PROFILE
Japanese singer-songwriter and producer Hikaru Utada stands as one of the most influential artists in the J-pop and global music scene. Since debuting on 9 December 1998, Utada achieved many remarkable milestones in their career.
Their first single “Automatic/time will tell” sold over two million copies, propelling them to become one of Japan’s top artists at the age of 15.
Just months later, their debut full-length First Love shattered domestic CD sales figures, holding the record for best-selling album ever in the country today.
Their 2001 album, Distance, further established their status as the 21st century’s first Japanese superstar, breaking numerous records in the process.
Utada’s creations boast a unique blend of pop, R&B, rock, and electronic music elements topped with a sense of innovation and timelessness. Beyond their mesmerising sound, Utada’s songwriting is a hallmark of their career, crafting deeply introspective and emotionally charged lyrics that resonate with their audience on a profound level.
Utada’s ethereal vocals effortlessly convey vulnerability, strength, and rawness. Actively involved in music production, they maintain creative control over their artistic vision, including directing the whole recording process.
Throughout their career, Utada has received a plethora of awards and accolades, including multiple Japan Gold Disc Awards, Japan Record Awards, and recognition as the Best Asian Artist at the MTV Asia Awards.
Recently, Utada’s artistry reached new heights with the release of eighth album BAD MODE, which garnered high praise both domestically and internationally.
Multiple music outlets included it on their “best of 2022” lists, including prominent American outlet Pitchfork. In 2022, Utada made their festival debut at the globally recognized Coachella Festival in California, joining celebrated label 88rising as part of their exhilarating showcase.
Additionally, Netflix debuted the series First Love, inspired by Utada’s eponymous single, in late 2022.
It achieved tremendous success in Japan and across Asia, even prompting their older songs to chart on streaming rankings.
With their exceptional talent, innovative sound, introspective lyrics, and emotional vocal registry, Utada continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of contemporary music, inspiring generations of global audiences.
Their artistry remains a shining example of the power of art to push boundaries, break fresh ground and reach new milestones.
Hikaru Utada will appear in the campaign movie of "CARTIER TRINITY FOR CHITOSE ABE OF sacai" in July 2022. "Somewhere Near Marseilles" was used as the campaign song. The song ranked 10th on the overseas music media ``Pitchfork media'' ``The 100 Best Songs of 2022,'' and was also selected as one of the top 10 on sites such as slantmagazine.com and Brooklyn Vegan.
On November 24th, the NETFLIX series "First Love", which was inspired by the two songs "Hatsukoi"and "First Love", was released worldwide and became a global topic not only in Japan but also in Asian countries and regions. . On December 9th, the first 7-inch analog version “First Love/ Hatsukoi” was released, and at the same time, the first Dolby Atmos version “First Love (2022 Mix)” and “Hatsukoi” were also released.
On January 19, 2023 (Thursday), we will hold the annual online event ``A Lot in Your 40s♬'', which is held once every 10 years.
On 28 July 2023, Utada released a new single ‘Gold -Mata Au Hi Made-’ – which served as the theme song for the Japanese film KINGDOM: The Flame of Destiny. A month later, ‘Gold -Mata Au Hi Made- (Taku’s Twice Upon a Time Remix)’ was also released, claiming the top spot on rankings for both Japanese and international digital music platforms.
They celebrated the 25th anniversary of their striking major debut, and unveiled their first greatest hits album SCIENCE FICTION, out in 2024. They will also hold a nationwide tour, ‘SCIENCE FICTION TOUR 2024’ – six years after their last electrifying live spectacle.
BIOGRAPHY
2023
They celebrated the 25th anniversary of their striking major debut, and unveiled their first greatest hits album SCIENCE FICTION, out in 2024. They will also hold a nationwide tour, ‘SCIENCE FICTION TOUR 2024’ – six years after their last electrifying live spectacle.
Utada released a new single ‘Gold -Mata Au Hi Made-’ – which served as the theme song for the Japanese film KINGDOM: The Flame of Destiny. A month later, ‘Gold -Mata Au Hi Made- (Taku’s Twice Upon a Time Remix)’ was also released, claiming the top spot on rankings for both Japanese and international digital music platforms.
Held successful livestreaming event “40 Dai-Wa-Iroiro♫” to celebrate their 40th birthday. The event was the world’s first real-time delivery of music featuring 360 Reality Audio, offering a fully immersive, three-dimensional sound experience to viewers.
2022
Pitchfork "The 100 Best Songs of 2022" "Somewhere Near Marseilles" 10th place Brooklyn Vegan "Gorilla vs Bear's Top 50 Songs of 2022" "Somewhere Near Marseilles" 5th place SLANT MAGAZINE.COM "The 50 Best" Songs of 2022” and “Somewhere Near Marseilles” were ranked in the album. The album “BAD MODE” was ranked in Pitchfork’s “The 50 Best Albums of 2022,” and the album continued to be ranked in the yearly best charts of overseas media.
