aiko
From Wiki.theppn
aiko is a Japanese singer-songwriter who debuted in late 1997 under the Pony Canyon label. She is known for her cheerful disposition. Her music primarily consists of love songs and is particularly popular among young girls in Japan. And Oricon published the results of a survey of 20,000 subscribers' favourite singers, and aiko topped the list in both 2005 and 2006.
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[edit] Profile
- Name: Yanai Aiko (柳井 愛子)
- Stage Name: aiko
- Birthday: November 22, 1975
- Birthplace: Osaka Prefecture, Japan
- Blood Type: AB
- Hobbies: Bathing, sleeping, dogs, driving
- Favorite food: mustard mentaiko, yams, umeboshi (plum)
- Height: 152 cm / 5'0"
- Footsize: 21.5 cm
[edit] Information
aiko, full name Yanai Aiko, began her music career early, forming her own band while still in school. However, when she graduated, the group disbanded and aiko went her own way. She attended music school in Osaka, and while there showed a talent for music winning first prize in a teen music festival.
Later aiko was spotted by a producer, and in 1998 she debuted with the single Ashita. The slightly child-like quality to her vocals lends itself well to the upbeat and cheery tracks she commonly puts out, though no doubt you'll find the odd ballad lurking in her collection. She draws inspiration from her favorite artists: Carole King, The Jackson 5, Billy Joel, and Stevie Wonder.
After the release of her third single Hanabi, aiko became recognised nationwide, due to much television promotional coverage for every one of her subsequent commercial releases. Her second album, Sakura no Ki no Shita sold over one million copies, and her sixth single, Boyfriend, became her best-selling CD single, and she achieved an appearance in NHK's 2000 Kohaku Uta Gassen. Incidentally, since the song's lyrics contain the word "tetrapot", similar to "tetrapod", a registered trademark, aiko encountered controversy and brief legal problems since NHK is a public broadcasting station. However, the episode was resolved without any restriction being placed on the lyrics.
So far, she has released 8 albums on the Pony Canyon label. Her latest album, which was very successful, was released in 2008.
It was announced in May 2, 2008 that aiko will sing the insert song for the final installment of the series Hana Yori Dango.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Mini-Albums
- [1997.12.20] astral box (Indies) - failed to chart
- [1998.05.30] GIRLIE (Indies) - failed to chart
[edit] Albums
- [1999.04.21] Chiisa na Marui Koujitsu (小さな丸い好日; Little Calm Good Day) #24
- [2000.03.01] Sakura no Ki no Shita (桜の木の下; Below the Cherry Blossom Tree) #1
- [2001.06.20] Natsufuku (夏服; Summer Clothing) #1
- [2002.09.04] Aki Soba ni Iru yo (秋 そばにいるよ; Autumn is Beside Me) #2
- [2003.11.27] Akatsuki no Love Letter (暁のラブレター; Love Letter of Daybreak) #1
- [2005.03.02] Yume no Naka no Massugu na Michi (夢の中のまっすぐな道; Within the Dream, the Straight Ahead Path) #1
- [2006.08.23] Kanojo (彼女; Girlfriend) #1
- [2008.04.02] Himitsu (秘密; Secret) #2
[edit] Singles
- [1997.xx.xx] Doutei Omnibus (どうていオムニバス; Itinerary) (Indies) - failed to chart
- [1998.05.20] Hachimitsu (ハチミツ; Honey) (Indies) - failed to chart
- [1998.07.17] Ashita (あした; Tomorrow) #89
- [1999.03.03] Naki Mushi (ナキ・ムシ; Crybaby) #26
- [1999.08.04] Hanabi (花火; Fireworks) #10
- [1999.11.17] Kabutomushi (カブトムシ; Beetle) #8
- [2000.02.17] Sakura no Toki (桜の時; Cherry Blossom Time) #12
- [2000.09.20] Boyfriend (ボーイフレンド) #2
