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Koda Kumi: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:alivephysicalpromo.jpeg|right|320px|thumb|Koda Kumi promoting [[Alive / Physical Thing|Alive / Physical thing]] (2009)]]
[[Image:alivephysicalpromo.jpeg|right|320px|thumb|Koda Kumi promoting "[[Alive / Physical Thing|Alive / Physical thing]]" (2009)]]
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'''Koda Kumi''' (倖田來未) is a [[J-Pop|Japanese pop]] singer-songwriter and dancer. She made her debut in late 2000 with the single "[[Take Back|TAKE BACK]]", but it wasn't until 2002 that she released her debut album, ''[[Affection|affection]]''. She has only recently started to gain some more wide-spread popularity, thanks to reasons such as her appearing on the Japanese soundtrack of [[Final Fantasy X-2]], her revealing photo-shoots, and her "12 Days of Christmas" wide-scale releases of one single every week starting in December 2005.
 
She is [[misono]]'s older sister.
 
==Profile==
*'''Stage name:''' Koda Kumi (倖田來未)
*'''Birth name:''' Kouda Kumiko (神田來未子)
*'''Nickname:''' Kuu-chan, Kuu-tan
*'''Birthplace:''' [[Kyoto]], [[Japan]]
*'''Birth date:''' November 13, 1982
*'''Height:''' 154 cm / 5'0"
*'''[[Blood Type]]:''' A
*'''Favorite singers:''' [[Wikipedia:Christina Aguilera|Christina Aguilera]] & [[Wikipedia:Ja Rule|Ja Rule]]
*'''Favorite music genre''' Rock, R&B
*'''People she respects:''' Her parents
*'''Sibling(s):''' [[misono]] (younger sister; ex-vocalist of [[day after tomorrow]])


==Information==
[[File:Koda Kumi - Auditions.jpg|thumb|250px|Koda Kumi during early audtions]]
===Early Life - Debut===
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'''Koda Kumi''' made her debut in late 2000, but it wasn't until 2002 that her debut album, [[affection]], made its way onto the scene. She started to gain some more wide-spread popularity starting in 2003 with her appearance on the Japanese soundtrack of Final Fantasy X-2, her fresh Urban music style, her revealing photo-shoots as well as her "12 Days of Christmas" single project, where she released one single every week for 12 weeks starting in December 2005. She has also been named by Oricon as the top seller of Japan in 2006 and 2007. She is [[misono]]'s older sister.
Koda Kumi was the first girl born into her family in a number of generations. Her mother was a lounge singer, and Koda has looked up to her since. Koda has dreamed of becoming a singer since elementary school.
 
When she was in her teens she went through a number of auditons where she sang a variety of songs such as [[JUDY AND MARY]]'s "[[Hello! Orange Sunshine]]". She even auditioned alongside [[Goto Maki]] for the 3rd generation of [[Morning Musume]] when she was seventeen. It's now unclear if she made into [[Morning Musume]] but turned it down due to the fact that she signed a contract with [[avex trax]]. She got the deal with avex, after winning the [[avex Dream 2000]] contest. She was then signed under the [[rhythm zone]] sub-label.
 
Her debut single, "[[Take Back|TAKE BACK]]", was released in December 2000. The single only reached #59. During this time Koda was poorly promoted by avex, and she ended up releasing a string of unsuccessful singles. She followed up six months later with the single, "[[Trust Your Love]]" which managed to crack into the top twenty on the [[Oricon]]. She soon then released an English version of "[[Take Back]]" in the [[Wikipedia:United States|United States]] which reached 18 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music charts.
 
[[File:2002affectionpromo.jpeg|thumb|250px|left|Koda Kumi promoting ''[[Affection|affection]]'' (2002)]]
 
After working very hard on writting the lyrics to these tracks and having them not sell well, Koda became depressed. She begain eating to comfort herself. Later when asked about her poor promotion [[Matsuura Max]] said that the reason was that she was overweight, and that portaying it around wouldn't have help. Koda then started working on her image. She kept a strict diet, and a vigours exercise routine. She has also said that she could have not keep up with it all if not for her boyfriend at the time.
 
At the end of 2001 Koda joined [[Komuro Tetsuya]]'s chairty drive [[song nation]] which banned together to help raise money for the attack of the [[Wikipedia:World Trade Center|World Trade Center]] on 09/11. Koda work with the [[K-Pop|Korean popstar]] [[BoA]] for the release of "[[The Meaning of Peace|the meaning of peace]]".
 
In March of 2002 Koda released the single "[[So Into You]]" the single only peaked at #50, but was the lead-in single to Koda's three year in the making debut album, ''[[Affection|affection]]''. The album reached #12 (higher than any of her solo singles) and eventually sold around 100k.
 
===Initail Success===
[[File:2003grow into onepromo.jpeg|thumb|250px|Koda Kumi promoting ''[[Grow Into One|grow into one]]'' (2003)]]
 
Koda's next couple of releases were flops. The singles "[[Love Across the Ocean|love across the ocean]]" and "[[M.A.Z.E|m・a・z・e]]" onoly peaked at #19 and #25 (respectivly) on the [[Oricon]] chart, and failed to sell over 30,000 copies. During this time she also released another single in the US, "[[Trust Your Love]]". The single did well reaching #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 Sales Chart, and #1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music.


==Profile==
It was rumored that Koda was about to not have her contract renewed and be dropped from the label she worked so hard to get on. But her salvation came with the release of "[[Real Emotion / 1000 no Kotoba|real Emotion / 1000 no Kotoba]]". The single contained two songs with tie-in's to the [[Wikipedia:Playstation 2|Playstation 2]] video game, ''[[Final Fantasy X-2]]''. It ended up reaching #3 on the [[Oricon]] chart, making it her first release to enter the top ten and sold 282,734 copies. The single ended the year as the #24 single of 2003.
* '''Stage name:''' Koda Kumi (倖田來未)
* '''Birth name:''' Kouda Kumiko (神田來未子 - こうだ くみこ)
* '''Nickname:''' Kuu-chan, Kuu-tan
* '''Birthplace:''' [[Kyoto|Kyoto]], [[Japan]]
* '''Birthday:''' November 13, 1982
* '''[[Blood Type]]:''' A
* '''Height:''' 154 cm / 5'0"
* '''Favorite singers:''' [[Wikipedia:Christina Aguilera|Christina Aguilera]] & [[Wikipedia:Ja Rule|Ja Rule]]
* '''Favorite music genre:''' Rock, R&B
* '''Favorite food:''' Panini, bundt cake
* '''People she respects:''' Her parents
* '''Sibling(s):''' [[misono]] (younger sister; ex-vocalist of [[day after tomorrow]])


==Biography==
Her second album was released just weeks after [[Real Emotion / 1000 no Kotoba|the successful single]]. Her sophomore album, ''[[Grow Into One|grow into one]]'', showed a style change for Koda, with a lot more of the tracks having an added urban flavour to them. The album only reached #9, but ended up selling over double of her [[Affection|debut album]]'s sales.
[[Image:2002affectionpromo.jpeg|right|250px|thumb|Koda Kumi promoting [[Affection|affection]] (2002)]]


