SHOWER TV×スカパー!で1月O.Aが決定!
コンサート「WILD LIFE」のTV O.Aが早くも決定! 1月22日にはスカパー!で、そして2月には音楽専門チャンネルSPACE SHOWER TVでO.A予定。当日コンサートに来られない方も、また当日の感動を再燃させたい方も是非1月と2月の放送をチェックください!
●番組タイトル(1)
SPACE SHOWER TV × スカパー!
宇多田ヒカルコンサート
“WILD LIFE”
放送日程:2011年1月22日(土)19:00~
※視聴方法
スカパー!をご覧の方 スカチャンHD191ch / スカチャン181ch
スカパー!e2 をご覧の方 スカチャンHD801ch
●番組タイトル(2)
SPACE SHOWER TV ORIGINAL EDITION
宇多田ヒカルコンサート
“WILD LIFE”
放送日程:2011年2月放送決定
※視聴方法 スペースシャワーTVで放送
また、12月30日には番宣番組の放送も決定。今回のコンサートにかける意気込みを過去のライヴ映像とともに語ります。
●番組タイトル(3)
SPACE SHOWER TV × スカパー!
宇多田ヒカルコンサート
“WILD LIFE” 事前放送特集
放送日程:2010年12月30日(木)12:00~ ※リピート放送あり(最大10回放送予定)
※視聴方法
スカパー!をご覧の方 スカチャンHD191ch / スカチャン181ch
スカパー!e2 をご覧の方 スカチャンHD801ch
更に更に!SPACE SHOWER TV × スカパー!より12月8,9日に行われるこのコンサートに500組1000名様をご招待!
SPACE SHOWER TV および スカパー!の
チケット応募サイト:
■スカパー!
http://www.skyperfectv.co.jp/special/utada/ (http://www.skyperfectv.co.jp/special/utada/)
■SPACE SHOWER TV
http://www.spaceshowertv.com/utada/ (http://www.spaceshowertv.com/utada/)
Record label "EMI Music Japan" by Utada Hikaru, according to the official, December 8, 2010 (Wednesday) at the Yokohama Arena concert by Utada Hikaru from the "WILD LIFE" video on a 08-minute performance of "Ustream" I have decided to live it all over the world. Viewing is free.
19:00, 8 December delivery is planned for the curtain to the already Ustream is for PCs, "the main channel (700kbps degree)" for the iPhone and other "sub-channel (300kbps)" have been established Masu.
CHECK IT! Anyone can watch for free, Utada Hikaru Concert "WILD LIFE" determine the state of the world liveQuote from: Google TranslateRecord label "EMI Music Japan" by Utada Hikaru, according to the official, December 8, 2010 (Wednesday) at the Yokohama Arena concert by Utada Hikaru from the "WILD LIFE" video on a 08-minute performance of "Ustream" I have decided to live it all over the world. Viewing is free.
19:00, 8 December delivery is planned for the curtain to the already Ustream is for PCs, "the main channel (700kbps degree)" for the iPhone and other "sub-channel (300kbps)" have been established Masu.
I see it as 9K right now, and it keeps changing. Though, my Stream keeps pausing at times, so I imagine that's related, and doubt the numbers are entirely accurate anyway.
Utada looks a lot better since taking the big poofy dress of :cokecat:
Youtube is taking everything down :(
Anyone know where I can find sngle performances from the concert, I don't want to dl the whole thing.
And here's a good thing for people that weren't able to attend a show, it was being videotaped. So hopefully this concert might be broadcast or released on DVD in the future.
^ It's just a temp. hiatus as mentioned in previous pages. I'm sure she knows he passion of the fans that she'll be back. Even covered on ABC NEWS!!
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=12329399 (http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=12329399)
"I want to study new things, and see and experience things in this big world that I don't know about," she wrote on her blog.
