When NMB48 member Ririka Sutou announced that she will be getting married at the 9th annual Senbatsu General Election, the fandom was shook. Especially because they didn’t even know that she was in a relationship.
Before the Sousenkyo started, Sutou spoke to the NMB48 members to reveal her plans which was received to varying degrees of joy. She chose the Sousenkyo to announce the news not because she wanted attention, but because she wanted it to come from her mouth rather than a tabloid.
Actress Aya Ueto wowed the press when she showed up to a Boucheron Paris event in Tokyo wearing jewelry worth over 200 million yen. Boucheron is a world renowned French Jewelry house that was originally founded in 1858.
The most expensive items worn by Aya were two dramatic statement pieces. A necklace and bracelet in the shape of a serpent, both from the labels premium “Serpent Boheme” collection. Sitting around Aya’s neck was the “Opalescent Serpent”, a piece that was first created by the company’s founder Frederic Boucheron, as a gift for his wife. Symbolizing love, protection, and a happy life the necklace is made out of diamond, opal, and rock crystal. When asked by reporters how the pieces felt to wear Aya was a bit surprised at how comfortable both the necklace and bracelet felt. Sometimes a piece with so many gems can become a bit heavy and feel irritating, but these Boucheron pieces provide both chic and comfort.
Up-and-coming rapper AKKO GORILLA has collaborated with Manatsu Nagahara for her latest single “ULTRA GENDER”
The colorful and energetic MV shows off the charm of urban areas in Vietnam, where AKKO GORILLA traveled to film the video. She dances with the locals, plays drums on the street, and of course stops by a pho restaurant. “ULTRA GENDER” was directed by Elizabeth Miyaji, who perhaps is best known for his work with BiSH.
AKKO dons three different outfits including a green “Ao Dai”, a traditional Vietnamese invitational costume. Throughout the MV she’s accompanied by some very cool locals who are actually “Joker Rock Crew”, a local Vietnamese dance troupe. Becoming quite the jet setter, this is already her second overseas MV despite her relatively short career. Last year, AKKO traveled to Africa for the “Back to the Jungle” MV. “ULTRA GENDER” is available on iTunes, Spotify, and Apple Music.
At the end of the month on June 30th AKKO will hold a special live event called “Surprise Birthday Donkey 3” at Shibuya Glad. She’ll be joined by a bunch of special guests including Itsuka from Charisma.com, PARKGOLF, and STUTS.
Watch the MV for “ULTRA GENDER” below!
For the first half of 2017, Nicola Formichetti-produced girl trio color-code have been releasing monthly digital singles to show their different sides as artists.
This January started the project with “Sakura Ame,” a ballad number that took a 180 degree turn from their previous releases. That was followed by “Re start” in February with member NANAMI taking the reigns of production. The girls brought “Parallel World” in March, which featured video production and editing also by NANAMI. In April they sang their hearts out with mid-tempo pop number “Better days” and in May they gave a woman’s perspective of love with “keep it one love“.
Their 6th release this year “this city” marks the end of their project. It’s a positive and cool song that talks about being prepared for the future. This digital single also brings nostalgic B-side “unknown in you” which exemplifies the trio’s singing abilities.
Check out the video for “this city” below!
Singer-songwriter Chara will be releasing new album “Sympathy,” of which will include productions from Shigeru Kishida of Quruli and Kenmochi Hidefumi of Suiyoubi no Campanella.
Kishida is in charge of the composition and sound production for the opening number “Tiny Dancer” with lyrics by Chara. The song concept is one Chara sat on for two years until she approached him to produce it. In the trailer video released on YouTube, you can hear the new song joined by visuals of the two.
Hidefumi produced and wrote the lyrics for new song “Herbie“. Chara has described this tune as a calm yet “thumping” summery song for adults.
Successful former idol Kudo Shizuka has, finally, begun the celebrations for her 30th anniversary!
It was announced on June 15 that Mrs. Takuya Kimura will embark on a mini Zepp tour this September entitled ｢Shizuka Kudo 30th Anniversary Live｣. Performances will include Zepp Diver City TOKYO (9/16), Zepp Nagoya (9/18), and Zepp Namba (9/23). Order tickets fast as they are in high demand!
Sixties-inspired beatnik-esque duo Tweedees are releasing their first mini-album “à la mode” to follow their 2nd album “The Second Time Around” that went on sale last year.
Formed in 2015, Tweedees consists of ex-Cymbals bassist Reiji Okii and actress Natsumi Kiyoura.
The video features vocalist Natsumi in different attire and playing around with mannequins, with backing band in the video including some of her friends from her favorite bands like Yaginuma Kana of Karasu wa Masshiro on guitars, Miho Tsujibayashi on keys, and ginger of PollyANNA on drums.
Check out the bright and kooky video is below!
JOYSOUND has released their list of the top 30 karaoke songs for the first half of 2017. JOYSOUND is Japan’s largest karoke service, releasing an annual mid-year and end-year report on what songs the Japanese public are singing.
1. Gen Hoshino – Koi
Topping the list is Gen Hoshino’s hit single “Koi”. Released in Ocotober 2016, it has went on to sell over 300k copies physically (over 100k were sold in 2017 alone) also topping many digital charts. The fun and lighthearted song has seen huge success on youtube, where it’s currently just 1 million hits away from reaching 140 million.