Japanese singer-songwriter Mai Kuraki has released twenty-five video albums and three video singles, and been featured in sixty-six music videos, two television series, and eleven commercials. Kuraki debuted in 1999, while she was still in high school, through Giza Studio. The label initially marketed Kuraki in the United States under the name Mai K, and released the single "Baby I Like" (1999). However, the single was a commercial failure which prompted the label to send her back to Japan. There, they released her single "Love, Day After Tomorrow", which peaked at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart and was certified million by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAJ). The second single, "Stay by My Side" became her first number one single on the chart. Kuraki's debut album, Delicious Way , topped the Oricon Albums Chart and was certified triple million by the RIAJ. [1]
In 2001, her second album Perfect Crime was released, and it became another million seller, certified quadruple-platinum by the RIAJ. "Winter Bells", released in 2002 became her second number one single on the Oricon Singles Chart, and its parent album, Fairy Tale , topped the Albums Chart. It sold over 700,000 copies in Japan and earned a triple-platinum certification from the RIAJ. The albums If I Believe (2003), Wish You the Best (2004), Fuse of Love (2005), and Diamond Wave (2005) all charted within the top three of the Albums Chart. Both If I Believe and Wish You the Best peaked at number one on the Albums Chart. The former sold over 400,000 copies and was certified two-times platinum by the RIAJ while the latter sold more than 950,000 copies and was certified million by the RIAJ. Kuraki's next studio album release, One Life (2008) charted outside the top 10, peaking at number 14 on the Albums Chart. [1] However, the follow-up to One Life titled Touch Me! (2009) peaked at number one, earning a gold certification. Her second compilation album All My Best (2009) sold over 250,000 copies in Japan and was certificated platinum. The follow-up albums Future Kiss (2010) and Over the Rainbow (2012) peaked at number 3 and 2, respectively, on the Oricon Albums Chart. Her third compilation album Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope (2014) sold over 67,000 copies and was certificated gold. Her 11th album Smile (2017) sold only 29,000 copies in Japan and failed commercially but its follow-up single Togetsukyo (Kimi Omou) become her best-selling song in 2010's.
She has also collaborated with Tak Matsumoto of B'z on the single "Imitation Gold", which peaked at number one on the Oricon Singles Chart. In 2009, she was featured on the single "Sunao ni Ienakute" by Zard, a rearranged version of the band's 1999 song of the same title. The single peaked at number five on the Oricon Singles Chart.
Title | Year | Director | Video album |
---|---|---|---|
"Baby I Like" | 1999 | Masashi Ohishi | First Cut |
"Love, Day After Tomorrow" | First Cut Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Stay by My Side" | 2000 | ||
"Stay by My Side" (Dream on Version) | First Cut | ||
"Secret of My Heart" | First Cut Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Never Gonna Give You Up" | First Cut Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Simply Wonderful" (Radio Edit) | |||
"Reach for the Sky" | — | My Reflection Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | |
"Tsumetai Umi" | 2001 | ||
"Stand Up" | |||
"Always" | |||
"Can't Forget Your Love" | My Reflection Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Winter Bells" | 2002 | My Reflection Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | |
"Feel Fine!" | My Reflection Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Like a Star in the Night" | My Reflection Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Ride on Time" | — | ||
"Key to My Life" | |||