For those who missed or can't access JPS (like me lol) I found some DDL and reupped in The Asshole (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=27477.0)
FUCK! I only saw a bit of it so far (slept in and missed it, never knew it was SO EARLY lol) Jeshu u'll dig this:
Dai!!! Those pics are amazing :wriggly: I Loved Hikki's face, especially the last one! XD
While I was watching the concert, I wanted to capture lots of moments of it but I couldn't T___T
Now, I will be able to have more screencaptures thanks to YOU!!! :cow:...coz I'm not registered in that page xDxD
Thank you!!! :D
nice to see you too convoy/M!! Welcome Welcome to :hipheart: I like that positive attitude man! since she is taking a break, this thread won't see much action :/ so what is your Top 5 Hikki Songs??
ME:
1. Wait and See - my first :heart: got me into jpop instantly when I see Hikki riding around in a hover-motorbike
2. Final Distance - haunting chilling
3. Goodbye Happiness - just pure bliss
4. ??????????
5. Can you keep a secret? - loved it in that dorama with Kimura and Matsu Takako
SO MANY GOOD TUNES MAN
^ Oh Dai! .... :cry: Fan's photos :heart:
I wish I'd been there...well...someday I'll see her in person! ...I'll never lose hope :)
@convoy/M! BE very welcome :jphip: It's always good to meet new Hikki fans!!! :cow:
...So my (double :lol:) top 5 would go like this:
1. Colors/Traveling
2. Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro/ Sakura Drops/ *Final Distance (Bonus track XD )
3. Goodbye Happiness/ Devil Inside
4. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence/ One Night Magic
5. You Make Me Want to Be a Man/ Apple and Cinnamon
Sorry... :nervous I can't choose only one song for each number.
It was hard to decide 'coz I love almost all her songs! :P
HIKKI!!! COME BACK SOON!!! I'm gonna miss you!!! :cry:
well, this thread might be quiet for sometimes but I think we can
talk lots of thing about this wonderful-talented woman!
I have a penpal from other country whom I've been writing for more eight years because we both love Hikki, and once we met because she decided to visit me and the very first thing we do is Hikki's Songs Guessing Game hahaha so I always think meeting new people who is also Utada's fans are awesome!! and I feel appreciated to be here, you all seem so nice~!!
Anyhow, Jeshu_1444, you're right, i want to meet her in person someday, i just want to be friend with her.Yeah! She looks like a simple person. I think she must be really nice and cute :)
She must be a very interesting person to discover!
Anyway, it's so hard for me with Top5!!Difficult! Isnt' it??? :sweatdrop:
haha, there're too many!! I even number them from lastest!
okey, .. i guess ...
1.Hikari / wait&see -
I love how mature they were, and everything about them!
I think if someone ask me what Utada was like in her J-Music, I will recommend these!
2.Letters / Shiawase ni narou - two words, for Letters 'mystic' & Shiawase is 'exciting' ~ you will feel like lying down and release yourself from all hard works, just by listening to them, don't you think so!?
3.Give me a reason - I sometimes surprised my friend saying that this song is one of my Top3 whatever new mastered pieces will out.
the reason..? well, I always wanted to ask the song itself either! hahaha, it just stuck in my head from the first second it came to me.
The telephone sound interlude before Hikki's voice started, the quitar, and the first word "only sixteen". she made me fall in love with
this song again when she just stepped out and sit at the apron and sang it emotionally!
4.Drama / Addicted to you / For You } for some reason, I just love to hear how deep her voice can get low pitched.
5.Me Muero / Poppin'
Me Muero is just awesome work in my opinion!! it sounds like lazy-telling story at first, which quite charming.
then she just combine all words together linked and everything all gathered right next for her!!
fewwwww ~~ i'm going hit bed now , THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOU WELCOME
(http://picroda.jphip.com/japanese/jphip07902.jpg)
Download here.
http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=27701.0 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=27701.0)
Here's some re-uploads that were requested...
