Hikaru Utada
Hikaru Utada | |
---|---|
宇多田ヒカル | |
Born | Hikaru Utada (宇多田光)[1] January 19, 1983 New York City, U.S. |
Nationality | Japanese (jus sanguinis) American (jus soli, expatriate) |
Other names |
|
Alma mater | Columbia University (dropped out) |
Occupations |
|
Spouses | |
Children | 1 |
Musical career | |
Origin | Japan |
Genres | |
Years active | 1996–present |
Labels | |
Hikaru Utada (宇多田ヒカル, Utada Hikaru, born January 19, 1983), also known mononymously as Utada,[2] is a Japanese and American singer, songwriter, and producer. She is considered to be one of the most influential and best-selling musical artists in Japan.[3]
Utada was born in New York City to Japanese parents, record producer Teruzane Utada and enka singer Keiko Fuji. She[a] began to write music and lyrics at an early age and often traveled to Tokyo as a result of her father's job. After signing to Toshiba-EMI, she released her debut English-language debut album Precious under the name Cubic U in 1998, which was a commercial failure. In the following year, heavily influenced by R&B and dance-pop, Utada released her Japanese-language debut, First Love, which was an immediate success. Backed by the success of singles "Automatic", "Time Will Tell", and "Movin' On Without You", the album sold two million copies in its first week in Japan, topped the Oricon charts for six non-consecutive weeks and went on to sell six million more throughout the rest of 1999. First Love eventually became Japan's best-selling album of all time.
Utada's album Distance was released in early 2001 and spawned her biggest singles—"Addicted to You", "Wait & See (Risk)" and "Can You Keep a Secret?"—which became million-sellers. The album broke several sales records after three million copies were sold in its first week, instantly becoming Japan's fastest-selling album. In 2002, backed by chart-topping singles such as Traveling, Hikari and Sakura Drops, Deep River, which incorporates elements of pop folk, was released and became one of Japan's top-selling records of all time. The albums Exodus, Ultra Blue and Heart Station also sold millions of copies. After a prolonged hiatus, Utada released the acoustic-driven albums Fantôme (2016) and Hatsukoi (2018), which reached number one on the Oricon albums chart. She topped the charts again with 2022's Bad Mode, her first Japanese/English album.
By the end of the 2000s, Utada was deemed "the most influential artist of the decade" in the Japanese music landscape by The Japan Times. She is one of Japan's top-selling recording artists of all time with over 40 million records sold.[5] Twelve of her singles have reached number one on the Oricon Singles Chart, while ten albums have become chart-toppers. Six of her full-length releases are among Japan's highest-selling albums, including First Love, Distance and Deep River, which are among the top ten best-selling records of Japan's music history. She is best known by international audiences for writing and producing four theme-song contributions to Square Enix and Disney's collaborative video game series Kingdom Hearts: "Simple and Clean", "Sanctuary", "Don't Think Twice", and "Face My Fears". In 2021, Utada became one of the first Japanese figures to identify as non-binary.[6]
Biography
[edit]Early life and beginnings
[edit]Hikaru Utada was born on January 19, 1983 in New York City to Japanese parents. Her mother Keiko Fuji was an enka singer, while her father Teruzane Utada is a record producer.[7][8] She grew up in Upper East Side, New York and moved to Tokyo, Japan at age 11 due to her parents work.[9] At the age of 10, Utada began to write music and lyrics.[10][issue needed] Utada attended Columbia University in New York City starting in 2001.[11] but dropped out after less than a year.[7]
Utada made recordings with her mother, releasing songs under a band named "U3." In 1996 she started a solo project under the name Cubic U. The first Cubic U single, "I'll Be Stronger", was released as a limited pressing in Japan in 1996. The next year, Utada started another project, releasing "Close to You", a cover of the Carpenters' song. She included it on her debut album Precious the following year. Both the album and single failed to chart on Oricon in Japan.
1998–2003: Japanese debut, First Love, Distance, and Deep River
[edit]Utada moved to Tokyo in the summer of 1998 and attended Seisen International School, and later the American School in Japan, while continuing to record on a contract with Toshiba-EMI. Early success came from Japanese FM radio.[12] She was at the forefront of a new wave of singer-songwriters in Japan, branching out from the previously dominant idol singers.[13] Leading up to the release of her Japanese debut album First Love, at the age of 15, she released two successful million-selling singles: "Movin' On Without You" and "Automatic/Time Will Tell" and. The latter sold over two million copies.[14][15] Backed by these singles, First Love went on to sell over 7 million units in Japan alone (with an additional 3 million overseas, bringing it to a sum of at least 10 million units[16]), becoming the highest selling album in Japan's recent history.[17] The album yielded the single "First Love", which peaked at the number 2 spot. By the end of the year, Utada was ranked 5th on Japanese radio station Tokio Hot 100 Airplay's Top 100 Artists of the 20th Century by the station and its listeners.[18]
After a two-year break, Utada released the follow-up album Distance, garnering first-week sales of 3 million units.[19] On the strength of its singles — "Addicted to You", "Wait & See (Risk)", "For You", "Time Limit", and "Can You Keep a Secret?" — Distance became the best-selling album of the year, with 4.47 million copies sold in Japan alone. Additionally, "Addicted to You" became her best-selling single, moving a million copies in its first week, the highest first week sales for a female solo artist, and staying on top of the chart for two consecutive weeks. "Wait & See: Risk" and "Can You Keep a Secret?" also were later ranked at number 6 and number 10 respectively on Oricon's list of 10 Best-Selling Singles from January 1, 1999, to April 24, 2006.[20][better source needed] Utada also went on to release a single, titled "Final Distance", which was dedicated to the female victim of a murder case in Ikeda, Osaka.
In 2001, Utada recorded the song "Blow My Whistle" The song was included on the soundtrack for the 2001 American action comedy film Rush Hour 2, which peaked the 11th spot on both the Billboard 200 and number 1 on the Top Soundtracks.[21][22] The song was a collaboration with American rapper Foxy Brown, and was written by Utada alongside producers Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo.[23][24]
Leading up to the third album, Deep River, Utada released "Traveling", "Hikari", and "Sakura Drops/Letters"; all the songs reached the top of the charts. Deep River sold 2.35 million copies in its first week. Oricon reported that sales eventually surpassed 3.6 million, making Utada the only singer or group in Japanese music history to have three consecutive albums surpass the three-million mark, by RIAJ standards. It was her third consecutive album to reach number 1 on Oricon's Yearly Albums chart[25] and became the eighth best selling album of all time in Japan.[16] In 2003, Utada's promotional and personal life schedules became more active due to her marriage and an agreement with Island Records in the United States to release a "proper" full-English debut album. "Colors" was her only single release for 2003.
2004–2005: Foray into international market, and Exodus
[edit]Utada's first singles compilation album Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 1 was released on March 31, 2004. It became the best-selling album of 2004 in Japan, making her the only solo or group artist to reach number 1 four times on the yearly charts. It was the first compilation album to reach number 1 in six years on the yearly charts, and the first compilation album to reach number 1 in twenty-six years by a female artist.[26] Despite its success, the album received little promotion and no new material; moreover, it charted longer on the Oricon Albums chart than any other Utada release to date (over two years). The album sold 2.58 million units in Japan, making it the 34th best-selling album ever in the country.[16] A month later, on April 21, she released a lone Japanese single for 2004, "Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro", which topped the singles chart for two consecutive weeks and sold 365,000 units by the year's end. It was also the main theme song for Casshern, directed by her husband at the time, Kazuaki Kiriya.