"Make My Day" | My Reflection Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Time After Time (Hana Mau Machi de)" | 2003 | ||
"Kiss" | |||
"Kaze no La La La" | |||
"If I Believe" | My Reflection | ||
"Same" | |||
"Tonight, I Feel Close to You" (with Stefanie Sun) | — | ||
"Ashita e Kakeru Hashi" | 2004 | Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | |
"Love, Needing" | 2005 | Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | |
"Dancing" | Nigel Dick | Making of Dancing Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | |
"P.S My Sunshine" | — | Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | |
"I Sing a Song for You" | — | ||
"Growing of My Heart" | Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Best of Hero" | 2006 | ||
"Diamond Wave" | Diamond Wave Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Diamond Wave" (iTunes Exclusive Version) | — | ||
"Shiroi Yuki" | Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Season of Love" | 2007 | Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | |
"Silent Love (Open My Heart)" | |||
"Be with U" | |||
"One Life" | 2008 | — | |
"Yume ga Saku Haru" | Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Ichibyōgoto ni Love for You" | Ichibyōgoto ni Love for You Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"24 Xmas Time" | 24 Xmas Time Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Touch Me!" | 2009 | — | |
"Puzzle" | Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Revive" | Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Beautiful" | Beautiful Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Watashi no, Shiranai, Watashi." | Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope | ||
"Eien Yori Nagaku" | 2010 | Eien Yori Nagaku/Drive me crazy Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | |
"Drive Me Crazy" | Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Summer Time Gone" | |||
"1000 Mankai no Kiss" | 2011 | Over the Rainbow Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | |
"Mou Ichido" | Over the Rainbow Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Your Best Friend" | Your Best Friend Over the Rainbow Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Brave Your Heart" (with Alex Ru) | 2012 | Over the Rainbow | |
"Stay the Same" | |||
"Koi ni Koishite" | Koi ni Koishite/Special Morning Day to You Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Hakanasa" | Mai Kuraki Symphonic Collection in Moscow Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Try Again" | 2013 | Try Again Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | |
"Wake Me Up" | 2014 | Wake Me Up Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | |
"Muteki na Heart" | Muteki na Heart Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Stand by You" | Stand by You Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | ||
"Serendipity" | 2015 | Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | |
"Yesterday Love" | 2017 | Atsunori Toshi | Yesterday Love Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You |
"Togetsukyo (Kimi Omou)" | Takeshi Ohno | Togetsukyo (Kimi Omou) Kimi Omou: Shunkashūtō Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | |
"Koyoi wa Yume wo Misasete" | — | 2018 | Kimi Omou: Shunkashūtō Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You |
"Hanakotoba" | Kimi Omou: Shunkashūtō | ||
"Kimi to Koi no Mama de Owarenai Itsumo Yume no Mama ja Irarenai" | 2019 | Kimi to Koi no Mama de Owarenai Itsumo Yume no Mama ja Irarenai/Barairo no Jinsei Mai Kuraki Single Collection: Chance for You | |
"Barairo no Jinsei" | |||
"Makenaide" | — | ||
"Zero kara Hajimete" | 2021 | Takeshi Ohno | Zero kara Hajimete |
Title | Year | Director | Video album |
---|---|---|---|
"Imitation Gold" (Tak Matsumoto featuring Mai Kuraki) | 2003 | — | — |
"My Story, Your Song" (Stefanie Sun featuring Mai Kuraki) | |||
"Sunao ni Ienakute" (Zard featuring Mai Kuraki) | 2009 | Zard Music Video Collection: 25th Anniversary | |
