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Dragon Ash
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'''Dragon Ash''' is the group to bring [[rap]] and [[hip hop]] into the Japanese mainstream. The group, formed in 1997, has even coined a new genre in Japanese popular music: [[Mixture-kei]]. Their use of [[rap]], [[hip hop]], [[punk]], [[rock]], [[reggae]], and [[Latin]] influences makes their music not only unique but they popularized [[hip hip]] in a country where little was being produced in the genre. Their lyrics are often positive and upbeat in comparison to today's American [[gangsta rap]]. The group has enjoyed some notoriety outside of Japan since the release of their song [[Shizukana Hibi no Kaidan o]], which was the ending theme for the popular Japanese film [[Battle Royale]]. They continue to produce music and tour today. | '''Dragon Ash''' is the group to bring [[rap]] and [[hip hop]] into the Japanese mainstream. The group, formed in 1997, has even coined a new genre in Japanese popular music: [[Mixture-kei]]. Their use of [[rap]], [[hip hop]], [[punk]], [[rock]], [[reggae]], and [[Latin]] influences makes their music not only unique but they popularized [[hip hip]] in a country where little was being produced in the genre. Their lyrics are often positive and upbeat in comparison to today's American [[gangsta rap]]. The group has enjoyed some notoriety outside of Japan since the release of their song [[Shizukana Hibi no Kaidan o]], which was the ending theme for the popular Japanese film [[Battle Royale]]. They continue to produce music and tour today. | ||
| - | == | + | ==History== |
| + | Dragon Ash is a rock group led by rap mogul [[Kenji Furuya]]. They were one of the first groups to popularize hip hop in Japan by using a mixture of reggae, rap, punk, Spanish, and R&B influences. The group uses various samples, most notably from the the Smashing Pumpkins. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Dragon Ash started out as a pseudo-punk band was because at that time, punk was popular in Japan and it was felt they the hip hop image wouldn't sell. The band was brought together in 1995 by then seventeen year old Kenji Furuya, son of actor [[Ikko Furuya]]. Furuya, and school friend drummer Makoto Sakurai, held auditions for band members and ended up hiring bassist Baba Ikuzo. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The band made their live debut in [[Kawasaki]] in [[1996]] and signed with [[Victor Entertainment]] in [[1997]]. That year they were joined by DJ Bots, another school friend of Furuya’s and their moved sound away from punk to more mixture-kei (punk combined with hip hop). | ||
| + | |||
| + | The band’s breakthrough came with their maxi singles I Love Hip Hop and Grateful Days, released together in [[1999]]. Grateful Days reached No.1 in the Oricon charts and remains their best loved hit. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Dragon Ash has gained popularity outside Japan when the Shizuka na Hibi no Kaidan Wo was used as the ending theme for the movie Battle Royale. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In February [[2003]], it was announced that Dragon Ash with hip hop groups Mach 25 and Source were forming their own label, [[Mob Squad]]. Shortly afterward, Dragon Ash announced a new line up, which included Hiroki on guitar, and dancers Dri-V and Atsushi. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Kenji Furuya has also worked on several side projects in recent years, including being the frontman of ]]Steady & Co.]], a hip hop and music production. Furuya has also collaborated with other Japanese hip hop artists on the Mob Squad album and subsequent label. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Trivia== | ||
| + | Furuya is a devout Christian, and has been quoted as saying that the Bible is the most important book that exists in the world. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Dragon Ash Members== | ||
* [[Kenji Furuya]] (vocals, guitar) | * [[Kenji Furuya]] (vocals, guitar) | ||
* [[Izuko Baba]] (bass) | * [[Izuko Baba]] (bass) | ||
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* [[DRI-V]] (Dancer since 2003) | * [[DRI-V]] (Dancer since 2003) | ||
| - | == | + | ==Dragon Ash Discography== |
| - | * | + | |
| - | * | + | ===Singles/Maxi Singles=== |
| - | * | + | |
| - | * | + | * Rainy Day And Day (1997) |
| - | * | + | * Hi Wa Mata Noborikuri Kaesu (1998) |
| - | * | + | * Under Age's Song (1998) |
| - | * | + | * Let Yourself Go, Let Myself Go (1999) |
| + | * Grateful Days (1999) | ||
| + | * I Love Hip Hop (1999) | ||
| + | * Deep Impact (2000) | ||
| + | * Summer Tribe (2000) | ||
| + | * Lily's E.P. (2000) | ||
| + | * Life Goes On (2002) | ||
| + | * Fantasista (2002) | ||
| + | * Morrow (2003) | ||
| + | * Shade (2004) | ||
| + | * Crush The Window (2005) | ||
| + | * Yuunagi Union (2005) | ||
| + | * Ivory (2006) | ||
| + | * Few Lights Till Night (2006) | ||
| + | * Yume de Aetara (2006) | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Albums=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Mustang! (1997) | ||
| + | * Free Your Mind #33 (1998) | ||
| + | * Buzz Songs (1998) | ||
| + | * Viva La Revolution (1999) | ||
| + | * Deep Impact (2000) | ||
| + | * Summer Tribe (2000) | ||
| + | * Episode 2 (2000) | ||
| + | * Amploud (2000) | ||
| + | * Shizuka na Hibi no Kaidan Wo (2000) | ||
| + | * Lily Of Da Valley (2001) | ||
| + | * Harvest (2003) | ||
| + | * Harvest Remixes (2004) | ||
| + | * Río de Emoción (2005) | ||
| + | * Independiente (2007) | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Mini Albums=== | ||
| + | * The Day Dragged On (1997) | ||
| + | * Public Garden (1997) | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Videos and DVDs=== | ||
| + | * Buzz Clips (1998) | ||
| + | * Posse In Video Buzz Clips (2001) | ||
| + | * Lily Da Video(2001) | ||
| + | * Lily Da Video (2003) | ||
| + | * Posse In Video (2003) | ||
| + | * Video de Emoción (2005) | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
Revision as of 13:17, 2 July 2008
Dragon Ash is the group to bring rap and hip hop into the Japanese mainstream. The group, formed in 1997, has even coined a new genre in Japanese popular music: Mixture-kei. Their use of rap, hip hop, punk, rock, reggae, and Latin influences makes their music not only unique but they popularized hip hip in a country where little was being produced in the genre. Their lyrics are often positive and upbeat in comparison to today's American gangsta rap. The group has enjoyed some notoriety outside of Japan since the release of their song Shizukana Hibi no Kaidan o, which was the ending theme for the popular Japanese film Battle Royale. They continue to produce music and tour today.