In mid-2004, Utada moved back to New York, and began work on a recording contract with Island Def Jam Music Group. On October 5, 2004, she released a North American English-language debut album, Exodus, under the newly announced stage name "Utada".[2] It was released on September 9 in Japan, with a special booklet and housed in a cardboard slipcase. In an MTV interview, she expressed skepticism about this American success: "I don't think it's the music that I'm concerned about. It's obviously that I look really different and there really aren't any completely Asian people [who are popular singers in the U.S.] right now."[27] She also remarked on the album not being one that pandered to fans, but wanting to make it anyway.[28] Exodus became her fourth consecutive release to debut at number 1 and boasted 500,000 copies in its first-week sales in Japan. American sales were not quite as successful: it reached number 160 in the US Billboard 200 chart;[29] and peaked at number 5 in the Heatseekers chart.[30] "Easy Breezy" was released as the lead single in early August 2004, followed up by "Devil Inside" six weeks later. Utada appeared on the cover of Interview magazine's June 2005 issue.[31]
"Exodus '04" was released at the end of June 2005 and featured remixes from the Scumfrog, Richard Vission, JJ Flores and Peter Bailey. In the UK, Mercury added another two remixes for "You Make Me Want to Be a Man" in the original album, titled "You Make Me Want to Be a Man (Bloodshy & Avant Mix)" and "You Make Me Want to Be a Man (Junior Jack Mix)". By the end of the year, Utada was voted "Number 1 Favorite Artist of 2004" by Oricon's annual readers poll.[32] The fourth single from Exodus, "You Make Me Want to Be a Man", was released in October 2005 in the UK. "Devil Inside" became a club hit in the U.S. and topped the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Airplay charts.[33] Both the Exodus album and the "You Make Me Want to Be a Man" single were released in the UK, with different artwork from the US and Japanese versions.
2005–2008: Return to Japan, Ultra Blue, and Heart Station
[edit]A year after the release of Exodus, Utada moved back to Tokyo and returned to the Japanese music scene.[34] Leading up the release of a fourth album, Ultra Blue, she released a string of successful hit singles: "Colors" (number 1), "Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro" (number 1), "Be My Last" (number 1), "Passion" (number 4), and "Keep Tryin'" (number 2). The digital single "This Is Love" was released to promote the album, netting 1,000,000 downloads.[35] Ultra Blue sold 500,317 copies in the first week, lower than that of the previous album, although it still topped the Oricon Daily, Weekly, and Monthly charts. Ultra Blue was Utada's fifth consecutive chart-topping Japanese album (excluding the English-language Exodus) to sell in excess of 500,000 copies in the first week.[36] On July 13, Toshiba EMI published a report stating that Ultra Blue had sold over one million copies worldwide and four million digital ringtones already making it one of EMI's 10 best-selling albums of the past year.[37][38] The album, which did not contain much pop music, was met with mixed reception,[39] although the album was certified Million by RIAJ.[40][better source needed] Additionally, it was the highest-selling original studio album by a Japanese female artist in 2006. Ultra Blue later became available on the iTunes Japan online music store, charting at number 4 on the 2006 yearly download rankings.[35] Two weeks after the release of Ultra Blue, she went on a nationwide tour titled Utada United 2006, from June 30 through September 12. This was her second concert tour after the Bohemian Summer 2000 tour.
The singles that were released prior to Utada's fifth studio album, Heart Station, were able to reach the Top Five position on the chart, including the number 1 hit "Flavor of Life", which would become the best selling digital single in Japan with over 7,500,000 copies downloaded.[41] Around the same time, she visited New York to talk with producers and executives at Island/Def Jam about recording a second English album.[42] Later in the year a digital track by American R&B artist Ne-Yo, titled "Do You" from his 2007 album Because of You, featured Utada and was released in Japan on November 21 (the song was later featured on Ne-Yo's "best of" album, Ne-Yo: The Collection, released on September 2, 2009, in Japan and November 2009 in the US).[43]
On June 30, 2007, the British EMI Group, which had held a 55% stake in Toshiba EMI since before Utada's debut in Japan, purchased the remaining 45% stake from the Japanese Toshiba Corporation, therefore making Toshiba EMI a wholly owned subsidiary of the London-based record label. Toshiba EMI then changed its name to EMI Music Japan to reflect Toshiba's divestiture from the business.[44] Utada's first single under the label, "Beautiful World"/"Kiss & Cry" was released as a double A-side single on August 29, 2007, and also reached number 1 on the Oricon Daily Chart. Beautiful World was used as the theme song for Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone, the 2007 film reboot of the anime, Neon Genesis Evangelion, while Kiss & Cry was used in a series of commercials for Nissin Foods' Freedom Project advertising campaign starting April 20, 2007, and was previously released as a digital download on May 31, 2007.[45][46] The year 2007 ended with the single "Flavor of Life" becoming the best seller of 2007 and with Utada again voted "Number 1 Favorite Artist of 2007" by Oricon's annual readers poll, after a two-year absence from the top spot.[32] She sold 12 million digital ringtones and songs in 2007, with "Flavor of Life" accounting for 7.5 million, the second-highest of any song worldwide that year.[41] The single was featured as the main song in the second season of TV drama Hana yori Dango Returns.
Utada's fifth studio album, Heart Station, was released on March 19, 2008, becoming her fifth consecutive number-one Japanese studio album.[47] Although it had collected the lowest first week sales for her career, with 480,081 copies sold, the sales of this album reached a million on the Oricon charts in January 2009, making it her first Japanese album to do so since the 2004 compilation album.[48] It was given a certification of one million for shipments by the RIAJ. Heart Station became the best-selling digital-format album on the iTunes 2008 yearly album charts in Japan,[49] and was also the highest-selling original studio album by a solo female artist on the Oricon Yearly Chart.[50] The song "Prisoner of Love" was used as the theme-song for the television drama Last Friends. Although "Prisoner of Love" was not initially released as a single alone, it reached number 1 in iTunes and the Chako-Uta charts after it was released as a single for the drama. It reached number 2 at the Oricon Weekly charts. It marked the fourth successful drama tie-in for Utada, following 1999's Majo no Jōken and First Love, 2001's Hero and Can You Keep a Secret and 2007's Hana Yori Dango and Flavor of Life. On October 20, 2008, the song "Eternally" from Utada's 2001 album Distance was used as the theme for the drama Innocent Love.[51] The song was later released as a digital single.[52] By the end of the year, Utada was also voted the "Number 1 Favorite Artist of 2008" by Oricon's annual readers poll for the second consecutive year, and third time overall.[53]
2009–2010: Return to the US, and This Is the One
[edit]On December 16, 2008, information leaked onto the internet that Utada's next English-language single, titled "Come Back to Me", would be scheduled for airplay release through U.S. Rhythmic/Crossover and Mainstream formats on February 9 and 10, 2009 respectively via Island Records.[54][55] Her second English album, titled This Is the One, was released on March 14, 2009, in Japan and on May 12, 2009, in the United States.[56] This Is the One debuted at number 1 in Japan on March 13, 2009, the day it was released in Japan,[57] but became her first album not to top the weekly chart since Precious. On March 30, 2009, Utada appeared on New York City radio station Z-100, the largest pop radio program in the U.S., and granted a live on-air interview on the station's Elvis Duran Morning Show, a breakthrough that would lead to a promotional schedule through the album's international physical release on May 12. She also sang the theme song for the second Evangelion film, Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance. The single was released on June 27, 2009, and is a remix of a previous single, "Beautiful World". The single is titled "Beautiful World -PLANiTb Acoustica Mix-".[58][59]