Collection of rare tracks and radio clips
1998-10-xx Sukiyaki (Music Talk'98).mp3
1999.04.02 Tokyo - 04 - Never Let Go.mp3
1999.04.02 Tokyo - 08 - Konya Wa Boggie Back with Schadarapa.mp3
1999.04.02 Tokyo - 10 - Movin On Without You.mp3
1999-07-25 Loving You (FM North Wave, Char Donburi Mood).mp3
1999-10-07 I Won't Last A Day Without You (Music Talk'99).mp3
1999-11-12 No Woman No Cry (Tres Bien Bohemian 7).mp3
2000.06.29 For You (National Yoyogi Stadium).mp3
2000-05-26 Hikki Interview (Tres Bien Bohemian 35).mp3
2000-05-26 Itoshi No Erii (Tres Bien Bohemian 35) w-Something Else.mp3
2000-06-09 Michelle (Tres Bien Bohemian 37) w-Takaki Buu.mp3
2000-xx-xx I Love You (Yutaka Ozaki cover-live) [bootleg].mp3
2000-xx-xx Playback part 2 (live July-Aug 2000) [bootleg].mp3
2000-xx-xx Take On Me (live July-Aug 2000) [bootleg].mp3
2001-02-xx Interview on HK channel radio, Feb 2001.mp3
Utada Hikaru - Final Distance (M-Flo Remix).mp3
Utada interview at Energy 92-7 & 1011 (2004.08.16).mp3
http://www.twitter.com/?d=2R175V2Q (http://www.twitter.com/?d=2R175V2Q)
And 4 complete radio shows. First 3 are 52 min each, the special is 2 hours...
2000-09-09 Tres Bien! Bohemian #50
http://www.twitter.com/?d=4P9LO2VZ (http://www.twitter.com/?d=4P9LO2VZ)
2000-09-16 Tres Bien! Bohemian #51
http://www.twitter.com/?d=V9LYCGK2 (http://www.twitter.com/?d=V9LYCGK2)
2000-09-22 Tres Bien! Bohemian #52
http://www.twitter.com/?d=O76MWP5M (http://www.twitter.com/?d=O76MWP5M)
Tres Bien! Bohemian Special In Tokyo 2003-01-13
http://www.twitter.com/?d=1HRVSVLJ (http://www.twitter.com/?d=1HRVSVLJ)
It's gonna be on tv soon, so probably best to wait til then for a HD version..http://jpopsuki.eu/torrents.php?id=55792 (http://jpopsuki.eu/torrents.php?id=55792)
http://www.skyperfectv.co.jp/special/utada/ (http://www.skyperfectv.co.jp/special/utada/)
I hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day :) I spent the whole day playing Furai No Shiren 5 on my Nintendo DSi
"I've been playing Shiren the Wanderer 5 too much," Utada added, "and I was even going through dungeons in a dream. All my items, like the Herb of Revival, that were in a very important jar transformed into rice balls, and I woke up just as I said, 'Gah, my weapons!'"
03.26(SAT) 11:17 A Message
On March 11th, a massive earthquake and tsunami hit North Japan, taking the lives of countless people, leaving many survivors homeless, in the cold, with no gas, no electricity, no running water, and in fear of radiation leaking from a nuclear power plant.
This is the biggest natural disaster recorded in Japanese history in a thousand years.
After the earthquake I gave 400 ml of my blood to a blood bank, and made a donation to Japan's Red Cross. At times like these, we need to help one another, do what we can the each of us. Please help Japan, it doesn't matter how much you give. One way to make a donation is through your country's Red Cross, by specifying its use for Japan's earthquake and tsunami victims.
There is something we can all learn from what is happening in Japan. For decades we have depended on nuclear power. It has made possible quick economic growth and a "convenient" society, but also a lifestyle that is very wasteful.
This catastrophe has made many of us in Japan realize that we have been taking many things for granted---food, energy, daily supplies, running water, resources, life.
You don't have to wait until you lose everything, to learn that what you have is precious. If we all save energy, use only what we need, and live responsibly for what we consume, we can make the world a safer, more peaceful place, for us all.
All of us in Japan are very grateful, we are all touched deeply, by the support we have received from overseas. Thank you. I wish you all love, and peace.
