Crystal Kay release Superman PV

Gorgeous gal Crystal Kay released her new PV for her upcoming single "Superman". It is her first single with her new label Universal Music Japan.

Koda Kumi to perform at MAMA

It’s been announced that singer Koda Kumi will make an appearance at the “2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA)” which will be held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on November 29th.  MAMA is the biggest music award show in Asia which is broadcasted live in 45 countries, and this upcoming show will be the 13th time for the event to be held.

Koda who has been active inside and outside Japan, received an offer for her powerful performance and singing skill.

Koda will be the only Japanese artist at MAMA, and she will go on the stage with other great artists.  She commented, “I would like to try my best on the performance with great enthusiasm.”  Koda will also release a new single “Love Me Back” on the 30th.

Source: Tokyohive

I've been waiting for this for a long time. I've been hoping to see her perform on a Korean show and I finally get my wish!

Rainbow - Mach (Japanese Dance version)

Mach is probably my favorite song from Rainbow, either that or To Me. The girls look great and I think sound even better in Japanese.

Himeka to release her first album!

It’s been revealed that anime singer HIMEKA will be releasing her 1st album, “Himekanvas“, on November 30th.

The album will include “Hatenaki Michi“, the ending theme song for “Tegamibachi“, and the ending theme song for “Senkou no Night Raid“.

HIMEKA came to Japan from Canada on a working holiday visa back in March of 2008. She then wonthe ‘Second Annual Animax Anison Grand Prix‘, which led her to make her debut in May 2009 with the single, “Ashita e no Kizuna“. This past summer, she held a live concert at the anime convention, “OTAKUTHON“, in Canada.

Check out the jacket covers for “Himekanvas” below!

Queen Beni gives a live performance of Darlin'

Princess Maki delivers an acoustic version of "You" off her recent album

Former Morning Musume member Maki Goto performed "You" off her latest album Voice on nico nico live on 11/3.



Gonna cry buckets when she goes on hiatus. For those that don't know, Maki will be taking a leave from her music career starting next year. Maki has endured many hardships in her short 26 years, with the death of her father in 1996 and her mother in 2010. Her younger brother was also arrested in 2007. Many fans believe the death of her mother has influenced her coming hiatus. Voice is Maki's first full album with avex, and on November 3rd she held her final handshake event according to Tokyohive:

On November 3rd, singer Goto Maki held a release event for her final album, “Aikotoba (VOICE)“, at Lazona Kawasaki.

Goto, who will be going on hiatus after this year, felt tears brim when she surveyed the crowd of 10,000 fans.”I’m moved to tears. I was fine just a few minutes ago, this is strange,” she said.

She continued, “It’s been a while since I met my fans. My feelings run high being welcomed at a place like this after my hiatus announcement.”

The release event consisted of a mini-live and a handshake event. Before kicking off the handshake event, Goto reflected on the time when she debuted at 13 years old. She confessed, “During that time, I was so preoccupied that I didn’t have a private life. These past few years, I was able to create music I wanted to make with the staff. I think I’m slowly growing.”

Noting that her final live at Makuhari Messe was nearing, Goto commented, “Little by little, I’m starting to feel the reality. I haven’t reached the final point yet. I want to show the Goto Maki no one has ever seen before.”

As for her plans during her hiatus, she stated, “I have no plans. I want to stay at home at my own leisure until I find something I want to do. I want to get married in about 2 or 3 years!!”

Goto also showed her interest in joining Dream Morning Musume by saying, “Standing on this stage, it’s like my home, so I would be delighted if they invited me.” She then shared that she’s been exchanging e-mails with her ’senpai’ Nakazaka Yuko, ”She told me that she’s supporting me from the shadows. I never thought I would receive a mail like that, I was so surprised.” 

Maki has grown from a wonderful Hello!Project idol to an amazing singer and songwriter.  She will be missed greatly from fans who will eagerly await her return.

Make sure to purchase her album if you enjoy it. This will be her first and final full album before her leave.

Regular Edition

Album + DVD

Album + DVD First Press Limited Edition

I'll be writing a full bio on her in a couple weeks. In the meantime, enjoy this video of two of her songs from Voice

                                                                         

NINKI ratings for the week of 11/8~11/14

Albums:

01  KinKi Kids - K album

02  Sakamoto Maaya - Driving in the silence

03  Howie D - Back To Me

04  Taylor Swift - The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection

05  Quruli - Kiseki / Original Soundtrack

06  Kim Hyun Joong - Lucky

07  TEE - Baby I Love You

08  Base Ball Bear - Shin Kokyuu

09  IL DIVO - WICKED GAME

10  Teshima Aoi - Collection Blue

Singles:

01  SKE48 - Oki Doki

02  Sandaime J Soul Brothers - Refrain

03  Yusuke - Isshoukenmei / Inazuma Zamurai

04  Nishino Kana - Tatoe Donna ni...

05  765PRO ALLSTARS - CHANGE!!!!

06  Berryz Koubou×℃-ute - Amazuppai Haru ni Sakura Saku

07  ViViD - FAKE

08  Kuribayashi Minami - Kimi no Naka no Eiyuu

09  Kitamura Eri - Shirushi

10  LM.C - The LOVE SONG

Note: Ninki ratings are just a measure of anticipation for upcoming releases, and do not indicate how well an artist will do on sales charts.