On November 30, 2009, at Studio Coast, Tokyo, Utada sung a duet of Let It Snow with pop singer Mika.[60] On December 21, 2009, Utada's Dirty Desire remixes were released only on Amazon.com, Zune Marketplace, and the U.S. iTunes Store, in support of This Is the One and an upcoming tour.[61] The tour, Utada: In the Flesh 2010,[62] was her first concert tour outside Japan and included eight cities in the US and two dates in London, UK. The tickets for the second London performance went on public sale November 13, and reportedly sold out in just five hours.[63]
2010–2015: Second return to Japan, Single Collection Vol. 2, Wild Life, and hiatus
[edit]In a personal blog post on August 9, 2010, Utada announced a long hiatus, writing "I don't know if it will be 2 years or 5 years." After having been focused on music from age 15 to 27, she expressed a need to have a broader range of experiences, and grow as a person.[64] However, she also wrote that before the hiatus began, some new music would be released. Soon after the post, a compilation album was announced: Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2, with a release date of November 24, 2010. This album would include all of Utada's Japanese singles, from "Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro" to "Prisoner of Love", on disc one, as well as an extra EP featuring five new tracks.[65] Later it was announced a DVD containing the promotional video for Goodbye Happiness would be included in all first-press edition pre-orders.[66]
On September 27, 2010, Utada revealed a single, entitled "Hymne à l'amour (Ai no Anthem)", which became a commercial tie-in for Pepsi NEX. The song features both Japanese and French lyrics, written and translated by Utada herself. She performed a concert series titled Wild Life at Yokohama Arena to promote the album, her first Japanese concert since 2006's Utada United.[65] On October 3, 2010, Utada's official EMI website was updated with the album artwork and final track list for Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2.[67] First-press editions included a three-fold paper slip case, along with a Kuma good luck charm, and a lottery slip for fans to have a chance at winning one of 1000 tickets to Wild Life.[68][user-generated source] In late October, it was revealed online at Tower Records Japan[69][70] and several other websites that an English-language "best-of album" titled Utada the Best" would become available in Japan on the same day as Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2, November 24. Utada reacted to the news, stating: "I understand that if it doesn't sell, I'm the one who will take the hit, but to be honest, I don't want my fans putting down money for something that my heart isn't in."[71] and "The release of Utada the Best is entirely against my will. I wish that my fans won't have to buy it. There's no new material in it."[72]
Utada later announced a single, "Goodbye Happiness",[73] with its accompanying PV appearing publicly on November 9, 2010.[74] The song was also chosen as the Recochoku Chaku-Uta TV commercial theme song.[75] She also appeared on a track entitled "London City" with English rapper Devlin on his first studio album, Bud, Sweat and Beers, which was also released on November 1. On November 8, 2010, EMI Japan announced on its Web site that the company had made a global recording deal with Utada, also stating that all of her future work regardless of language would be released under one name: Hikaru Utada.[76] This signaled the retirement of her Western stage name, Utada. First-week sales for Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2 were 231,000 units according to Oricon.[77] The release marked Utada's seventh consecutive number 1 album (5 original and two best-ofs) since her debut, surpassing KinKi Kids' previous record of six.[78] On April 10, 2011, she won the award for "Best Conceptual Video" in the Space Shower Music Video Awards for the promotional video for "Goodbye Happiness", which was also her directorial debut.[79] The two-concert Wild Life tour took place on December 8 and 9, 2010 at Yokohama Arena. The opening concert was broadcast in 64 cinemas in Japan while it was simultaneously broadcast on Ustream, a live video streaming website. The two channels set up for the concert on Ustream were accessed a total of 925,000 times, with 345,000 unique viewers, which was a global record on Ustream.tv for the highest number of simultaneous accesses of any video, with the previous highest being only 100,000.[80]
Japanese TV station NHK premiered a documentary about Utada on January 15, 2011, entitled Utada Hikaru: Ima no Watashi (宇多田ヒカル ~今のわたし~, "What I Am"), a documentary featuring studio performances ("Show Me Love (Not a Dream)" and "Goodbye Happiness") as well as a few clips from the Wild Life performances. It also featured a post–Wild Life interview with J-Wave host Chris Peppler, in which she expressed a desire to travel and do volunteer work overseas.[81] She said she would continue writing music during the hiatus.[82] The documentary was also broadcast internationally, in Europe on February 2, 2011, and in the US on February 12, 2011, on the NHK channel (TV Japan in America, and JSTV in Europe).[83][failed verification] A DVD and Blu-ray release of Wild Life were confirmed and initially set for release on April 6, 2011.[84] However, on March 24, 2011, Utada tweeted that both the DVD/Blu-ray of the Wild Life tour had been postponed, due to the earthquake and resulting tsunami in Japan damaging the pressing factories. The DVD was released on April 20, 2011, with the Blu-ray following.[85] On December 7, 2011, Recochoku updated their yearly download and awards chart, with her Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 1 listed as the second-most-downloaded album of 2011.[86][user-generated source]
On November 16, 2012, Utada's YouTube account uploaded a video entitled "桜流し" ("Sakura Nagashi", meaning "Flowing Cherry Blossoms"). The single was co-written with Paul Carter, and was digitally released on November 17, 2012. A DVD single was released a month later. "Sakura Nagashi" is the theme song from the animation movie Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo.[87] In September 2012, the British EMI group was broken up and sold to various companies. On April 1, 2013, Utada's record company, EMI Music Japan, was absorbed into Universal Music Japan, became defunct as a company and was renamed to EMI Records Japan.[88] Therefore, all of her further releases before switching to Sony Music Entertainment Japan would be through Universal Music Japan. On December 9, 2013, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of First Love, EMI Records released Utada: In the Flesh 2010 tour footage on iTunes and announced a re-release of First Love, including a special limited edition that contained the original album remastered, instrumentals from the original tracks, unreleased tracks and live footage from Utada's first live show, Luv Live.[89] On December 8, 2014, Universal Music Japan released a tribute album entitled Utada Hikaru no Uta. The album features cover versions of Utada's back catalogue of songs by different popular artists such as AI, Ayumi Hamasaki, Peabo Bryson, Ringo Shiina, and more. On December 26, 2014, Universal Music Japan revealed through media outlet Weekly Bunshun that Utada only has one album left before the contract with the label ends, and that a comeback in the music industry was under discussion.[90]
2015–2016: Parenthood and Fantôme
[edit]On July 3, 2015, Utada revealed the birth of a son on her blog, and mentioned work on an album primarily written during pregnancy. She asked for patience leading up to the release during the transition into parenthood.[91][92] In January 2016, it was reported that Utada would release a song in the spring. "Hanataba o Kimi ni" ("Bouquet for You") was the theme for the television show Toto Neechan (とと姉ちゃん)), which aired on April 4, 2016.[93] In February 2016, "Manatsu no Tōriame" was aired on April 4, 2016, to be the theme to a late-night TV station's news show, News Zero. That same day, Utada's website announced the official song's release, as digital singles, on April 15.[94] Utada's website was also updated with the announcement of a project titled "New-Turn", in which fans were encouraged to purchase her music and to use the hashtag "#おかえりHIKKI" ("Welcome Back Hikki") on Twitter. The aim was to use proceeds from the music purchased to plant more cherry blossom trees in the tsunami-damaged areas of Japan after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake. The website also confirmed her return to artistic activities.[95][96][97]
