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The Last Ai
''The Last Ai'' (stylized ''THE LAST A.I.'') is the eighth studio album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released on December 1, 2010, by Island Records and Universal Sigma. The album features guest appearances and collaborations from Namie Amuro, Snoop Dogg, Kato Miliyah, AK-69, Judith Hill, Boyz II Men, K'naan and Chaka Khan. Four singles were released from ''The Last Ai''. The lead single, "Fake" was certified gold by the RIAJ, peaking at number 5 on the ''Billboard'' Japan Hot 100 while " Still..." and " Stronger" charted within the top 30 of the Japan Hot 100. Background Ai previously released her 2009 compilation album, ''Best Ai'' which became her first album to chart number one on the Oricon Japanese Albums chart. Her 2009 studio album, ''Viva Ai'', also performed well commercially. In September 2010, the title of the album was revealed and was slated for release in December later that year. With the release of "Stronger" featuring Miliyah as the fourth si ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ai (singer)
, known mononymously as Ai (, stylized as AI or A.I. ), is a Japanese-American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, spokeswoman, and actress. Born in Los Angeles, California, Ai moved to Kagoshima, at age 4. Motivated to become a singer, Ai returned to Los Angeles, attending the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. While in Los Angeles, Ai began her musical career performing as part of a gospel choir at a Mary J. Blige concert and as a dancer for Janet Jackson's music video, "Go Deep". She briefly joined the Asian girl group SX4 in 1999 until she graduated high school. After being discovered by BMG in 2000, Ai relocated to Japan and released her debut album, ''My Name is Ai'' (2001), to very little commercial success. Signing to Def Jam Records Japan in 2002, Ai became the first woman signed to the label. She released two studio albums under the label, ''Original Ai'' (2003) and ''2004 Ai''. With the release of her third studio album, Ai rose to mainstream promi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Independent (Ai Album)
''Independent'' (stylized in caps) is the ninth studio album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released on February 22, 2012 by EMI Music Japan. It served as Ai's international debut following a global publishing deal with EMI. Hoping to experiment with new sounds that would expand her music beyond contemporary R&B and hip hop music, Ai worked with multiple American producers alongside long-time collaborator Uta. The final product resulted in an album combining dance-pop and R&B. Three singles were released from ''Independent''. "Happiness," which was used in a high-profile Coca-Cola winter 2011 advertising campaign, was her most successful single since " I'll Remember You" in 2007, receiving two different gold certifications. The album debuted at number two on Oricon's album charts, and sold over 60,000 copies, outselling her previous two studio albums, ''Viva Ai'' (2009) and ''The Last Ai'' (2010). A deluxe reissue of the album was released on November 17, 2012. Ba ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chaka Khan
Yvette Marie Stevens (born March 23, 1953), better known by her stage name Chaka Khan (), is an American singer. Her career has spanned more than five decades, beginning in the 1970s as the lead vocalist of the funk band Rufus. Known as the " Queen of Funk", Khan was the first R&B artist to have a crossover hit featuring a rapper, with " I Feel for You" in 1984. Khan has won ten Grammy Awards and has sold an estimated 70 million records worldwide. With Rufus, she achieved four gold singles, four gold albums, and two platinum albums. In the course of her solo career, Khan achieved three gold singles, three gold albums, and one platinum album with '' I Feel for You''. She has collaborated with Steve Winwood, Ry Cooder, Robert Palmer, Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Guru, Chicago, De La Soul, Mary J. Blige, among others. In December 2016, ''Billboard'' magazine ranked her as the 65th most successful dance artist of all time. She was ranked at No. 17 in VH1's original list of the 100 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
K'naan
