Aika (singer)
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Aika | |
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Birth name | Aika Hirahara |
Born | Tokyo, Japan |
Origin | Tokyo, Japan |
Genres | Pop, rock, jazz, acoustic, electronica |
Occupation(s) | Singer/songwriter, Saxophone Player |
Instruments | Saxophone, Guitar, Piano |
Years active | 2006–present |
Labels | EMI Music Japan(2006-2008) Neilaproductions[1](2008-present) |
Website | www |
Aika Hirahara, known mononymously as Aika (pronounced [aꜜika]; stylized in all caps), is a Japanese singer-songwriter, currently residing in Los Angeles, California, United States. She is known for her 2006 debut album Ai-Wo, with its songs "Orange Moon" and "Ai-wo", which reached the top 10 in Japanese charts on its first week of its release.[citation needed] Her second studio album was released in February 2017. In 2018, she released "Heard an Angel."[2] She co-wrote the gold-certified song "Path of Independence" for her sister, Ayaka Hirahara.[3][4]
Background
[edit]Aika was born in Tokyo, Japan. Growing up, she played the piano and the saxophone. Later pursuing a music degree at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Shortly after completing her degree, she released her debut album Ai-Wo (through EMI records), which reached the top 10 on the Japanese radio charts.[citation needed] Her father, Makoto Hirahara,[5] is a professional saxophonist, and her grandfather, Tsutomu Hirahara, is a professional trumpet player. Her sister, Ayaka Hirahara, is also a performer, signed to Universal Music Japan.
Performances and career
[edit]Her performances include the Osaka "Act Against Aids" concert, JZ Brat and the Living Room in New York City.[6] Her 2009 song "All He Has to Say" was produced to support Autism Speaks and was based on a poem by a teacher at the May Center for Child Development.[7][8][9]
Aika has written and performed the original song "Dancing Arrows," which was selected as the theme song for the Warner Brothers movie Ironclad.[10][11] It is included on the EURORADIO's 2014 "Tune In" CD collection.
Aika also contributed the song "Solé" for the 2016 movie Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.[12]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]Title | Album details |
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AI-WO - International Edition |
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AI-WO - Japan Edition |
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No Mo Games |
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Compilation albums
[edit]Title | Album details |
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Tune In |
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Singles
[edit]Title | Single details |
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"All He Has to Say" |
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"aika (Sinking & You Told Me You Loved Me)" |
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"Dancing Arrows" |
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"I Can't Make You Love Me"[14] |
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"NO MO GAMES"[15] |
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"Heard an Angel"[16] |
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"daddy" |
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"white noise" |
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Music videos
[edit]Title | Music Video details |
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"Ai-wo" |
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"Orange Moon"[17] |
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"Dancing Arrows" |
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"I Can't Make You Love Me"[18] |
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"We Are Here"[19] |
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"NO MO GAMES"[20] |
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"daddy"[21] |
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"white noise"[22] |
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Movies
[edit]Movie Title | Movie details |
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Iron Clad |
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Whiskey Tango Foxtrot |
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Career as a songwriter
[edit]Singles
[edit]Title | Song details |
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"Not a Love Song" |
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"Boy I Wish You Are Here" |
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"Made of Stars" |
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"Prayer" |
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"Save Your Life" Ayaka Hirahara x Daniel Powter |
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"「Live Out Loud」Kelsie Watts & Reezy Mi$HNRZ" |
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"This is Me ~Rainbow~ / GAP x Leslie Kee ★ the Diversity Song tribute to IMAGINE 50th Anniversary" |
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"Wedding Day" |
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"Don't Cry" |
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Albums
[edit]Title | Album details |
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"Path of Independence" |
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"Hush Hush" |
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"Not a Love Song" |
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"Made of Stars" |
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"Tweet Your Love" |
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"Prayer" |
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"Save Your Life" Ayaka Hirahara |
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"A-ya!" Ayaka Hirahara 20th Anniversary |
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Tours and live shows
[edit]Title | Notes |
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The Voice -2005- |
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Premium Live Sponsored by Itoen -2005- |
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From The New World -2010- |
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Love Story -2011- |
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Doki -2012- |
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Dear Jupiter 10th Anniversary Tour -2013- |
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10th Year Special Live -2013- |
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What I Am -2014- |
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AIKA tour and live shows
[edit]Title | Notes | |
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Act Against AIDS in TOKYO -2005- |
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AI-Wo -2006- |
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Act Against AIDS at Osaka Jo Hall -2006- |
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MIZU NO OTO -2007- |
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UTA WO TSUMUIDE -2008- |
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LAWSON JAZZ WEEK |
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MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL in KAWASAKI |
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AIKA LIVE IN TOKYO |
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A I K A Live at The Mint LA |
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A I K A Live at The Mint LA |
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A I K A Live at Room5 LA |
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A I K A Live at Haretara Sorani Mamemaite Tokyo |
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Jupiter Foundation at Kokusai Forum |
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Jupiter Foundation at Kokusai Forum |
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References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Neilaproductions is a boutique production company / artist management company based in Los Angeles, California". Neilaproductions. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
- ^ "Neilaproductions | Discography". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ^ "一般社団法人 日本レコード協会". Riaj.or.jp.
- ^ "Mi2N: Music for the Hollywood Movie Ironclad". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ^ "リンク| 平原まこと | 日本コロムビアオフィシャルサイト". Columbia.jp.
- ^ "Aika". Livingroomny.com. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ^ "May Institute News Releases & Announcements". Mayinstitute.org.
- ^ "All He Has To Say – The Autism Song by AIKA". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ^ "Inside the May Institute". Mayinstitute.org.
- ^ "AIKA sings theme song for Hollywood movie 'Ironclad'". Japan Today. 31 July 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ^ ""Dancing Arrows" and Aika for "IRONCLAD" Movie". Greekreporter.com. 23 July 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
- ^ "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016) - Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ^ a b "AI Wo by Aika | MTV". MTV. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ^ "I Can't Make You Love Me - Single by Aika". 30 September 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2022 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "No Mo Games - Single by Aika". 16 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2022 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Heard an Angel (feat. Rhyan Bēsco) - Single by Aika". 20 February 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2022 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Aika - Orange Moon" – via YouTube.
- ^ "I Can't Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt (Cover by AIKA)". Retrieved 24 June 2022 – via YouTube.
- ^ "We Are Here - Alicia Keys (Cover by AIKA feat. Marty Friedman)" – via YouTube.
- ^ "Aika - No Mo Games" – via YouTube.
- ^ "Aika - daddy" – via YouTube.
- ^ "Aika - white noise" – via YouTube.