On August 8, 2016, the album's title, track list and cover were released. The album's title was announced as Fantôme (French: 'ghost'), containing eight new songs, as well as the previous three singles, for a track listing totaling eleven tracks.[98][99] Following its release on September 28, Fantôme was commercially and critically successful. It debuted atop the Oricon Albums Chart and stayed there for four consecutive weeks, the most of any Utada studio album since First Love.[100] It was awarded Album of the Year at the Japan Record Awards[101] and received positive reviews from media outlets.[102][103][104] At the end of the year, it was ranked the third-best-selling physical record of the year by Oricon, as well as the best-selling digital album, according to Billboard Japan.[105][106]
2017–2019: Label transfer to Sony Music, Hatsukoi and tour
[edit]On February 9, 2017, it was announced that Utada would switch labels to Sony Music Japan sub-label Epic Records once the contract with Universal expired in March.[107] The label announced that new material would be released later in 2017.[108] The first digital single under the label, called "Ōzora de Dakishimete", was released digitally worldwide on July 10, 2017.[109] The second one, called "Forevermore", was released on July 28. It features the drummer Chris Dave.[110] A third digital single, called "Anata", was released on December 8. The song was chosen as the theme for the movie Destiny: Kamakura Monogatari.[111] On December 8, she announced that the Japanese repertoire, from debut single Automatic to the sixth album Fantôme would be simultaneously available on all streaming services but Spotify, where it would be available a month later on January 8, 2018.[112]
Utada also co-produced the singer-songwriter Nariaki Obukuro's major label debut album, Bunriha no Natsu, under Epic. The first single off the album, "Lonely One", has Utada credited as a featured artist and was released on January 17, 2018, through streaming services.[113] On February 10, 2018, it was announced that Utada would provide the theme song for the video game Kingdom Hearts III, called "Chikai" ("Oath"), along the English version, called "Don't Think Twice", for international audiences. It was confirmed that "Chikai" would be included in her seventh Japanese album, set for release in 2018.[114] A third studio collaboration with Obukuro was announced to be released in Sheena Ringo's tribute album, Adam to Eve no Ringo, a cover of Ringo's song "Marunouchi Sadistic", which they both covered one year earlier in Obukuro's radio show.[115]
On April 17, 2018, a new single by Utada, "Hatsukoi", was unveiled in the drama Hana Nochi Hare ~Hanadan Next Season~ as an image song. It was the second song she delivered to the Hana Yori Dango drama series, after "Flavor of Life" in 2007. The single was released on May 30.[116] On the next day, a single was announced for release on April 25 called "Play a Love Song", the theme song for Suntory Water SWITCH&SPARKLE.[117] On June 27, Utada's seventh Japanese album Hatsukoi was released, her first under Epic. It contained all previous six singles, for a total of 12 songs. A domestic concert tour, called Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018 was held from November 6 until December 9 (which was her 20th debut anniversary day), for a total of 12 dates at 6 different venues.[118][119] The album debuted at number 1 in Oricon physical and digital weekly charts, with total sales combined of over 242,000.[120][121]
On September 28, it was reported that Utada would release a single titled "Face My Fears" as the theme song for Kingdom Hearts III. She co-produced the song with American musicians Skrillex and Poo Bear.[122][123] "Face My Fears" was released as a CD single on January 18, 2019, making it her first release on the format in eleven years since her 2008 single "Prisoner of Love". It was also her first release with original English songs since This Is the One in 2009.[124] The song became her first US Billboard Hot 100 at number 98, and it peaked at number 9 in Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.[125]
On June 26, 2019, Utada's Laughter in the Dark tour film was released worldwide on Netflix, with English subtitles personally translated by the singer.[126][127] On November 1, 2019, an Utada collaboration with singer-songwriter Sheena Ringo was released, called "Roman to Soroban LDN ver." ("The Sun and the Moon", in English). It was featured in Sheena's best-of album Apple of Universal Gravity.[128][129] An alternative version of the song, called "Roman to Soroban TYO ver.", was available on November 25. On November 27, 2019, Utada released the first single in over a year with "Shonen Jidai". It appears as track number 5 on the Inoue Yosue Tribute album. She also included a live rendition of the song on her 2003 DVD UH Live Streaming 20 Dai wa Ikeike!
2020–2022: Bad Mode
[edit]On May 8, 2020, Utada released "Time", the theme song for the NTV drama Bishoku Tantei Akechi Goro.[130] The single "Darenimo Iwanai" was released on May 29 as the music for a Suntory mineral water campaign, with Utada starring in the commercial.[131][132] In the second episode of Instagram live series Jitaku Kakuri-chu no Hikaru Paisen ni Kike!, Utada confirmed that work was underway on both new Japanese and English songs for the next album, including English versions of the Japanese songs.[133] On December 3, 2020, it was announced that Takeru Sato and Hikari Mitsushima will star in a Netflix show based on Utada's songs "First Love" and "Hatsukoi". The streaming show, titled First Love Hatsukoi, which was released in November 2022.[134][135] On December 25, 2020, Utada's official website announced a new single titled "One Last Kiss" as the theme song for the film Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time.[136] The song was later postponed 'until further notice' due to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the movie.[137] The single was released on March 8, 2021, with the release of the film.[138]
Utada sang the theme "Pink Blood" for the 2021 anime To Your Eternity which was released in April.[139] She released the single "Kimini Muchuu" for TBS drama series Saiai that November. Bad Mode, Utada's eleventh studio album, was released on January 19, 2022. Her first bilingual album, Bad Mode includes collaborations with a variety of producers, including Skrillex and Poo Bear, A. G. Cook, and Sam Shepherd.[140] The album reached number one on Japan's Oricon and Billboard charts.[141] On April 16, 2022, Utada performed at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival's main stage, her first time in a music festival in the United States, under the 88rising block. She sang a short setlist of old songs including "Simple and Clean", "Automatic", "First Love" and a new song, called T. A studio version of T, featuring rapper Warren Hue, was released in the same day after the concert finished, as part of the 88rising EP Head in the Clouds Forever.[142] On June 9, 2022, the concert "Hikaru Utada Live Sessions from Air Studios" was released for streaming on Netflix.[143]
2023–present: Science Fiction, HIKARU UTADA LIVE CHRONICLES and 25th Anniversary of debut
[edit]In celebration of her 40th birthday, January 19, 2023, a live streaming event was held, called 40 Dai-Wa-Iroiro. The stream consisted of a question and answer session with fans, talk with actors Takeru Satoh and Yuriko Yoshitaka, who starred in the 2022 Netflix drama First Love and alive performances. Recordings from the session were released digitally on February 17, 2023. A single titled "Gold -Mata Au Hi Made-" was announced as the theme song of the movie Kingdom: Flame of Destiny , which was released on July 28. The song was co-produced by British producer A. G. Cook. On the December 9th, Utada announced the release of a greatest hits album, Science Fiction, to commemorate their 25th anniversary since her debut in 1998.[144] A tour of the same name was announced to be held in Japan in July 2024, as well dates in Taiwan and Hong Kong.[144][145] A new rerecorded version of the song Simple and Clean was released in May 22, 2024. It's produced by A. G. Cook as well.[146]
On August 22, 2024, Utada was featured in a new version of the song Stay With Me with British singer-songwriter Sam Smith was released to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Smith's album In The Lonely Hour.[147]
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of her debut, "HIKARU UTADA LIVE CHRONICLES in cinema" will be held, screening all 9 of Hikaru Utada's live performances, from her first live performance "Luv Live" held on April 2, 1999 at Zepp TOKYO to her latest live performance "SCIENCE FICTION TOUR 2024". The film will run from November 20, 2024 to January 29, 2025, in select theaters throughout Japan.[148] In addition, the first three live performances, "Luv Live", "BOHEMIAN SUMMER 2000", and "UNPLUGGED", will be delivered in the latest video upconverted to full HD. All 9 shows will be re-released on Blu-ray in January 8, 2025.
