Ya-kyim
Encyclopedia
Ya-kyim is a Japanese
R&B and hip hop
group. The group consists of one MC
, Miku, and two singers, Alisa and Yurie.
. However, they had also created music a year before their debut, contributing the song "Woo, Woo, Wow" to a mix CD by DJ Kaori.
At the beginning of their career, Ya-kyim appeared in street fashion popularized by hip hop
culture, often performing in music videos with tilted hats and baggy clothing. However, around the time of release of the single "Beauty x Beauty", their appearance undertook a drastic change to a more adult, feminine look to coincide with their coming-of-age. Their music also shifted styles, showcasing a more mature sound.
by Trey Songz
. Their official website marked this as an "answer song" to the original. The group also performed live with Trey Songz at various venues in Japan.
The group's first single with Warner Music Japan, Super Looper, was released on May 28, 2008, and was the theme song for TV Asahi
drama
"Kimi hannin janai yo ne?" (キミ犯人じゃないよね？- You Aren't a Criminal, Are You?)
On December 3, 2008, Ya-kyim released a single as part of a "Respect" project where the group collaborated with a variety of artists as a tribute, including Kome Kome Club
, Seamo
, Spontania
, Dohzi-T
, and HI-D. The group performed a cover of Kome Kome Club's song "Kimi ga Iru Dake de
" and created new tracks with the other artists.
On July 8, 2009, the group released "Tabun Kitto/Happy Face (love version)," a double A-side single. The cover of the single's limited edition and the music video for "Tabun Kitto" feature Popteen
models Kumiki and Marimo-chan. The first A-side, "Tabun Kitto," was the ending theme for the NTV
music program Music Fighter for the month of July.
Ya-kyim's first album on Warner Music Japan and fourth album overall, Happy! Enjoy! Fresh! was announced on July 15, 2009. The album has fourteen tracks and features artists such as Pes from Rip Slyme
and Cimba, as well as Seamo, Spontania, Dohzi-T, and HI-D from the group's earlier "Respect" project single. It also features the "original version" of the song "Happy Face" from the group's "Tabun Kitto/Happy Face" single. The album is set to be released on August 19, 2009.
Music of Japan
The music of Japan includes a wide array of performers in distinct styles both traditional and modern. The word for music in Japanese is 音楽 , combining the kanji 音 with the kanji 楽...
R&B and hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
group. The group consists of one MC
Master of Ceremonies
A Master of Ceremonies , or compere, is the host of a staged event or similar performance.An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the event moving....
, Miku, and two singers, Alisa and Yurie.
Background
Miku, Alisa, and Yurie have been friends since childhood. Together in 1999, they participated as dancers in Japan's largest hip-hop-based gathering, B Boy Park, and it was also around that time that they began working as performers. They stayed active in Shibuya and officially became Ya-kyim in 2002, returning to the scene of B Boy Park with a live performance.Debut and Victor Entertainment (2005-2007)
Their professional debut on the music scene was in 2005 with the single "Clap 'n Clap" with Victor EntertainmentVictor Entertainment
is a subsidiary of Japan Victor Company that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It was formerly known as...
. However, they had also created music a year before their debut, contributing the song "Woo, Woo, Wow" to a mix CD by DJ Kaori.
At the beginning of their career, Ya-kyim appeared in street fashion popularized by hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
culture, often performing in music videos with tilted hats and baggy clothing. However, around the time of release of the single "Beauty x Beauty", their appearance undertook a drastic change to a more adult, feminine look to coincide with their coming-of-age. Their music also shifted styles, showcasing a more mature sound.
Warner Music Japan (2008-present)
Towards the end of 2007, the group left Victor Entertainment and joined Warner Music Japan. In November 2007, Ya-kyim performed a cover version of Can't Help but WaitCan't Help but Wait
"Can't Help but Wait" is the second single from the Trey Songz album Trey Day. The song is written by Johntá Austin, Mikkel S. Eriksen, and Tor Erik Hermansen. On the issue date of October 6, 2007, the single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 99. American actor Jackie Long appears in the...
by Trey Songz
Trey Songz
Tremaine "Trey" Aldon Neverson , better known by his stage name Trey Songz, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. His debut album, I Gotta Make It, was released in 2005, while his second album, Trey Day, was released in 2007...
. Their official website marked this as an "answer song" to the original. The group also performed live with Trey Songz at various venues in Japan.
