Aiko (singer)
| Aiko | |
|---|---|
| Native name | aiko |
| Born |
Aiko Yanai November 22, 1975 Suita, Osaka, Japan |
| Occupation | |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Website | aiko |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Pop |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | Pony Canyon |
Aiko Yanai (柳井愛子 Yanai Aiko?, born November 22, 1975), known by her stage name Aiko, (stylized as aiko) is a Japanese pop singer and songwriter.
In April, 1996, Aiko became a radio host of FM Osaka after graduating from the college. She released a CD which she produced independently with her friends of the college in August. She participated in "The 5th Music Quest Japan Final" on October 10, and was awarded the Excellence Award shared with Ringo Shiina. She released an EP on an independent label in 1997, followed by a single and a mini-album in 1998.
In July, 1998, Aiko debuted on a major label with her first single, "Ashita", which was used as the theme song for the movie Shinsei Toire no Hanako-san.
In 2000, her second album, Sakura no Ki no Shita, reached number one in the Oricon weekly charts, with the total CD sales amounting to 1.4 million copies. Her sixth single, "Boyfriend", sold over 500,000 copies and became her best-selling CD single. She made her first appearance in NHK's 2000 Kohaku Uta Gassen.
Aiko has presented several regular radio programs, including local radio programmes in the Kansai area before she achieved widespread fame in July 1998.
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Wikipedia