Dragon Ash
Encyclopedia
are a Japan
ese Rap metal
group founded in 1996 by Furuya "Kj" Kenji and Sakurai Makoto. They are an icon in Japan and were one of the first groups to popularize hip hop
in Japan. They brought a western flavor to Japanese music and helped to turn rap music mainstream, with a mixture of reggae
, rap
, metal
, punk
, Spanish
, and R&B
influences. Some of their best known songs include "Grateful Days
", "Life Goes On", and "I Love Hip Hop
". Kenji has stated in several interviews that the reason Dragon Ash started out as a pseudo-punk band was because, at the time, punk was popular in Japan, and his handlers felt that the hip hop image wouldn't sell. He has also noted that hip hop has always been first in his book, but he did what was necessary to become successful in the industry. Dragon Ash is a member of Mob Squad, which is an affiliation with the bands Source and Endive.
. Later the same year, they released their first album, Mustang!. In 1999, Bots joined the group, and that March the band made their first big break with their 4th single, "Let yourself go, let myself go
," which hit #7 on the Oricon Weekly Singles chart, and eventually climbed to #4, selling a total of 640,000 copies. In May they simultaneously released their 5th and 6th singles, "Grateful Days
" and "I Love Hip Hop
," which debuted at #3 and #4, respectively. When these two singles debuted, ""Let yourself go, let myself go" had not yet dropped off the top 10 chart, giving Dragon Ash 3 top 10 singles at the same time. "Grateful Days" would eventually go on to #1, becoming both the first hip hop work and the first mixture band single to reach the #1 spot. The band finally reached the peak of their success when they released their third album, Viva la Revolution
, in July and it hit #1 on its debut week.
The band continued to be successful throughout the turn of the century, collaborating with the hip hop group Rappagariya on Deep Impact in 2000 and consistently pulling in #1 spots on both the singles and albums charts with their new releases. In 2003 the group expanded to include it's full current roster of members, bringing in Hiroki, Atsushi, and Dri-V. In 2007 they celebrated their 10th anniversary by simultaneously releasing two best-of albums, The Best of Dragon Ash with Changes Vol.1 and The Best of Dragon Ash with Changes Vol.2. Both albums hit #1 upon their debut.
group, The Smashing Pumpkins
. These songs include "Cherub Rock
", in which they sample the bass line from The Smashing Pumpkins song by the same name, and "Grateful Days
" in which they sample the opening of "Today"; they also named the song "Siva
" after the Pumpkins song.
was used as the ending theme for the popular Japanese movie, Battle Royale
. Kenji Furuya has also worked on several side projects in recent years, including being the frontman of Steady & Co.
, a Japanese hip hop and music production
group consisting of himself, Bots, Ilmari of Rip Slyme
, and Shigeo of SBK (Skebo King). In addition to Steady & Co., Furuya has also collaborated with other Japanese hip hop artists on the Mob Squad
album and subsequent label.
2003
2004
2007
Digital download
-limited singles
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese Rap metal
Rap metal
Rap metal is a subgenre of rap rock which fuses vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop music with heavy metal.-History:Rap metal originated from rap rock, a genre fusing vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop with rock...
group founded in 1996 by Furuya "Kj" Kenji and Sakurai Makoto. They are an icon in Japan and were one of the first groups to popularize hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
in Japan. They brought a western flavor to Japanese music and helped to turn rap music mainstream, with a mixture of reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
, rap
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
, metal
Metal
A metal , is an element, compound, or alloy that is a good conductor of both electricity and heat. Metals are usually malleable and shiny, that is they reflect most of incident light...
, punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, Spanish
Music of Spain
The Music of Spain has a long history and has played an important part in the development of western music. It has had a particularly strong influence upon Latin American music. The music of Spain is often associated abroad with traditions like flamenco and the classical guitar but Spanish music...
, and R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
influences. Some of their best known songs include "Grateful Days
Grateful Days
"Grateful Days" is the fourth maxi single by Japanese group Dragon Ash, released in 1999. It was released on the same day as "I Love Hip Hop", and both singles quickly gained popularity in Japan....
", "Life Goes On", and "I Love Hip Hop
I Love Hip Hop
"I Love Hip Hop" is the fifth maxi single by Dragon Ash, released in 1999. It was released on the same day as "Grateful Days" and both singles quickly gained popularity in Japan....
