Halcali
Encyclopedia
, is a Japanese pop
and new-school inspired hip-hop
duo
consisting of members Halca (born April 21, 1988) and Yucali (born July 18, 1987) from Meguro, Tokyo
, Japan. Its name is a portmanteau of and .
Their debut album, Halcali Bacon
, reached #5 on the Oricon charts, making it the first album by a female hip-hop artist to enter the top ten in Japanese history.
Halcali also made their American debut in May 2008 as the musical guests of honor at the Chicago Japanese culture, manga
and anime
convention entitled Anime Central
. They performed again in America at Central Park
, New York City on June 1, 2008 as part of a Japan
Day Festival as part of a Japanese tourism campaign.
On May 26, 2010, they released their fourth album, Tokyo Groove
, and released a subsequent mini-album on February 9, 2011 entitled Tokyo Connection.
In 2002, Haruka and Yukari noticed a pink flier for an audition to become a "female hip hop unit" which was held by the group Rip Slyme
. Yukari admitted that the both of them entered the competition simply to see what it was.
Among hundreds of entrants, Haruka and Yukari were chosen to form Halcali. The girls modestly spoke of their formation, saying that although there were many girls cuter than themselves, Rip Slyme
and Oshare Toy Factory riskily chose them. Yukari stated, "Sometimes it's like you want to have a piece of really gross gum- Just to see!"
at the Budokan theatre. There, Halcali performed with Rip Slyme and were introduced along with their debut single, .
"Tandem" was released on January 8, 2003 and was marketed on several Japanese television networks, along with MTV
. The single entered into the Oricon Charts at position 19.
The time between the release of their first single to that of their debut album Halcali moved away from mainstream J-pop and toward a style combining pop and rap; an airy, self-parody "bubblegum" rap in the vein of earlier groups such as East End X Yuri. This was evident in their second and third singles, and released in mid-2003. Both singles focused on rap rather than pop.
The latter song attracted attention from Western audiences when it appeared on Adam and Joe Go Tokyo
.
After the release of "Strawberry Chips", Halcali's visual style shifted, along with the layout and lyrical style of their songs. Their fifth single, , was the first to showcase this new style. This change in style is attributed to Halcali's coming-of-age, however it also represents the changing of fads that occurred in Japanese teens at the time and was necessary to retain their fanbase.
Their sixth single, "Baby Blue!", was an instant cult hit. The album art and video featured the character Hanpanda, a trend by Japanese artist Nagi Noda
, which has since become popular.
entries. She shows focus for performances, commentating seriously on those commenting on her in TV appearances. She has recently become more focused on fashion, and has appeared in Barfout, a fashion magazine, along with Yucali.
As Haruka & Yukari have matured, they have taken on the role of writing their own rhymes & lyrics and composing their own music. Their 3rd album, サイボーグ俺達 (Cyborg Oretachi), featured many tracks which were written or co-written by Halcali. Every single after this album has also been written by or co-written by Halcali as well.
The girls are currently playing various lives to promote their music. They're also hard at work on their upcoming 4th album; their blogs also hint that they've been in the studio writing new songs.
television series.
(* Denotes a Collaborative single as Tokyo No.1 Soul Set + Halcali)
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and new-school inspired 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...
duo
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
consisting of members Halca (born April 21, 1988) and Yucali (born July 18, 1987) from Meguro, Tokyo
Meguro, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. It calls itself Meguro City in English.Meguro hosts fifteen foreign embassies and consulates. One of Tokyo's most exclusive residential neighborhoods is located in Meguro....
, Japan. Its name is a portmanteau of and .
Their debut album, Halcali Bacon
Halcali Bacon
is the debut album released by Halcali. The album reached number five on the Oricon chart, and stayed on the chart for a total of 21 weeks, making it the first album by a female hip-hop artist to enter the top ten in Japanese history. Halcali's debut album featured many well-known Japanese hiphop...
, reached #5 on the Oricon charts, making it the first album by a female hip-hop artist to enter the top ten in Japanese history.
Halcali also made their American debut in May 2008 as the musical guests of honor at the Chicago Japanese culture, manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
and anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
convention entitled Anime Central
Anime Central
Anime Central is an anime convention that is held yearly in Rosemont, Illinois, United States. It is one of the fastest growing anime conventions in the U.S. and has ranked as the 3rd largest North American anime convention since 2010. The convention is like many other anime conventions; it runs...
. They performed again in America at Central Park
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
, New York City on June 1, 2008 as part of a Japan
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...
