On April 8, 1998, Ayumi Hamasaki debuted with the single “poker face.” In honor of her 23rd anniversary, she is releasing the previously announced compiliation album “A BALLADS 2.” There is also another release today, a surprise one!
Ayu has released a new digital single, “23rd Monster.” The song is a rock number composed by Hara Kazuhiro. Its message is ‘”decide is your own path.”
A teaser for the song’s music has been been released, and can be seen below!
On April 7, Okuda Kensuke, NONA REEVES‘ guitarist and keyboardist, will release his first solo album, “ZEUS”, using the name “ZEUS.” The album will feature collaborations with the likes of BONNIE PINK, Hitomitoi, Irie Yo, and another member of NONA REEVES, Nishidera Gota.
In tandem with the album’s release, ZEUS has released the music video for his Hitomitoi collaboration, “Sore wa, Wednesday.” She was in charge of vocals and lyrics, while he was in charge of composition and arrangement. As expected from these two, the song has a retro feel to it. Check it out below, along with more information on ZEUS’ album!
This month, two songs from 2021 were certified Silver for reaching 30,000,000 streams: YOASOBI’s “Encore” & “Kaibutsu.”
Former AKB48 member Sayaka Akimoto has made headlines after requesting that a news publication refer to her as an “actor” instead of an “actress”. Since graduating from AKB48 in August 2013 she has focused on becoming an actor, starring in a handful of both films and drama series.
In a newly released article promoting her upcoming film “SUPER FLATE LIFE” Sayaka took to Twitter to request that she wanted the title of “actress” modified to “actor” when referring to her. In a series of tweets she went on to explain that overseas it’s become more common more actresses to refer to themselves as actor in a way to promote gender neutrality.
Some feel that using the same terminology helps level the playing field between actors ranging the gender spectrum.
This week, Sexy Zone topped the Hot 100 single chart with their new single “LET’S MUSIC”, with 19,037 points.
Fling Posse VS MAD TRIGGER CREW topped the Hot Albums chart with their new mini album “Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- 2nd D.R.B ‘Fling Posse VS MAD TRIGGER CREW’.”
YOASOBI topped the Artist 100 chart for the second consecutive week.
Ayase topped the Hot 100 Lyricists chart for the fifth consecutive week.
Ayase also topped the Hot 100 Composers chart for the 14th consecutive week.
Yuuri topped the Streaming Songs chart for the tenth consecutive week with his digital single “Dry Flower.”
Utada Hikaru topped the Download Songs chart for the third consecutive week with her digital single “One Last Kiss.”
Hikaru also topped the Download Album chart for the third consecutive week with her mini album “One Last Kiss.”
It has been announced that Hey! Say! JUMP member Keito Okamoto will leave the group on April 11 in order to pursue a career in acting.
Keito suspended his activities with Hey! Say! JUMP in September 2018 so that he could study drama at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He graduated from the two year program in July 2020. While in study overseas, Keito thought about his life and his future and decided that he wanted to become an actor full time. He told the other members of Hey! Say! JUMP of his plans, and after repeated discussions, it was decided that he would would remain with Johnny & Associates, but as an actor.
This week’s guests were Kyoko, yukaDD(;´∀｀), and UNCHAIN.
Kyoko – the days ~Shiawase wo Dou ka~
yukaDD(;´∀｀) – 21×21
UNCHAIN – Elephant Ship
This week, Sexy Zone topped the Combined Single chart with their new single “LET’S MUSIC”, with 173,012 points in its first week.
Fling Posse VS MAD TRIGGER CREW topped the Combined Album chart with their new mini album “Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- 2nd D.R.B ‘Fling Posse VS MAD TRIGGER CREW’”, with 102,528 points in its first week.
Sexy Zone also topped the Single chart with “LET’S MUSIC”, selling 172,554 copies in its first week.
Fling Posse VS MAD TRIGGER CREW also topped the Album chart with “Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- 2nd D.R.B ‘Fling Posse VS MAD TRIGGER CREW’”, with 98,997 points in its first week.
Utada Hikaru topped the Digital Single chart for the third consecutive week with “One Last Kiss”, selling 21,338 copies its third week.
Hikaru also topped the Digital Album chart for the third consecutive week with her mini album “One Last Kiss”, selling 3,165 copies in its third week.
Ado topped the Streaming chart with her digital single “Usseewa”, with 9,054,850 streams in its 23rd week, topping the chart for the seventh non-consecutive week.