Kokia

  Vocals: Kokia


  Started: 1998
  Status: Active

Profile

Tokyo born singer/songwriter Yoshida Akiko or Kokia has always had a love for music since childhood. When most children were playing with toys Kokia was instead playing the piano and violin. Although very young she was already able to express her inner feelings and emotions through music. At the age of 10 she made her first out of country trip to America where she studied English. Her high school years were spent at the prestigious Toho Gakuen School of Music.

While studying opera and classicial music in college Kokia caught the attention of a scouter from Pony Canyon Records. Soon after and while still attending college, Kokia was signed to the label and her first single Aishiteiru Kara debuted. But Kokia would go on to sing more then just music for general listening. The B-side of Aishiteiru Kara titled You was used in the Fuji TV drama Brothers. Two weeks later the video game, Tail Concerto OST was released with the opening theme For Little Tail sung by Kokia. And Ai no Field for the anime BRAIN POWERD composed by well known composer Kanno Yoko. A single, Tears in Love followed closley behind.

Her next single, Arigatou... was Kokia’s first song she ever written and composed on her own. The single went on to be used as the theme song for the TBD drama Dotsuzen Oyako as well as winning her an award at the Hong Kong International Popular Music Awards. Famous Cantonese singer Sammi Cheng did a Cantonese cover of the song. Although not quite popular in Japan, a fan base for her began to form in both Hong Kong and Taiwan. Her first album Songbird was released soon after.

After the release of her first album Kokia decided to take a break from music. During this break a switch of labels from Pony Canyon to Victor Entertainment occured. And finally in May of 2001 Kokia made a come back with a new more complex yet unique sound and the release of a single titled Tomoni under her new label. With three singles also released, her second album Trip Trip debuted. The song a gift from the album was featured in a Subaru commerical that aired throughout Europe.

In 2003 with her popularity increasing her newest single Kawaranai Koto ~since1976~ was released with the A-side used as the opening theme for the Itoshiki Mono e’s drama the B-side used Tell Tell Bouzu used for the ending to the Hungry Heart: Wild Striker anime. Her next single, The Power of Smile / Remember the kiss became a hit and was featured in a commercial for Kao’s Essential Damage-Care shampoo. Reaching number 15, the single became her most sold. Her album Remember Me also hit the number 15 spot and became her most sold album. Although she had parted ways with Pony Canyon, her songs I Catch a Cold and Shiroi Yuki were featured on the popular Chinese drama At the Dolphin Bay’s soundtrack.

In 2004 Kokia’s new album Uta ga Chikara was released. The song Yume ga Chikara from the album became the official cheering song for the Japanese team at the 2004 Olympic games in Athens, Greece.

In 2006 Kokia played her first over seas live in Paris, France on January 21st. And a month later she released her best of album that was sold successfully in France, Spain and Japan. In June of the same year Kokia left Victor Entertainment and started her own independent label but in October the french label French label Wasabi Records announced that they would be releasing Kokia’s new album Ai ga Kikoeru in the following month of November.

On January 20th of 2007 Kokia returned to Paris, France and performed a live at LE BATACLAN. Currently she is not signed under any new labels yet.

Pebblelita

Thoughts

Kokia has a beautiful voice! When you listen to her songs, her voice takes your breath away. Her music is equally beautiful and often features accoustic instruments which give depth to her songs. Definitely check out "Daiji na Mono wa Mabuta no Ura" for sure! I highly recommend this artist.
Click to read/add your opinion!                      

akfgfan

Music Samples:

Need a player like Windows MP that can read wma files to listen!

The Power of Smile

Moonlight Shadow (Cover Song)

Daiji na Mono wa Mabuta no Ura

shisha

Pictures

shisha and Pebblelita

Discography

Albums
songbird
trip trip
Remember me
Uta ga Chikara
pearl ~The Best Collection~
Ai ga Kikoeru


Singles
Aishiteiru Kara
Tears in Love
Arigatou...
tomoni
Say Hi!!
Tenshi
Ningen tte Sonna Mono ne
Kawaranai Koto ~since1976~
The Power of Smile / Remember the kiss
so much love for you
Yume ga Chikara
dandelion
time to say goodbye
Ai no Melody / Cyouwa oto ~with reflection~

Links

Official Site

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