Ai Carina Uemura, known mononymously as Ai, is a Japanese-American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, spokeswoman, and actress. Born in Los Angeles, California, Ai moved to Kagoshima, at age 4. Motivated to become a singer, Ai returned to Los Angeles during her adolescence, attending the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. While in Los Angeles, Ai 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.
"W-B-X " is the eleventh single by Japanese singer-songwriter Aya Kamiki and the first as a collaboration with TAKUYA, former guitarist of the Judy and Mary, as Aya Kamiki w TAKUYA. The song is Kamiki's first release under the Avex Trax label and is used as the opening theme for Kamen Rider W. It is also a single from her first album released under Avex titled Individual Emotion.
Vivid is the tenth Japanese language studio album by Japanese singer-songwriter Crystal Kay. The album served as her first release under Universal Music Japan sublabel Delicious Deli Records after Kay departed from her former record label, Epic Records Japan.
The discography of Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai consists of thirteen studio albums, four extended plays (EP), seven compilation albums, one live album, one mix tape, ten video albums and numerous solo and collaboration singles.
Independent is the ninth studio album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. Originally released on February 22, 2012, by EMI Music Japan, and later released outside of Asia on July 17, 2012, the album served as her international debut following a global publishing deal with EMI. Hoping to experiment with new sounds that would expand her music beyond contemporary R&B and hip hop music, Ai worked with multiple American producers alongside long-time collaborator Uta. The final product resulted in an album combining dance-pop and R&B.
Wa to Yo is the eleventh studio album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on June 7, 2017, through EMI Records and Universal Music Group. Featuring two discs, the Wa disc was recorded in Japanese with traditional Japanese sounds while the Yo disc was recorded in English with R&B and hip hop sounds. The album features guest appearances and collaborations from Kodō, Jinmenusagi, Himekami, Jamaican musician Junior Reid, American singer-songwriter Eric Bellinger, and American singer-songwriter Chris Brown.
Kansha!!!!! - Thank You for 20 Years New and Best is the fourth greatest hits album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on November 6, 2019, through EMI Records and Universal Music Group. Released in two physical configurations, disc one contains three new songs and six re-recorded gospel tracks of her previous hit singles while disc two contains material previously not available outside of Asia. The album served as Ai's first international compilation release.
"Kira Kira" is a song written and recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai featuring Japanese comedian and actress Naomi Watanabe. It was released to radio on July 6, 2017, and later as a digital single on August 1, 2017. It served as a single from the deluxe version of 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).
"Happiness" (ハピネス) is a song written and recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. Originally released digitally on November 18, 2011 as the second single from Ai's ninth studio album, Independent, it was released physically on December 14, 2011, by EMI Music Japan alongside "Letter in the Sky".
"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.
"Still..." is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai featuring Japanese hip hop artist AK-69. It was released on June 30, 2010, by Island Records and Universal Sigma as the second single from Ai's eighth studio album, The Last Ai.
"Nemurenai Machi" (眠れない街) is a song written and recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released September 6, 2010, by Island Records and Universal Sigma. The song served as the third single from Ai's eighth studio album, The Last Ai and as the theme song for the ANB drama, Keishicho Keizoku Sosakan.
"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.
"Beautiful Things" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released on February 4, 2012, by EMI Music Japan as a promotional single from her ninth studio album, Independent. Written by Ai with additional writing credits from producer Rykeyz and composer Redd Stylez, the song served as the closing theme song for Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I: The Egg of the King.
"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".
"Start Again" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released October 3, 2022, by EMI Records. Based on a true story of a mother and daughter's interaction with one another, the song was written by Ai with additional composition by producer Uta.
"Respect All" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released on May 22, 2023, by EMI Records. Titled after Ai's fourteenth headlining concert tour, the Respect All Tour, the song samples Bob James' 1982 instrumental song, "Shamboozie".