Keinan Abdi Warsame (born 1 February 1978) ( so, Keynaan Cabdi Warsame, ar, كَينَان عَبدِ وَرسَمَ ''Kaynān ʿAbdi Warsama''), better known by his stage name K'naan (), is a Somali-Canadian musician. He rose to prominence with the success of his single "Wavin' Flag", which was chosen as Coca-Cola's promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Besides hip hop, K'naan's sound is influenced by elements of Somali music and world music. He is also involved in various philanthropic initiatives. Personal life K'naan was born 1 February 1978 in Mogadishu, situated in the southeastern Banaadir province of Somalia. K'naan's family was from an artistic background. His grandfather was a famous poet, and his aunt Magool was a renowned singer. His name, ''Keynaan'' (), means "traveller" in the Somali language. K'naan spent his childhood in Mogadishu. His father, Abdi, left earlier when he was still a boy to work as a taxi driver in New York City. K'naan's early yea ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men (pronounced ''boys to men''), also known as B2M, is an American vocal harmony group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are currently a trio composed of baritone Nathan Morris alongside tenors Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman. During the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, including bass Michael McCary, who left the group in 2003 due to health issues which were eventually diagnosed as multiple sclerosis. During the 1990s, Boyz II Men gained international success, beginning with the release of top 5 singles "Motownphilly" and "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" in 1991. Their number one single " End of the Road" in was released in 1992, and reached the top of charts worldwide. "End of the Road" set a new record for longevity, holding the number one spot on ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for thirteen weeks. Boyz II Men broke this record with the subsequent releases of "I'll Make Love ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Judith Hill
Judith Glory Hill is an American singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, California. She has provided backing vocals for such artists as Michael Jackson, Prince, and Josh Groban. In 2009, Hill was chosen as Jackson's duet partner for the song " I Just Can't Stop Loving You" during his '' This Is It'' concerts. After Jackson's death in 2009, she, along with the rest of the ''This Is It'' cast members, performed at Jackson's memorial service and attracted global attention when she sang the lead on the song "Heal the World". Hill's rise to fame is recounted in '' 20 Feet from Stardom'', a documentary film that tells the untold story of the backup singers behind some of the "greatest musical legends of the 21st century". She is also a featured artist on the film's soundtrack. She won the Grammy Award for Best Music Film for her performance in this film. A number of Hill's original ballads, including "Desperation" were featured in the 2012 Spike Lee film '' Red Hook Summer''. In March 20 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
AK-69
AK-69, also known as Kalassy Nikoff (エーケーシックスティーナイン／カラシニコフ) is a Japanese Hip Hop artist from Komaki, Aichi. As a rapper, AK-69 uses his stage name; while singing, he is usually known as "Kalassy Nikoff." AK-69 also goes by the alias "REDSTA." In 2004, he began producing a fashion line known as "BAGARCH." The single "Public Enemy" was nominated in 2011 for Best Hip Hop Music Video in the MTV Music Aid Japan, and won the same award at the 2011 Space Shower Music Video Awards. At the 2011 Billboard Japan Awards, AK-69 was selected as Independent Artist of the Year. Discography Singles # B-ninjah & AK-69 "RED HOT FIGHTER" (7 March 2003) # Kalassy Nikoff "NEVER GONNA STOP／THAT GIRL" (31 March 2004) # B-ninjah & AK-69 "Staaand up !!!" (19 January 2005) # AK-69 "6 ...[...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Miliyah Kato
(born June 22, 1988), better known by her stage name of is a Japanese pop and urban singer, songwriter, fashion designer, and author. In 2003, Kato started her career as a singer when she provided vocal to Reggae Disco Rockers' song "Cherry Oh! Baby". Her hip-hop-influenced debut album, ''Rose'' (2005) was certified platinum in Japan. She gained further recognition when she was featured in M-Flo's track " One Day" (2005). Kato's second studio album ''Diamond Princess'' achieved minor commercial success, certified gold by the RIAJ and peaking at number five in Japan. Her third studio album, '' Tokyo Star'' (2008) yielded her first top-ten single, "La La La", which was later certified double-platinum for its ringtone sales. Kato's first compilation album ''Best