Hikaru Utada
03.26(SAT) 11:15 メッセージ
今回の大地震と大津波でお亡くなりになられた大勢の方々に、お悔やみ申し上げます。
そして大切な人を失った方、帰る場所を失い、不安な日々を送っている方々を思うと、心が痛みます。
私にとっても、母の生まれ故郷である岩手、祖母が眠る宮城も大きな被害を受けたということもあり、今何が出来るか考え、献血、そして日本赤十字社を通して被災地への寄付をさせていただきました。
日本全国で、そして国外からも、同じ気持ちで寄付や支援活動を行っている人たちが沢山、いると思います。今後、テレビで災害の報道がされなくなっても、助け合う気持ち、愛し合う気持ちを忘れずに、みんなで一緒にこの困難を乗り越えていきましょう。
この事態から、私たちひとりひとりが学ぶべきこと、気付くべきことがあると思います。
当たり前のように思っていた今の便利な暮らしが、実はとても脆いシステムの上で成り立っているということ。電力、特に原子力発電に大変依存していて、その負担やリスクの多くを一部地方に担ってもらっていること。
食べ物、生活用品、エネルギー、資源、そして命があることは「当たり前」ではなく、「ありがたい」のだと気付き、「あるから使う」のではなく、「必要なだけ使う」という意識に切り替え、何が無駄かを考えていけたら、みんなで無駄を減らすことが出来る思います。無駄の少ない世界は悲しみも少ない世界かもしれません。
被災者の皆さまの心と身体の傷が癒え、心から笑顔になれる日が一日でも早く来ますように、祈っています。
宇多田ヒカルより
Utada Hikaru has a hidden life. She appears to be an ordinary American college student. Last fall she attended classes by day, hung out with friends by night, and like most of her fellow Columbia University freshmen, she hasn't settled on a major yet. But there were rumors about her among the students during orientation week--stories that were hard to believe. "Most of my friends know the truth," says Hikaru. "Even before the first day of school, I was talking to this friend who was going to Columbia also, and he told me, 'People all know you're coming.' And I go, 'What do you mean?' And he said, 'Well, all the Asian kids know, but even the non-Asian students have heard something about the Japanese Britney Spears coming to their school.'"
BREAKING NEWS
UTADA YAWNED AND SUFFERED A MUSCLE CRAMP UNDER HER CHIN AS A RESULT!
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120611-00000021-flix-movi (http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120611-00000021-flix-movi)
Yeah, apparently she posted a simple Twitter update about how she yawned too hard and Yahoo! Japan decided to make a big deal out of it. :lol:
Here's the offending tweet:
https://twitter.com/utadahikaru/status/211597236327546881 (https://twitter.com/utadahikaru/status/211597236327546881)
Her response: "I can't decide whether the press has an AMAZING sense of humor or no sense of humor at all" (https://twitter.com/utadahikaru/status/212137249066844162)
I guess everyone is desperate for something new from Hikki. I know I am. :P
BREAKING NEWS
UTADA YAWNED AND SUFFERED A MUSCLE CRAMP UNDER HER CHIN AS A RESULT!
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120611-00000021-flix-movi (http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120611-00000021-flix-movi)
Yeah, apparently she posted a simple Twitter update about how she yawned too hard and Yahoo! Japan decided to make a big deal out of it. :lol:
Here's the offending tweet:
https://twitter.com/utadahikaru/status/211597236327546881 (https://twitter.com/utadahikaru/status/211597236327546881)
Her response: "I can't decide whether the press has an AMAZING sense of humor or no sense of humor at all" (https://twitter.com/utadahikaru/status/212137249066844162)
I guess everyone is desperate for something new from Hikki. I know I am. :P
LOL I didn't know you could get a cramp there :lol:
BREAKING NEWS
UTADA YAWNED AND SUFFERED A MUSCLE CRAMP UNDER HER CHIN AS A RESULT!
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120611-00000021-flix-movi (http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120611-00000021-flix-movi)
Yeah, apparently she posted a simple Twitter update about how she yawned too hard and Yahoo! Japan decided to make a big deal out of it. :lol:
Here's the offending tweet:
https://twitter.com/utadahikaru/status/211597236327546881 (https://twitter.com/utadahikaru/status/211597236327546881)
Her response: "I can't decide whether the press has an AMAZING sense of humor or no sense of humor at all" (https://twitter.com/utadahikaru/status/212137249066844162)
I guess everyone is desperate for something new from Hikki. I know I am. :P
LOL I didn't know you could get a cramp there :lol:
I guess I can say I suffered many like that, it no fun at all, the feeling is like a hook is pulling your chin up. I would believe the overuse of the jaw for certain things causes it. But yeah it is desperate for anyone to talk about it in general
Are people going to hate me if I say that I've never played any of the Kingdom Hearts series?
