List of Famous Bands from Okinawa Prefecture
- Namie Amuro (安室奈美恵, Amuro Namie, born September 20, 1977) is a former Japanese 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 90s, 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 living, she is a pop culture icon in Japan and Asia. She has been referred to as "the diva of the 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, Okinawa, Japan, Amuro debuted as the lead singer of the idol group Super Monkey's when she was 14 years old. Despite early sales disappointments, she ventured into modeling and acting, attracting domestic attention with the group's best-selling single "Try Me (Watashi o Shinjite)". She signed to Avex Trax in 1995 and debuted as a solo artist with the single "Body Feels Exit". Her 1996 studio album, Sweet 19 Blues, sold over 3 million copies, setting the record at the time for the biggest selling album by a female artist in Japan and the highest selling album debut in the world (currently ranked #15 in the world’s largest first week album sales). One of the singles from her album Concentration 20 (1997), "Can You Celebrate?", is the best-selling single by a solo female artist in Japanese music history. From 1999, Amuro partnered with international musicians and producers on her records, beginning with Genius 2000 (2000). In the early 2000s, Amuro's music evolved from pop to R&B, and Amuro saw a decline in sales. Play (2007), her eighth studio album, heralded a period of commercial resurgence. She continued to experiment musically, moving to electronic dance music and English language songs with follow-up records Uncontrolled (2012) and Feel (2013). She subsequently released her eleventh studio album, Genic (2015) and a compilation album, Finally (2017).Amuro is noted within the Japanese entertainment industry, and the wider Western music industry, for "producing" and managing her own career. Aside from music, she has appeared in various advertisement campaigns in Japan and founded her own management company, Stella88, and her own record label, Dimension Point. Having sold more than 36 million records in Japan, Amuro is recognized as one of the best-selling artists in Japan by Oricon. Since her solo debut, she has top 10 singles for 23 consecutive years (#1 for solo artist). All of her albums are at least certified Platinum, and her debut solo album, Sweet 19 Blues, was the best selling album in Japan. She is the only artist in Japan selling million albums in her teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. Furthermore, her last album, Finally, topped the Year-End album charts of both Oricon and Billboard Japan for two consecutive years ( The first and only artist in the Japanese Music Industry to do so). Amuro has frequently been noted for her live performances at music award ceremonies and she is the recipient of World Music Awards, Japan Record Awards, Japan Gold Disc Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards Japan among many others. On September 16, 2018, Amuro officially retired from the music and entertainment business.
- Albums: Play, Genius 2000, Style, break the rules, SWEET 19 BLUES
- Orange Range is a 5-member Japanese rock band, based in Okinawa, Japan. Formed in 2001, the band began with Spice Music and later signed with Sony Music Japan's gr8! records division in 2003. The group left gr8! records in 2010 to start their own label, Super Echo.
- Albums: Tokyo Rock City, Natural, musiQ, 1st Contact, Orange Range
- Gackt Camui, professionally known as Gackt, hails from Okinawa, Japan and is a multi-faceted talent whose magnetism has transcended boundaries. Born on July 4, 1973, he ascended to stardom initially as a frontman of the visual kei rock band Malice Mizer in the 1990s. His unique blend of baroque aesthetics and gothic rock led the band to gain significant popularity. However, his desire to explore new creative avenues prompted him to embark on a solo career in 1999. Known for his broad vocal range and diverse musical style, Gackt quickly established himself as a pillar in the Japanese music industry. His debut solo album, Mars, was met with wide acclaim and solidified his status as an influential artist. Over time, his discography expanded to include numerous hit singles, albums, and successful tours, spanning genres from pop, rock, classical to electronic music - making him one of the best-selling music artists in Japan. Beyond his impressive music career, Gackt's charisma and distinctive style opened doors to other entertainment spheres. He ventured into acting, starring in several films and television dramas such as Fuurin Kazan and Moon Child. He also lent his voice and likeness to video game characters, most notably Genesis Rhapsodos in Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus. Not limiting himself to entertainment, Gackt demonstrated his prowess in writing with the release of his autobiography, Jihaku (Confessions). Throughout his career, Gackt has proven himself to be a true renaissance man, gifted in music, acting, and writing - leaving a lasting impact on the world of entertainment.