Destiny'' (2008) became her first number-one album, certified platinum in Japan. Her fourth studio album ''Ring'' became her best-selling album, and yielded three top-ten singles: "Sayonara Baby", "20 -Cry-", and "Love Fore ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. (born October 20, 1971), known professionally as Snoop Dogg (previously Snoop Doggy Dogg and briefly Snoop Lion), is an American rapper. His fame dates back to 1992 when he featured on Dr. Dre's debut solo single, "Deep Cover", and then on Dre's debut solo album, ''The Chronic''. Broadus has since sold over 23 million albums in the United States and 35 million albums worldwide. His accolades include an American Music Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and 17 nominations at the Grammy Awards. Broadus' debut solo album, ''Doggystyle,'' produced by Dr. Dre, was released by Death Row Records in November 1993, and debuted at number one on the popular albums chart, the ''Billboard'' 200, and on '' Billboard''s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Selling 800,000 copies in its first week, ''Doggystyle'' was certified quadruple-platinum in 1994 and featured the singles " What's My Name?" and "Gin and Juice". In 1994, Death Row Records released a soundtrack, by Broad ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Namie Amuro
Namie Amuro ( ; ja, 安室奈美恵, Amuro Namie, label=none; born September 20, 1977) is a Japanese former recording artist, producer, songwriter, dancer, model, actress and entrepreneur who was active between 1992 and 2018. A leading figure of the Japanese entertainment industry since the early 1990s, Amuro is known for breaking the youthful idol stereotype of J-Pop, changing the fashion trends and lifestyle of women in Japan, her experimentation across music styles, and for her visual imagery in music videos and live performances. Due to her career longevity, resilience, professionalism, efforts behind-the-scenes in the music industry, and her way of life, she is considered a pop culture icon in Japan and Asia. She has been referred to as "Diva of Heisei Era" and the " Queen of Japanese Pop", and has been recognized as having the influence and career impact domestically equivalent to artists such as Janet Jackson and Madonna in Western music and pop culture. Born in Naha, Oki ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Universal Music Japan
, often referred to as just Universal Music Japan or UMJ, is a Japanese subsidiary of the Universal Music Group founded in 1990. It is the largest subsidiary for a foreign company in the country regarding music distribution. The company is responsible for marketing and distribution in Japan for Japanese releases under Universal. In 2021, Universal Japan CEO and President Naoshi Fujikura was included on ''Billboard's'' International Power Players list. History Early years The company was founded as PolyGram Co., Ltd. (in 1990 with Koike Kazuhiko serving as president and CEO. In 1999, the company was restructured and renamed as Universal Music Co., Ltd. 2009–2013: Renaming to Universal Music LLC In 2009, the company was renamed as Universal Music LLC. Kazuhiko stepped down as CEO and Keiichi Ishizaka became CEO and president of the company. 2013–2014: Restructure following EMI purchase In 2011, EMI agreed to sell its recorded music operations to Universal Music Gro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stronger (Ai Song)
"Stronger" (stylized in caps) is a song by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai featuring Japanese singer Miliyah Kato. The song was released on October 27, 2010, by Island Records and Universal Sigma, serving as the fourth and final single for Ai's eighth studio album, ''The Last Ai''. Composition and inspiration As a part of Ai's 10th anniversary, she had been collaborating with many artists, such as "Fake" featuring Namie Amuro, "Still..." feat. AK-69 and "Wavin' Flag (Coca Cola Celebration Mix) (Sekai ni Hitotsu no Hata)" with K'naan. When the collaboration single offer was presented to Miliyah Kato, who is good friends with Ai, her reaction was "Finally! I feel so honoured. It's like a dream I've been imagining has become real." The song was written by Ai and Kato together, with both deciding such things as the lyrics, music, and which parts to sing. The song is a contemporary R&B dance pop song. The lyrics are a message song, instructing the listener to survive through "a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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