"Doushite Suki nandaro?" (Nerdhead featuring Mai-K) | 2011 | Takuya Tada | Doushite Suki nandaro? |
"Kotoba ni Dekinai Hodo Suki nanoni" (Nerdhead featuring Mai-K) | Naokazu Mitsuishi | — | |
Title | Album details | Peak positions | Certifications | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
JPN DVD | JPN Blu-ray | TWN [2] [upper-alpha 1] | |||||
First Cut |
| 1 | — | — | |||
Mai Kuraki & Experience First Live 2001 in Zepp Osaka |
| — | — | — | |||
Mai Kuraki & Experience First Live Tour 2001 Eternal Moment |
| 2 | — | — | |||
Mai Kuraki "Loving You..." Tour 2002 Final 2.27 in Yokohama Arena |
| — | — | — | |||
Mai Kuraki "Loving You..." Tour 2002 Complete Edition |
| 2 | — | — | |||
My Reflection |
| 1 | — | — |
| ||
Mai Kuraki 5th Anniversary Edition Grow, Step by Step |
| 7 | — | — | |||
Mai Kuraki Live Tour 2005 Like a Fuse of Live and Tour Documentary of "Chance for You" |
| 6 | — | 2 | |||
Brilliant Cut: Mai Kuraki Live & Document |
| 6 | — | 4 | |||
Mai Kuraki Live Tour 2008 "Touch Me!" |
| 4 | — | 3 | |||
10th Anniversary Mai Kuraki Live Tour "Best" |
| 10 | — | 8 | |||
Happy Happy Halloween Live 2010 |
| 9 | — | 4 | |||
Mai Kuraki Premium Live One for All, All for One |
| 9 | — | 5 | |||
Mai Kuraki Live Tour 2012: Over the Rainbow |
| 6 | — | 3 | |||
Mai Kuraki Symphonic Collection in Moscow |
| 15 | — | 3 | |||
Mai Kuraki Symphonic Live: Opus 1 |
| 14 | — | 5 | |||
Mai Kuraki Live Project 2013 "Re:" |
| 10 | — | — | |||
Mai Kuraki Symphonic Live: Opus 2 |
| 34 | — | 3 | |||
15th Anniversary Mai Kuraki Live Project 2014 BEST “151A” ~Premium~ |
| 4 | 30 | — | |||
Mai Kuraki Symphonic Live: Opus 3 |
| 40 | 45 | — | |||
Mai Kuraki Live Project 2017: Sawage Live |
| 9 | 9 | — | |||
Mai Kuraki Live Project 2018 "Red It be: Kimi Omou Shunkashūtō" |
| 18 | 21 | — | |||
20th Anniversary Mai Kuraki Live Project 2019 "Let's Goal!: Barairo no Jinsei" |
| 12 | 17 | — | |||
Mai Kuraki Live Project 2021 "Unconditional Love" |
| 16 | 18 | — | |||
Mai Kuraki Premium Symphonic Concert 2022 |
| TBA | |||||
"—" denotes items which were released before the creation of the G-Music chart, or items that did not chart. |
Title | Album details | Peak positions | Sales | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
JPN DVD | JPN Blu-ray | JPN Hot 100 | |||
Strong Heart |
| 4 | — | 63 | 20,000 |
Wake Me Up |
| 2 | — | 75 | 12,000 |
Yesterday Love |
| 3 | 6 | — [upper-alpha 2] | 6,100 |
Zero kara Hajimete |
| 1 | — | — [upper-alpha 3] | 8,000 |
Year | Television show | Character | Description |
---|---|---|---|
2000-2002 | Mai-K TV | Host | |
2019 | Case Closed | Herself (voice role) | "The Scarlet School Trip (Bright Red Arc)" "The Scarlet School Trip (Crimson Love Arc)" (Episode 927, 928) |
Fhit Music: Mai Kuraki | Herself | ||
Non-fiction W: Mai Kuraki First Documentary | Documentary | ||
Year | Companies | Brands/products |
---|---|---|
2001 | Coca-Cola Japan | Sokenbicha |
2002-2003 | Shiseido | Sea Breeze |
2005 | Dwango | |
2009 | Being Giza Studio | |
2009-2011 | Kosé | Esprique Precious |
2012 | NGW Japan | Icefield |
2015 | West Japan Railway Company | San'yō Shinkansen 40th anniversary campaign |
2016-2017 | U-Can | Speak Master |
2018-2019 | Parco | Chinese New Year campaign |
2018-2019 | Kyoto | Travel campaign |
2019- | Cleverlyhome | |
Mai Kuraki is a Japanese pop and R&B singer, songwriter and record producer. After releasing her US debut single "Baby I Like" in 1999, Kuraki signed with Giza Studio and released her Japanese debut single "Love, Day After Tomorrow" in 1999. In 2000, she released her debut album, Delicious Way, which debuted at number-one and sold over 2.2 million copies in its first week. The album has spawned four top-three singles, "Love, Day After Tomorrow", "Stay by My Side", "Secret of My Heart", and "Never Gonna Give You Up". Eventually, the album sold over 3.5 million copies nationwide and became the best-selling album in Japan in 2000, and has been the ninth best-selling album in Japan of all-time.
