Hirai Ken Bio (Biography)
Real name:
Hirai Ken
Date of birth:
January 17. 1972
Place of birth:
Osaka, Japan
Astrology Sign:
Capricorn
Tags:
Biography
Hirai Ken is a Japanese pop and R&B singer who is best known for his albums The Changing Same, gaining through losing and Sentimental Lovers. He is sometimes called the King of Japanese R&B.
Hirai Ken was born in Higashiosaka in the Osaka Prefecture on January 17, 1972. He was raised in Nabari, Mie Prefecture.
In 1993, Hirai Ken signed with Sony music and his debut single "Precious Junk" and album were soon recorded. His first single was used as the theme song for a popular Japanese drama. In 1996 he released his second album. He then slowed things down, only releasing one single per year from 1997-1999. In 2000, his third album The Changing Same was released and reached number one on the charts. That year he san at the Apollo Theater in New York. He was voted Best New Japanese Act in a Hong Kong radio poll. He released gaining through losing in 2001, Life is. . . in 2003, both albums were hits in Japan.
In 2002, Hirai Ken won the Best Male Artist award at the first MTV Video Music Awards - Japan. The same year he performed in the FIFA World Cup concert with Lauryn Hill and Chemistry. In 2003 he became the first Japanese male solo vocalist to perform on MTV Unplugged in New York.
He released Sentimental Lovers in 2004 and the album soon reached number one status. Among his musical influences are Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway.
Hirai Ken was born in Higashiosaka in the Osaka Prefecture on January 17, 1972. He was raised in Nabari, Mie Prefecture.
In 1993, Hirai Ken signed with Sony music and his debut single "Precious Junk" and album were soon recorded. His first single was used as the theme song for a popular Japanese drama. In 1996 he released his second album. He then slowed things down, only releasing one single per year from 1997-1999. In 2000, his third album The Changing Same was released and reached number one on the charts. That year he san at the Apollo Theater in New York. He was voted Best New Japanese Act in a Hong Kong radio poll. He released gaining through losing in 2001, Life is. . . in 2003, both albums were hits in Japan.
In 2002, Hirai Ken won the Best Male Artist award at the first MTV Video Music Awards - Japan. The same year he performed in the FIFA World Cup concert with Lauryn Hill and Chemistry. In 2003 he became the first Japanese male solo vocalist to perform on MTV Unplugged in New York.
He released Sentimental Lovers in 2004 and the album soon reached number one status. Among his musical influences are Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway.