Michael Africk

Last updated
Michael Africk
Born (1975-08-20) August 20, 1975 (age 49)
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Genres
OccupationsSinger-songwriter, record producer
Years active1999–present
Labels

Michael Africk (born 20 August 1975) 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. [1] [2] [3] 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. [4] 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. [5] Africk has five 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.

Contents

In 2011, Africk released his second studio album with Japanese record label Northern Music/Being Music. The album was co-produced by Africk and Louis Bell. [6]

Since 2006, he has founded several entertainment and tech companies, including Handcraft Entertainment and Inmoji. [7] [8] [9]

Career

Musician

Africk sang "Someone Like Me", the theme song for Disney's animated film Doug's 1st Movie . [1] The song was written by William Squier and Jeffrey Lodin, produced by Africk, Perry Geyer and Miguel Sa Pessoa, and featured the Boston Symphony Orchestra. [1] [10] In the same year, he released his 11-track self-titled album. [3] [11]

Africk was the opening act for N'Sync and Britney Spears, and toured in Japan. [2] [12] He composed the music for the Japanese anime series Secret of Cerulean Sand (2002). [13] "What Can I Do", his song for the final credits, features Mai Kuraki. [14]

Africk collaborated with Mai Kuraki for the song Baby Tonight, a single from the album Delicious Way. The album debuted at number one on the Oricon Albums Chart with 2,218,640 units sold, making it the highest first week sales for a debut album in Japanese music history and sixth overall. [4] He collaborated with Kuraki on other songs as a writer and/or producer, including Never Gonna Give You Up, Secret of my heart, Love Day After Tomorrow, Stay By My Side, and others from the same album. Never Gonna Give You Up, which features Africk as a performer was certified double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). [5] He composed "Love One Another" with Kuraki for the benefit of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami victims. [15] The song, featuring his vocals, was released on his self-titled album and Kuraki's album Over the Rainbow in 2012.

Entrepreneur

In 2006, Africk started his tech career when he co-founded XLR8 Mobile. He would go on to found Dijit, Inmoji and Handcraft Entertainment as well. [16]

Africk founded Inmoji with Perry Tell in Boston in May 2014. [8] Inmoji is a software company offering a software development kit to messaging apps and an extension for smartphones that both create clickable icons that enable users to share their favorite brands, products, and experiences directly within the apps without leaving the message. [7] Inmoji raised $2.5 million in seed funding in 2015 and $6.5 million in Series A round in 2016. [17] [18]

Africk was named one of the 12 Top Tech Leaders To Watch In 2017 by Inc. [19]

Discography

Producer & Composer

YearTitle [20] LabelAlbumPerformerPeak chart position in JapanCertification &

Units Sold

RIAJ

1999 Love Day After Tomorrow Giza Studio Delicious Way Mai Kuraki Oricon #2 [21]

Japan Hot 100 ( Billboard ) #63 [22]

1X Million

1,400,000

2000 Delicious Way (Album) Giza Studio Delicious Way Mai Kuraki Oricon #1 (weekly & yearly) [23] 3X Million

3,530,000

2000 Secret Of My Heart Giza Studio Delicious Way Mai Kuraki Oricon #21x Million

968,980 (physical sales) 100,000+ (digital sales)

2000"Never Gonna Give You Up" Giza Studio Delicious Way Mai Kuraki (ft.) Michael AfrickWeekly: #2 (Count Down TV), [24] #2 (Oricon) [25]
Yearly: #58 (Count Down TV), [26] #59 (Oricon) [27] 		2X Platinum

434,250 [28]

2000Baby Tonight Giza Studio Delicious Way Mai Kuraki
2000 Stay By My Side Giza Studio Delicious Way Mai Kuraki Oricon #11X Million

922,140 (physical sales) [29]

2000 Simply Wonderful Giza Studio Delicious Way Mai Kuraki Oricon #22X Platinum

600,000

2001 Perfect Crime (Album) Giza Studio Perfect Crime Mai Kuraki Oricon #1 [30] JPN Million 1,600,000

6X Platinum

2001 Can't Forget Your Love/Perfect Crime Giza Studio Perfect Crime Mai Kuraki Oricon #22X Gold

180,040 (physical sales)