The group's first single with Warner Music Japan, Super Looper, was released on May 28, 2008, and was the theme song for TV Asahi
TV Asahi
, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....
drama
Dramatic programming
Dramatic programming in the UK, or television drama and television drama series in the US, is television program content that is scripted and fictional along the lines of √a traditional drama. This excludes, for example, sports television, television news, reality show and game shows, stand-up...
"Kimi hannin janai yo ne?" (キミ犯人じゃないよね？- You Aren't a Criminal, Are You?)
On December 3, 2008, Ya-kyim released a single as part of a "Respect" project where the group collaborated with a variety of artists as a tribute, including Kome Kome Club
Kome Kome Club
is a Japanese pop band formed in 1982. It is widely recognized as the only Japanese pop musical group which achieved commercial success by blending funk, soul and Latin musical styles. They also use the style of rakugo.-1982–1997: Commercial success:...
, Seamo
SEAMO
is a Japanese rapper and hip-hop artist better known under his alias Seamo . He made his debut in 2004 using the alias , but later changed his name to Seamo. He made his solo debut in 2005 with the Japanese record label BMG Japan with the single...
, Spontania
Spontania
is a Japanese hip-hop/reggae group. The name "Spontania" comes from the English word "spontaneous".In 2010, singer Kaori Natori became the permanent vocalist for the band.-Members:*Massattack...
, Dohzi-T
Dohzi-T
, real name , is a Japanese rapper, who has been active since 1989.-Biography:Dohzi-T belonged to hip hop band "Zingi", formed in 1990. He debuted as a solo singer with the single "Shōnen A" on October 10, 2001. He associated with popular singers such as Shota Shimizu, Miliyah Kato and Hiromi Go...
, and HI-D. The group performed a cover of Kome Kome Club's song "Kimi ga Iru Dake de
Kimi ga Iru Dake de
Kimi ga Iru Dake de is a Japanese song by Kome Kome Club released on May 4, 1992. On the Japanese Oricon chart, it sold 924,780 copies in one week and debuted at the number-one position. It held the top rank in total of six weeks...
" and created new tracks with the other artists.
On July 8, 2009, the group released "Tabun Kitto/Happy Face (love version)," a double A-side single. The cover of the single's limited edition and the music video for "Tabun Kitto" feature Popteen
Popteen
is a monthly teenage fashion magazine published by the Kadokawa Haruki Corporation in Japan. The first issue was published on October 1, 1980 by Kadokawa Shoten. Later issues were published by Asuka Shinsha who bought the magazine for 200 million yen...
models Kumiki and Marimo-chan. The first A-side, "Tabun Kitto," was the ending theme for the NTV
Nippon Television
is a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,...
music program Music Fighter for the month of July.
Ya-kyim's first album on Warner Music Japan and fourth album overall, Happy! Enjoy! Fresh! was announced on July 15, 2009. The album has fourteen tracks and features artists such as Pes from Rip Slyme
Rip Slyme
Rip Slyme is a Japanese hip hop group. It is composed of four MCs; Ryo-Z, Ilmari, Pes & Su, and a DJ, Fumiya...
and Cimba, as well as Seamo, Spontania, Dohzi-T, and HI-D from the group's earlier "Respect" project single. It also features the "original version" of the song "Happy Face" from the group's "Tabun Kitto/Happy Face" single. The album is set to be released on August 19, 2009.
Albums
- [2006.03.08] Still Only One
- [2006.08.02] Keep Ya Style
- [2007.03.07] Can Ya Feel?
- [2009.08.19] Happy! Enjoy! Fresh!
- [2010.07.28] Hip! Up! Pop!
Singles
- [2005.04.20] Clap 'n Clap
- [2005.08.03] Happy the Globe
- [2005.12.07] Elec-Trick
- [2006.11.01] Beauty x Beauty
- [2007.02.07] Superstar
- [2007.08.01] 20: Twenty
- [2008.05.28] Super Looper
- [2008.12.03] 君がいるだけで (Kimi ga Iru Dake de)/さぁ行こう! (Sa Ikou!)
- [2009.07.08] たぶんきっと (Tabun Kitto)/Happy Face (Love Version)
- [2010.11.24] Bakurock: 未来の輪郭線 (Bakurock: Mirai no Rinkakusen)
Compilations
- [2004.09.29] DJ Kaori's "Ride" into the Party (Track 16: "Woo, Woo, Wow")
- [2006.09.27] E'qual's 7 Days (Track 5: "Dress Code")
External links
- JVC Music Entertainment Profile (Japanese)
- Warner Music Japan Profile (Japanese)