Day Festival as part of a Japanese tourism campaign.
On May 26, 2010, they released their fourth album, Tokyo Groove
Tokyo Groove
Tokyo Groove is the fourth album by the female Japanese hip-hop unit Halcali. The album is their first in over three years.The album is a two-disc set. The first disc is compiled with new and original material, the second disc contains cover and collaboration songs...
, and released a subsequent mini-album on February 9, 2011 entitled Tokyo Connection.
Pre-debut
Haruka and Yukari were close friends since elementary school and also attended the same local Meguro dance school. Both girls were only interested in becoming dancers in the future and had no aspiration to become singers.In 2002, Haruka and Yukari noticed a pink flier for an audition to become a "female hip hop unit" which was held by the group 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...
. Yukari admitted that the both of them entered the competition simply to see what it was.
Among hundreds of entrants, Haruka and Yukari were chosen to form Halcali. The girls modestly spoke of their formation, saying that although there were many girls cuter than themselves, 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 Oshare Toy Factory riskily chose them. Yukari stated, "Sometimes it's like you want to have a piece of really gross gum- Just to see!"
Debut
Halcali debuted at a free concert held by Rip SlymeRip Slyme
Rip Slyme is a Japanese hip hop group. It is composed of four MCs; Ryo-Z, Ilmari, Pes & Su, and a DJ, Fumiya...
at the Budokan theatre. There, Halcali performed with Rip Slyme and were introduced along with their debut single, .
"Tandem" was released on January 8, 2003 and was marketed on several Japanese television networks, along with MTV
MTV Japan
MTV Japan is the Japanese version of the cable television network based in Japan. It is a subsidiary of MTV Networks, and was launched on December 24, 1992. It can be viewed on cable television, SKY PerfecTV!, SKY PerfecTV! e2 and IPTV.-History:MTV originally was a music block on JORX-TV from 1989...
. The single entered into the Oricon Charts at position 19.
The latter song attracted attention from Western audiences when it appeared on Adam and Joe Go Tokyo
Adam and Joe Go Tokyo
Adam and Joe Go Tokyo was a series of eight episodes created for BBC Three . It starred Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish of The Adam and Joe Show and aired from 30 May 2003 to 25 July 2003...
.
The new style
In winter 2003, Halcali released their fourth single, the Christmas-themed . This single continued to show the fluctuation between rap and J-pop.After the release of "Strawberry Chips", Halcali's visual style shifted, along with the layout and lyrical style of their songs. Their fifth single, , was the first to showcase this new style. This change in style is attributed to Halcali's coming-of-age, however it also represents the changing of fads that occurred in Japanese teens at the time and was necessary to retain their fanbase.
Their sixth single, "Baby Blue!", was an instant cult hit. The album art and video featured the character Hanpanda, a trend by Japanese artist Nagi Noda
Nagi Noda
was a Japanese pop artist and director born in Tokyo.Among her works are the short film Mariko Takahashi's Fitness Video for Being Appraised as an "Ex-fat Girl", the half-panda-half-something-else Hanpanda life-sized figures, and the video for Japanese singer Yuki's song "Sentimental Journey"...
, which has since become popular.
Haruka
, portrays herself to be the more mature of the pair in her PR and personal blogBlog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
entries. She shows focus for performances, commentating seriously on those commenting on her in TV appearances. She has recently become more focused on fashion, and has appeared in Barfout, a fashion magazine, along with Yucali.
Yukari
In the past, would portray a child-like image, which gave the group's image a more school-aged look. She wore a tilted baseball cap or some other sort of head apparel as was the fad at the time. Her current image is now more adult-like.Progression in Sound & the 4th Album
Halcali's sound has been progressively and markedly different from their period of inception- initially being focused upon peppy, high-energy beats with equally fast and furious lyrics, moving onto more creative songs which seem to weave between genres and sounds, a la 音樂ノススメ (Ongaku no Susume), and more particularly サイボーグ俺達 (Cyborg Oretachi), which included musical genres ranging from rap, pop, electrocore and rock.As Haruka & Yukari have matured, they have taken on the role of writing their own rhymes & lyrics and composing their own music. Their 3rd album, サイボーグ俺達 (Cyborg Oretachi), featured many tracks which were written or co-written by Halcali. Every single after this album has also been written by or co-written by Halcali as well.
The girls are currently playing various lives to promote their music. They're also hard at work on their upcoming 4th album; their blogs also hint that they've been in the studio writing new songs.