Rikako Kakiuchi, professionally known by her stage name, Rina Aiuchi and formerly known as R, is a Japanese singer, songwriter, businesswoman, fashion model, and YouTuber. Born in Higashiōsaka, Japan, she won the first season of the audition Super Starlight Contest, winning a recording contract with Giza Studio. Her eurobeat-sounding debut album, Be Happy (2001) was certified gold in Japan and spawned a top-five single, "Koi wa Thrill, Shock, Suspense", which served as the theme song to the Japanese anime television series Case Closed. Aiuchi's second album Power of Words became her best-selling album, selling over 419,000 copies nationwide and certificated platinum in Japan.
"Evolution" is the 20th single by Japanese recording artist and lyricist Ayumi Hamasaki, released on January 31, 2001, by Avex Trax as the second single from her fourth studio album I Am... (2002).
The discography of Japanese singer Mai Kuraki consists of fifteen studio albums, six compilation albums, twenty-three video albums, three remix albums, fifty-six singles, and sixteen promotional singles. Kuraki debuted in 1999, while she was still in high school, through Giza Studio. The label initially marketed Kuraki in the United States under the name Mai K, and released the single "Baby I Like" (1999). However, the single was a commercial failure which prompted the label to send her back to Japan. There, they released her single "Love, Day After Tomorrow", which peaked at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart and was certified million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). The second single, "Stay by My Side" became her first number one single on the chart. Kuraki's debut album, Delicious Way, topped the Oricon Albums Chart and was certified triple million by the RIAJ.
A Complete: All Singles is a greatest hits album by Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax released it on September 10, 2008 in a variety of formats, and was created to commemorate the singer's tenth anniversary since the release of her 1998 single "Poker Face". The album is divided into three sections, each highlighting a single released by Hamasaki from her debut in 1998 to her most recent single, "Talkin' 2 Myself" in 2007. Additionally, the compilation includes two new songs: the stand-alone single "Mirrorcle World" and a re-recorded version of "Who...".
Delicious Way is the debut album by Japanese recording artist Mai Kuraki. It was released by Giza Studio and Giza Inc. in Japan on June 28, 2000. The album was entirely co-written by Kuraki herself, with the help of Michael Africk and Yoko Blaqstone in some tracks, while production was handled by Kanonji. The album's background and development started in mid-to-late 1999 after her American debut single "Baby I Like", where East West Records and Giza Studio sent her back to Japan. To promote the album, four singles were released; "Love, Day After Tomorrow", "Stay by My Side", "Secret of My Heart", and "Never Gonna Give You Up".
Perfect Crime is the second studio album by Japanese recording artist Mai Kuraki. It was released on July 4, 2001, by Giza Studio.
Fairy Tale is the third studio album by Japanese recording artist Mai Kuraki. It was released on October 23, 2002 under Giza Studio label.
"Love, Day After Tomorrow" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Mai Kuraki, taken as the lead single of her debut studio album Delicious Way (2000). It was released on December 8, 1999, via Giza Studio and Tent House in two physical editions: a CD single and 12-inch vinyl. The track was written by Kuraki herself, while production was handled by Kanonji. The conception of the song started after the commercial failure of her English language single "Baby I Like", which led her American label Bip! Records to send her back to Japan, and she subsequently reverted to the Japanese market.
"Never Gonna Give You Up" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Mai Kuraki. It was released on June 7, 2000, in Japan as a CD single and as a 12" vinyl by Giza Studio, Giza Inc., and Tent House as the fourth and final single from her debut studio album, Delicious Way (2000). The track features lyrics in Japanese and English language, written by Kuraki and Michael Africk, respectively. He also served as the single's composer, backing singer and producer, alongside Kanonji, Miguel Sá Pessoa, and Perry Geyer. The CD release of the track included the B-side recording "Trying to Find My Way". Musically, "Never Gonna Give You Up" is an R&B and pop song whose lyrics delve on themes of love and relationships, a common trait on its parent album.
"Stand Up" is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Mai Kuraki from her second studio album, Perfect Crime (2001). It was released as the third single from the album on April 18, 2001. The lyrics to the song were penned by Kuraki and the track was produced by Akihito Tokunaga. The single peaked at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). It has sold about 476,000 copies in Japan as of October 2014. The single's jacket image was compared to that of Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run (1975).