- Albums: Love Letter, Crescent, Rebirth, MOON, MARS
- Speed is a Japanese female vocal/dance group comprising Hiroko Shimabukuro, Eriko Imai, Takako Uehara and Hitoe Arakaki. All four members are former students of Okinawa Actors School which also trained popular artists Namie Amuro and MAX. Speed made their major label debut on August 5, 1996 and became an immediate success. They would eventually become the most successful girl group anywhere in Asia with sales of over 20 million singles and albums in just three years and eight months. They disbanded on March 31, 2000 to pursue solo careers and to study. Following their disbandment, the group reunited several times for charity, but on August 20, 2008 they officially announced plans to reunite permanently. They made their comeback on November 12, 2008 with the single "Ashita no Sora."
- Albums: Rise, Carry On my way, BRIDGE, White Love, Moment
- Olivia Lufkin (born December 9, 1979), professionally known as Olivia, is a Japanese-American bilingual singer and songwriter. She is the daughter of a Japanese mother and an American father. Her two younger siblings are Jeffrey Lufkin, a musician she regularly collaborates with, and Caroline Lufkin, an independent musician. Lufkin began her solo career after singing in the Japanese girl group, D&D. She gained mainstream success in 2006 after creating songs for the fictional band Trapnest under the alias of Olivia Inspi' Reira (Trapnest). The songs were used for the popular anime adaptation of Nana.
- Albums: OLIVIA inspi' REIRA (TRAPNEST), Re-act, Merry & Hell Go Round, synchronicity, The Lost Lolli
- Yu Yamada is an actress who appeared in "Nodame Cantabile," and "Nodame Cantabile: The Final Score - Part II."
- Albums: leave all behind, Fly So High, free
Cocco (こっこ) is a female Japanese pop / folk rock singer.- Albums: Sangrose, Rapunzel, Buugenbiria, Zanxian, Kumuiuta
- Takako Uehara (上原 多香子, Uehara Takako, born January 14, 1983) is a Japanese pop singer, actress, and former radio host. She is a member of the group Speed. Uehara was born in Okinawa, Japan.
- Albums: pupa, Blue Light Yokohama, FIRST WING
- MAX whose name is an acronym for "Musical Active eXperience" is a Japanese female vocal group. The original members of MAX made their musical debut as members of the Super Monkey's along with lead vocalist Namie Amuro. They branched out on their own in 1995, becoming stars in their own right with selling several million albums and a string of consecutive top 20 singles from 1996 to 2000. Their lead singer, Mina, left the group in 2002 due to pregnancy and was replaced by Aki Maeda who assumed the stage name Aki. Aki left the group in August 2008 to pursue a solo career. Original member Mina returned to the group on October 28, 2008 ushering in the group's comeback after a two-year hiatus. Since their debut MAX has sold over 10 million records. They are behind only Morning Musume for female group with the most consecutive top 10 singles, tying with Wink at 15. As a group, MAX established a new style for female idol groups, straying away from the traditional cute and innocent idol mold instead focusing on high impact choreography and a sexier, more adult image.
- Albums: MAXIMUM II, MAXIMUM GROOVE, MAXIMUM, MAXIMUM COLLECTION, Super Eurobeat Presents Hyper Euro Max
- Mākii (マーキー) (born August 23, 1987 in Okinawa, Japan) is a Japanese musician who was formerly the vocalist and songwriter for the Okinawa-based band High and Mighty Color. She was the youngest member of the band. She has an older brother who introduced her to the world of music and anime. When she performed at a concert in Okinawa in 2003, a scout for a record label noticed her and Anti Nobunaga. Mākii refused the offer at first, wanting to pursue her career in Canada as a solo artist and to master the English language, but she ultimately joined the band. In 2007, she debuted in her first film, Anata wo Wasurenai.On July 1, 2008, it was announced that Mākii had married Dreams Come True bassist & producer Masato Nakamura on June 22 and would be leaving the band by the end of 2008. In her parting message, Mākii thanked her fellow band members and all of their fans for supporting her and the group for such a long time.She resumed musical activities in 2013 under the stage name MAAKIII with her first single "Chokankakutekichikaku" (超感覚的知覚, "extrasensory perception").In 2017, she formed a new band DracoVirgo with several of her former High and Mighty Color band members.