2001 Always Giza Studio Delicious Way Mai Kuraki Oricon #2Platinum

200,000

2001Come on! Come On! Giza Studio Perfect Crime Mai Kuraki
2001Never Gonna Give You Up (Never Never Land Mix) Giza Studio Start in My Life Mai Kuraki (ft.) Michael Africk)
2001Promised You B-Gram Toki no Tsubasa Zard
2001Reach For The Sky Giza Studio Perfect Crime Mai Kuraki Oricon #32X Platinum

486,320 [31]

2001 Tsumetai Umi (冷たい海) Giza Studio Perfect Crime Mai Kuraki Oricon #2Platinum

400,000

2002 Fairy Tale (Album) Giza Studio Fairy Tale (Album) Mai Kuraki Oricon #13X Platinum

800,000

2002What Can I Do Giza Studio Michael Africk
2003 If I Believe (Album) Giza Studio If I Believe Mai Kuraki Oricon #12x Platinum [32]

444,536 [33]

2003Same Giza Studio If I Believe Mai Kuraki
2003Just a Little Bit Giza Studio If I Believe Mai Kuraki
2003 Time After Time Giza Studio If I Believe Mai Kuraki Oricon #3Gold

200,000

2003Mi Corazon Giza Studio If I Believe Mai Kuraki
2004 Wish You The Best (Album) Giza Studio Wish You The Best Mai Kuraki Oricon #11x Million

956,162 (physical) [34]

2005Don't CryMadacy RecordsThe Fix Jordan Knight
2005"Chocolate: Kimi no Santa ni Naritakute"Mainichi AdventureSparkling Point
"Winter*Swear" Giza Studio Growing of My Heart Mai Kuraki
2007 Season Of Love Northern Music One Life Mai Kuraki Oricon #5
2007 Silent Love Northern Music One Life Mai Kuraki Oricon #5
2008 One Life (Album) Northern Music One Life Mai Kuraki Oricon #14Gold
2011"Kimi e"Tenshi no Clover Aimi
2023Someone ElseHandcraft Entertainment/Virgin Music/B ZONE Anna Aya
2024Hit Me With Your LoveHandcraft Entertainment/Virgin Music/B ZONE Anna Aya
2024 Forever for you Northern Music Forever for you Mai Kuraki Oricon #3, [35] Billboard #4 [36]

Albums

YearTitleLabel
1999Michael Africk [11] Hollywood Records
2011Michael Africk II Giza Studio

Singles

YearTitle [37] WritersProducersLabel
1999My Heart Belongs To You (Sexified) [38] Michael Africk, Perry Geyer, Miguel PessoaMichael Africk, Perry Geyer, Miguel Pessoa Hollywood Records
2011Make It LoudMichael Africk, Louis Bell, Jordan Knight [2] Louis Bell [2] Handcraft Music
No... Yeah (featuring Sammy Adams)Michael Africk, Sammy Adams, Matty TrumpLouis BellHandcraft Music - MusicBall / Souldiggaz
2012So BeautifulMichael Africk, Louis BellLouis Bell, Michael AfrickHandcraft Music
YearTitleLabelAlbum
2000"Never Gonna Give You Up"
(Mai Kuraki featuring Michael Africk)		 Giza Studio Delicious Way
2010 Boyfriend Giza Studio Future Kiss
2011"Love One Another"
(Mai Kuraki featuring Michael Africk) [39] 		Handcraft Music/Cybersound Music Over the Rainbow

Music videos

YearSongAlbumDirector
2000 Never Gonna Give You Up Delicious Way
2011"You Were Right" (live) [40] Michael Africk II

