Change Myself
Encyclopedia
Change Myself is Japanese pop musician Iconiq's debut album, released on March 10, 2010. The album was initially planned for a February 24 release, however postponed for two weeks.
to study at dance and vocal schools. Iconiq cites this trip for the inspiration for the change/rebirth theme of her Japanese debut.
Iconiq returned to Japan in 2009, signed as an artist to Avex Entertainment. The stage name Iconiq was chosen for her re-debut, due to its strong impact and personal meaning/goal, "to become an icon for the era." believing the name had strong impact.
hair-style, often marketed as , along with the catch-phrase . Her hair style was suggested by her management as a strong image to compliment her desire for a theme of change.
Large-scale billboards showcasing Iconiq's hairstyle started appearing in Japanese city centres in late November, 2009. At the same time, her song "I'm Lovin' You
" (a duet with Exile vocalist Atsushi) started airing in commercials for Shiseido
's Maquillage cosmetics line, featuring actress Juri Ueno
.
"I'm Lovin' You" was announced as Iconiq's debut digital single, first released as a ringtone at Recochoku on December 9. The ringtone was the most popular at Recochoku for an entire week, the first time a debut artist has achieved this. By late January, the song had been downloaded as a ringtone approximately 300,000 times. On January 27, the song was simultaneously released as a cellphone digital download, as well as a special rental store only single.
Iconiq's second Maquillage commercial for Shiseido featured her personally, and was first announced in a press conference with a mini-live on the 19th of January. The new commercial song, "Change Myself
," was produced by Hiro
, who is known for producing such artists like Kumi Koda
and Namie Amuro
. The change concept and catch-phrase are directly related to the lyrics of the song, such as the chorus line . The song was released as a ringtone through Recochoku on the 20th, and the commercial began airing on the 21st. Much like its predecessor, the song debuted at #1 on Recochoku's weekly ranking chart. It was released as a download to cellphones on March 3. "Bye Now!
" followed as Iconiq's third Maquillage commercial in late February.
Starting a day before the album's release, Iconiq was the featured spokesperson for seven different company's commercials simultaneously: All Nippon Airways
, US fashion brand Kitson, Italian car manufacturer Maserati
, Rhythm Zone
, music download site Mu-Mo, Shiseido and Starbucks
. This was the first time a single person had promoted seven companies simultaneously in Japan. Each commercial was marketed with Iconiq's marketing phrase "I change. I change through music," however the company name replaced "music" in each incidence.
Iconiq also appeared in many fashion and music centred magazines, most notably on the cover of Ginger's February 2010 issue. She also featured in publications such as Anan, Barfout!, Bea's Up, Classy
, Flava, Frau, Gekkan Exile, Glamorous, Jelly, Junon
, Nikkan Entertainment, Sōen, Tokyo Headline, Vivi
and Voce.
's album charts, selling 32,000 copies. This was the first top three position debut album since Yui Aragaki
's Sora in late 2007. The album one further week in the top 10, eventually charting in the top 300 albums for 10 weeks, and selling a total of 63,000 copies.
Each digital single had moderate charting success. "I'm Lovin' You" reached #8 on RIAJ's full-length cellphone download Digital Track Chart
in February. "Change Myself"'s special edit version charted at #20, with the full-length version later peaking at #34. "Change Myself" also received minor airplay the week of the album's release, enough to reach #73 on Billboard's Japan Hot 100
chart. "Bye Now!" saw success on Billboard, peaking at #8 during the album's promotion due to strong airplay. It did not chart as highly as the other singles on the digital track charts, peaking at #47 (with the special edited version peaking at #49).
A special medley of the three promotional singles used in Shiseido Maquillage commercials saw minor digital success, peaking at #58.
Background
Iconiq originally released music in Japan and South Korea as the leader of the girl-group Sugar. Iconiq released two solo singles under the name Ahyoomee in Korea in 2006, with Sugar disbanding in December 2006. In 2008, Iconiq moved to West Hollywood, CaliforniaWest Hollywood, California
West Hollywood, a city of Los Angeles County, California, was incorporated on November 29, 1984, with a population of 34,399 at the 2010 census. 41% of the city's population is made up of gay men according to a 2002 demographic analysis by Sara Kocher Consulting for the City of West Hollywood...
to study at dance and vocal schools. Iconiq cites this trip for the inspiration for the change/rebirth theme of her Japanese debut.