I don't! It just... magically fit (or so I'm told). RT @tsunvun86: But you would know the storyline? to have your song relate to it right?
The last time Hikki announced a new song was “Goodbye Happiness” back in November of 2010. She’s currently on hiatus, but the film staff’s ardent offer and her love for ‘Evangelion’ moved her to write the new song. According to the record company, Hikki will not be resuming her activities, but this is just a one-time release.
Dec 9th marked the 14th year anniversary of my debut! I am so grateful to everyone, to everything. Right now, I am very happy to be alive.
Sakura Nagashi is now available on iTunes in the UK, France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and probably more countries, but I will have to check...
Update: Sakura Nagashi is available on US iTunes also!
Utada Hikaru updates Twitter after a month of absenceLINKS
January 30, 2014 @ 11:38 pm
Singer-songwriter Utada Hikaru, who was absent from her schedule radio program "KUMA POWER HOUR with Utada Hikaru" (Inter FM) due to health reasons, updated her fans through Twitter on January 30.
After a month of silence on her social media account, she updated fans with a tweet that read, "The street said Hi so I said Hi back", with a picture of her hand.
Since this didn't give any indication of her current state of health, her worried followers showered her with questions like "How is your health? Please take care" and "It's been a while since you posted something on instagram. Are you doing well?"
Through a message on her official website this morning, Utada Hikaru announced that she is engaged to be married.Congrats, Hikki! I hope this goes better than your first marriage!
Hikaru revealed that she is in a relationship with a non-celebrity, Italian man. The singer implored people to respect the pair's privacy, especially considering his non-celebrity status.
Hikaru was originally going to quietly get married without alerting the public. However, because rumors had begun surfacing, she decided to go public with her engagement.
"Thank you for your warm support. I'm sorry to make you worry about me so much. He is a well-loved man with many friends and a large, cheerful family. I'm at a good age, so it would bring me happiness if you watched over me quietly," the singer wrote.
With the death of her mother still fresh in her mind, Hikaru was going to put off getting married as she continued to grieve. However, thinking about how happy her mother was when they last spoke made her reconsider her own happiness.
"I believe my mother is supporting me, so I decided to get married as planned," she said.
Utada Hikaru talks about her husband-to-be on her radio programLINKS
February 19, 2014
On February 18, singer-songwriter Utada Hikaru (31), who revealed earlier this month that she would marry an Italian man (23), announced on her Inter FM program in her natural voice that "I will be getting married."
She thanked everyone with, "I was happy to hear the well wishes from everyone," and explained disinterestedly that, "I did not deliberately choose an international marriage. Rather, it happened unexpectedly not to be a Japanese person who I became acquainted with, and who matches me amazingly... His family even talks dirty jokes with me. They are very lively, but also delicate which is same as Japanese people."
Her husband-to-be is a bartender at a high-end hotel in London, England and she met him last year through a friend. The couple plans to hold their ceremony in the southern Italian city of Fasano on May 23.
Source: Sanspo (http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20140219/mar14021905020002-n1.html)
Congrats, Hikki! I hope this goes better than your first marriage!
Utada Hikaru to end her radio programLINKS
March 12, 2014 @ 5:29 am
Utada Hikaru will be putting an end to her radio program 'KUMA POWER HOUR with Utada Hikaru' after the upcoming March 18th broadcast.
This was announced via InterFM and Utada Hikaru's official websites. The message, "Thank you for listening during this past year," has been posted on both sites.
'KUMA POWER HOUR with Utada Hikaru' is Utada's regular radio program that started in April of 2013. This was her first regular radio program since 'Utada Hikaru no Tres Bien Bohemian' ended in 2000. After the program started broadcasting, Utada previously tweeted, "It will be my first radio program in 13 years. I wonder if I will be okay..."
Source: natalie (http://natalie.mu/music/news/111825)
[2014/05/24] Hey, I got married!http://www.utadahikaru.jp/from-hikki/ex/ (http://www.utadahikaru.jp/from-hikki/ex/)
Hey, I got married!