Koda Kumi was the first girl born into her family in a number of generations. She dreamed of becoming a singer ever since she was in elementary school. She auditioned alongside [[Goto Maki]] for the 3rd generation of [[Morning Musume]] when she was seventeen, but didn't make it. Coincidentally, Goto would join Avex Trax years later. She was noticed by [[avex trax]], however, and was signed to sub-label [[Rhythm Zone]] and began releasing pop music with an urban feel.
[[Image:Koda - Crazy.jpg|thumb|260px|left|Koda Kumi in her "[[Crazy 4 U]]" [[PV|music video]] ]]


===affection===
===Ero-Kakkoii Image - Major Success===


Koda officially debuted with the single [[Take Back|TAKE BACK]] in December 2000 and went on to relesae her second single in May 2001, [[Trust Your Love]], charting at #59 and #18 respectively. They were also released in the United States with TAKE BACK charting at #18 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales while Trust Your Love took #19 position on the Billboard Hot 100 Sales Chart and #1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales Chart. After two more singles, [[Color of Soul|COLOR OF SOUL]] and [[So Into You]], her first studio album [[affection]] was released in 2002, which peaked on the [[Oricon]] charts at #12.
Koda's next string of singles ("[[Come With Me|COME WITH ME]]", "[[Gentle Words]]", and "[[Crazy 4 U]]") all would do moderatly well, all placing in the bottom half of the top twenty on the [[Oricon]]. The following album didn't fair as well. Although ''[[Feel My Mind]]'' reached #7 on the [[Oricon]] it ended up selling less copies then [[Grow Into One|her previous album]].


===grow into one===
With the release of the "[[Crazy 4 U]]" [[PV|music video]] Koda's image had changed. She had switched in the teen idol act for sex appeal. She and [[avex trax|avex]] had decided it was the best for her career to move towards a sexier image (much like how [[Sugimoto Aya]] was marketed in the 1980s). This style is refered to as Ero-Kakkoii, which means ''Erotic-Cool''. In the video Kumi was scantly dress, and dancing provactively. The image transition is often compared with [[Wikipedia:Christina Aguilera|Christina Aguilera]]'s "[[Wikipedia:Dirrty|Dirrty]]". Her next steps towards her succss come from this image change.
[[Image:2003grow into onepromo.jpeg|right|250px|thumb|Koda Kumi promoting [[Grow Into One|grow into one]] (2003)]]


Koda's fifth single, [[Love Across The Ocean|love across the ocean]], was released in mid 2002 and debuted at #19, while the following single, [[M.A.Z.E|m.a.z.e]], charted at #25. She was asked to sing the theme songs of Final Fantasy X-2|Final Fantasy X-2, [[real Emotion]] and [[1000 no Kotoba]], while also providing the voice for the character Lenne in the Japanese version of the game and providing the motion capture for Yuna's dance during the opening. This single proved to be a success, debuting at #3 and gaining her some recognition. Releasing her second studio album, [[Grow Into One|grow into one]], ensured Koda her first album to chart and continue the trend in the top ten, debuting at #8.
Success would strike again for Koda with the single, "[[Love & Honey|LOVE & HONEY]]". The a-side, "[[Cutie Honey (Koda Kumi)|Cutie Honey]]" is a cover of 1970's anime opening by [[Maekawa Yoko]]. The song was originally found as a first press bonus track on her ''[[Feel My Mind]]'' album. The song had two tie-in's: the opening theme song to both the [[Cutie Honey (OVA)|Re:Cutie Honey]] [[Anime|anime]] [[OVA]], and the [[Cutie Honey (film)|Cutie Honey]] live action movie. Koda even made a cameo in the film, credited as the ''diva'' that sings to [[Sister Jill]]. All the songs on the single were features in either in one of the two releases. The single did extremely well reaching #4 on the [[Oricon]] and selling 150,634 copies.


===feel my mind===
[[File:2005BEST ~first things~promo.jpeg|thumb|250px|Koda Kumi promoting ''[[Best ~First Things~|BEST ~first things~]]'' (2005)]]
[[Image:2004feel my mindpromo.jpeg|right|250px|thumb|Koda Kumi promoting [[Feel My Mind|feel my mind]] (2004)]]


[[Come With Me|COME WITH ME]], [[Gentle Words]] and [[Crazy 4 U]], charting at #14, #15 and #12 respectively, were soon released. These singles lead to the release of her third studio album, [[Feel My Mind|feel my mind]]. While charting at #7, it sold less than her previous album.
Koda's next release didn't share the success; "[[Chase]]" only manged to reached #18 on the charts and is her last single not to chart within the top ten. Her next two singles ("[[Kiseki (Koda Kumi)|Kiseki]]" and "[[Hands (Koda Kumi)|hands]]") were both ballads and they both managed to reached #7 on the [[Oricon]].  


===secret===
Koda soon began promoting her next album. Her fourth album, ''[[Secret (Koda Kumi)|secret]]'' was a major success. It reached #3 on the [[Oricon]], became the #22 album of 2005, and sold a total of 522,201 copies. Two months after she released the post album single, "[[Hot Stuff]]" which is a collabration with rapper, [[KM-MARKIT]].  
Koda's popularity rose with the release of her 11th single [[Love & Honey|LOVE & HONEY]], debuting at #4, with the title track being the theme song for the [[Anime|anime]] [[Cutie Honey]]. This single also marks the start of Koda's new style: ero-kakoii (or ero-kawaii) which can be translated to "sexy-cool" or "sexy-cute". This new style was continued on to the following releases, [[Chase]], [[Kiseki (Koda Kumi)|Kiseki]], [[Hands (Koda Kumi)|hands]] and the re-cut single [[Hot Stuff]], debuting at #18, #7, #7 & #10. Koda released her fourth album [[Secret (Koda Kumi)|secret]] in February 2005, charting at #3, with 505,600 copies being sold, making it the #22 album of 2005.


===BEST ~first things~===
===The Best Sessions===
[[Image:2005BEST ~first things~promo.jpeg|right|250px|thumb|Koda Kumi promoting [[Best ~First Things~|BEST ~first things~]] (2005)]]


On the 11th of June 2005, Kumi held [[Secret ~First Class Limited Live~|secret ~FIRST CLASS LIMITED LIVE~]] Concert, its respective DVD has become one of the top 10 selling DVDs of Japan, and released her sixteenth single, [[Butterfly (Koda Kumi)|Butterfly]] two weeks later. Debuting at #2, it became her highest charting single at that point and was very well received by the Japanese public and gained Kumi a number of awards. She then released [[Flower (Koda Kumi)|flower]] and [[Promise / Star]], both charting at #4 and alongside Butterfly, they were included on her first Best-of compilation, titled [[Best ~First Things~|BEST ~first things~]]. This is the album said to have skyrocketed her career, reaching #1 on the weekly charts and selling 1,207,793 copies in 2005, making it the #6 album of the year and the highest selling female album of 2005.
In June 2006, Koda released the "[[Butterfly (Koda Kumi)|Butterfly]]" single. The single was an instant hit, reaching #2 on the [[Oricon]] chart, and it became the #85 single of the year. Koda then returned releasing two more singles: "[[Flower (Koda Kumi)|flower]]" and "[[Promise / Star]]".