"Can't Forget Your Love/Perfect Crime: Single Edit" is a double A-side single by Japanese singer songwriter Mai Kuraki, taken from her second studio album Perfect Crime (2001) and third studio album Fairy Tale (2002). It was released on August 29, 2001, by Giza Studio, and both songs were served as the theme song to the Japanese television series Ikiru tame no Jonetsu toshite no Satsujin. "Can't Forget Your Love" was written by Kuraki herself, Aika Ohno, Cybersound and Akihito Tokunaga, while "Perfect Crime: Single Edit" was written by Kuraki, Tokunaga, Daisuke Ikeda.
"Feel Fine!" is a song by Japanese singer songwriter Mai Kuraki, taken from her third studio album Fairy Tale (2002). It was released on April 24, 2002 by Giza Studio, simultaneously with her first remix album Cool City Production Vol. 3 "Mai-K's Club Side". The song was written by Kuraki herself and Akihito Tokunaga and served as the commercial song to Shiseido's brand "Sea Breeze". The remixes of the song Cool City Production Vol. 4 "Mai-K" Feel Fine! was released later.
"Dancing" ("ダンシング") is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Mai Kuraki from her fifth studio album, Fuse of Love (2005). The song was written by Kuraki and her long-time collaborator, Akihito Tokunaga, and produced by Kuraki herself. The song served as Dwango's television commercial song. The single was released on 23 March 2005 through Giza Studio as the third single from Fuse of Love.
Future Kiss is the ninth studio album by Japanese singer and songwriter Mai Kuraki. It was released on 17 November 2010, by Northern Music. The album was originally scheduled to be released on 20 October 2010; however, it was pushed back to 17 November 2010.
Michael Africk is an American singer, songwriter, multi-platinum record producer and entrepreneur. After signing with Disney's Hollywood Records and releasing a solo album in 1999, he toured with N'Sync and Britney Spears. He collaborated with Mai Kuraki as a producer, songwriter and featured performer on the album Delicious Way which debuted at number one on the Oricon Albums Chart and had the highest first week sales for a debut album in Japanese music history with 2,218,640 units sold and remains the sixth best selling album of all time in Japan. He has collaborated on many chart topping singles and albums with Kuraki over the years, including the multi-platinum single Never Gonna Give You Up where he is also featured as a performer. Africk has six number one albums and ten top three singles to his credit as a writer and producer, and has received 6 Japan Gold Disc Awards for album and/or song of the year.
Secret of My Heart is the first English-language studio album by Japanese recording artist Mai Kuraki, under the name Mai-K. It was released on January 10, 2002 under Giza USA. Secret of My Heart consists of two songs from the lead single "Baby I Like" and English versions of 8 songs from her debut album Delicious Way, which sold over 3.5 million copies in Japan. However, her fourth Japanese single "Never Gonna Give You Up" is included as the original version.
Kimi Omou: Shunkashūtō is the first concept album by the J-pop singer and songwriter Mai Kuraki. It was released on October 10, 2018, via Northern Music.
Japanese singer and songwriter Miliyah Kato has released eleven studio albums, six compilation albums, two EPs, one remix album, one cover album, one tribute album, 51 singles, and 15 promotional singles. She has sold over 9 million records in Japan, making her one of the best-selling and most-downloaded artist in the country of all time. Kato has been named as "the charisma of the high school girls" and "the queen of the unrequited love songs" by several media.
"Doushite Suki Nandarou" is a song recorded by Japanese rapper and record producer Nerdhead, featuring Japanese singer songwriter Mai Kuraki under the moniker Mai K. It was written and produced by Nerdhead himself. The song was released by Universal Music Japan on June 1, 2011, as the lead single from Nerdhead's second album Behind the Truth (2011). The ringtone of the song was released on April 29, 2011, ahead of its official release. "Doushite Suki Nandarou" is a middle-tempo ballad song with influences of R&B music and hip-hop.