Ai Carina Uemura, known mononymously as Ai, is a Japanese-American singer-songwriter and rapper. Born in Los Angeles, Ai moved to Kagoshima at age four. Motivated to become a singer, she returned to Los Angeles during her adolescence, attending the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. While in Los Angeles, she performed as part of a gospel choir at a Mary J. Blige concert and appeared as a backup dancer in Janet Jackson's music video, "Go Deep". She briefly joined the Asian girl group SX4 in 1999 until she graduated high school.
"Kono Chikyū no Heiwa o Honki de Negatterun Da yo! / Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai!" (この地球の平和を本気で願ってるんだよ！／彼と一緒にお店がしたい！) is the 47th single by the J-pop group Morning Musume, released on September 14, 2011, on the Zetima label. The Single V was released on September 21, 2011, a week after the CD single.
The discography of Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai consists of thirteen studio albums, four extended plays (EP), eight compilation albums, one live album, one mix tape, ten video albums and numerous solo and collaboration singles.
"Anata ni Smile :)" (あなたにスマイル:), Anata ni Sumairu :), lit. "Smile at You :)") is a song recorded by Japanese singer Misia. It was released by Ariola Japan as the fourth single from her twelfth studio album, Love Bebop (2016) on 8 July 2015, one day after Misia's 37th birthday. The song was co-written by Misia and Ki-Yo, composed by the latter and produced by Hiroshi Matsui. "Anata ni Smile :)" was used in television ads for Kirin's Sekai no Kitchen Kara tea, for which a special version with alternate lyrics was recorded. The digital single artwork was painted by author, screenwriter, director and painter Ellie Omiya.
Fujii Kaze is a Japanese singer-songwriter and pianist. Born and raised in Satoshō, Okayama, he began uploading piano covers of pop songs to YouTube at 12. Signed to Universal Sigma's Hehn Records, Fujii released his debut single, "Nan-Nan", in 2019. His first studio album, Help Ever Hurt Never (2020), reached number one on Billboard Japan's Hot Albums chart and number two on the Oricon Albums Chart and was certified gold in Japan. The song "Shinunoga E-Wa" became viral on social media and brought Fujii to fame beyond Japan.
Wa to Yo is the eleventh studio album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on June 7, 2017, through EMI Records, as a double album. Wanting to express both her American and Japanese background, Ai recorded the Wa disc in Japanese with traditional Japanese sensibilities while the Yo disc was recorded in English with R&B and hip hop influences.
It's All Me, Vol. 1 is an extended play by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on July 8, 2020, through EMI Records and features a departure from the traditional Japanese and western electropop sounds found in her 2017 studio album, Wa to Yo.
"Justice Will Prevail at Last" is a song written and recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. Released on May 9, 2017 by EMI Records and Universal Music Group, it served as the lead single for Ai's eleventh studio album, Wa to Yo.
"Summer Magic" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released on May 17, 2019 through EMI Records and Universal Music Group. It is Ai's first single to be recorded fully in English and served as her second international single, her first being "Beautiful Life" (2012). The song, written and produced by The Rascals and Ai, is an upbeat tropical song with R&B and pop elements. Lyrically, the song is about being with a lover at the beach during summer. The Japanese version of "Summer Magic" was included on Ai's extended play, It's All Me, Vol. 1 (2020).
"Letter in the Sky" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai featuring American pop band The Jacksons. Originally released digitally on October 19, 2011, by EMI Music Japan, it was released physically on December 14, 2011, alongside "Happiness" as an A-side. "Letter in the Sky" served as the lead single from Ai's ninth studio album, Independent (2012).
"Voice" is a song written and recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released February 13, 2013, by EMI Music Japan. Produced by Uta and Ai, the song served as the theme song for the Japanese drama Yakō Kanransha.
"Dear Mama" is a song written and recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on April 17, 2013, through EMI Records Japan as the second single from Ai's tenth studio album, Moriagaro. The song was used by the Lotte Corporation for commercial campaigns in Japan.
"Hetaretachi yo" is the seventh single by Japanese idol group STU48, released on October 20, 2021. Yumiko Takino served as lead performer for the title song. The single is the last one featuring Nana Okada, the group's first captain. It topped the Japanese music charts in its release week.
"I'm Coming Home" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released on January 14, 2020, by EMI Records. Written by Ruri Matsumura, Ai and Jin, the song served as the theme song for the sci-fi thriller AI Hokai.
"Gift" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released April 24, 2020, by EMI Records. The song served as the theme song for TBS' King's Brunch and subsequently as the fifth and final single from Ai's extended play, It's All Me, Vol. 1.
The Feat. Best is the third greatest hits album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on November 2, 2016, by EMI Records. The album features 35 artists, including Japanese singers Namie Amuro, Thelma Aoyama, Miliyah Kato, Hikaru Utada, and Exile Atsushi. American artists such as Chaka Khan, Snoop Dogg, The Jacksons, Jeremih, and Boyz II Men also appear on the album.
Dream is the twelfth studio album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released on February 23, 2022, by EMI Records. Ai collaborated with various Japanese and American producers, including longtime collaborator Uta and Bernard "Harv" Harvey, the latter produced her 2021 extended play, It's All Me, Vol. 2.
The year 2022 in Japanese music.
"Welcome Rain" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai from her twelfth studio album, Dream. Written and produced by Nao'ymt, the song has been used in web commercials for Asahi Breweries. Lyrically, the song is about communication through a difficult situation. Critics have compared the song to "Aldebaran".
"Magnetic" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Kaela Kimura featuring Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on December 14, 2022, by Colourful Records and ELA, to Japanese radio, the same day Kimura's eleventh studio album of the same name was released.