===BEST ~second session~===
On 2005.09.21, Koda released her "[[Best ~First Things~|BEST ~first things~]]" album. The album was a two disc best-of compilation containing all of her singles up until that point (this is the only album where her prevous three singles are found). The album has a massive hit and reached #1 on the [[Oricon]]. Even though it is a "best-of", the album is often considered Koda's breakthrough album. The album ended up selling 1,207,793 copies in 2005, becoming the #6 album of the year and the highest selling female album of 2005.
[[Image:2006BEST second sessionpromo.jpeg|right|250px|thumb|Koda Kumi promoting [[Best ~Second Session~|BEST ~second session~]] (2006)]]


In December 2005, Koda began her ~12 Weeks of Christmas~ project in which she released one single each week for twelve consecutive weeks.
[[File:2006BEST second sessionpromo.jpeg|thumb|250px|left|Koda Kumi promoting ''[[Best ~Second Session~|BEST ~second session~]]'' (2006)]]


The first single of the project, [[You (Koda Kumi)|you]], became Koda's first ever #1 single, and was followed by [[Birthday Eve]] and [[D.D.D. (Koda Kumi)|D.D.D]] charting at #6 and #5 respectively. The fourth and fifth singles [[Shake It Up]] and [[Lies]] debuted at #6 and #7 while [[You (Koda Kumi)|you]] was still charting at #9, making Koda Kumi the first female artist to have three singles in the top ten of the Oricon Weekly Singles chart.
After [[avex trax]] seeing how well her last album did, they soon came up with a new promotion idea. Starting in Decemebr Koda would release twelve singles, one each week for twelve weeks, as a play on the 12 days of Chirstmas. Each single would feature Koda in outfits from a variety of places all over the world which include: [[Wikipedia:Alaska|Alaska]], [[Wikipedia:California|Californa]], [[Wikipedia:England|England]], [[Wikipedia:Brazil|Brazil]], [[Wikipedia:China|China]], [[Wikipedia:Spain|Spain]], [[Wikipedia:Africa|Africa]], [[Wikipedia:India|India]], [[Wikipedia:France|France]], [[Wikipedia:Hawaii|Hawaii]], [[Wikipedia:Italy|Italy]], and finally [[Japan]] (in that order).


These were followed by her second #1 single, [[Feel (Koda Kumi)|feel]], [[Candy (Koda Kumi)|Candy]], [[No Regret]], [[Ima Sugu Hoshii]], [[Kamen|KAMEN]], [[Wind (Koda Kumi)|WIND]], [[Someday / Boys Girls|Someday / Boys♡Girls]], all charting in the top five of the weekly singles chart.
The first of these twelve singles, "[[You (Koda Kumi)|you]]" was a winter ballad which rose to the top of the charts. The single ended-up becoming Koda's first #1 single. All of the singles mangaed to chart top-ten. The sixth single, "[[Feel|feel]]" followed in "[[You (Koda Kumi)|you]]" footsteps, reaching #1 as well. When all twelve of single's obis are lined up, it makes-up a revieling picture of Koda Kumi.


This successful project was celebrated with Koda's second best-of compilation album [[Best ~Second Session~|BEST ~second session~]] which included all of the 12 singles plus a new song, and was released in 3 formats: CD Only, CD+DVD and CD+2DVD, the 2DVD being limited and including her LIVE TOUR 2005 ~first things~ at Zepp Osaka, and was sold out within days. The album sold over a million copies just after one week of release.
By the end of 2006 the alum had nearly sold two million copies and remained on the charts for a several months. It became the and reached #17 on the top albums of 2006.
of release.


===Black Cherry===
===Black Cherry===
[[Image:2007BUTAishoupromo.jpeg|right|250px|thumb|Koda Kumi promoting [[But / Aishou|BUT / Aishou]] (2007)]]
[[File:2006Black Cherrypromo.jpeg|thumb|250px|Koda Kumi promoting ''[[Black Cherry]]'' (2006)]]


[[Koi no Tsubomi]] was her first single released after the 12 singles project, in May 2006, and debuted at #2 with sales of 140,000 copies sold. This made it the highest debut week sales for female artists in 2006 until [[Hamasaki Ayumi]] surpassed it with her single [[Blue Bird (Hamasaki Ayumi)|BLUE BIRD]] in June. This title was reclaimed by Koda after her release of [[4 Hot Wave|4 hot wave]] which debuted at #2 behind the KinKi Kids, nearly breaking their streak of consecutive #1 singles.
"[[Koi no Tsubomi]]" was Koda's first single released after the 12 singles project, released in May 2006. It debuted at #2 with sales of 140,000 copies sold. This made it the highest debut week sales for female artists in 2006 until [[Hamasaki Ayumi]] surpassed it with her single "[[Blue Bird (Hamasaki Ayumi)|BLUE BIRD]]" in June. This title was reclaimed by Koda after her release of "[[4 Hot Wave|4 hot wave]]" which debuted at #2 behind the [[KinKi Kids]], nearly breaking their streak of consecutive #1 singles.


Alongside 4 hot wave, Koda's first photobook, [[Maroc|MAROC]], was also released on the same day, photographed by [[Leslie Kee]] in [[Wikipedia:Morocco|Morocco]].
Alongside "[[4 Hot Wave|4 hot wave]]", Koda's first photobook, [[Maroc|MAROC]], was also released on the same day, photographed by [[Leslie Kee]] in [[Wikipedia:Morocco|Morocco]].


In October, Kumi released her 33rd single [[Yume no Uta / Futari de...]], described as a "two story ballad single," both songs sharing the same melody, only having different lyrics and arrangements, as Kumi felt that the melody contained both sad and happy elements.
In October, Kumi released her 33rd single "[[Yume no Uta / Futari de...]]", described as a "two story ballad single," both songs sharing the same melody, only having different lyrics and arrangements, as Kumi felt that the melody contained both sad and happy elements.


After [[Won't Be Long]], a duet with [[EXILE]], she released [[Cherry Girl / Unmei]] a week prior to her fifth studio album [[Black Cherry]] which would go on to include all the a-sides from her 2006 releases excluding [[Futari de...]] in December 2006. This album went on to become the first female studio album to stay at the #1 position for four weeks since [[Hamasaki Ayumi]]'s album third album [[Duty]] in 2000.
Koda's next singles were, "[[Won't Be Long]]", a duet with [[EXILE]], and she released a solo single entitled, "[[Cherry Girl / Unmei]]". The singles were released a week prior to her fifth studio album ''[[Black Cherry]]'' which would go on to include all the a-sides from her 2006 releases (excluding "[[Futari de...]]"). This album went on to become the first female studio album to stay at the #1 position for four weeks since [[Hamasaki Ayumi]]'s album third album ''[[Duty]]'' in 2000.
 
[[Image:2007BUTAishoupromo.jpeg|250px|thumb|left|Koda Kumi promoting "[[But / Aishou|BUT / Aishou]]" (2007)]]


===Kingdom===
===Kingdom===
[[Image:2008moonpromo.jpeg|right|250px|thumb|Koda Kumi promoting [[Moon (Koda Kumi)|MOON]] (2008)]]


Her third best-of compilation, [[Best ~Bounce & Lovers~|BEST ~BOUNCE & LOVERS~]], a limited release with only 300,000 copies, was released alongside her first single of 2007, [[But / Aishou|BUT / Aishou]], both charting at #2.
Her third best-of compilation, ''[[Best ~Bounce & Lovers~|BEST ~BOUNCE & LOVERS~]]'', a limited release with only 300,000 copies, was released alongside her first single of 2007, "[[But / Aishou|BUT / Aishou]]", both charting at #2.
 