- Eriko Imai (今井 絵理子, Imai Eriko) is a Japanese pop singer. She made her debut in the early 1990s as part of the group Speed, which disbanded in March 2000. Eriko began her work away from Speed during 1998, performing "Tsumetaku Shinai de", under the stage name "Eriko with Crunch", on the Speed single "All My True Love". After the group disbanded, Imai continued her career as a solo artist until Speed's reformation in 2008.
- Albums: Don't Stop the Music, Our Relation, Neverland
- Yuusuke Kuniyoshi (国吉祐輔, Kuniyoshi Yuusuke), known simply as Yuusuke (ユウスケ), was a vocalist of the Japanese band High and Mighty Color. He was the last member and the first vocalist to join the band before they were known as High and Mighty Color. He was born on January 25, 1985. He is known mainly for the screaming vocals in most of the band's songs. Yuusuke credits Metallica as one of his major musical influences.Yuusuke has now become SUN OF A STARVE's featuring vocal. They have released one EP entitled STARVE.
- HY is a Japanese rock band formed in 2000 by five high school friends from Okinawa. Their name comes from the initials of their hometown, Higashi Yakena. The band's popularity rose rapidly after a series of street performances; their debut album, Departure, released on 22 September 2001, sold out immediately. In 2002, the band conducted a joint live performance with Linkin Park. Their second album, Street Story, released on 16 April 2003 topped the Oricon charts, staying at number 1 for four straight weeks. Their third album, Trunk, was released on 12 April 2004, and yet again debuted at number 1 — the first time such a feat has been accomplished by an indies artist. The band's fourth album, Confidence released on 12 April 2006, created yet another indies music record by debuting at number 1 and retaining the top spot for two consecutive weeks. HY has sold out all of their solo concerts. Their 2006 tour was a 47-location nationwide tour which sold out the day that the tickets became available. The tour gathered over 88,000 people. In December 2006, HY's Kumakara Amae concert held in Nippon Budokan and Osaka-jo Hall sold out immediately and gathered over 20,000 fans in two days.
- Albums: ACHI SOUND ～HY LOVE SUMMER～, DEPARTURE, Street Story, AM11:00 (English Version), Parade
Caroline
Electronic music, Ambient musicCaroline Lufkin (born January 9, 1981) is a Japanese-American musician and the younger sister of the Japanese pop singer Olivia Lufkin. Caroline's music been released by Temporary Residence Ltd. Caroline is also a full-time member of Mice Parade (FatCat Records).- Albums: Murmurs, Where's My Love, Murmurs Mixes, Sunrise, Verdugo Hills
D-51
Pop music, J-popD-51 is a Japanese pop music band. D-51 is group consisting of two men, Yu and Yasu. They are signed under Pony Canyon label. According to its members, the name D-51 came from Japanese National Railways' D51 steam locomotive class. In 2005, they had their first big hit with the single No More Cry, which peaked at no. 5 on Oricon charts and became the 13th best selling single of the year, selling 402,034 copies.- Albums: ONENESS, No More Cry
SUPER MONKEY'S
Eurobeat, Pop music, Rock musicSuper Monkey's was a Japanese pop-singing and dancing group that spawned the careers of Namie Amuro and some members of the girl group, MAX.- Albums: ORIGINAL TRACKS VOL. 1, PARADISE TRAIN, DANCING JUNK, 太陽のSEASON, TRY ME～私を信じて～
Ryo Miyamori
J-pop- Mongol800 is a Japanese punk rock band from Urasoe, Okinawa, Japan consisting of three members. When they were aged 19, they released their first album. They have released five studio recordings, one single, and one live concert DVD. In 2001, despite low commercial attention, they sold over two-million records from the album Message. Several years afterwards, they released more albums with just as much success.
- Albums: GO ON AS YOU ARE, MESSAGE, Etc. Work, Daniel, 百々