Released their inaugural 7-inch vinyl “First Love/Hatsukoi” in tandem with the launch of the Netflix series First Love, as well as Dolby Atmos renditions of “First Love (2022 Mix)” and “Hatsukoi” on streaming platforms
Drawing inspiration from Utada’s songs “First Love” and “Hatsukoi”, the Netflix series First Love starring Hikari Mitsushima and Takeru Sato was distributed globally
For Spotify Japan’s 5th anniversary, released their first live performance video with “Somewhere Near Marseilles“
Joined the video “CARTIER TRINITY FOR CHITOSE ABE OF sacai”, with their song “Somewhere Near Marseilles” as the accompanying campaign song
Netflix provided worldwide distribution of their studio performance “Hikaru Utada Live Sessions from Air Studios” Released audio of “Hikaru Utada Live Sessions from Air Studios” on all major streaming platforms, creating their first album featuring live recordings
Released vinyl versions of their latest album BAD MODE together with all eight original albums
First-ever music festival performance as a guest on “88rising’s Head in the Clouds Forever” stage at the Coachella 2022 in California, USA
Pre-released the album BAD MODE and held their first pay-per-view studio livestream “Hikaru Utada Live Sessions from Air Studios”
2021
Premiered music video for “Kimini Muchuu” on YouTube
Released the vinyl LP for One Last Kiss EP, European version Released new single “Kimini Muchuu” - theme song for TV show Dearest
Released the vinyl LP for "One Last Kiss" EP, US version
Released new single “PINK BLOOD” - theme song for anime “TO YOUR ETERNITY”
Released music video and artist photo teaser for “PINK BLOOD”
Photo of Hikaru Utada included in the collection of works by Daido Moriyama in the 280-meter-long Shinjuku Art Wall Project
EP “One Last Kiss” (CD/LP) released [Oricon] “One Last Kiss” ranked first in two digital categories for three consecutive weeks, “first in solo artist history” [Billboard Japan] Also ranked first in the overall album chart (DL single)・4 titles including albums and anime) [Other records] “One Last Kiss” No. 1 on iTunes general album charts in 18 countries including Japan (No. 2 in the US as well) “One Last Kiss” entered Spotify Viral chart global chart and other Asian countries Viral chart in 8 countries/regions "One Last Kiss" MusicVideo surpassed 20 million views in 20 days after release on YouTube (currently breaking Utada Hikaru's record for fastest time) "One Last Kiss" MusicVideo ranking on iTunes, Mora, Recochoku Achieved 1st place in the real-time daily rankings. Achieved 1st place in 5 countries and regions overseas. ``One Last Kiss'' ranked 1st for 2 consecutive weeks on the J-WAVE ``TOKIO HOT 100'' chart. ``One Last Kiss'' on the OSAKAN HOT 100 chart. ” 1st place for 3 consecutive weeks Recochoku Award 1st place in the single category for March 2021 Recochoku Award Best Song of the Month Award Hikaru Utada “One Last Kiss” is the first single in 2021 1st place Weekly USEN HIT J-POP Ranking 1 No. 1 (3/31) Air Moni Chart No. 1 for 2 consecutive weeks with the highest number of on-air stations Japan Recording Industry Association certified gold disc for March 2021 Gold certification Japanese music album "One Last Kiss" No. 4 on Oricon Weekly Album Ranking as of 9/20 Ranked in! Regarding the EP “One Last Kiss” LP (US version), which achieved the feat of entering the TOP5 with the same title for the first time in about 4 months
Single song “One Last Kiss” (Theme song for the movie “Shin Evangelion Theatrical Version”) /EP “One Last Kiss” distribution
“One Last Kiss” music video YouTube premiere released *Simultaneous viewing 69,000 people
AWARDS
- BAD MODE awarded a prize from the CD Shop Awards 2023
- 12th Japan Blu-ray Award Music Award “Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018”
- 11th CD Shop Award 2019 Album “Hatsukoi” Winner
- 33rd Japan Gold Disc Award "Hatsukoi" / Best 5 Album (Japanese music), "Hatsukoi" / Best 5 Song by Download (Japanese music)
- SPACE SHOWER MUSIC AWARDS 2019 “BEST FEMALE ARTIST” award
- Music Pen Club Popular Category Best Album “Hatsukoi” Awarded
- Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Newcomer's Award (Popular Entertainment Category)
- “Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018–“Light” & “Chikai”–VR” Lumiere Japan Award 2019 VR Category Special Award Winner
- Album “Hatsukoi” won MTV VMAJ2018 Special Award “Best Album of the Year”
- “Hatsukoi” special page won WEB design contest DesignAwards.Asia Design Of The Day (DOTD)
- Album “Hatsukoi” Recochoku Award July Best Song Award, Top Album Ranking
- Album “Hatsukoi” 60th Shining! Received Japan Record Award [Excellent Album Award]
- Recochoku Annual Ranking 2018 Hi-Res Single Ranking “Anata” 1st Place Hi-Res Album Ranking “Hatsukoi” 1st Place
- The 9th annual CD SHOP AWARDS 2017: with Fantôme
- "Boukyaku featuring KOHH" - MTV Video Music Award: Best Collaboration
- "Oozora de Dakishimete" Lyrics Site - CSS Design Awards' Special kudos