Following the trend of 4 hot wave, Koda released another four-track summer single "[[Freaky|FREAKY]]", with two of the songs having [[PV|music videos]]. [[Freaky|FREAKY]] became Koda's fourth #1 single.
 
She then released ballad single "[[Ai No Uta (Koda Kumi)|Ai no Uta]]" in September, charting at #2. Another single, "[[Last Angel|LAST ANGEL]]", featuring [[K-Pop|Korean Boy-band]] [[Tohoshinki]], was used as the theme song to the Japanese release of [[Wikipedia:Resident Evil 3|Resident Evil 3]], better known in Japan.


Following the trend of 4 hot wave, Kumi released another four-track summer single [[Freaky|FREAKY]], with two of the songs having [[PV|PVs]]. [[Freaky|FREAKY]] became Kumi's fourth #1 single.
On the December 21st 2007, she became the seventh female Japanese artist to hold a solo concert at [[Tokyo Dome]], marking her 7th year anniversary since her debut with "[[Take Back|TAKE BACK]]" by making the ticket prices 7,777yen.


She then released ballad single [[Ai No Uta (Koda Kumi)|Ai no Uta]] in September, charting at #2, and [[Last Angel|LAST ANGEL]], featuring Korean Boy-band [[Tohoshinki]], theme song to the Japanese release of [[Wikipedia:Resident Evil 3|Resident Evil 3]], better known in Japan as "Biohazard 3."
[[File:2008Kingdompromo.jpeg|thumb|250px|Koda Kumi promoting ''[[Kingdom]]'' (2008)]]


On the 1st of December 2007, she became the seventh female Japanese artist to hold a solo concert at [[Tokyo Dome]], marking her 7th year anniversary since her debut with [[Take Back|TAKE BACK]] by making the ticket prices 7,777yen.
Her sixth studio album, ''[[Kingdom]]'', was released on the 30th of January 2008, one week after her first single of 2008, "[[Anytime|anytime]]". The album reached #1 and held the #1 position for two weeks, selling more than 500,000 copies. The CD+2DVD included her PREMIUM LIMITED LIVE IN HALL IN YOKOHAMA ARENA concert and all the tracks on the album had their own [[PV|music video]].


Her sixth studio album was released on the 30th of January 2008, one week after her first single for 2008, [[Anytime|anytime]] which debuted at #4. The album reached #1 and held the #1 position for two weeks, selling more than 500,000 copies. The CD+2DVD included her PREMIUM LIMITED LIVE IN HALL IN YOKOHAMA ARENA concert and all the tracks on the album had their own [[PV]].
===Controversy===


====Controversy====
On the 1st of February, 2008, Koda Kumi was retelling how her manager recently got married and asked "whether or not they would have children". However her manager said not for the time being and Koda commented on how they should have children early as "when women are around 35 years old their amniotic fluid goes bad".
On the 1st of February, 2008, Koda Kumi was retelling how her manager recently got married and asked "whether or not they would have children". However her manager said not for the time being and Koda commented on how they should have children early as "when women are around 35 years old their amniotic fluid goes bad".


The answer was so offensive that many radio shows and newspapers had a lot complaints from women around the country. [[avex trax]] decided that all promotion of Kingdom was to be cancelled, her official website being shut down, and so was all of the websites of her endorsements, such as Kirin and Kose Vise. A week later, Koda Kumi appeared in an exclusive interview on Fuji TV's "FNN Super News" to apologize for the remark she made. Even though she tearfully apologized for the harm she caused, reactions to Koda's apology were mostly negative. An informal poll taken after the broadcast through Sankei Sports' website indicated that 81% of the viewers felt the apology was insufficient, while only 9% said it was enough.
The answer was so offensive that many radio shows and newspapers had a lot complaints from women around the country. [[avex trax]] decided that all promotion of ''Kingdom'' was to be cancelled, her official website being shut down, and so was all of the websites of her endorsements, such as Kirin and Kose Vise.  
 
[[Image:2008moonpromo.jpeg|250px|thumb|left|Koda Kumi promoting "[[Moon (Koda Kumi)|MOON]]" (2008)]]
 
A week later, Koda Kumi appeared in an exclusive interview on Fuji TV's "FNN Super News" to apologize for the remark she made. Even though she tearfully apologized for the harm she caused, reactions to Koda's apology were mostly negative. An informal poll taken after the broadcast through Sankei Sports' website indicated that 81% of the viewers felt the apology was insufficient, while only 9% said it was enough.


===Post Controversy===
===Post Controversy===
[[Image:2009 Driving Hit'sprtomo.jpeg|right|250px|thumb|Koda Kumi promoting [[Driving Hit's]] (2009)]]


As of April 2008, her endorsements with Kosé and Gillette have reopened post this controversy. However, she is no longer the spokesperson for Honda, Kirin, and GemCerey.
As of April 2008, her endorsements with Kosé and Gillette have reopened post this controversy. However, she is no longer the spokesperson for Honda, Kirin, and GemCerey.


On March 31, 2008 her [[Live Tour 2007 ~Black Cherry~ Special Final in Tokyo Dome|KODA KUMI LIVE TOUR 2007 ~Black Cherry~ SPECIAL FINAL in TOKYO DOME]] DVD was released and went to #1 on the Oricon DVD Charts. Her [[Live Tour 2008 ~Kingdom~|LIVE TOUR 2008 ~Kingdom~]] still went ahead as planned, and commenced on April 12, 2008, where she again apologized for her controversial remark. The shows on the 15th and 17th of May, 2008 at [[Yoyogi]] National First Gymnasium, Tokyo, were filmed for a WOWOW TV broadcast of the tour on the 26th of July. [[Live Tour 2008 ~Kingdom~|LIVE TOUR 2008 ~Kingdom~]] was released on DVD on September 24, 2008, becoming her fifth consecutive #1 DVD.
On March 31, 2008 her ''[[Live Tour 2007 ~Black Cherry~ Special Final in Tokyo Dome|KODA KUMI LIVE TOUR 2007 ~Black Cherry~ SPECIAL FINAL in TOKYO DOME]]'' DVD was released and went to #1 on the Oricon DVD Charts. Her ''[[Live Tour 2008 ~Kingdom~|LIVE TOUR 2008 ~Kingdom~]]'' still went ahead as planned, and commenced on April 12, 2008, where she again apologized for her controversial remark. The shows on the 15th and 17th of May, 2008 at [[Yoyogi]] National First Gymnasium, Tokyo, were filmed for a WOWOW TV broadcast of the tour on the 26th of July. ''[[Live Tour 2008 ~Kingdom~|LIVE TOUR 2008 ~Kingdom~]]'' was released on DVD on September 24, 2008, becoming her fifth consecutive #1 DVD.
 