Musical style
[edit]Utada is a core component of the ever-changing J-pop music genre, bringing her American-inflected R&B vocal style to a mix of soulful ballads, bouncy dance-pop, and standard pop songs.[149][150] Utada's official website cites 16 musicians and composers as her favorite artists: Freddie Mercury, Cocteau Twins, Nine Inch Nails, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Amel Larrieux, Édith Piaf, Chick Corea, the Blue Nile, Björk, Kate Bush, Akino Arai, Lenny Kravitz, Béla Bartók, Mozart, Jeff Buckley, Yutaka Ozaki, and Hibari Misora.[151] Elsewhere, she has also listed R&B artists Aaliyah, Mariah Carey, and Mary J. Blige as inspirations,[152][failed verification] and has previously mentioned growing up as a fan of Madonna, Sting, and the Cure.[153]
Personal life
[edit]Utada is bilingual and speaks English and Japanese fluently, she currently lives in London, England.
Before the release of her 2002 album Deep River, Utada underwent surgery after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.[154]
On June 26, 2021, Utada came out as non-binary in an Instagram livestream.[155][156] Utada uses both she/her and they/them pronouns.[4] Utada also said in regards to the English language honorifics Ms. and Mrs., "It makes me uncomfortable to be identified so markedly by my marital status or sex, and I don't relate to any of those prefixes. Every time, I feel like I'm forced to misrepresent myself." Utada expressed support for such alternatives as Mx.[157]
Family and relationships
[edit]On September 7, 2002, she married Kazuaki Kiriya, a photographer and film director who had directed several of her music videos. On March 2, 2007, the couple announced their divorce, citing personal changes and lack of communication due to the nature of their jobs.[158]
On August 22, 2013, Utada's mother, Keiko Fuji, died by apparent suicide by jumping from the thirteenth floor of a 28-floor condominium building in Shinjuku, Tokyo.[8][159]
On February 3, 2014, Utada announced plans to be wedded to an Italian man, asking for fans and the media to view their personal lives from a "respectable distance" as he was not in the entertainment industry.[160][161] On the same day, ex-husband Kazuaki Kiriya congratulated her on the new marriage.[162] On February 10, 2014, Utada and fiancé Francesco Calliano left a message on her official website explaining how they met each other while Calliano was a bartender in a London hotel, and asking for privacy. The couple were married on May 23, 2014.[163] On July 3, 2015, she gave birth to her son.[91] On April 6, 2018, it was announced that they had divorced.[164]
Discography
[edit]Japanese studio albums
- First Love (1999)
- Distance (2001)
- Deep River (2002)
- Ultra Blue (2006)
- Heart Station (2008)
- Fantôme (2016)
- Hatsukoi (2018)
- Bad Mode (2022)
English studio albums
- Precious [as Cubic U] (1998)
- Exodus (2004)
- This Is the One (2009)
Tour
[edit]Concert tours
[edit]- Bohemian Summer 2000 Tour (2000)
- Utada United 2006 Tour (2006)
- Utada: In the Flesh 2010 Tour (2010)
- Laughter in the Dark Tour (2018)
- Science Fiction Tour (2024)
One-off concerts
[edit]Awards
[edit]See also
[edit]- Capitol Records
- List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. dance chart
- List of best-selling music artists in Japan
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ 宇多田ヒカルとは [Utada Hikaru Uta-Da-Hikaru]. Kotobank (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
- ^ a b "Utada Hikaru". Music Japan Plus (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ Farley, Christopher John (September 15, 2001). "Diva On Campus". TIME. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ a b "Hikaru Utada's Instagram Profile". Instagram. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ Katayama, Frederick H. (March 23, 2009). "Japan singer Utada makes 3rd bid to crack U.S. market". Reuters. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
- ^ Kim, Michelle (February 10, 2022). "Breaking the boundaries of language and genre, Hikaru Utada finds freedom". NPR. Archived from the original on May 30, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
It's also Utada's first album since they came out as nonbinary last summer, making them one of few Japanese public figures to openly express their gender identity with that language.
- ^ a b Daly, Sean (October 14, 2004). "Leaving the Girl Behind". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
- ^ a b "Former singer Keiko Fuji, mother of Hikaru Utada, falls to death". Japan Today. August 22, 2013. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ^ "Found in Translation, Hikaru". New York Daily News. October 4, 2004.
- ^ "As I See it: Today's Pop Idols Sound Like the Pied Piper". Mainichi Shimbun. 1999.
- ^ Farley, Christopher John (September 15, 2001). "Diva On Campus". Time. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカル [Utada Hikaru]. Nikkei Trendy (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 7, 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
- ^ "From cotton candy to acid rebels, Japan's pop scene heats up". CNN. June 15, 1999. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
- ^ 藤圭子の娘・宇多田ヒカルは16歳、いきなり200万枚ヒットでR&Bクイーンに [Hikaru Utada, daughter of Keiko Fuji, is 16 years old and suddenly becomes R&B Queen with 2 million hits.]. Nikkei Entertainment (in Japanese). Nikkei Business Publications. March 5, 1999. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
- ^ McClure, Steve. "Female Singers: Hikaru Utada Finds 'Love' Blooming". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 18.
- ^ a b c 歴代アルバムランキング TOP280 [Album Ranking TOP 280]. MusicTVProgram (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 3, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカル [Hikaru Utada]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 29, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2008.
- ^ リスナーとJ-WAVEが選んだ20世紀のビッグ・アーティスト100人を発表 [Announcing the Top 100 Big Artists of the 20th Century as chosen by listeners and J-wave]. J-Wave (in Japanese). 1999. Archived from the original on August 14, 2003. Retrieved August 26, 2007.
- ^ Farley, Christopher John (September 15, 2001). "Diva on Campus". Time.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2006.
- ^ "JaME – The 1st database and information website about Japanese music – www.jame-world.com". JMusicEuropa.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2008. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- ^ "The Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ "Movie Soundtracks: Top Soundtrack Albums Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
- ^ "Sakurai Champions Japanese Rap, Def Jam Japan Spreads the Word with Dabo Album, Utada Soundtrack Cut". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. August 4, 2001. p. 40.
- ^ "Rush Hour 2 Soundtrack". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ 平成14年 音楽の話題 [What's This Year - Music 2002]. ja:InterQ (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 22, 2010. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカル Oricon Style Special Comment [Utada Hikaru Oricon Style Special Comment]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 15, 2008.
- ^ Rashbaum, Alyssa (October 5, 2004). "Utada". MTV. Archived from the original on July 1, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2006.
- ^ Robson, Daniel (June 23, 2006). "Utada Hikaru "Ultra Blue"". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on January 16, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
- ^ "Utada Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 20, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- ^ "Utada Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 14, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- ^ "Interview Goes to Tokyo". Interview. June 2005. Archived from the original on November 21, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2008.
- ^ a b 発表! 音楽ファン2万人が選ぶ『好きなアーティストランキング』 [Announcement! "Favourite Artist Ranking" by 20,000 music fans]. Oricon (in Japanese). July 20, 2007. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2007.