Thank you, to everyone.
Utada Hikaru holds her wedding ceremony in ItalyLINKS
May 23, 2014
Singer-songwriter Utada Hikaru (31) and Italian bartender Francesco Calliano (23) held their wedding ceremony in Polignano a Mare, Southern Italy on May 23.
Utada wore a simple, full-length white dress with laced sleeves. It was a tightly-guarded wedding with about 7-8 bodyguards to prevent pictures from being taken. Among the chaos, the couple stepped out of the church in smiles.
About 300 spectators flocked to the church to get a glimpse of the "Japanese pop star & young Italian man". Utada arrived 15 minutes after the groom in a black Mercedes with tinted windows. One after another, cheers of celebration came from the locals.
Utada was surrounded by 7-8 bodyguards dressed in black, completely blocking her appearance from the people who came to see her. In order to protect the bride, the bodyguards each held up paper umbrellas. Those who were invited to the ceremony were even notified in advance that photography was forbidden.
A reception followed the ceremony in the groom's hometown, Fasano.
Congratulations!
Sources: Daily Sports, Sponichi
Cover album of Utada Hikaru to be released in DecemberLINKS
October 21, 2014
(http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/jphip07634.jpg)
To commemorate her 15th anniversary, a cover album of Utada Hikaru, titled "Utada Hikaru no Uta", will be released on December 9.
The covered songs album is part 2 of Utada's releases for her 15th anniversary. Back in March, she released "First Love -15th Anniversary Edition-" which included a remastered edition of her 1st album "First Love". For the upcoming album, a handful of big names as well as young artists will be covering her numbers. The line up will be revealed at a later date.
Those who pre-order the album will be able to enter a lottery to participate in an album listening party which will be held from mid-November to early-December nationwide.
To coincide the announcement, a special website has been launched for the album. The portrait of Utada that is featured on the website was illustrated by graphic designer Carolin Loebbert. It's said that works by artists from various fields will be revealed on the website.
Source & Image: natalie (http://natalie.mu/music/news/129177)
Artists Announced For Utada Hikaru Tribute Album- http://aramajapan.com/news/music/newrelease/artists-announced-for-utada-hikaru-tribute-album/12979/ (http://aramajapan.com/news/music/newrelease/artists-announced-for-utada-hikaru-tribute-album/12979/)
As previously reported, a Utada Hikaru tribute album titled “Utada Hikaru no Uta” is set to be released on December 9, the 16th anniversary of her debut. The list of artists on the album has now been revealed. She chose a group of artists who are singer-songwriters who make very personal music.
Artists on the album:
AI
Inoue Yosui
Ohashi Trio
Okamura Yasuyuki
Kato Miliyah
KIRINJI
Shiina Ringo
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis feat. Peabo Bryson
tofubeats with BONNIE PINK
Hanaregumi
Ayumi Hamasaki
Yoshii Kazuya
LOVE PSYCHEDELICO
The songs they will perform will be released at a later date. It is said though that Ayumi Hamasaki was initially approached to do one song (it was thought at first that she wouldn’t want to participate at all) but said that she had another in mind. The song Ayu is doing has been described as a “really well known Hikki song that had a separate single cut.” On this Utada song, Ayu will be using her voice in a way that she doesn’t normally do on her own songs.
On the same day, high resolution sound 24bit / 96kHz versions of Utada’s best albums “Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL. 1 & 2″ will be released in the USB format.
Track list for 'Utada Hikaru no Uta' announced- http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/12/track-list-for-utada-hikaru-no-uta-announced (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/12/track-list-for-utada-hikaru-no-uta-announced)
December 3, 2014
The track list for "Utada Hikaru no Uta - 13-kumi no Ongakuka ni Yoru 13 no Kaishaku ni Tsuite-", which will be released on December 9, has been announced.