Accolades

Japan Gold Disc Awards

YearAwardCategoryWorkCreditResult
2001 15th Japan Gold Disc Award Pop & Rock Album of the Year Delicious Way Writer, ProducerWon
Song of the Year"Secret of My Heart"Writer, ProducerWon
2002 16th Japan Gold Disc Award Pop & Rock Album of the Year Perfect Crime Writer, ProducerWon
2003 17th Japan Gold Disc Award Pop & Rock Album of the Year Fairy Tale Writer, ProducerWon
2004 18th Japan Gold Disc Award Pop & Rock Album of the Year If I Believe Writer, ProducerWon
2005 19th Japan Gold Disc Award Pop & Rock Album of the Year Wish You the Best Writer, ProducerWon

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mai Kuraki</span> Japanese J-pop singer (born 1982)

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.

<i>One Life</i> (Mai Kuraki album) 2008 studio album by Mai Kuraki

One Life is the seventh studio album by Japanese recording artist Mai Kuraki. It was released on January 1, 2008. The album is Kuraki's first under the Northern Music label.

<i>Diamond Wave</i> 2006 studio album by Mai Kuraki

Diamond Wave is the sixth studio album by Japanese recording artist Mai Kuraki. It was released on August 2, 2006.

<i>Fuse of Love</i> 2005 studio album by Mai Kuraki

Fuse of Love is the fifth studio album by Japanese recording artist Mai Kuraki. It was released on August 24, 2005, over two years after If I Believe.

<i>Delicious Way</i> 2000 studio album by Mai Kuraki

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".

<i>Perfect Crime</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Mai Kuraki

Perfect Crime is the second studio album by Japanese recording artist Mai Kuraki. It was released on July 4, 2001, by Giza Studio.

<i>Fairy Tale</i> (Mai Kuraki album) 2002 studio album by Mai Kuraki

Fairy Tale is the third studio album by Japanese recording artist Mai Kuraki. It was released on October 23, 2002 under Giza Studio label.

<i>If I Believe</i> 2003 studio album by Mai Kuraki

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<i>Wish You the Best</i> (album) 2004 compilation album by Mai Kuraki

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stay by My Side</span> 2000 single by Mai Kuraki

"Stay by My Side" a song recorded by Japanese singer Mai Kuraki. It was released on March 15, 2000, as the second single from Kuraki's debut studio album, Delicious Way (2000). It was written by Kuraki, Aika Ohno, and the Boston-based music production team, Cybersound. It is a gospel-infused J-pop and R&B song that talks about the protagonist's dream to be with her partner as long as possible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reach for the Sky (Mai Kuraki song)</span> 2000 song by Mai Kuraki

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<i>All My Best</i> (Mai Kuraki album) 2009 greatest hits album by Mai Kuraki

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dancing (Mai Kuraki song)</span> 2005 single by Mai Kuraki

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<i>Future Kiss</i> 2010 album by Mai Kuraki

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<i>Smile</i> (Mai Kuraki album) 2017 studio album by Mai Kuraki

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"Boyfriend" is a song from Japanese singer Mai Kuraki and American singer-songwriter Michael Africk, taken from Kuraki's ninth studio album Future Kiss.

<i>Secret of My Heart</i> (Mai Kuraki album) 2002 studio album by Mai-K

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.

<i>Kimi Omou: Shunkashūtō</i> 2018 studio album by Mai Kuraki

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.