- ^ "Utada Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 14, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- ^ 女王復活!宇多田ヒカル新記録達成 [The Queen is back! Hikaru Utada sets a new record!]. Daily Sports (Japanese newspaper) (in Japanese). April 19, 2007. Archived from the original on April 22, 2007. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
- ^ a b "iTunes annual ranking, tops Utada and Mozart" iTunes年間ランキング、トップは宇多田とモーツァルト. ja:ITmedia (in Japanese). December 20, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカル、2年1ヶ月ぶりのアルバム首位獲得で史上初の快挙! [Hikaru Utada's first album to top the charts in 2 years and 1 month, a first in history!]. Oricon (in Japanese). June 20, 2006. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ "Chairman Nicoli Addresses WMG Merger and EMI's Future". Hypebot. July 13, 2006. Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- ^ EMI Annual Report 2007 (PDF) (Report). EMI. 2007. p. 18. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 20, 2008. Retrieved August 26, 2007.
- ^ ミリオン超え? 宇多田新作 [Over a Million? Utada's new work]. Kōbe Shimbun (in Japanese). February 28, 2008. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ ゴールド等認定作品認定 2006年7月 [Gold and other certified works approved July 2006]. Recording Industry Association of Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ a b "Sales of 'Flavor of Life' by Japan's Utada Hikaru pass 7.5 million". January 31, 2008. Archived from the original on February 16, 2008. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Bon jour!". U3 Music (in Japanese). September 25, 2007. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved September 26, 2007.
- ^ Ne-Yoとのデュエット曲"ドゥ・ユー feat. Utada [Duet with Ne-Yo "Do You feat. Utada"]. Utada (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 9, 2008. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ 当社株式の譲渡と社名(商号)変更に関するお知らせ [Notice concerning the transfer of company shares and company name (trade name) change] (PDF). EMIMusic.jp (in Japanese). EMI Group. June 30, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 29, 2007.
- ^ "宇多田ヒカルが新記録を樹立!さらに新曲も発表" [Hikaru Utada sets a new record! And also announced a new song!]. ja:BARKS (in Japanese). April 20, 2007. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
- ^ レコード協会調べ 6月度有料音楽配信認定 [Record Association Investigation: June Digital Music Download Certifications]. Recording Industry Association of Japan (in Japanese). July 20, 2007. Archived from the original on June 7, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
- ^ 【オリコン】宇多田ヒカル、08年No.1スタートで6作連続1位! [Hikaru Utada starts 2008 at No. 1, her sixth consecutive No. 1!]. Oricon (in Japanese). March 25, 2008. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカル5年ぶり、ミスチル2年ぶりにミリオン突破 [Hikaru Utada topped millions for the first time in 5 years and Mr. Children in 2 years]. Oricon.co.jp (in Japanese). January 6, 2009. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ 2008年、「iTunes Store」で最もダウンロードされた楽曲が発表 [Most Downloaded Songs in the iTunes Store in 2008]. ja:BARKS (in Japanese). December 3, 2008. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2008.
- ^ 2008年 年間アルバムランキング [2008 Annual Album Ranking]. Oricon (in Japanese). December 11, 2008. Archived from the original on February 4, 2009. Retrieved December 12, 2008.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカルが歌う新月9ドラマ主題歌の配信開始 [Distribution of new Tsuki 9 drama theme song sung by Hikaru Utada begins.]. ja:BARKS (in Japanese). October 20, 2008. Archived from the original on October 22, 2008. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカルの曲の中で一番好きなのはどれ? [Which of Utada Hikaru's songs do you like best?]. ja:RBB TODAY (in Japanese). November 4, 2008. Archived from the original on December 30, 2008. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ 2万人が選んだ好きなアーティストランキング [Favourite artist ranking as selected by 20,000 people]. Oricon (in Japanese). November 14, 2008. Archived from the original on May 29, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ "Future Airplay Charts". FMQB. Archived from the original on February 21, 2010. Retrieved December 16, 2008.
- ^ "CHR/Top 40". Radio & Records. February 10, 2009. Archived from the original on October 17, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
- ^ "Utada's official Japanese website" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 10, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "宇多田ヒカルの音楽配信" [Utada Hikaru's music distribution]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 20, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
- ^ Loo, Egan (May 15, 2009). "Hikaru Utada to Sing Theme of Evangelion: 2.0 Film". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009. Retrieved May 19, 2009.
- ^ "Utada Hiraku Single Collection Vol. 2". Hikki's Website, EMI Music Japan. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
- ^ @UBlog (November 30, 2009). "Utada joins Mika onstage during his Tokyo show to sing "Let It Snow"" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Dirty Desire Remixes". Utada. December 9, 2009. Archived from the original on December 19, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ "Tour". Utada. Archived from the original on November 14, 2009. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
- ^ "Utada Returns To The U.S. For Tour". Utada. November 18, 2009. Archived from the original on November 22, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ Utada, Hikaru (August 9, 2010). 久しぶりの大事なお知らせ [First important announcement in a long time] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 17, 2010.
- ^ a b 『Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.2』 11月24日発売! ["Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.2" to be released on November 24!]. Hikki's website, EMI Music Japan (in Japanese). October 4, 2010. Archived from the original on October 9, 2010. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ Utada, Hikaru (November 2, 2010). ""Goodbye Happiness" PV DVD added as "Single Collection Vol. 2" Pre-order Bonus". U. Blog - The Utada News Blog. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- ^ "New Release". Hikki's website, EMI Music Japan (in Japanese). October 3, 2010. Archived from the original on October 3, 2010. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
- ^ hellcat (October 20, 2010). "Utada Hikaru's two day concert series 'Wild Life' announced". Tokyo Hive. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
- ^ "Utada The Best". Tower Records (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
- ^ "Utada The Best / Utada". Neowing.