". Kenji has stated in several interviews that the reason Dragon Ash started out as a pseudo-punk band was because, at the time, punk was popular in Japan, and his handlers felt that the hip hop image wouldn't sell. He has also noted that hip hop has always been first in his book, but he did what was necessary to become successful in the industry. Dragon Ash is a member of Mob Squad, which is an affiliation with the bands Source and Endive.
History
Dragon Ash was formed by Furuya Kenji and Sakurai Makoto when the two were in junior high. In 1996, they held an audition and eventually selected bassist Baba Ikuzou to join the band. At the time, Furuya and Sakurai were still only teenagers, while Baba was 30 years old, and was likely selected to act as a mentor for the group. They debuted in February 1997 with the mini single The Day Dragged OnThe Day Dragged On
The Day Dragged On is the first commercial release and first mini-album by Dragon Ash; released in 1997. The song 天使ノロック became a Buzz Clip on MTV Japan for one week.The hidden track Normal consists of a telephone call which plays a demo of the song Ability → Normal from their...
. Later the same year, they released their first album, Mustang!. In 1999, Bots joined the group, and that March the band made their first big break with their 4th single, "Let yourself go, let myself go
Let Yourself Go, Let Myself Go
"Let Yourself Go, Let Myself Go" is the third maxi single by Japanese group Dragon Ash, released in 1999.-Track listing:#"Let Yourself Go, Let Myself Go" – 5:07#"Humanity" – 3:19#"M" – 3:58#"Dedication" – 2:54...
," which hit #7 on the Oricon Weekly Singles chart, and eventually climbed to #4, selling a total of 640,000 copies. In May they simultaneously released their 5th and 6th singles, "Grateful Days
Grateful Days
"Grateful Days" is the fourth maxi single by Japanese group Dragon Ash, released in 1999. It was released on the same day as "I Love Hip Hop", and both singles quickly gained popularity in Japan....
" and "I Love Hip Hop
I Love Hip Hop
"I Love Hip Hop" is the fifth maxi single by Dragon Ash, released in 1999. It was released on the same day as "Grateful Days" and both singles quickly gained popularity in Japan....
," which debuted at #3 and #4, respectively. When these two singles debuted, ""Let yourself go, let myself go" had not yet dropped off the top 10 chart, giving Dragon Ash 3 top 10 singles at the same time. "Grateful Days" would eventually go on to #1, becoming both the first hip hop work and the first mixture band single to reach the #1 spot. The band finally reached the peak of their success when they released their third album, Viva la Revolution
Viva La Revolution
Viva la Revolution is the third full-length album by Dragon Ash; released in 1999. It is the first full-length album after Dragon Ash member DJ BOTS formally joined, creating the new hip hop/rock amalgamation sound which they have since become known for...
, in July and it hit #1 on its debut week.
The band continued to be successful throughout the turn of the century, collaborating with the hip hop group Rappagariya on Deep Impact in 2000 and consistently pulling in #1 spots on both the singles and albums charts with their new releases. In 2003 the group expanded to include it's full current roster of members, bringing in Hiroki, Atsushi, and Dri-V. In 2007 they celebrated their 10th anniversary by simultaneously releasing two best-of albums, The Best of Dragon Ash with Changes Vol.1 and The Best of Dragon Ash with Changes Vol.2. Both albums hit #1 upon their debut.
Influences
The group uses various samples, most notably from the famous American alternative rockAlternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
group, The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
. These songs include "Cherub Rock
Cherub Rock
"Cherub Rock" is a song by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. It was the first single from their second album, Siamese Dream , and was written by lead vocalist and guitarist Billy Corgan...
", in which they sample the bass line from The Smashing Pumpkins song by the same name, and "Grateful Days
Grateful Days
"Grateful Days" is the fourth maxi single by Japanese group Dragon Ash, released in 1999. It was released on the same day as "I Love Hip Hop", and both singles quickly gained popularity in Japan....
" in which they sample the opening of "Today"; they also named the song "Siva
Siva (song)
"Siva" is a song by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. It was the first single from their debut album Gish, and was written by Billy Corgan...
" after the Pumpkins song.
