aiko (artist)
Japanese name: | aiko (アイコ) |
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Gender: | Female |
Date of birth: | November 22, 1975[1] |
Place of birth: | Suita, Osaka, Japan[2] |
Genres: | J-pop |
Years active: | 1998-present |
Labels: | Pony Canyon |
Website: | www.aiko.com |
aiko (アイコ Aiko ), born Aiko Yanai (柳井 愛子 Yanai Aiko ) on November 22, 1975 in Suita, Osaka, is a Japanese singer-songwriter. She became famous for her hit songs Ashita, Kabutomushi, Hanabi, Sakura no Toki, Boyfriend, and Kira Kira, among others.
Biography
Born in Suita, Osaka, aiko lived with other relatives from a very young age due to family circumstances[3]. This prompted her to aim for a singer career, which family friend and artist Hiroshi Madoka (円 広志) was opposed to. This however did not stop her and she started composing music on the piano in high school, while also being in a band. In May 1995, while attending Osaka Junior College of Music, she won the grand prize at the teen music festival[4]. In April 1996, she graduated from college and joined FM Osaka's COUNTDOWN KANSAI TOP 40 as a radio host and soon became popular[5]. In 1997, she was noticed by a producer from Pony Canyon and was contracted, before releasing her first indie album in December of the same year. In July 1998, aiko made her major debut with her song Ashita (あした, lit. "tomorrow"), featured as a theme song in movie "Shinsei, Toire no Hanako-san" (新生 トイレの花子さん). She has since gained nationwide attention and her songs have consistently peaked on many music charts.
Song themes in Detective Conan
Movie themes
- Sōshisōai - Movie 27 (The Million-dollar Pentagram)