- ^ "Utada: "The release of Utada the Best is entirely against my will"". U. Blog - The Utada News Blog. October 24, 2010. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- ^ @utadahikaru (October 24, 2010). "The release of "Utada the best" is entirely against my will. I wish that my fans won't have to buy it. There's no new material in it" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2011 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Utada's "Goodbye Happiness" Radio Airplay begins 11/01; Chaku-Uta Download 11/03". U.Blog - The Utada News Blog. October 28, 2010. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- ^ @UBlog (November 2, 2010). "According to @hikki_staff, @UtadaHikaru's music video for "Goodbye Happiness" will begin airing on 11/09" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 26, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ @UBlog (November 2, 2010). "Looks like @UtadaHikaru's "Goodbye Happiness" will be used in an upcoming Recochoku ChakU-Uta TV CM, likely on air from 11/10" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "and Hikaru Utada agree new global recording deal". EMIMusic.com. EMI Group. November 8, 2010. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- ^ "Utada's "Single Collection Vol. 2" Debuts at Number 1 on Oricon Charts "". U.Blog - The Utada News Blog. November 30, 2010. Archived from the original on April 19, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- ^ "Hikaru Utada scores seventh consecutive number one album". EMIMusic.com. EMI Group. November 30, 2010. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- ^ "MVA Winners 2010". Space Shower Music Video Awards (in Japanese). April 10, 2011. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
- ^ Sekiguchi, Ken (December 10, 2010). 宇多田ヒカルコンサートUstream中継、同時視聴者数で世界記録達成 [Ustream Broadcast of Hikaru Utada's Concert Sets World Record for Number of Simultaneous Viewers]. ja:RBB TODAY (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカル活動休止前の姿をNHKでドキュメンタリー放送 [NHK broadcasts documentary on Hikaru Utada before her hiatus]. Oricon (in Japanese). January 6, 2011. Archived from the original on April 3, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- ^ Shiso (January 15, 2011). "NHK airs Utada Hikaru's final interview before her hiatus". Tokyo Hive. Archived from the original on January 20, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- ^ "News". Hikki's Website, EMI Music Japan. Archived from the original on July 30, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカル「WILD LIFE」 [Hikaru Utada "WILD LIFE"]. Hikki's Website, EMI Music Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
- ^ @utadahikaru (March 24, 2011). ""WILD LIFE" concert DVD/Blu-ray release has been postponed to 4/20 (DVD) and 5/18(BR) due to earthquake damage to the pressing factories" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 8, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "(Updated) Recochoku's yearly download charts/awards for 2011". Tokyo Hive. Recochoku. December 6, 2011. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ 桜流し [Flowering Cherry Blossoms]. Utada Hikaru Official Website (in Japanese). November 17, 2012. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
- ^ Flanagan, Andrew (March 18, 2013). "Universal Music UK Announces Launch of Virgin EMI Records". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 18, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
- ^ "Utada/Utada Hikaru: In The Flesh 2010". Utada Hikaru Official Website. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
- ^ Loo, Egan (December 26, 2014). "Magazine: Final Evangelion Film Slated For Fall-Winter 2015 With Utada Song". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
- ^ a b Utada, Hikaru (July 3, 2015). ファンのみんなにお知らせ [Notice to all fans]. Utada Hikaru Official website (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ^ "J-pop star Utada gives birth to baby boy, hints at return to music". The Japan Times. July 3, 2015. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
- ^ Ronald (January 20, 2016). "Utada Hikaru Officially Confirmed for New Drama Theme". Arama| Japan. Archived from the original on January 24, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
- ^ "New Songs 'Hanataba Wo Kimini' and 'Manatsu No Tooriame' Premiere on TV Programs Today, and to Be Released Digitally on April 15". Utada Hikaru Official Website. April 4, 2016. Archived from the original on April 18, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ 宇多田 ヒカル New-turn Project [Hikaru Utada New-turn Project]. Hikki's Website (in Japanese). Universal Music. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ Stern, Bradley (March 9, 2016). "Welcome Back Hikki: Utada Hikaru Officially Resumes Artist Activities". Pop Crush. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ Ressler, Karen (March 9, 2016). "Hikaru Utada Launches 'New-Turn Project' to Mark Her Return to Music". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ Stern, Bradley (August 8, 2016). "Utada Hikaru Reveals Cover, Track Listing for Upcoming Album, 'Fantome'". Pop Crush. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
- ^ "Utada Hikaru Releases Her 6th Original Full Album, First in 8 Years, on Sep. 28!". Utada Hikaru Official Website. Archived from the original on July 31, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ Ronald (October 28, 2016). "Sexy Zone and Utada Hikaru Top the Oricon Charts for the Week of 10/17 – 10/23". Arama| Japan. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
- ^ "Winners and Nominees for the 58th Japan Record Awards Announced". ARAMA| Japan. November 17, 2016. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ Gatmaitan, James (September 28, 2016). "Utada Hikaru's "Fantôme"". JpopAsia. Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
- ^ Stern, Bradley (September 28, 2016). "'Fantome': Utada Hikaru Returns from Her Hiatus Heartbroken, But Hopeful". MuuMuse. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
- ^ Miyauchi, Ryo (October 6, 2016). "Utada Hikaru – Fantôme". Unrecorded. Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
- ^ 年間 CDアルバムランキング 2016年度 [Annual CD Album Ranking 2016]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 20, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
- ^ Okada, Mariko (December 13, 2016). "AKB48 and Justin Bieber Top Billboard Japan's Year-end Charts". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 17, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (February 10, 2017). "Hikaru Utada Switches Labels, Plans New Work for This Year". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ 「音楽家としても一人の人間としても転機を迎えた」宇多田ヒカル、ソニー・ミュージックへの移籍を報告 [Hikaru Utada, who has "reached a turning point both as a musician and as a human being," reports on her move to Sony Music.]. nlab.itmedia.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved February 3, 2024.
- ^ "First single release titled 'Oozora de Dakishimete' will be available for download worldwide on Monday, July 10!". Utada Hikaru Official Website. June 16, 2017. Archived from the original on November 1, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ "New song will be available for digital download worldwide on Friday, July 28th 2017!". Utada Hikaru Official Website. July 26, 2017. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ "New Single "Anata" Chosen As Main Theme for Film "DESTINY Kamakura Monogatari"". Utada Hikaru Official Website. September 25, 2017. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ からアルバム「Fantôme」までのサブスクリプション配信もスタート!そして2018年にはニュー・アルバムおよびコンサートツアーも予定! [Subscriptions to the albums "Automatic" through "Fantôme" are now available! And a new album and concert tour are planned for 2018!] (in Japanese). December 8, 2017. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ "Hikaru Utada to produce Nariaki Obukuro's debut album + featured on new track 'Lonely One'". Ublog. January 16, 2018. Archived from the original on February 3, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ "New song 'Chikai' (Game「Kingdom Hearts III」Theme song) announced! New trailer of the game released worldwide today!". Utada Hikaru Official Website. February 10, 2018. Archived from the original on February 10, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
- ^ "Hikaru Utada to appear on Shiina Ringo's 20th Anniversary tribute album". UBlog. March 2, 2018. Archived from the original on March 6, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
- ^ "Hikaru Utada debuts new song "Hatsukoi," Image Song for TBS Drama "Hana Nochi Hare ~Hanadan Next Season~," On Sale 5/30". UBlog. April 17, 2018. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ "Hikaru Utada To Appear in New Commercials For "Suntory Minami-Alps Sparkling", Digital Single "Play A Love Song" (CM Song For "Suntory Minami-Alps Sparkling") To Be Released On April 25". Utada Hikaru Official Website. April 19, 2018. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ 11月から開催される国内ツアー、正式ツアー・タイトル決定!!"Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018" [The official tour title for the domestic tour to be held from November has been decided! !! "Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018"]. Utada Hikaru Official Website (in Japanese). September 7, 2018. Archived from the original on October 3, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ "HIKARU UTADA is releasing a 7th original studio album, "HATSUKOI (meaning: First Love)" on June 27th 2018, just in time to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Utada's debut!". Utada Hikaru Official Website. April 25, 2018. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカル、女性ソロアーティスト初のCD&デジタルアルバム同時2冠 [Hikaru Utada becomes the first female solo artist to win two simultaneous CD & digital album awards]. Oricon (in Japanese). July 4, 2018. Archived from the original on July 4, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカル、1stから7作連続首位 今年度ソロアーティストのアルバム最高初週売上 [Hikaru Utada topped the Oricon charts for the seventh consecutive year, making it the highest first-week sales of a solo artist's album this year.]. Oricon (in Japanese). July 3, 2018. Archived from the original on July 4, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