Iconiq returned to Japan in 2009, signed as an artist to Avex Entertainment. The stage name Iconiq was chosen for her re-debut, due to its strong impact and personal meaning/goal, "to become an icon for the era." believing the name had strong impact.
Promotion
The bulk of the marketing for the album centred around Iconiq's buzz cutBuzz cut
A buzz cut, induction cut or wiffle is a very short haircut.The cut is usually performed using hair clippers without a comb guard. The sides are cut closely and then the top is either shaped or cut to the same short length all over. The cut takes just a few minutes to perform. A buzz cut can...
hair-style, often marketed as , along with the catch-phrase . Her hair style was suggested by her management as a strong image to compliment her desire for a theme of change.
Large-scale billboards showcasing Iconiq's hairstyle started appearing in Japanese city centres in late November, 2009. At the same time, her song "I'm Lovin' You
I'm Lovin' You
-Chart rankings:-Release history:...
" (a duet with Exile vocalist Atsushi) started airing in commercials for Shiseido
Shiseido
is a major Japanese hair care and cosmetics producer. It is the oldest cosmetics company in the world and the fourth largest cosmetics company in the world.-History:...
's Maquillage cosmetics line, featuring actress Juri Ueno
Juri Ueno
is a Japanese actress from Kakogawa, Hyogo, Japan. She was one of six actors to receive the "Newcomer of the Year" prize at the Japanese Academy Awards in 2005 for her role in Swing Girls....
.
"I'm Lovin' You" was announced as Iconiq's debut digital single, first released as a ringtone at Recochoku on December 9. The ringtone was the most popular at Recochoku for an entire week, the first time a debut artist has achieved this. By late January, the song had been downloaded as a ringtone approximately 300,000 times. On January 27, the song was simultaneously released as a cellphone digital download, as well as a special rental store only single.
Iconiq's second Maquillage commercial for Shiseido featured her personally, and was first announced in a press conference with a mini-live on the 19th of January. The new commercial song, "Change Myself
Change Myself (song)
"Change Myself" is Japanese/Korean musician Iconiq's second Japanese digital single, and the title track of her debut album, Change Myself. The song was central to much of the album's promotion, such as its use in commercials for Shiseido's Maquillage cosmetics range. The song's lyrics influenced...
," was produced by Hiro
Hiro (music producer)
Hiro is a Japanese music producer, associated with production company Digz, inc.. He began producing songs in 2007, beginning with dance group PaniCrew's single "Growing & Leaning." His most successful song is currently Kumi Koda's "Taboo," which reached #1 on Oricon's single charts in 2008...
, who is known for producing such artists like Kumi Koda
Kumi Koda
, better known by her stage name , is a Japanese singer and songwriter from Kyoto, known for her urban and R&B songs. Having debuted in 2000 with the single "Take Back", Koda gained fame for her seventh single, "Real Emotion/1000 no Kotoba", the songs of which were used as themes for the video game...
and Namie Amuro
Namie Amuro
is a Japanese R&B and pop singer, entertainer, and former actress who at the height of her popularity was referred to as the "Teen Queen" and the title "Queen of Japanese Pop Music". Born in Naha, Okinawa, Amuro debuted at the age of 14 as an idol in the girl group Super Monkey's...
. The change concept and catch-phrase are directly related to the lyrics of the song, such as the chorus line . The song was released as a ringtone through Recochoku on the 20th, and the commercial began airing on the 21st. Much like its predecessor, the song debuted at #1 on Recochoku's weekly ranking chart. It was released as a download to cellphones on March 3. "Bye Now!
Bye Now!
"Bye Now!" is a song by Japanese/Korean musician Iconiq, and the lead promotional track from her debut album, Change Myself, released in March 2010. It was widely played at radio stations during the album's release, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100...
" followed as Iconiq's third Maquillage commercial in late February.
Starting a day before the album's release, Iconiq was the featured spokesperson for seven different company's commercials simultaneously: All Nippon Airways
All Nippon Airways
, also known as or ANA, is one of the largest airlines in Japan. It is headquartered at the Shiodome City Center in the Shiodome area in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It operates services to 49 destinations in Japan and 35 international routes and employed over 14,000 employees as of May 2009...
, US fashion brand Kitson, Italian car manufacturer Maserati
Maserati
Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993...
