generasia:Featured article for 2010 week 37

ICONIQ

ICONIQ is a Japanese pop artist who debuted in 2009.

Prior to her debut as ICONIQ, she was known as Ayumi Lee or Ito Ayumi, an SM Town singer famous for covering Cutie Honey in Korean. Prior to being signed with SM Town, Ito was the leader and lead vocalists of the Korean idol group, Sugar. The group's contract was terminated in 2006.

In 2008, Ito signed a contract with avex Entertainment. She was then sent to Los Angeles to study dance and music in preparation for her Japanese debut. On returning to Japan, Ito was instructed to shave her head by her label.

On Decmeber 9, 2009, Ito debuted as ICONIQ under the avex sublabel, rhythm zone with the single "I'm lovin' you". The song was a huge success charting at #1 on the Recochoku download charts for an entire week (the first time a debut artist has done this). At the same time, ICONIQ was featured in numerous commercials for companies like Starbucks, Shiseido, Kitson, and Maserati.

On March 10, 2010, ICONIQ released her debut album, Change Myself. The album reached #3 on the Oricon charts and charted for 10 weeks. In total, the album sold over 63,000 copies.

On September 15, 2010, ICONIQ will release her first mini album, Light Ahead, featuring the single "Tokyo Lady".