[[Image:2009 Driving Hit'sprtomo.jpeg|250px|thumb|Koda Kumi promoting ''[[Driving Hit's]]'' (2009)]]


On April 17, 2008, Avex Entertainment announced her 40th single, a "four elements single," featuring four tracks, much like [[Freaky|FREAKY]] and [[4 Hot Wave|4 hot wave]], called [[Moon (Koda Kumi)|MOON]]. It was released on June 11, 2008 and went to #2 on the Oricon Single Charts. Kumi followed [[Moon (Koda Kumi)|MOON]] with her 41st single, [[TABOO]] released on October 8, 2008. TABOO went on to debut at #1 on the Oricon Single Charts, making it her 5th #1 single. Her 42nd single, [[Stay With Me (Koda Kumi)|stay with me]], was released on December 24th, 2008, and also debuted at #1. It is described as a "winter love ballad" and is featured in the [[au LISMO|au LISMO]] [[Cm|CM]]. Shortly after, she released her seventh studio album, [[Trick|TRICK]] on on January 28, 2009, also topping the [[Oricon]] Charts at #1 for 2 consecutive weeks.
On April 17, 2008, Avex Entertainment announced her 40th single, a "four elements single," featuring four tracks, much like "[[Freaky|FREAKY]]" and "[[4 Hot Wave|4 hot wave]]", called "[[Moon (Koda Kumi)|MOON]]". It was released on June 11, 2008 and went to #2 on the Oricon Single Charts. Koda followed "[[Moon (Koda Kumi)|MOON]]" with her 41st single, "[[TABOO]]" released on October 8, 2008. TABOO went on to debut at #1 on the Oricon chart, making it her fifth #1 single. Her 42nd single, "[[Stay With Me (Koda Kumi)|stay with me]]", was released on December 24th, 2008, and also debuted at #1. It is described as a "winter love ballad" and is featured in the [[au LISMO|au LISMO]] [[Cm|CM]]. Shortly after, she released her seventh studio album, ''[[Trick (Koda Kumi album)|TRICK]]'' on on January 28, 2009, also topping the [[Oricon]] Charts at #1 for 2 consecutive weeks.


On March 25th, Koda released two albums: [[Out Works & Collaboration Best]] and [[Driving Hit's]], the latter a remix album remixed entirely by [[HOUSE NATION]]. On March 31, 2009, Koda released her 43'rd single, [[It's All Love!|It's all Love!]]. It was a collaboration with her younger sister, [[misono]], and the song featured elements native to both singers. The second song from the single, "Faraway", was a solo-ballad by Koda, and was used as a theme song for the movie "Subaru".
On March 25th, Koda released two albums: ''[[Out Works & Collaboration Best]]'' and ''[[Driving Hit's]]'', the later a remix album remixed entirely by [[HOUSE NATION]]. On March 31, 2009, Koda released her 43rd single, "[[It's All Love!|It's all Love!]]". It was a collaboration with her younger sister, [[misono]], and the song featured elements native to both singers. The second song from the single, "[[Faraway]]", was a solo-ballad by Koda, and was used as a theme song for the movie "Subaru".
</div>
</div>
==Discography==
==Discography==
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===Compilation Albums===
===Compilation Albums===
* [2005.09.21] [[Best ~First Things~|BEST ~first things~]] ''(Best Album)''
* [2005.09.21] [[Best ~First Things~|BEST ~first things~]] (Best Album)
* [2006.03.08] [[Best ~Second Session~|BEST ~second session~]] ''(~12 Weeks of Christmas~ Project Compilation)''
* [2006.02.22] [[Koda Kumi Remix Album|KODA KUMI REMIX ALBUM]] (Download Exclusive Remix Album)
* [2007.03.14] [[Best ~Bounce & Lovers~|BEST ~BOUNCE & LOVERS~]] ''(Ballad Best Album)''
* [2006.03.08] [[Best ~Second Session~|BEST ~second session~]] (~12 Weeks of Christmas~ Project Compilation)
* [2009.03.25] [[Out Works & Collaboration Best]]
* [2007.03.14] [[Best ~Bounce & Lovers~|BEST ~BOUNCE & LOVERS~]] (Ballad Best Album)
* [2009.03.25] [[Driving Hit's]]
* [2009.03.25] [[Out Works & Collaboration Best]] (Collaboration Best)
* [2009.03.25] [[Driving Hit's]] (Remix Album)


===Singles===
===Singles===
* [2000.12.06] [[Take Back|TAKE BACK]]
* [2000.12.06] [[Take Back|TAKE BACK]]
* [2001.05.09] [[Trust Your Love]]
* [2001.05.09] [[Trust Your Love]]
* [2001.05.12] [[Take Back|TAKE BACK]] <small>('''Koda''')</small>
* [2001.10.03] [[Color of Soul|COLOR OF SOUL]]
* [2001.10.03] [[Color of Soul|COLOR OF SOUL]]
* [2002.03.13] [[So Into You]]
* [2002.03.13] [[So Into You]]
* [2002.07.24] [[Love Across the Ocean|love across the ocean]]
* [2002.07.24] [[Love Across the Ocean|love across the ocean]]
* [2002.11.02] [[Trust Your Love]] <small>('''Koda''')</small>
* [2002.12.11] [[M.A.Z.E|m·a·z·e]]
* [2002.12.11] [[M.A.Z.E|m·a·z·e]]
* [2003.03.05] [[Real Emotion / 1000 no Kotoba|real Emotion / 1000 no Kotoba]] (1000の言葉; ''1000 Words'')
* [2003.03.05] [[Real Emotion / 1000 no Kotoba|real Emotion / 1000 no Kotoba]] (1000の言葉; ''1000 Words'')
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* [2005.08.10] [[Flower (Koda Kumi)|flower]]
* [2005.08.10] [[Flower (Koda Kumi)|flower]]
* [2005.09.07] [[Promise / Star]]
* [2005.09.07] [[Promise / Star]]
----
----
* [2005.12.07] [[You (Koda Kumi)|you]]
* [2005.12.07] [[You (Koda Kumi)|you]]
* [2005.12.14] [[Birthday Eve]]
* [2005.12.14] [[Birthday Eve]]
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* [2006.01.04] [[Lies]]
* [2006.01.04] [[Lies]]
* [2006.01.11] [[Feel (Koda Kumi)|feel]]
* [2006.01.11] [[Feel (Koda Kumi)|feel]]
* [2006.01.18] [[Candy (Koda Kumi)|Candy]] feat.[[Mr.Blistah]]
* [2006.01.18] [[Candy (Koda Kumi)|Candy]] feat. [[Mr.Blistah]]
* [2006.01.25] [[No Regret]]
* [2006.01.25] [[No Regret]]
* [2006.02.01] [[Ima Sugu Hoshii]] (今すぐ欲しい; ''I Want You Now'')
* [2006.02.01] [[Ima Sugu Hoshii]] (今すぐ欲しい; ''I Want You Now'')
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* [2006.02.15] [[Wind (Koda Kumi)|WIND]]
* [2006.02.15] [[Wind (Koda Kumi)|WIND]]
* [2006.02.22] [[Someday / Boys Girls|Someday / Boys♡Girls]]
* [2006.02.22] [[Someday / Boys Girls|Someday / Boys♡Girls]]
----
----
* [2006.05.24] [[Koi no Tsubomi]] (恋のつぼみ; ''Bud of Love'')
* [2006.05.24] [[Koi no Tsubomi]] (恋のつぼみ; ''Bud of Love'')
* [2006.07.26] [[4 Hot Wave|4 hot wave]]
* [2006.07.26] [[4 Hot Wave|4 hot wave]]
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* [2008.10.08] [[Taboo|TABOO]]
* [2008.10.08] [[Taboo|TABOO]]
* [2008.12.10] [[Stay With Me (Koda Kumi)|stay with me]]
* [2008.12.10] [[Stay With Me (Koda Kumi)|stay with me]]
* [2009.03.31] [[It's All Love!|It's all Love!]] ('''Koda Kumi''' x [[misono]])
* [2009.03.31] [[It's All Love!|It's all Love!]] <small>('''Koda Kumi x [[misono]]''')</small>
* [2009.07.08] [[3 Splash|3 SPLASH]]
* [2009.07.08] [[3 Splash|3 SPLASH]]
* [2009.09.16] [[Alive / Physical Thing (Koda Kumi)|Alive / Physical thing]]
* [2009.09.16] [[Alive / Physical Thing (Koda Kumi)|Alive / Physical thing]]