Anime themes
Several songs by Halcali have been used as opening or ending themes in animeAnime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
television series.
- "Marching March" - Pokemon Sunday Ending
- "Tip Taps Tip" – Eureka SevenEureka SevenEureka Seven, known in Japan as , is a mecha anime TV series by Bones. Eureka Seven tells the story of Renton Thurston and the outlaw group Gekkostate, his relationship with the enigmatic mecha pilot Eureka, and the mystery of the Coralians....
, 3rd Ending theme - "Look" – Demashita! Powerpuff Girls ZDemashita! Powerpuff Girls ZPowerpuff Girls Z, known in Japan as or PPGZ for short, is a magical girl anime series based on the American animated television series The Powerpuff Girls. The anime is co-produced by Cartoon Network Japan and Aniplex and was animated by Toei Animation, featuring character design by Miho Shimogasa...
, 2nd Ending theme - "Lights, Camera. Action!" – Getsumento Heiki Mina, Opening theme
- "Tandem" – Ga-Ra-Ku-Ta: Mr. Stain on Junk AlleyMr. StainMr. Stain, also known as , is a digital computer anime series created and directed by Ryuji Masuda. The producer of the show is Shunsuke Koga and the characters are designed by Wakako Masuda. The series involves surreal adventures centered on characters living in a junk-filled alley.The episodes...
, Ending theme - "Long Kiss Good Bye" – Naruto Shippūden, 7th Ending theme
Singles
- [2003.01.08] Tandem (タンデム)
- [2003.04.09] Electric Sensei (エレクトリック先生; Electric Teacher)
- [2003.07.09] GiriGiri Surf Rider (ギリギリ・サーフライダー; A Surf Rider at the Last Moment)
- [2003.11.26] Strawberry Chips (ストロベリーチップス)
- [2004.06.09] Marching March (マーチングマーチ)
- [2004.10.20] Baby Blue!
- [2005.12.07] Tip Taps Tip
- [2006.02.22] Twinkle Star
- [2006.12.13] Look
- [2007.03.14] Tougenkyou / Lights, Camera. Action! (桃源郷; Shangri-la)
- [2007.06.20] It's Party Time!
- [2008.11.12] Long Kiss Good Bye
- [2009.02.11] Re:Yasashii Kimochi (Re:やさしい気持ち; Re:Tender Feelings)
- [2009.09.23] Konya wa Boogie BackKonya wa Boogie Backis a collaborative single by TOKYO No.1 SOUL SET + HALCALI.- Track listing :#"今夜はブギー･バック" - Tokyo No.1 Soul Set + Halcali#"Rising Sun " - Tokyo No.1 Soul Set#"Innocent Love 2009" - Tokyo No.1 Soul Set...
* (今夜はブギー･バック; Boogie Back Tonight)* - [2010.01.27] Endless Night
- [2010.05.05] You May Dream*
- [2010.09.15] Roman Hikou (浪漫飛行; Romantic Flight)
(* Denotes a Collaborative single as Tokyo No.1 Soul Set + Halcali)
Albums
- [2003.09.03] Halcali BaconHalcali Baconis the debut album released by Halcali. The album reached number five on the Oricon chart, and stayed on the chart for a total of 21 weeks, making it the first album by a female hip-hop artist to enter the top ten in Japanese history. Halcali's debut album featured many well-known Japanese hiphop...
(ハルカリベーコン) - [2004.11.24] Ongaku no SusumeOngaku no Susumeis the second album released by Japanese band Halcali.The original jacket was redesigned and re-released to celebrate the album passing the 100,000 sales mark.-CD:# Introduction# # # # # Oboroge Copy View# History# # # Baby Blue!# #...
(音樂ノススメ; Recommended Music) - [2005.03.16] Halcali MixHalcali Mixis the first remix album by Halcali. The title is a play on the words Halcali and Mix in order to also make the word Remix because of the katakana lack of differentiation between roman L and R characters...
(ハルカリミックス) (Remix Album) - [2007.07.18] Cyborg OretachiCyborg Oretachiis the first major label album by Japanese band Halcali, their third original album, and fourth album release overall. The first press limited edition came with a bonus DVD...
(サイボーグ俺達; We, the Cyborgs) - [2010.05.26] Tokyo GrooveTokyo GrooveTokyo Groove is the fourth album by the female Japanese hip-hop unit Halcali. The album is their first in over three years.The album is a two-disc set. The first disc is compiled with new and original material, the second disc contains cover and collaboration songs...