Side Projects
Dragon Ash has gained some popularity outside Japan when the song Shizuka na Hibi no Kaidan WoShizuka na Hibi no Kaidan Wo
"Shizuka na Hibi no Kaidan Wo" is the sixth LP recording by Dragon Ash; released in 2000. The title track was the ending theme for the popular Japanese film Battle Royale, also released in 2000.-Side A:...
was used as the ending theme for the popular Japanese movie, Battle Royale
Battle Royale (film)
is a 2000 Japanese film directed by Kinji Fukasaku based on the novel of the same name. It was written by Kenta Fukasaku and stars Takeshi Kitano. The film aroused international controversy.A sequel, Battle Royale II: Requiem, followed...
. Kenji Furuya has also worked on several side projects in recent years, including being the frontman of Steady & Co.
Steady & Co.
Steady & Co., was a Japanese hip hop and music production group consisting of Kenji Furuya, Bots, both of Dragon Ash, Ilmari of Rip Slyme, and Shigeo of Skebo King.-Singles:*2001 Stay Gold*2001 Shunkashūtō*2001 Only Holy Story...
, a Japanese hip hop and music production
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
group consisting of himself, Bots, Ilmari of Rip Slyme
Rip Slyme
Rip Slyme is a Japanese hip hop group. It is composed of four MCs; Ryo-Z, Ilmari, Pes & Su, and a DJ, Fumiya...
, and Shigeo of SBK (Skebo King). In addition to Steady & Co., Furuya has also collaborated with other Japanese hip hop artists on the Mob Squad
Mob Squad (album)
Mob Squad is a split album by Dragon Ash, Source, and Mach25; released in 2003. It was released on the independent Mob Squad label formed between the three bands in 2003...
album and subsequent label.
Members
- Kenji "Kj" Furuya – vocals, guitar
- Ikuzo "Iküzöne" Baba – bass
- Makoto Sakurai – drums
- Bots – DJ, samples, joined in 1999
- Hiroki – electric guitar, joined in 2003
- Atsushi – dance, joined in 2003
- Dri-V – dance, joined in 2003
Awards & nominations
2002- MTV Video Music Awards JapanMTV Video Music Awards JapanThe MTV Video Music Awards Japan are the Japanese version of the MTV Video Music Awards.Like the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, in this event artists are awarded for their songs and videos through online voting from the same channel viewers...
- Best Rock Artist (Winner) - MTV Video Music Awards JapanMTV Video Music Awards JapanThe MTV Video Music Awards Japan are the Japanese version of the MTV Video Music Awards.Like the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, in this event artists are awarded for their songs and videos through online voting from the same channel viewers...
- Best Group - MTV Video Music Awards JapanMTV Video Music Awards JapanThe MTV Video Music Awards Japan are the Japanese version of the MTV Video Music Awards.Like the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, in this event artists are awarded for their songs and videos through online voting from the same channel viewers...
- Best Live Performance - MTV Video Music Awards JapanMTV Video Music Awards JapanThe MTV Video Music Awards Japan are the Japanese version of the MTV Video Music Awards.Like the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, in this event artists are awarded for their songs and videos through online voting from the same channel viewers...
- Best Website
2003
- MTV Video Music Awards JapanMTV Video Music Awards JapanThe MTV Video Music Awards Japan are the Japanese version of the MTV Video Music Awards.Like the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, in this event artists are awarded for their songs and videos through online voting from the same channel viewers...
- Best Rock Video - Fantasista
2004
- MTV Video Music Awards JapanMTV Video Music Awards JapanThe MTV Video Music Awards Japan are the Japanese version of the MTV Video Music Awards.Like the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, in this event artists are awarded for their songs and videos through online voting from the same channel viewers...
- Best Rock Video - Morrow - MTV Video Music Awards JapanMTV Video Music Awards JapanThe MTV Video Music Awards Japan are the Japanese version of the MTV Video Music Awards.Like the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, in this event artists are awarded for their songs and videos through online voting from the same channel viewers...
- Best Group Video - Morrow
2007
- MTV Video Music Awards JapanMTV Video Music Awards JapanThe MTV Video Music Awards Japan are the Japanese version of the MTV Video Music Awards.Like the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, in this event artists are awarded for their songs and videos through online voting from the same channel viewers...
- Best buzzASIA Japan - Ivory
Albums
- 1997: Mustang!
- 1998: Buzz SongsBuzz SongsBuzz Songs is the second full-length album by Dragon Ash; released in 1998.Buzz Songs is the first full-length album where Dragon Ash member DJ BOTS can be found supplying scratch and beat samples to several of the songs, before he officially joined in 1999.-Track listing:#"Intro " – 1:24#"Cool...