===Download Exclusive===
===Download Exclusive===
* [2006.02.22] [[Koda Kumi Remix Album|KODA KUMI REMIX ALBUM]]
* [2006.03.01] [[Get It On]]
* [2006.03.01] [[Get It On]]


===US releases (as ''Koda'')===
===DVDs===
* [2001.05.12] [[Take Back|TAKE BACK]]
* [2002.11.02] [[Trust Your Love]]
 
===DVD===
* [2003.03.19] [[7 Spirits|7 SPIRITS]]
* [2003.03.19] [[7 Spirits|7 SPIRITS]]
* [2004.03.24] [[Feel...|feel...]]
* [2004.03.24] [[Feel...|feel...]]
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===Collaborations / Compilations===
===Collaborations / Compilations===
* [2001.12.19] '''Koda Kumi''' & [[BoA]] - [[The Meaning of Peace|the meaning of peace]]
* [2001.12.19] Koda Kumi & [[BoA]] - [[The Meaning of Peace|the meaning of peace]]
* [2002.01.23] [[Various Artists Featuring songnation|VARIOUS ARTISTS FEATURING songnation]]
* [2002.01.23] [[Various Artists Featuring songnation|VARIOUS ARTISTS FEATURING songnation]] (#2 ''the meaning of peace'')
** Track 02: the meaning of peace
* [2003.09.29] [[99% Radio Show]] (''Every-After-Party'' -<small>'''[[Rather Unique]] & Koda Kumi'''</small>)
* [2003.09.29] Various Artists - 99% Radio Show
* [2003.11.03] [[DJ YUTAKA]] - [[Episode 1|EPISODE 1]] (#4 ''BELIEVE feat. Koda Kumi'')
** Track 08: Every-After-Party / Rather Unique & '''Koda Kumi'''
* [2004.04.21] [[LISA]] - [[Switch / I Only Want to Be With You|SWITCH / I ONLY WANT TO BE WITH YOU]] (#1 ''SWITCH feat. Koda Kumi & Heartsdales'')
* [2003.11.03] [[DJ YUTAKA]] - [[Episode 1|EPISODE 1]]
* [2004.06.30] [[LISA]] - [[Gratitude|GRATITUDE]] (#3 ''SWITCH feat. Koda Kumi & Heartsdales'')
** Track 04: BELIEVE feat. '''KODA KUMI'''
* [2004.11.03] [[80 Days Original Soundtrack]] (#1 ''It's a small world'' -<small>'''Koda Kumi & [[Heartsdales]]'''</small>)
* [2004.04.21] [[LISA]] - [[Switch feat. Koda Kumi & Heartsdales / I only Want To Be With You|SWITCH feat.'''Koda Kumi''' & Heartsdales / I ONLY WANT TO BE WITH YOU]]
* [2005.03.24] [[JHETT aka YAKKO for AQUARIUS]] - [[JHETT]] (#6 ''JUST GO feat. Koda Kumi'')
* [2004.06.30] [[LISA]] - [[Gratitude|GRATITUDE]]
* [2005.04.20] [[KM-MARKIT]] - [[Vivid (KM-MARKIT)|VIVID]] (#13 ''Rainy Day feat. Koda Kumi'')
** Track 03: SWITCH feat. '''Koda Kumi''' & Heartsdales
* [2005.08.01] [[573]] (#3 ''Super Sonic'' -<small>'''Koda Kumi & [[Imai Daisuke|Daisuke "D.I" Imai]]''')</small>
* [2004.11.03] [[80 Days Original Soundtrack]]
* [2006.02.01] [[SOULHEAD]] - [[Pray / XXX]] feat. Koda Kumi
** Track 01: It's a small world '''Koda Kumi''' & [[Heartsdales]]
* [2006.02.15] [[TRF]] - [[Lif-e-Motions]] (#10 ''JOY -meets Koda Kumi'')
* [2005.03.24] [[JHETT aka YAKKO for AQUARIUS]] - [[JHETT]]
* [2006.03.01] [[The Japan Gold Disc Award 2006]] (#1 ''Butterfly'')
** Track 06: JUST GO feat. '''Koda Kumi'''
* [2006.03.08] [[SOULHEAD]] - [[Naked (Soulhead)|Naked]] (#13 ''XXX feat. Koda Kumi'')
* [2005.04.20] [[KM-MARKIT]] - [[Vivid (KM-MARKIT)|VIVID]]
* [2006.07.27] [[SMAP]] - [[Smap 018 - PopUp!SMAP|PopUp!SMAP]] (#5 ''everybody feat. Koda Kumi'')
** Track 13: Rainy Day feat. '''Koda Kumi'''
* [2006.11.20] [[Show Luo]] - [[Speshow]] (#6 ''TWINKLE feat. Koda Kumi'')
* [2005.08.01] Various Artists - [[573|573]]
* [2006.11.22] [[EXILE]] & Koda Kumi - [[Won't Be Long|WON'T BE LONG]]
** Track 03 Super Sonic / '''Koda Kumi''' & Daisuke "D.I" Imai
* [2006.12.06] [[Amazing Nuts!|Amazing Nuts!]] (#3 ''Twinkle (Japanese Version)'')
* [2006.02.01] [[SOULHEAD]] - [[Pray / XXX]] feat. '''KODA KUMI'''
* [2007.03.28] [[m-flo]] - [[Cosmicolor|COSMICOLOR]] (#7 ''Simple & Lovely'' -<small>'''[[m-flo]] loves Koda Kumi'''</small>)
* [2006.02.15] [[TRF]] - [[Lif-e-Motions]]
** Track 10: JOY -meets '''Koda Kumi'''-
* [2006.03.01] [[The Japan Gold Disc Award 2006]]
** Track 01: Butterfly
* [2006.03.08] [[SOULHEAD]] - [[Naked (Soulhead)|Naked]]
** Track 13: XXX feat. '''KODA KUMI'''
* [2006.07.27] [[SMAP]] - [[Smap 018 - PopUp!SMAP|PopUp!SMAP]]
** Track 05: everybody feat. '''Koda Kumi'''
* [2006.11.20] [[Show Luo]] - [[Speshow]]
** Track 06: TWINKLE feat. '''Koda Kumi'''
* [2006.11.22] [[EXILE]] & '''Koda Kumi''' - [[Won't Be Long|WON'T BE LONG]] '
* [2006.12.06] [[Amazing Nuts!|Amazing Nuts!]]
** Track 03: Twinkle (Japanese Version)
* [2007.03.28] [[m-flo]] - [[Cosmicolor|COSMICOLOR]]
** Track 07: Simple & Lovely (m-flo loves '''Koda Kumi''')


===Collectibles===
===Collectibles===

Revision as of 00:57, 29 October 2009

Koda Kumi promoting "Alive / Physical thing" (2009)

Koda Kumi (倖田來未) is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter and dancer. She made her debut in late 2000 with the single "TAKE BACK", but it wasn't until 2002 that she released her debut album, affection. She has only recently started to gain some more wide-spread popularity, thanks to reasons such as her appearing on the Japanese soundtrack of Final Fantasy X-2, her revealing photo-shoots, and her "12 Days of Christmas" wide-scale releases of one single every week starting in December 2005.