- ^ Meadow, Matthew (September 21, 2018). "Kingdom Hearts 3 opening theme written by Utada Hikaru and Skrillex". Your EDM. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
- ^ Romano, Sal (September 28, 2018). "Kingdom Hearts III opening theme song a collaboration between Skrillex and Hikaru Utada". Gematsu. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカル、11年ぶりシングルCD発売決定 Skrillexと『キングダムハーツIII』OP制作 [Hikaru Utada to release her first single CD in 11 years, produced "Kingdom Hearts III" OP with Skrillex]. Oricon (in Japanese). September 28, 2018. Archived from the original on November 2, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ Murray, Gordon (January 31, 2019). "James Blake Debuts at No. 1 on Top Dance/Electronic Albums Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 1, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
- ^ St Michel, Patrick (July 31, 2019). "'Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018': An online offering that nails the live experience". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
- ^ Cimi, Chris (April 22, 2019). "Hikaru Utada's 'Laughter in the Dark' Concert Coming to Netflix". Otaquest. Archived from the original on August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
- ^ Ronald. "Music Video for New Shiina Ringo & Utada Hikaru Duet Officially Released". Arama| Japan. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
- ^ 椎名林檎ベストに宇多田ヒカルとデュエットした新曲「たいへん面白いプログラムでした」 [Sheena Ringo's Best with a new duet with Hikaru Utada: "It was a very interesting program."]. Natalie (in Japanese). November 1, 2019. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (April 5, 2020). "Hikaru Utada Performs Live-action Bishoku Tantei Akechi Gorō Show's Theme Song". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 6, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ^ Ronald (May 5, 2020). "Utada Hikaru Announces 2nd May Digital Single". Arama| Japan. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカルの新曲「誰にも言わない」、「サントリー天然水」新CMでOA [Hikaru Utada's new song "Nobody to Tell" to air in new Suntory Natural Water commercial]. Natalie (in Japanese). April 17, 2020. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ Ronald (May 17, 2020). "Utada Hikaru Talks About Future English-language Music". Arama| Japan. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
- ^ "Takeru Sato & Hikari Mitsushima to star in Netflix drama based on Hikaru Utada's songs 'First Love' & 'Hatsukoi'". Arama| Japan. December 3, 2020. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカルの名曲をつなぐドラマ『First Love 初恋』 満島ひかり×佐藤健W主演で2022年配信決定 [The drama "First Love Hatsukoi" that connects Hikaru Utada's masterpieces will be delivered in 2022, starring Hikari Mitsushima and Takeru Sato.]. Crank-in (in Japanese). December 3, 2020. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ "Hikaru Utada New Single "One Last Kiss" Partially Unveiled In Trailer For EVANGELION:3.0+1.0 THRICE UPON A TIME". Utada Hikaru Official Website. December 25, 2020. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
- ^ "Release Postponed for Hikaru Utada "One Last Kiss" (Originally Scheduled for January 27)". Hikaru Utada Official Website. January 14, 2021. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカル『One Last Kiss』 [Hikaru Utada "One Last Kiss]. YouTube (in Japanese). March 8, 2021. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 2, 2021). "Hikaru Utada Sings 'To Your Eternity' Anime's Theme Song". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ "Hikaru Utada Will Release 8th Studio Album Bad Mode Wednesday, January 19 From Milan Records". Anime News Network. January 11, 2022. Archived from the original on January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Metropolis (February 23, 2022). "Tokyo Music Scene - Early 2022 Roundup". Metropolis (free magazine). Archived from the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ "First Music Festival Appearance in 88rising HEAD IN THE CLOUDS FOREVER at Coachella. New song "T" from the 88rising's New Compilation Titled Head In The Clouds Forever Out Now". Hikaru Utada Official Website. April 17, 2022. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ ""Hikaru Utada Live Sessions from Air Studios" Coming to Netflix on June 9". Anime News Network. June 10, 2022. Archived from the original on June 11, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ a b "Celebrating 25 Years of Musical Brilliance: Hikaru Utada Unveils 'SCIENCE FICTION' Best Album and Nationwide Tour in 2024". tokyohive. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ^ "Utada Hikaru to Perform in Hong Kong and Taipei". Nante Japan. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
- ^ "The release of Utada Hikaru's "Simple and Clean (Re-Recording)" has been decided. The trailer for the Steam version of the "Kingdom Hearts" series, which uses this song, was also premiered on YouTube". Hikaru Utada Official Website. May 21, 2024.
- ^ TH STAFF (August 22, 2024). "Sam Smith Teams Up with Hikaru Utada for New Version of Hit Single "Stay With Me"". Tokyohive.
- ^ Sony STAFF (September 20, 2024). "HIKARU UTADA LIVE CHRONICLES in cinema". Sony Music.
- ^ Gingold, Naomi (April 15, 2016). "Utada Hikaru upended the Japanese music scene like no one before – or since". The World. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ Yeung, Neil Z. "Hikaru Utada Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
- ^ "Profile". Hikki's Website, EMI Music Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 5, 2010. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ "Gallery". Hikki's Website, EMI Music Japan. Archived from the original on November 29, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ "Utada Interview: Japan's Most Famous!". Female First. October 10, 2005. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ "Pop star hikaru Utada hospitalized". The Japan Times. May 6, 2002. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ @kuma_power (June 28, 2021). ヒカルパイセンに聞け!パート1 2021.06.26 庵野秀明さんをゲストにお迎えしました。 [Ask Hikaru Pisen! Part 1] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2022 – via Instagram.
- ^ Ashcraft, Brian (June 28, 2021). "Hikaru Utada Is Nonbinary and Wishes All a Happy Pride Month". Kotaku. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022..
- ^ Weekes, Princess (June 28, 2021). "Japanese-American Icon Hikaru Utada Shares Non-Binary Identity!". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
"I'm sick of being asked if I'm "Miss or Missus" or choosing between "Miss/Mrs/Ms" for everyday things😩 It makes me uncomfortable to be identified so markedly by my marital status or sex, and I don't relate to any of those prefixes. Every time, I feel like I'm forced to misrepresent myself. I long for an alternative option, one that anybody of any gender or social standing could use.
- ^ 大事なお知らせ [Important Notice]. U3 Music (in Japanese). March 3, 2007. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 26, 2007.
- ^ Aquino, Faith (August 26, 2013). "Hikaru Utada makes first public statement after news of mother's suicide". Japan Daily Press. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカル、イタリア人と再婚へ「自分でも意外」 [Hikaru Utada to Remarry to Italian, "Surprising Even to Myself".]. Oricon (in Japanese). February 3, 2014. Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ Loo, Egan (February 3, 2014). "Singer-Songwriter Hikaru Utada to Marry an Italian Man". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
- ^ 紀里谷和明氏、元妻・宇多田の結婚祝福「末長く幸せな家庭を」 [Kazuaki Kiriya, ex-wife Utada's wedding blessing "Long-term happy family"]. Oricon (in Japanese). February 3, 2014. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ "it:Hikaru Utada e Francesco Calliano sposi a Polignano: le curiose nozze della popstar giapponese e il barman italiano" [Hikaru Utada and Francesco Calliano married in Polignano: the curious wedding of the Japanese pop star and the Italian barman]. Oggi (in Italian). May 23, 2014. Archived from the original on May 27, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ 宇多田ヒカル、8歳下イタリア人男性と離婚していた [Hikaru Utada divorced an Italian man 8 years younger than her]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). April 7, 2018. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Hikaru Utada at AllMusic
- Hikaru Utada at IMDb
- Hikaru Utada's channel on YouTube
- Farley, Christopher John (September 15, 2001). "Diva on Campus". Time. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2006.
- Hikaru Utada
- 1983 births
- 20th-century Japanese women singers
- 21st-century Japanese women singers
- American School in Japan alumni
- American women musicians of Japanese descent
- Columbia University alumni
- English-language singers from Japan
- Japanese-language singers of the United States
- EMI Music Japan artists
- Island Records artists
- Japanese dance musicians
- Japanese electronic musicians
- Japanese rhythm and blues singers
- Japanese women in electronic music
- Japanese LGBTQ singers
- Japanese non-binary people
- Living people
- Mercury Records artists
- Non-binary singers
- Singers from New York City
- Singers from Tokyo
- Universal Music Japan artists
- Video game musicians
- Virgin Records artists
- World Music Awards winners
- LGBTQ people from New York (state)