Contents |
History
Dragon Ash is a rock group led by rap mogul Kenji Furuya. They were one of the first groups to popularize hip hop in Japan by using a mixture of reggae, rap, punk, Spanish, and R&B influences. The group uses various samples, most notably from the the Smashing Pumpkins.
Dragon Ash started out as a pseudo-punk band was because at that time, punk was popular in Japan and it was felt they the hip hop image wouldn't sell. The band was brought together in 1995 by then seventeen year old Kenji Furuya, son of actor Ikko Furuya. Furuya, and school friend drummer Makoto Sakurai, held auditions for band members and ended up hiring bassist Baba Ikuzo.
The band made their live debut in Kawasaki in 1996 and signed with Victor Entertainment in 1997. That year they were joined by DJ Bots, another school friend of Furuya’s and their moved sound away from punk to more mixture-kei (punk combined with hip hop).
The band’s breakthrough came with their maxi singles I Love Hip Hop and Grateful Days, released together in 1999. Grateful Days reached No.1 in the Oricon charts and remains their best loved hit.
Dragon Ash has gained popularity outside Japan when the Shizuka na Hibi no Kaidan Wo was used as the ending theme for the movie Battle Royale.
In February 2003, it was announced that Dragon Ash with hip hop groups Mach 25 and Source were forming their own label, Mob Squad. Shortly afterward, Dragon Ash announced a new line up, which included Hiroki on guitar, and dancers Dri-V and Atsushi.
Kenji Furuya has also worked on several side projects in recent years, including being the frontman of ]]Steady & Co.]], a hip hop and music production. Furuya has also collaborated with other Japanese hip hop artists on the Mob Squad album and subsequent label.
Trivia
Furuya is a devout Christian, and has been quoted as saying that the Bible is the most important book that exists in the world.
Dragon Ash Members
- Kenji Furuya (vocals, guitar)
- Izuko Baba (bass)
- Makoto Sakurai (drums)
- BOTS (DJ since 1999)
- Hiroki (Guitar since 2003)
- ATSUSHI (Dancer since 2003)
- DRI-V (Dancer since 2003)
Dragon Ash Discography
Singles/Maxi Singles
- Rainy Day And Day (1997)
- Hi Wa Mata Noborikuri Kaesu (1998)
- Under Age's Song (1998)
- Let Yourself Go, Let Myself Go (1999)
- Grateful Days (1999)
- I Love Hip Hop (1999)
- Deep Impact (2000)
- Summer Tribe (2000)
- Lily's E.P. (2000)
- Life Goes On (2002)
- Fantasista (2002)
- Morrow (2003)
- Shade (2004)
- Crush The Window (2005)
- Yuunagi Union (2005)
- Ivory (2006)
- Few Lights Till Night (2006)
- Yume de Aetara (2006)
Albums
- Mustang! (1997)
- Free Your Mind #33 (1998)
- Buzz Songs (1998)
- Viva La Revolution (1999)
- Deep Impact (2000)
- Summer Tribe (2000)
- Episode 2 (2000)
- Amploud (2000)
- Shizuka na Hibi no Kaidan Wo (2000)
- Lily Of Da Valley (2001)
- Harvest (2003)
- Harvest Remixes (2004)
- Río de Emoción (2005)
- Independiente (2007)
Mini Albums
- The Day Dragged On (1997)
- Public Garden (1997)
Videos and DVDs
- Buzz Clips (1998)
- Posse In Video Buzz Clips (2001)
- Lily Da Video(2001)
- Lily Da Video (2003)
- Posse In Video (2003)
- Video de Emoción (2005)