She is misono's older sister.

Profile

  • Stage name: Koda Kumi (倖田來未)
  • Birth name: Kouda Kumiko (神田來未子)
  • Nickname: Kuu-chan, Kuu-tan
  • Birthplace: Kyoto, Japan
  • Birth date: November 13, 1982
  • Height: 154 cm / 5'0"
  • Blood Type: A
  • Favorite singers: Christina Aguilera & Ja Rule
  • Favorite music genre Rock, R&B
  • People she respects: Her parents
  • Sibling(s): misono (younger sister; ex-vocalist of day after tomorrow)

Information

Koda Kumi during early audtions

Early Life - Debut

Koda Kumi was the first girl born into her family in a number of generations. Her mother was a lounge singer, and Koda has looked up to her since. Koda has dreamed of becoming a singer since elementary school.

When she was in her teens she went through a number of auditons where she sang a variety of songs such as JUDY AND MARY's "Hello! Orange Sunshine". She even auditioned alongside Goto Maki for the 3rd generation of Morning Musume when she was seventeen. It's now unclear if she made into Morning Musume but turned it down due to the fact that she signed a contract with avex trax. She got the deal with avex, after winning the avex Dream 2000 contest. She was then signed under the rhythm zone sub-label.

Her debut single, "TAKE BACK", was released in December 2000. The single only reached #59. During this time Koda was poorly promoted by avex, and she ended up releasing a string of unsuccessful singles. She followed up six months later with the single, "Trust Your Love" which managed to crack into the top twenty on the Oricon. She soon then released an English version of "Take Back" in the United States which reached 18 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music charts.

Koda Kumi promoting affection (2002)

After working very hard on writting the lyrics to these tracks and having them not sell well, Koda became depressed. She begain eating to comfort herself. Later when asked about her poor promotion Matsuura Max said that the reason was that she was overweight, and that portaying it around wouldn't have help. Koda then started working on her image. She kept a strict diet, and a vigours exercise routine. She has also said that she could have not keep up with it all if not for her boyfriend at the time.

At the end of 2001 Koda joined Komuro Tetsuya's chairty drive song nation which banned together to help raise money for the attack of the World Trade Center on 09/11. Koda work with the Korean popstar BoA for the release of "the meaning of peace".

In March of 2002 Koda released the single "So Into You" the single only peaked at #50, but was the lead-in single to Koda's three year in the making debut album, affection. The album reached #12 (higher than any of her solo singles) and eventually sold around 100k.

Initail Success

Koda Kumi promoting grow into one (2003)

Koda's next couple of releases were flops. The singles "love across the ocean" and "m・a・z・e" onoly peaked at #19 and #25 (respectivly) on the Oricon chart, and failed to sell over 30,000 copies. During this time she also released another single in the US, "Trust Your Love". The single did well reaching #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 Sales Chart, and #1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music.

It was rumored that Koda was about to not have her contract renewed and be dropped from the label she worked so hard to get on. But her salvation came with the release of "real Emotion / 1000 no Kotoba". The single contained two songs with tie-in's to the Playstation 2 video game, Final Fantasy X-2. It ended up reaching #3 on the Oricon chart, making it her first release to enter the top ten and sold 282,734 copies. The single ended the year as the #24 single of 2003.

Her second album was released just weeks after the successful single. Her sophomore album, grow into one, showed a style change for Koda, with a lot more of the tracks having an added urban flavour to them. The album only reached #9, but ended up selling over double of her debut album's sales.

Koda Kumi in her "Crazy 4 U" music video

Ero-Kakkoii Image - Major Success

Koda's next string of singles ("COME WITH ME", "Gentle Words", and "Crazy 4 U") all would do moderatly well, all placing in the bottom half of the top twenty on the Oricon. The following album didn't fair as well. Although Feel My Mind reached #7 on the Oricon it ended up selling less copies then her previous album.

With the release of the "Crazy 4 U" music video Koda's image had changed. She had switched in the teen idol act for sex appeal. She and avex had decided it was the best for her career to move towards a sexier image (much like how Sugimoto Aya was marketed in the 1980s). This style is refered to as Ero-Kakkoii, which means Erotic-Cool. In the video Kumi was scantly dress, and dancing provactively. The image transition is often compared with Christina Aguilera's "Dirrty". Her next steps towards her succss come from this image change.

Success would strike again for Koda with the single, "LOVE & HONEY". The a-side, "Cutie Honey" is a cover of 1970's anime opening by Maekawa Yoko. The song was originally found as a first press bonus track on her Feel My Mind album. The song had two tie-in's: the opening theme song to both the Re:Cutie Honey anime OVA, and the Cutie Honey live action movie. Koda even made a cameo in the film, credited as the diva that sings to Sister Jill. All the songs on the single were features in either in one of the two releases. The single did extremely well reaching #4 on the Oricon and selling 150,634 copies.

Koda Kumi promoting BEST ~first things~ (2005)

Koda's next release didn't share the success; "Chase" only manged to reached #18 on the charts and is her last single not to chart within the top ten. Her next two singles ("Kiseki" and "hands") were both ballads and they both managed to reached #7 on the Oricon.

Koda soon began promoting her next album. Her fourth album, secret was a major success. It reached #3 on the Oricon, became the #22 album of 2005, and sold a total of 522,201 copies. Two months after she released the post album single, "Hot Stuff" which is a collabration with rapper, KM-MARKIT.

The Best Sessions

In June 2006, Koda released the "Butterfly" single. The single was an instant hit, reaching #2 on the Oricon chart, and it became the #85 single of the year. Koda then returned releasing two more singles: "flower" and "Promise / Star".

On 2005.09.21, Koda released her "BEST ~first things~" album. The album was a two disc best-of compilation containing all of her singles up until that point (this is the only album where her prevous three singles are found). The album has a massive hit and reached #1 on the Oricon. Even though it is a "best-of", the album is often considered Koda's breakthrough album. The album ended up selling 1,207,793 copies in 2005, becoming the #6 album of the year and the highest selling female album of 2005.

Koda Kumi promoting BEST ~second session~ (2006)

After avex trax seeing how well her last album did, they soon came up with a new promotion idea. Starting in Decemebr Koda would release twelve singles, one each week for twelve weeks, as a play on the 12 days of Chirstmas. Each single would feature Koda in outfits from a variety of places all over the world which include: Alaska, Californa, England, Brazil, China, Spain, Africa, India, France, Hawaii, Italy, and finally Japan (in that order).

The first of these twelve singles, "you" was a winter ballad which rose to the top of the charts. The single ended-up becoming Koda's first #1 single. All of the singles mangaed to chart top-ten. The sixth single, "feel" followed in "you" footsteps, reaching #1 as well. When all twelve of single's obis are lined up, it makes-up a revieling picture of Koda Kumi.

By the end of 2006 the alum had nearly sold two million copies and remained on the charts for a several months. It became the and reached #17 on the top albums of 2006. of release.

Black Cherry

Koda Kumi promoting Black Cherry (2006)

"Koi no Tsubomi" was Koda's first single released after the 12 singles project, released in May 2006. It debuted at #2 with sales of 140,000 copies sold. This made it the highest debut week sales for female artists in 2006 until Hamasaki Ayumi surpassed it with her single "BLUE BIRD" in June. This title was reclaimed by Koda after her release of "4 hot wave" which debuted at #2 behind the KinKi Kids, nearly breaking their streak of consecutive #1 singles.

