generasia:Featured article for 2019 week 36
Otsuka Ai
Otsuka Ai (大塚愛) is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter on the avex trax label. She first appeared in September 2003 with the single "Momo no Hanabira", but it wasn't until her second single "Sakuranbo" that her talent was noticed.
A piano player since age 4, Otsuka composes and co-produces her songs. She also writes her own lyrics. Her music ranges from upbeat catchy pop/rock music that can be heard in tracks like "Happy Days" and "Sakuranbo" to touching ballads like "Daisuki da yo." and "Planetarium".
Otsuka's debut album LOVE PUNCH was released in March 2004 and was a huge success, earning Otsuka nicknames such as "The New Guru of Love". Her second single called "Sakuranbo" stayed on the Oricon charts for 85 weeks. Surprisingly, Otsuka's second album, LOVE JAM, was released only 8 months after her first in November 2004. It debuted at #1.
Her 26th single, "Chime", is released this week on September 4th.