- 1999: Viva La RevolutionViva La RevolutionViva la Revolution is the third full-length album by Dragon Ash; released in 1999. It is the first full-length album after Dragon Ash member DJ BOTS formally joined, creating the new hip hop/rock amalgamation sound which they have since become known for...
- 2001: Lily Of Da ValleyLily Of Da ValleyLily of da Valley is the fourth full-length album by Dragon Ash; released in 2001. The limited edition features Episode 2 ft. SHUN, SHIGEO （Album Version） as a bonus track....
- 2003: HarvestHarvest (Dragon Ash album)Harvest is the fifth studio full-length album by Dragon Ash, released in 2003.-Track listing:All songs written by Dragon Ash.#"Intro" – 0:58#"House of Velocity" – 4:30#"Posse in Noise" – 4:00#"Revive" – 4:34#"United Rhythm ft...
- 2004: Harvest RemixesHarvest RemixesHarvest Remixes is a remix album by Dragon Ash; released in 2004. It includes remixes of ten tracks from their previous album, Harvest. The remixes were produced by the duo of Kj and BOTS from Dragon Ash under the name Fellows Inc. with help from other members Makoto Sakurai and Hiroki...
- 2005: Río de EmociónRío de EmociónRío de Emoción is the sixth full-length album by Dragon Ash; released in 2005. It draws heavily on Spanish influences, with several of the tracks drawing influences from Spanish music and instruments. The title of the album is also Spanish for River of Emotion. The track Resound ft...
- 2007: IndependienteIndependiente (album)Independiente is the seventh full-length album by Dragon Ash; released in 2007. It was released on February 21, 2007, and it serves as the group's 10th anniversary commemorative album, released exactly ten years after their debut release The Day Dragged On.-Track listing:#"Independiente " –...
- 2009: FreedomFreedom (Dragon Ash album)Freedom is eighth full-length studio album by Dragon Ash. It was released on March 4, 2009.-Track listing:# "Intro" – 1:31# "Freedom" – 3:59# "Desperado" – 3:26# "Ordinary" – 3:47# "Big Town Rhapsody" – 4:00# "Velvet Touch" – 4:04...
- 2010: Mixture
EPs
- 1997: The Day Dragged OnThe Day Dragged OnThe Day Dragged On is the first commercial release and first mini-album by Dragon Ash; released in 1997. The song 天使ノロック became a Buzz Clip on MTV Japan for one week.The hidden track Normal consists of a telephone call which plays a demo of the song Ability → Normal from their...
- 1997: Public Garden
Singles/maxi singles
- 1997: "Rainy Day And DayRainy Day And Day"Rainy Day And Day" is the first single released by Japanese group Dragon Ash; released in 1997. Their subsequent releases had been either maxi singles or LPs containing three or more tracks, until the 2008 release of Velvet Touch which contains only the title track and B-Side "cover" La Bamba...
" - 1998: "Hi Wa Mata Noborikuri KaesuHi Wa Mata Noborikuri Kaesu"Hi Wa Mata Noborikuri Kaesu" is the first maxi single by Japanese group Dragon Ash, released in 1998. The single's title track was the opening theme to the 1998 anime DT Eightron....
" - 1998: "Under Age's SongUnder Age's Song"Under Age's Song" is the second maxi single by Japanese group Dragon Ash, released in 1998.-Track listing:#"Under Age's Song" – 6:00#"Face to Face" – 5:06#"Mustang A Go Go !!!" – 4:35...
" - 1999: "Let Yourself Go, Let Myself GoLet Yourself Go, Let Myself Go"Let Yourself Go, Let Myself Go" is the third maxi single by Japanese group Dragon Ash, released in 1999.-Track listing:#"Let Yourself Go, Let Myself Go" – 5:07#"Humanity" – 3:19#"M" – 3:58#"Dedication" – 2:54...
" - 1999: "Grateful DaysGrateful Days"Grateful Days" is the fourth maxi single by Japanese group Dragon Ash, released in 1999. It was released on the same day as "I Love Hip Hop", and both singles quickly gained popularity in Japan....