Alongside "4 hot wave", Koda's first photobook, MAROC, was also released on the same day, photographed by Leslie Kee in Morocco.

In October, Kumi released her 33rd single "Yume no Uta / Futari de...", described as a "two story ballad single," both songs sharing the same melody, only having different lyrics and arrangements, as Kumi felt that the melody contained both sad and happy elements.

Koda's next singles were, "Won't Be Long", a duet with EXILE, and she released a solo single entitled, "Cherry Girl / Unmei". The singles were released a week prior to her fifth studio album Black Cherry which would go on to include all the a-sides from her 2006 releases (excluding "Futari de..."). This album went on to become the first female studio album to stay at the #1 position for four weeks since Hamasaki Ayumi's album third album Duty in 2000.

Koda Kumi promoting "BUT / Aishou" (2007)

Kingdom

Her third best-of compilation, BEST ~BOUNCE & LOVERS~, a limited release with only 300,000 copies, was released alongside her first single of 2007, "BUT / Aishou", both charting at #2.

Following the trend of 4 hot wave, Koda released another four-track summer single "FREAKY", with two of the songs having music videos. FREAKY became Koda's fourth #1 single.

She then released ballad single "Ai no Uta" in September, charting at #2. Another single, "LAST ANGEL", featuring Korean Boy-band Tohoshinki, was used as the theme song to the Japanese release of Resident Evil 3, better known in Japan.

On the December 21st 2007, she became the seventh female Japanese artist to hold a solo concert at Tokyo Dome, marking her 7th year anniversary since her debut with "TAKE BACK" by making the ticket prices 7,777yen.

Koda Kumi promoting Kingdom (2008)

Her sixth studio album, Kingdom, was released on the 30th of January 2008, one week after her first single of 2008, "anytime". The album reached #1 and held the #1 position for two weeks, selling more than 500,000 copies. The CD+2DVD included her PREMIUM LIMITED LIVE IN HALL IN YOKOHAMA ARENA concert and all the tracks on the album had their own music video.

Controversy

On the 1st of February, 2008, Koda Kumi was retelling how her manager recently got married and asked "whether or not they would have children". However her manager said not for the time being and Koda commented on how they should have children early as "when women are around 35 years old their amniotic fluid goes bad".

The answer was so offensive that many radio shows and newspapers had a lot complaints from women around the country. avex trax decided that all promotion of Kingdom was to be cancelled, her official website being shut down, and so was all of the websites of her endorsements, such as Kirin and Kose Vise.

Koda Kumi promoting "MOON" (2008)

A week later, Koda Kumi appeared in an exclusive interview on Fuji TV's "FNN Super News" to apologize for the remark she made. Even though she tearfully apologized for the harm she caused, reactions to Koda's apology were mostly negative. An informal poll taken after the broadcast through Sankei Sports' website indicated that 81% of the viewers felt the apology was insufficient, while only 9% said it was enough.

Post Controversy

As of April 2008, her endorsements with Kosé and Gillette have reopened post this controversy. However, she is no longer the spokesperson for Honda, Kirin, and GemCerey.

On March 31, 2008 her KODA KUMI LIVE TOUR 2007 ~Black Cherry~ SPECIAL FINAL in TOKYO DOME DVD was released and went to #1 on the Oricon DVD Charts. Her LIVE TOUR 2008 ~Kingdom~ still went ahead as planned, and commenced on April 12, 2008, where she again apologized for her controversial remark. The shows on the 15th and 17th of May, 2008 at Yoyogi National First Gymnasium, Tokyo, were filmed for a WOWOW TV broadcast of the tour on the 26th of July. LIVE TOUR 2008 ~Kingdom~ was released on DVD on September 24, 2008, becoming her fifth consecutive #1 DVD.

Koda Kumi promoting Driving Hit's (2009)

On April 17, 2008, Avex Entertainment announced her 40th single, a "four elements single," featuring four tracks, much like "FREAKY" and "4 hot wave", called "MOON". It was released on June 11, 2008 and went to #2 on the Oricon Single Charts. Koda followed "MOON" with her 41st single, "TABOO" released on October 8, 2008. TABOO went on to debut at #1 on the Oricon chart, making it her fifth #1 single. Her 42nd single, "stay with me", was released on December 24th, 2008, and also debuted at #1. It is described as a "winter love ballad" and is featured in the au LISMO CM. Shortly after, she released her seventh studio album, TRICK on on January 28, 2009, also topping the Oricon Charts at #1 for 2 consecutive weeks.

On March 25th, Koda released two albums: Out Works & Collaboration Best and Driving Hit's, the later a remix album remixed entirely by HOUSE NATION. On March 31, 2009, Koda released her 43rd single, "It's all Love!". It was a collaboration with her younger sister, misono, and the song featured elements native to both singers. The second song from the single, "Faraway", was a solo-ballad by Koda, and was used as a theme song for the movie "Subaru".

Discography

Studio Albums

Compilation Albums

Singles



Download Exclusive

DVDs

Collaborations / Compilations

Collectibles

Live

Tours

Concert Series

  • [2005.06.11] secret -FIRST CLASS LIMITED LIVE- *one date only
  • [2007.06.20] LIVE IN HALL *one date only
  • [2008.10.23] KODA KUMI SPECIAL LIVE "Dirty Ballroom" ~one night show~ on DVD2 of TRICK

Music Related Awards

  • [2005] 47th Nihon Record Taishō for Butterfly
  • [2006] Artist of the Year (Japan Gold Record Grand Prix)
  • [2006] Pop Album of the Year (Japan Gold Record Grand Prix)
  • [2006] Music Video of the Year (Japan Gold Record Grand Prix)
  • [2006] Triple Crown (Japan Gold Record Grand Prix)
  • [2006] Best Collaboration Video for D.D.D. feat. SOULHEAD (Space Shower Music Video Awards 2006)
  • [2006] Best Female Video for Butterfly (MTV VMAJ 2006)
  • [2006] Best Video of the year for Butterfly (MTV VMAJ 2006)
  • [2006] buzzASIA from Japan for Trust you (MTV VMAJ 2006)
  • [2006] Grand Prize for Yume no Uta (Best Hit Kayousai 2006)
  • [2006] Grand Prize for Yume no Uta (39th Japan Usen Grand Prize)
  • [2006] Best Vocal (48th Nihon Record Taishō)
  • [2007] Best Female Video for Yume no Uta (MTV VMAJ 2007)
  • [2007] Best Video of the year for Yume no Uta (MTV VMAJ 2007)
  • [2007] Grand Prize for Ai no Uta (Best Hit Kayousai 2007)
  • [2007] Golden awards for Ai no Uta (49th Nihon Record Taishō)
  • [2008] Best Collaboration Video for LAST ANGEL (MTV VMAJ 2008)

Non-Music Related Awards

  • [2006] Best Jeanist (Woman)
  • [2006] Nail Queen
  • [2006] Women of 2006 by Vogue Nippon
  • [2007] Best Stylish Artist Award (MTV VMAJ 2007)
  • [2007] Best Jeanist (Woman)
  • [2007] Nail Queen
  • [2008] Best Jeanist (Woman)
  • [2008] Nail Queen

External Links