<i>Forever for You</i> 2024 studio album by Mai Kuraki

Forever for You is the second EP by the J-pop singer and songwriter Mai Kuraki. It was released on July 3, 2024, via Northern Music. The album marks Kudo's first album in over three years and first EP in over 6 years.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hischak, Thomas S.; Robinson, Mark A. (29 July 2009). The Disney Song Encyclopedia. Google Books: Scarecrow Press. p. 180. ISBN   978-0810869387.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Ralphie Aversa (8 September 2011). "INTERVIEW: Boston's Michael Africk, Known for Touring with N'Sync, Returns With New Single". ralphieaversa.com. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  3. 1 2 Carol Beggy, Beth Carney (3 May 1999). "Africk's angelic audience". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Best Selling Albums for First Week Sales in Japan of all Time". Music TV Program Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved July 15, 2016.
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  6. ↑ "MICHAEL AFRICK OFFICIAL WEB SITE". www.northernmusic.jp. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
  7. 1 2 Barry Levine (26 February 2015). "Hoping to make clickable brand icons more common in messaging, InMoji nabs $1M". Venture Beat. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  8. 1 2 Rebecca Strong (7 January 2015). "Inmoji Gets Initial Funding, Launches SDK to Boost Sharing of Brand Content via Messaging". BostInno. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  9. ↑ Thomson, Zangba (2023-10-26). "Global Princess of J-Pop: Follow Anna Aya's Musical Journey with "Someone Else"". Bong Mines Entertainment. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  10. ↑ "Entertainment Tuesday". Newspapers.com. The Pantagraph. 11 May 1999.
  11. 1 2 "Michael Africk - Michael Africk". Discogs. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  12. ↑ Carol Beggy, Beth Carney (5 July 1999). "When Michael Meets Sally". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  13. ↑ "Patapata hikousen no bouken". IMDb. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  14. ↑ "What Can I Do - Michael Africk Ft. Mai Kuraki". YouTube. 3 February 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  15. ↑ "Love One Another - Single. Mai Kuraki & Michael Africk". iTunes. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  16. ↑ Jon Nastor (21 June 2016). "Driven to Create". Hack The Entrepreneur. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  17. ↑ Jeff Engel (11 March 2016). "Inmoji Raises $5M For "Branded Interactive Emojis"". Xconomy. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  18. ↑ Sara Castellanos (10 May 2015). "Adtech startup backed by startup evangelist David Chang quietly lands more funding". Boston Business Journal. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  19. ↑ Hendricks, Drew (19 January 2017). "12 Top Tech Leaders To Watch in 2017". Inc. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  20. ↑ "Person: Michael Africk". aniDB.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  21. ↑ "Love,Day After Tomorrow | 倉木麻衣". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  22. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 | Charts". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  23. ↑ "delicious way | 倉木麻衣". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  24. ↑ "CDTV PowerWeb! Ranking Singles Chart". Count Down TV; published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) (in Japanese). June 17, 2000. Archived from the original on June 19, 2006. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  25. ↑ "Mai Kuraki – Never Gonna Give You Up". Oricon Style (in Japanese). June 7, 2000. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  26. ↑ "CDTV PowerWeb! 2000 Annual Singles Chart". Count Down TV; published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) (in Japanese). 2000. Archived from the original on September 16, 2006. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  27. ↑ "Oricon Yearly Chart – Singles, Albums, and DVD Releases of 20000". Music TV Program Japan (in Japanese). December 2000. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  28. ↑ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」　－CD・ブルーレイ・DVD・書籍・コミック－". ranking.oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  29. ↑ "インタビュー：倉木麻衣「本当に歌が好きなので、歌以外は考えられない」". ライブドアニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  30. ↑ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」 －CD・ブルーレイ・DVD・書籍・コミック－". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  31. ↑ "アーティスト別シングル／アルバム売上データ補完 @ ウィキ". アーティスト別シングル／アルバム売上データ補完 @ ウィキ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  32. ↑ "一般社団法人 日本レコード協会". www.riaj.or.jp. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  33. ↑ "GIZA＠売上データ補完スレ - 売上スレ避難所＠JBBS掲示板". web.archive.org. 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  34. ↑ "ビーイング＠売上データ補完スレ - 売上スレ避難所＠JBBS掲示板". web.archive.org. 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  35. ↑ "2024年07月01日～2024年07月07日 オリコン週間 アルバムランキング". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  36. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums | Charts". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  37. ↑ "Michael Africk Discography of CDs". CD Universe. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  38. ↑ Taylor, Chuck (24 July 1999). "Reviews and Previews: Singles". Billboard. Google Books. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  39. ↑ "Mai Kuraki And Michael Africk - Love One Another". CD Universe. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  40. ↑ "Michael Africk (Live) "You Were Right"". YouTube. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
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