Actor / musician Kayama Yuzo is a legend in the Japanese entertainment industry, having began his career in 1960. He will turn 80 on April 4. In commemoration of this milestone, a number of younger acts have come together to pay tribute to him. On March 8, the album “Kayama Yuzo no Shin Sekai” will be released. It sees a number of younger acts, such as Suiyoubi no Campanella, PUNPEE, Momoiro Clover Z, RHYMESTER, remixing Kayama’s classics.

Check out more information on the album below!

On March 8, X4 will release their second album, “Xross Mate.” The album will have 11 songs, including the ballad “Baby it’s love”, a duet with YUYA and T-MAX. The album will come in a limited edition and a regular edition. The limited edition will include a DVD which features two music videos and their makings. The regular edition will include two bonus tracks, both newly recorded versions of songs from X4’s indie era, when the group had a different lineup.

X4 recently released two music videos for the song “Rockin’ It.” One is the short version of the official video, while the other is a full dance version. The full version of the official video can be found on the DVD that comes with the album’s limited edition.

Check out more information on X4’s new album below!

Earlier today, the SPACE SHOWER MUSIC AWARDS took place. The big prize of the night, ARTIST OF THE YEAR, went to RADWIMPS. PEOPLE’S CHOICE went to [Alexandros]. Hoshino Gen’s “Koi” won VIDEO OF THE YEAR. Utada Hikaru won BEST FEMALE ARTIST, while Takahashi Yu won BEST MALE ARTIST. BEST GROUP ARTIST went to Perfume. Suchmos won BEST BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST, and Bruno Mars was named BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTIST.

Check out the rest of the winners below!

We’re back with this week’s edition of Oricon Flashback. This is where we look back on what topped Oricon this week 5, 10, 15, and 20 years ago. Think of it as a way to reminisce and learn about the past of Japanese music.

Last night Paipaidekami released her music video PPDKM, a new landmark in her catalog in terms of all out tackiness. An unrestrained, wonderfully cheesy pop track with absolutely no subtlety, its catchiness aggressively hits you in the brain like an icepick. It is from her upcoming single, PPDKM/Momori no Jinsei (also released in the last few days) and the guest-laden music video (see the likes of Seiko Oomori, Nishii from Namhamu to Yakiudon and more) could not more perfectly match the track, with its onslaught of trashy imagery and all out lack of taste.

Normally, this would be a negative, but when it’s this self aware and it’s done so damn well, it comes across as something extraordinary. It’s not gonna appeal to everyone, and it shouldn’t.  Read on for single details and watch the MV below. At home. Alone. We warned you.

This week, Hey! Say! JUMP topped the Hot 100 chart with their new single “OVER THE TOP.”

AAA topped the Hot Albums chart with their new album “WAY OF GLORY.”

This week’s guests were Chihara Junia, Hyadain, Mofuku-chan, TeddyLoid, DOTAMA, Toyama Daisuke (Grunge), Matsubara Kobe, Tateyama Koji, and Boku no Lyric no Bouyomi. Boku no Lyric no Bouyomi also performed with Kanjani8.

Boku no Lyric no Bouyomi x Kanjani8 – after that

Alternative idol group Maison book girl announced major label debut album “image” three months ago without any specific info, but now they have revealed everything about this upcoming CD, the Music Video for the leading track “faithlessness” and even a new ghostly (literally) artist profile picture, displayed on the header of this post! “image” will be an 11-track album, featuring three already released songs (“faithlessness”, “karma” and “blue light”) and three instrumental album tracks (an opening titled “ending”, an interlude titled “int” and an ending track titled “opening” featuring poetry), leaving a total of five yet unreleased tracks, even though “sin morning” already appeared on their “Solitude HOTEL 2F + faithlessness” Live Blu-ray. The leading track “faithlessness” is a quirky and playful sounding track, something pretty much new to their discography, though still features the mysterious vibes that made them stand out in first place. Check the MV for “faithlessness”, cover artwork and tracklist just after the jump!