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Difference between revisions of "Koda Kumi"

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*'''Nickname:''' Kuu-chan, Kuu-tan
 
*'''Nickname:''' Kuu-chan, Kuu-tan
 
*'''Birthplace:''' [[Kyoto]], [[Japan]]
 
*'''Birthplace:''' [[Kyoto]], [[Japan]]
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*'''Birth date:''' November 13, 1982  
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*'''Birth date:''' November 13, 1982 (27)
 
*'''Height:''' 154 cm / 5'0"
 
*'''Height:''' 154 cm / 5'0"
 
*'''[[Blood Type]]:''' A
 
*'''[[Blood Type]]:''' A

Revision as of 04:34, 23 July 2010

Koda Kumi promoting Gossip Candy (2010)

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. Since the release of her first best album BEST ~first things~, her popularity has grown considerably. Other factors such as her appearance on the Japanese soundtrack of Final Fantasy X-2, her revealing photo shoots, and her "12 Days of Christmas" wide-scale release of one single every week from December to February (2005-2006) all contributed to her increase in popularity.

She is also misono's older sister.

Profile

  • Stage name: Koda Kumi (倖田來未)
  • Birth name: Koda Kumiko (神田來未子)
  • Nickname: Kuu-chan, Kuu-tan
  • Birthplace: Kyoto, Japan
  • Birth date: November 13, 1982 (27)
  • 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)

Biography

Koda Kumi during early audtions

Early Life - Debut

Koda Kumi was the first girl born into her family. Since her mother was a lounge singer, Koda looked up to her and had dreamed of becoming a singer since elementary school.

When she was in her teens, she went through a number of auditions 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. After winning avex Dream 2000 contest, she was signed onto the rhythm zone sub-label of avex trax. It is unclear whether or not she made it into Morning Musume when she auditioned, and if she turned it down due to the fact that she signed a contract with avex trax.

Her debut single, "TAKE BACK", was released in December 2000, but 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 writing the lyrics to these tracks and having them not sell well, Koda became depressed. She began eating to comfort herself. Later when asked about her poor promotion, Matsuura Max said that the reason was that she was overweight and that promoting her with her current image would not help. Koda then started working on her image. She kept a strict diet and a vigorous exercise routine. She has also said that she could have not kept up with it all if not for her boyfriend at the time.

At the end of 2001, Koda joined Komuro Tetsuya's charity drive song nation which came together to help raise money for the attack on the World Trade Center on 09/11. Koda worked with 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 of her debut album, affection. The album reached #12 (higher than any of her solo singles) and eventually sold around 100k.

Initial 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" only peaked at #19 and #25 (respectively) 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's contract would not be renewed and that she would 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 the single sold 282,734 copies. The single was #24 highest-selling 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 promoting girls ~Selfish~ (2004)

Ero-Kakkoii Image - Major Success

Koda's next string of singles ("COME WITH ME", "Gentle Words", and "Crazy 4 U") all would do moderately 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 than her previous album.

With the release of the "Crazy 4 U" music video, Koda's image had changed. She had switched the teen idol act for an image of 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 referred to as Ero-Kakkoii, which means Erotic-Cool. In the video Kumi was scantly dressed, and danced provactively. The image transition is often compared with Christina Aguilera's "Dirrty". Her next steps towards her success came 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 featured in either 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 reach #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 collaboration with rapper KM-MARKIT.

The Best Sessions

In June 2005, 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 September 21st, 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 previous three singles are found). The album was 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 saw how well her last album did, they soon came up with a new promotion idea. Starting in December, Koda would release twelve singles, one each week for twelve weeks, as a play on the 12 days of Christmas. Each single would feature Koda in outfits from a variety of places all over the world. This included 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 managed to chart top-ten. The sixth single, "feel" followed in "you" footsteps, reaching #1 as well. When all twelve of singles' obis are lined up, it makes up a revealing picture of Koda Kumi.

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

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 140,000 copies sold. This single 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 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. The photos were 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 shared 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 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 "FREAKY" (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: Extinction.

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 ¥7,777.

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 the story of how her manager recently got married and how she had asked "whether or not they would have children". However, her manager had said they wouldn't 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 go 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 canceled, 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 after this controversy. However, she is no longer the spokesperson for Honda, Kirin, and GemCerey.

Koda Kumi promoting "3 SPLASH" (2009)

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.

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 latter is 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

Koda Kumi promoting Best ~Third Universe~ & 8th Al "Universe" (2010)

Studio Albums

Compilation Albums

Singles

Download Exclusive

DVDs

Collaborations / Compilations

Collectibles

  • [2006.07.27] 1st Photo book - MAROC
  • [2006.10.14] 2007 Calendar
  • [2006.12.28] Koda-Shiki
  • [2006.01.29] Special Photo Album Box
  • [2007.09.28] 2008 Calendar
  • [2008.10.25] 2009 Calendar
  • [2009.10.30] 2010 Calendar

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

v • d • e
Koda Kumi
Songs · Images
Studio Albums
01 · 02 · 03 · 04 · 05 · 06 · 07 · 08 · 09 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13.1 · 13.2 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18
 KKAngelMonster01.jpg
Best Albums
01 · 02 · 03 · 04 · 05 · 06 · 07 · 08 · 09 · 10 · 11 · 12
Cover Albums
Live Albums
01 · 02 · 03 · 04 · 05 · 06 · 07 · 08 · 09 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 & 16
Remix Albums
01 · 02 · 03 · 04 · 05 · 06 · 07 · 08 · 09 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14
Mini-Albums
Singles
01 · 02 · 03 · 04 · 05 · 06 · 07 · 08 · 09 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 · 29 · 30 · 31 · 32 · 33 · 34 · 35 · 36 · 37 · 38 · 39 · 40 · 41 · 42 · 43 · 44 · 45 · 46 · 47 · 48 · 49 · 50 · 51 · 52 · 53 · 54 · 55 · 56 · 57 · 58 · 59 · 60 · 61 · 62
Digital Singles
01 · 02 · 03 · 04 · 05 · 06 · 07 · 08 · 09 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 · 29 · 30 · 31 · 32 · 33 · 34 · 35 · 36 · 37 · 38 · 39 · 40 · 41 · 42
Video Releases
01 · 02 · 03 · 04 · 05 · 06 · 07 · 08 · 09 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 · 29
Official Website
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