" - 1999: "I Love Hip HopI Love Hip Hop"I Love Hip Hop" is the fifth maxi single by Dragon Ash, released in 1999. It was released on the same day as "Grateful Days" and both singles quickly gained popularity in Japan....
" - 2000: "Deep Impact"
- 2000: "Summer TribeSummer Tribe"Summer Tribe" is the seventh maxi single by Dragon Ash; released in 2000. The song Episode 2 features members of the hip hop group Skebo King while the remix features DJ Fumiya of Rip Slyme.Summer Tribe was also released as an LP on the same day...
" - 2000: "Lily's E.P.Lily's E.P.Lily's E.P. is the eighth maxi single by Dragon Ash; released in 2000. It is stated on the CD packaging that both Amploud and 静かな日々の階段を are lead tracks, as opposed to the general trend in the record industry to dedicate singles to one lead or title track.-Track listing:#"Amploud" –...
" - 2002: "Life Goes On"
- 2002: "Fantasista"
- 2003: "Morrow"
- 2004: "Shade"
- 2005: "Crush The WindowCrush The Window"Crush The Window" is the thirteenth maxi single by Dragon Ash; released in 2005.-Track listing:#"Crush The Window" – 4:20#"Resound ft. HIDE, 136" – 4:50#"Soldier" – 3:22...
" - 2005: "Yuunagi UnionYuunagi Union"Yuunagi Union" is the fourteenth maxi single by Dragon Ash; released in 2005.-Track listing:#"夕凪Union" – 4:48#"Round Up" – 4:35#"Spriggan" – 3:02...
" - 2006: "Ivory"
- 2006: "Few Lights Till NightFew Lights Till Night"Few Lights till Night" is the sixteenth maxi single by Dragon Ash; released in 2006. It was part of the countdown to Dragon Ash's tenth anniversary album Independiente released in 2007.-Track listing:#"Few Lights till Night" – 4:36#"Stir" – 4:19...
" - 2006: "Yume de AetaraYume de Aetara (song)"Yume de Aetara" is the seventeenth maxi single by Dragon Ash; released in late 2006. Like their previous two singles, this single was part of the countdown to Dragon Ash's tenth anniversary album Independiente released in 2007....
" - 2008: "Velvet Touch"
- 2008: "Tsunagari Sunset"
- 2009: "Unmei Kyoudoutai"
- 2010: "Ambitious"
- 2010: "Spirit of Progress E.P."
Digital 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...
-limited singles
- 2009: "Callin'"
LPs
- 1998: Free Your Mind #33Free Your Mind 33"Free Your Mind #33" is the first LP recording by Japanese group Dragon Ash, released in 1998.Dragon Ash chose to release an LP format record because after the release of Buzz Songs in 1998, their new hip hop sound was escalating and there was a high demand for analogue versions of 陽はまたのぼりくりかえす ...
- 2000: Deep Impact
- 2000: Summer TribeSummer Tribe"Summer Tribe" is the seventh maxi single by Dragon Ash; released in 2000. The song Episode 2 features members of the hip hop group Skebo King while the remix features DJ Fumiya of Rip Slyme.Summer Tribe was also released as an LP on the same day...
- 2000: Episode 2
- 2000: AmploudAmploudAmploud is the fifth LP recording by Dragon Ash; released in 2000. The song Amploud （Modern Beatnik Mix） was remixed with the help of Koji Kurumatani .-Side B:#"Amploud " – 3:34...
- 2000: Shizuka na Hibi no Kaidan WoShizuka na Hibi no Kaidan Wo"Shizuka na Hibi no Kaidan Wo" is the sixth LP recording by Dragon Ash; released in 2000. The title track was the ending theme for the popular Japanese film Battle Royale, also released in 2000.-Side A:...
- 2004: Harvest RemixesHarvest RemixesHarvest Remixes is a remix album by Dragon Ash; released in 2004. It includes remixes of ten tracks from their previous album, Harvest. The remixes were produced by the duo of Kj and BOTS from Dragon Ash under the name Fellows Inc. with help from other members Makoto Sakurai and Hiroki...
Compilation albums
- 2007: The Best of Dragon Ash with Changes Vol.1
- 2007: The Best of Dragon Ash with Changes Vol.2
DVD
- 2001: Buzz Clips
- 2001: Lily Da Video
- 2003: Posse In Video
- 2005: Video de Emoción
- 2007: The Best Of Dragon Ash With Changes