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Ken Hirai 平井 堅 | |
|---|---|
| Born | Hirai Ken (1972-01-17)January 17, 1972 (age 53) |
| Origin | Higashiōsaka, Osaka, Japan |
| Genres | J-pop,R&B,jazz,soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, record producer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano, keyboards |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | DefStar Records |
| Website | kenhirai |
Ken Hirai (平井 堅,Hirai Ken; born January 17, 1972) is a Japanese singer-songwriter.[1][2][3] Since his debut, Hirai has worked as a model, actor, composer, lyricist, singer, and brand ambassador.
During his career, Hirai has released forty-seven singles and eleven studio albums as of January 2024.[4] According toOricon, his singleHitomi o Tojite (Close Your Eyes) became the best-selling single of 2004 in Japan,[5] while his compilation albumKen Hirai 10th Anniversary Complete Single Collection '95–'05 "Utabaka" became the best-selling album of 2006 in Japan.[6]
Born on January 17, 1972, inHigashiōsaka, Osaka, Ken Hirai grew up inNabari, Mie.[7]
Signing with Sony, he released his first single in 1995, but to no great success. Hirai used the next four years to consolidate his style and take time out – he only released one single each in 1997 and 1998, and did not produce any new music during 1999. Fans waited until 2000 for a third album from Hirai,The Changing Same. It was the first single, "Rakuen" (楽園; Paradise), that established him as a major player in the Japanese sales charts and overseas. Hirai was voted "Best New Japanese Act" in a pop poll organized by theRTHK radio station in Hong Kong.
Hirai's 1st remix album,Kh Re-mixed Up 1 was released on November 28, 2001. Through the album, the artist showed a new part of himself to the audience, which appealed to club-goers and DJs for the first time. In the summer of that same year, Hirai earned the title of Best Male Artist at the inauguralMTV Video Music Awards Japan, and appeared at the officialFIFA World Cup 2002 concert withChemistry andLauryn Hill.
Already an established star, Hirai went one step further when he released a cover of "Ōki na Furudokei" (大きな古時計; A Big Old Clock); a Japanese version of "My Grandfather's Clock" by Henry Clay Work) in 2002. A popular nursery rhyme, it was expected to be a minor success, but went on to become one of the biggest hits of the year.
In 2003, Hirai performed forMTV Unplugged Live in New York; he was the first Japanese male solo vocalist to perform on the show. He was also interviewed byCNN'sThe Music Room, televised in 210 countries and watched by 230 million viewers. His 5th albumLife Is..., which contains "Strawberry Sex", "Ring", and "Ōki na Furudokei", was released on January 22, 2003.
On December 1, 2003, the concept albumKen's Bar was released. On the album, Hirai selected favorite songs and covered them in his own style. The music was primarily jazz and blues oriented.
In May 2004, Hirai launched his next album,Sentimentalovers. The album spawned four singles, with "Hitomi o Tojite" (瞳をとじて; Close Your Eyes) being the most successful, becoming the highest-selling single of that year.[5]
Hirai's 2005 single, "Pop Star", was one of his career's biggest hits, reaching number one on theOricon charts. The video for the song, which featured Hirai playing 7 different characters and animals, became an instant hit. A cover of the song was featured on the rhythm gameMoero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2 for theNintendo DS, andNamco popular drumming gameTaiko no Tatsujin 8.
In 2007, Hirai released two singles. Both singles peaked at number 5 on the Oricon charts and sold around 100,000 copies. The first of these was "Elegy", followed by "Kimi no Suki na Toko (Why I Love You)". "Elegy" was a major radio success in Japan. In August 2007, Hirai released his 27th single, titled "Fake Star".
On February 20, 2008, Hirai released his 28th and 1st double A-side single, titled "Canvas/Kimi wa Suteki (You're Wonderful)". The singles debuted at number six on the Oricon charts. "Canvas" was used as the insert and ending theme song to Fuji TV'sHachimitsu to Clover. It was written and composed by Hirai, and arranged by Tomita Keichi, as was Hirai's 17th single "Ring".
On March 12, 2008, Hirai released his seventh studio album,Fakin' Pop. Hirai then released his 29th single, "Itsuka Hanareru Hi ga Kite mo" (いつか離れる日が来ても; If One Day I'm Separated From You) on April 23, 2008. The song was a recut single fromFakin' Pop, and used as the theme song forAno Sora o Oboeteru (あの空をおぼえてる).
On May 27, 2009, Hirai releasedKen's Bar II, continuing the concept of creating jazz covers of his favorite Japanese and English songs; these included "Love: Destiny" (Ayumi Hamasaki), "White Lovers" (Keisuke Kawata), and "Because of You" (Ne-Yo).[8] He held a 2009 summer concert tour in Japan under the same name. On September 23, 2009, his 30th single, "Candy" was released, followed by "Boku wa Kimi ni Koi wo Suru" (僕は君に恋をする; "I'm Going to Fall in Love With You") in October.
On October 13, 2010, Hirai's 32nd single "Sing Forever" was released. His 33rd single, "Aishiteru", was followed by a compilation entitled 'Ken Hirai 15th Anniversary c/w Collection '95–'10 "Ura Utabaka"' that celebrated his fifteenth anniversary in the music industry.
On May 4, 2011, Hirai released a new single "いとしき日々よ" for the Japan TV mega hit TV dramaJIN-仁. On June 8, 2011, Hirai released his ninth studio album,Japanese Singer.
In 2014, he released the third in his series of song covers,Ken's Bar III, and a collaborative single withNamie Amuro calledGrotesque.
On July 6, 2016, Hirai released his tenth studio albumThe Still Life.
In 2021,Anata ni Naritakatta (あなたになりたかった,I Wanted to be You) was announced as his eleventh studio album, released to commemorate his twenty-fifth anniversary.[9] The album cover, taken with a heavy flash filter, represented the singer's desire to exploreego loss in his art: "I don't really have anything I want to convey, and it's more like I'm erasing my ego." Hirai commented, "I thought that erasing the contents of my face would best express my stance."[10]
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