, Rhythm Zone
Rhythm Zone
is a record label in the Avex Records Group which releases all kinds of urban contemporary Japanese music.-History:The label was founded in 1999 by Max Matsuura to address the need for a new urban music label, signing M-Flo as its first artist, then followed by Exile.In 2000, Koda Kumi was signed...
, music download site Mu-Mo, Shiseido and Starbucks
Starbucks
Starbucks Corporation is an international coffee and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 17,009 stores in 55 countries, including over 11,000 in the United States, over 1,000 in Canada, over 700 in the United Kingdom, and...
. This was the first time a single person had promoted seven companies simultaneously in Japan. Each commercial was marketed with Iconiq's marketing phrase "I change. I change through music," however the company name replaced "music" in each incidence.
Iconiq also appeared in many fashion and music centred magazines, most notably on the cover of Ginger's February 2010 issue. She also featured in publications such as Anan, Barfout!, Bea's Up, Classy
Classy (magazine)
Monthly Classy Magazine is a Japanese women's magazine published by Kobunsha. Its title Classy is derived from the English adjective classy. It is a sister magazine of JJ, and has been published since 1984 by the same company...
, Flava, Frau, Gekkan Exile, Glamorous, Jelly, Junon
Junon (magazine)
Junon is a monthly Japanese fashion magazine primarily directed towards teenage girls and women. It began circulation in June 1973.-External links:* *...
, Nikkan Entertainment, Sōen, Tokyo Headline, Vivi
Vivi (magazine)
is a Japanese fashion magazine published by K L. ViVi is one of Asia's top fashion magazines, and is published in Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand...
and Voce.
Chart reception
In the albums first week, it debuted at #3 on OriconOricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
's album charts, selling 32,000 copies. This was the first top three position debut album since Yui Aragaki
Yui Aragaki
is a Japanese idol, model, actress, singer, seiyū and occasional radio show host of Ryukyuan ancestry.She is particularly recognized for her beauty and her movie projects.- Overview :...
's Sora in late 2007. The album one further week in the top 10, eventually charting in the top 300 albums for 10 weeks, and selling a total of 63,000 copies.
Each digital single had moderate charting success. "I'm Lovin' You" reached #8 on RIAJ's full-length cellphone download Digital Track Chart
RIAJ Digital Track Chart
The is chart ranks the best selling digital singles in Japan, provided by the Recording Industry Association of Japan since April 2009. The chart measures cellphone downloads ....
in February. "Change Myself"'s special edit version charted at #20, with the full-length version later peaking at #34. "Change Myself" also received minor airplay the week of the album's release, enough to reach #73 on Billboard's Japan Hot 100
Japan Hot 100
The Japan Hot 100 is a music singles chart in Japan. It is compiled by Billboard and Hanshin Contents Link ever since February 2008. The chart is updated every Wednesday at billboard-japan.com and every Thursday at billboard.com ....
chart. "Bye Now!" saw success on Billboard, peaking at #8 during the album's promotion due to strong airplay. It did not chart as highly as the other singles on the digital track charts, peaking at #47 (with the special edited version peaking at #49).
A special medley of the three promotional singles used in Shiseido Maquillage commercials saw minor digital success, peaking at #58.
Track listing
Chart rankings
| Chart (2010) |
Peak position |
|---|---|
| Oricon Oricon , established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc... weekly albums |
3 |
| Soundscan weekly albums (CD+DVD) | 4 |
| Soundscan weekly albums (CD only) | 16 |
Reported sales
| Chart | Amount |
|---|---|
| Oricon Oricon , established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc... physical sales |
64,000 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Distributing Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | CD | Rhythm Zone Rhythm Zone is a record label in the Avex Records Group which releases all kinds of urban contemporary Japanese music.-History:The label was founded in 1999 by Max Matsuura to address the need for a new urban music label, signing M-Flo as its first artist, then followed by Exile.In 2000, Koda Kumi was signed... |
|
| Taiwan | Avex Asia | ||
| South Korea | SM Entertainment SM Entertainment S.M. Entertainment is an independent Korean record label, talent agency, producer, and publisher of pop music, founded by Lee Soo-man in South Korea... |
||
| Hong Kong | Avex Asia | ||
| Japan | Rental CD | Rhythm Zone | |
| PC download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... , cellphone download |
Rhythm Zone |