- [2011.02.09] Tokyo Connection
Download exclusive tracks
- [2006.12.01] Slalom '06 (スラローム '06)
- [2007.01.09] 2 Higher Clap 007
- [2007.02.01] Girl! Girl! Girl!
Compilation / Other
- [2004.04.14] "The Japan Gold Disc Award 2004" (#22 ストロベリーチップス (Strawberry Chips))
- [2004.06.02] "Garakuta Dohri no Stain Original Soundtrack" (#2 タンデム (Tandem), #3 ギリギリ･サーフライダー (GiriGiri Surf Rider))
- [2004.09.01] "Magokoro Covers" (#3 愛 (Ai))
- [2004.12.03] G.Last - "Tribute to Godzilla 50th" (#7 Godzilla Is Coming To Town! / Bank$ feat. Halcali)
- [2006.04.05] "Koukyoushihen Eureka Seven Original Soundtrack 2Eureka SevenEureka Seven, known in Japan as , is a mecha anime TV series by Bones. Eureka Seven tells the story of Renton Thurston and the outlaw group Gekkostate, his relationship with the enigmatic mecha pilot Eureka, and the mystery of the Coralians....
" (#2, #3 Tip Taps Tip) - [2006.05.07] "Koukyoushihen Eureka SevenEureka SevenEureka Seven, known in Japan as , is a mecha anime TV series by Bones. Eureka Seven tells the story of Renton Thurston and the outlaw group Gekkostate, his relationship with the enigmatic mecha pilot Eureka, and the mystery of the Coralians....
" (#6 Tip Taps Tip) - [2006.07.26] m-floM-flois a Japanese hip hop group consisting of producer and DJ Taku Takahashi and emcee Verbal.Former member Lisa left the group in 2002 to pursue a solo career, and the remaining members then started the M-Flo Loves... project working different vocalists for each song over three albums, including the...
- "m-flo inside -Works Best II-" (#7 Baby Blue!) - [2007.06.20] Kohei JapanKohei JapanKohei Japan is a famous Japanese hip-hop emcee, and a member of the Japanese rap group, Mellow Yellow. He was born in Yokohama, Japan, and discovered rap and hip-hop while working as a chef....
- "Family (Kohei Japan)" (CD2 #22 ハルカリズム "CANDY HEARTS" (Halcali Rhythm "Candy Hears")) - [2007.06.27] "Powerpuff Girls Z Original SoundtrackPowerpuff Girls ZPowerpuff Girls Z, known in Japan as or PPGZ for short, is a magical girl anime series based on the American animated television series The Powerpuff Girls. The anime is co-produced by Cartoon Network Japan and Aniplex and was animated by Toei Animation, featuring character design by Miho Shimogasa...
" (#3 LOOK) - [2007.08.22] □□□ (Kuchi Roro) - "Golden Love" (#3 Cosmic Dance)
- [2007.10.24] "Okuda Tamio Covers" (愛のために (Ai no Tame ni))
- [2007.12.05] The Hello Works - "Payday" (Performed in the Chorus)
- [2008.03.26] "Sound Concierge: Japan: Japanese Lyric Dance" (#12 Oboroge Copy View)
- [2008.09.24] Fujio AkatsukaFujio Akatsukawas a pioneer Japanese artist of comical manga known as the Gag Manga King. His name at birth is 赤塚 藤雄, whose Japanese pronunciation is the same as 赤塚 不二夫....
- "Tribute — Fushigi da ga Seikai da!" (#2 すきすきソング (Suki Suki Song)) - [2009.03.18] Judy and MaryJudy and MaryJudy and Mary was a Japanese multi-genre band formed in 1991 in Hakodate, Hokkaido by bassist and vocalist , with drummer and guitarist completing the lineup in 1992. Guitarist replaced Taiji the following year...
- "15th Anniversary Tribute Album" (#11 ラッキープール (Lucky Pool)) - [2009.07.08] ヨースケ@HOME (Yosuke@Home) - "パノラマ" (Panorama) (Performed in the Chorus of b-side トコナッツ (Toko Nuts))
- [2009.09.02] DJ Caroline D'armore - "J-Girl's Celebrity Mix" (#29 FLASH)
- [2009.11.25] DJ Kaori's JMix 3 (#14 今夜はブギー・バック (Konya wa Boogie Back))
- [2010.02.24] Tokyo No.1 Soul Set - "Best Set" (今夜はブギー･バック (Konya wa Boogie Back)