- [2001.02.21] Hatsukoi (初恋; First Love) #3
- [2001.05.30] Rosie (ロージー) #2
- [2001.11.21] Oyasuminasai (おやすみなさい; Good Night) #2
- [2002.04.24] Anata to Akushu (あなたと握手; I Shake Hands With You) #6
- [2002.08.14] Kondo Made ni wa (今度までには; By This Time) #3
- [2003.04.23] Chouchou Musubi (蝶々結び; Butterfly Union) #4
- [2003.08.06] Andromeda (アンドロメダ) #3
- [2003.11.06] Eriashi (えりあし; Nape of Neck) #5
- [2004.04.28] Kaban (かばん; Briefcase) #3
- [2004.09.01] Hana Kaze (花風; Flower Wind) #2
- [2005.02.16] Mikuni Eki (三国駅) #2
- [2005.08.03] Kirakira (キラキラ; Glitter) #2
- [2005.11.30] Star (スター) #4
- [2006.07.12] Kumo wa Shiro Ringo wa Aka (雲は白リンゴは赤; Cloud is White, Apple is Red) #3
- [2007.03.21] Ashita (re-release) (あした; Tomorrow) #16
- [2007.05.30] Shiawase (シアワセ; Happiness) #2
- [2007.08.22] Hoshi no Nai Sekai / Yokogao (星のない世界 / 横顔; World Without Stars / Face in Profile) #2
- [2008.03.12] Futari (二人; Two People) #3
[edit] VHS / DVDs
- [2000.11.22] Utau Inu (ウタウイヌ; Singing Dog)
- [2000.11.22] Love Like Pop
- [2002.03.20] Yuurakucho de Aimashou ~Love Like Pop Vol.VI~ (有楽町で逢いましょう~Love Like Pop Vol.VI~)
- [2003.03.19] Utau Inu 2 (ウタウイヌ2)
- [2004.04.14] Love Like Rock
- [2005.05.11] Love Like Pop add.
- [2006.09.20] Utau Inu 3 (ウタウイヌ3)
- [2007.03.21] LOVE LIKE POP add. 10th Anniversary
[edit] Compilation / Other Albums
- [2002.05.29] The Japan Gold Disc Award 2002 (Boyfriend)
- [2006.03.25] aiko Collection -Relaxing Orgel- (aikoコレクション)
[edit] Books
- [2005.03.28] aiko bon Amazon.co.jp
[edit] Live Tours
- [1998] LOVE LIKE POP!
- [1999] LOVE LIKE POP II
- [1999] LOVE LIKE POP VOL. III
- [1999] College musical festivals
- [2000] LOVE LIKE POP VOL.IV
- [2000] LOVE LIKE POP VOL.V
- [2001] BABY PEENATS Meething Vol.1
- [2001] LOVE LIKE POP Vol.VI
- [2002] LOVE LIKE ROCK
- [2002] LOVE LIKE POP Vol.VII
- [2003] LOVE LIKE ROCK vol.2
- [2003] Love Like Aloha
- [2003] College musical festivals
- [2004] Love Like Pop vol.8
- [2004] BABY PEENATS Meeting Vol.2
- [2005] Love Like Pop vol.9
- [2006] Love Like Rock Vol.3
- [2006] Love Like Aloha 2
- [2006] Love like Pop Vol.10
- [2007] Love like Pop Vol.10
- [2008] Love Like Pop vol.11
[edit] Awards
- [1995] TEENS' MUSIC FESTIVAL - Nationwide teens grand prize
- [1996] Music Quest Japan Final - Excellence Prize – Himawari ni Nattara
- [2000] Teen's Music Festival Final - Teen's Grand Prize – Aitsu wo Furimukaseru Hoho
- [2000] Saku ya Kono Hana Award, Music (Osaka city)
- [2002] Metropolitan Action on Smoking or Health - Stop-smoking Grand Prize
- [2001] The Japan Gold Disc Award - Rock Album of the Year – Sakura no Ki no Shita
- [2002] 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
- [2005] Oricon - 20,000 subscribers' favourite singers NO.1
- [2006] Oricon - 20,000 subscribers' favourite singers NO.1
[edit] Baby Peenats
Baby Peenats (Baby Peanut) is the name of the official fan club of aiko. The main privileges about joining this fan club are the quarterly fan club bulletin, priority reservation of live concert ticket, participate the tv musical programs which aiko performs, participation of the fan club event, When joining, the specially-made key ring when joins Baby Peenats etc. The bulletin is sent at the end of May, August, October and January. Moreover, "BABY PEENATS MEETING" of the member limitation has been held two times in the past though it is irregular. The initiation fee is 1,000 yen, and the annual membership fee is 3,000 yen. By the way, spelling "PEENATS" differs from "PEANUT" that is food, and is coinage.