"Utada Hikaru no Uta" will feature 13 artists covering Utada Hikaru's songs. Inoue Yosui covered "SAKURA Drops", Sheena Ringo "Letters", Okamura Yasuyuki "Automatic", Hamasaki Ayumi "Movin' on without you", Hanaregumi "Flavor Of Life", AI "FINAL DISTANCE", Yoshii Kazuya "Be My Last", LOVE PSYCHEDELICO "Hikari", Kato Miliyah "For You", tofubeats with BONNIE PINK "time will tell", KIRINJI "Keep Tryin'", and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis feat. Peabo Bryson "Sanctuary". Out of the 13 songs, the covers of "SAKURA Drops", "Letters", "FINAL DISTANCE", and "Keep Tryin'" are already available for download via iTunes Store. In addition, the album's special website has released official comments by the artists.
Also on the special website is a gallery of various works that different artists created using Utada's songs as the theme. Recently uploaded was a video for Utada's "Beautiful World" done by the 'Evangelion Shin Gekijouban' ('Rebuild of Evangelion') team. Directed by Tsurumaki Kazuya, the video features edited scenes from the 'Evangelion Shin Gekijouban' series.
You can check out the track list and video for "Beautiful World" below.
[Utada Hikaru no Uta - 13-kumi no Ongakuka ni Yoru 13 no Kaishaku ni Tsuite-]
01. SAKURA Drops / Inoue Yosui
02. Letters / Sheena Ringo
03. Automatic / Okamura Yasuyuki
04. Movin' on without you / Hamasaki Ayumi
05. Flavor Of Life / Hanaregumi
06. FINAL DISTANCE / AI
07. Be My Last / Yoshii Kazuya
08. Hikari / LOVE PSYCHEDELICO
09. For You / Kato Miliyah
10. Stay Gold / Ohashi Trio
11. time will tell / tofubeats with BONNIE PINK
12. Keep Tryin' / KIRINJI
13. Sanctuary / Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis feat. Peabo Bryson
Source: natalie (http://natalie.mu/music/news/132777)
Utada Hikaru announces the birth of her baby!- http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2015/07/utada-hikaru-announces-the-birth-of-her-baby
July 2, 2015
Utada Hikaru made an announcement on her official site that she gave birth to a baby boy!
On a post entitled, "Announcement to you fans," she wrote, "Ah, we just had a new addition to our family! It's a very calm baby boy that suckles well and sleeps well."
Utada also revealed that she was working on a new album during her pregnancy. According to her, it will take a little more time until it's finished, but she can't wait to deliver it to her fans.
Congratulations to the couple!
Source: natalie (http://natalie.mu/music/news/152684)
Utada Hikaru gives birth, also working on new album!- http://aramajapan.com/news/utada-hikaru-gives-birth-also-working-on-new-album/19884/
Utada Hikaru has announced on her official website that she has given birth to a healthy baby boy! Back in 2014 Utada married Francesco Calliano, an Italian bartender. The name of the baby and date of birth was not mentioned in the announcement.
Rumors of new music have been circulating for years with no confirmation of a new single or album, and thankfully those rumors can finally be put to rest. While pregnant Hikki confirmed that she began work on a brand new album! In the announcement Hikki says the album will still take a bit more time to complete, but she’s looking forward to adding the finishing touches and getting it out for everyone. Hikki’s last studio album “This Is The One” was released six years ago, and her last Japanese studio album “HEART STATION” just turned seven years old in March.
Congratulations to the couple!
Hikaru Utada is working on new music and returning to Japan next summer- http://aramajapan.com/news/hikaru-utada-is-working-on-new-music-and-returning-to-japan-next-summer/50400/
Hikaru Utada is working on new music and returning to Japan next summer
“Although Hikaru is suffering from chronic sleep deprivation due to breastfeeding her child, it seems that she has started creating new songs at the end of August.”, reports a music official who is an acquaintance of Hikaru Utada (33).
Hikaru got married to Italian barman F (24) last February and gave birth to a baby boy in June of this year. Currently, the three of them reside in London but it seems that they are moving to Japan in Summer 2016. At the time of his first ever visit to Japan, her son will be one year old.
“Until now, Hikaru hasn’t voted even once. For some time, she has been saying things like ‘I want to try voting just once, too’ and she has changed her certificate of residence from New York to Tokyo for this. However, she did not make it in time for last year’s House of Representatives election. She says that she will ‘absolutely vote’ during next summer’s House of Councillors election.”
Since becoming a mother, Utada’s feelings for her homeland have become stronger. It seems that she is singing Japanese children’s songs to her son and that she bought special material for teaching him Japanese from an early stage on: The DVD of “Manga Nihon Mukashibanashi” (Manga Japanese Folk Tales).
Hikaru has been born and raised in New York. Her father, Teruzane Utada (67) had made her watch the same series so that she would not forget her Japanese at that time.
“‘Manga Nihon Mukashibanashi’ is an unforgettable work for Hikaru because it reminds her of her deceased mother, Keiko Fuji (62 at the time of her death) who lived together with her and her father in New York. I have heard that Teruzane, who went to visit Hikaru and her husband in England this August, gave her the DVD there.”
Maybe Hikaru gets to relive some childhood memories of her beloved mother while watching “Manga Nihon Mukashibanashi” together with her son.
(via Yahoo News (http://zasshi.news.yahoo.co.jp/article?a=20150918-00010004-jisin-ent))
Hikaru Utada shares her feelings about being a parent- http://aramajapan.com/news/hikaru-utada-shares-her-feelings-about-being-a-parent/52681/
Singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada (32) updated her Twitter in the morning of December 1, 2015 for the first time in approximately 5 months. In her last tweet which was published in July, she announced the birth of her first son.
Now, she expressed her feelings about having become a mother:
“I haven’t had to get up at 6:30 am in the morning since dropping out of university 15 years ago.
There is no weekend, no holiday and no absence due to poor health when it comes to “parent work”.
I only realized this now that I’m a parent myself… The first “ohayou gozaiKUMA BONJOUR!” since I’ve become a mom (=(エ)=)ノ彡☆”
(via Hikaru Utada’s official Twitter account (https://twitter.com/utadahikaru/status/671459174316965890))
Utada Hikaru reveals title for 'Toto Neechan' theme song- http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2016/03/utada-hikaru-reveals-title-for-toto-neechan-theme-song
March 10, 2016
Previously, it was reported that Utada Hikaru will be singing the theme song for the next NHK morning drama 'Toto Neechan'. The title of the theme song has been revealed to be "Hanataba wo Kimi ni".
Hikki will be making her official comeback on April 4 when "Hanataba wo Kimi ni" airs on the first episode of 'Toto Neechan'. That same night, her other new song will be used in NTV's news program 'NEWS ZERO'. The title for this song will be announced soon.
To commemorate Hikki's return, a project called "NEW-TURN Project" has been launched. For this project, her staff and fans will come together to welcome Hikki back. When you tweet with the hashtag "#おかえりHIKKI" ("Welcome Back HIKKI"), purchase related goods, or download her music, sakura will bloom on the project's special website (http://www.utadahikaru.jp/sakura/).
In addition, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to a non-profit organization who will donate sakura trees to areas affected by the Tohoku Earthquake. "NEW-TURN Project" is also endorsed by GYAO!, USEN and Daiichi Kosho Company.
Are you looking forward to Hikki's return?
Source & Image: natalie (http://natalie.mu/music/news/179249)
Utada Hikaru's new songs to be digitally released this month- http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2016/04/utada-hikarus-new-songs-to-be-digitally-released-this-month
April 4, 2016
Utada Hikaru's new songs "Hanataba wo Kimi ni" and "Manatsu no Tooriame" will be released digitally on April 15.
"Hanataba wo Kimi ni" has been picked up as the opening theme for NHK's morning drama 'Toto Neechan' premiering April 4. Meanwhile, "Manatsu no Tooriame" will be used as the theme song for NTV's news program 'NEWS ZERO', also starting on April 4.
Stephen Fitzmaurice served as mix engineer for both songs. The PVs will also be revealed via her official website and GYAO! on April 15.
In addition, Utada Hikaru's new artist photos, taken by Okinawan photographer Ishikawa Ryuichi, have been released. More photos are featured in "Pia MUSIC COMPLEX Vol.4" (April 4 released), including an interview with Ishikawa.
Sources: Utada Hikaru's official website (http://www.utadahikaru.jp/release/index_j.htm), natalie (http://natalie.mu/music/news/182172)