Kei Yasuda
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese singer, musician and actress under the Up Front Agency's Hello! Project
. She was a member and co-leader of the pop
group Morning Musume
. Yasuda, along with Mari Yaguchi
and Sayaka Ichii
, were the second generation of singers to be recruited into Morning Musume. Morning Musume had only released one official single, Morning Coffee, prior to their joining.
Yasuda is currently a member of Dream Morning Musume.
, but dropped out to pursue her dreams in the entertainment industry. She worked in a McDonald's
restaurant in her hometown, until 1998.
She was chosen to be in the second generation of Morning Musume. After they joined, Morning Musume went on to produce one album and three more singles until Asuka Fukuda
decided to leave to further pursue her studies. Yasuda was given almost all of Fukuda's lines in future performances of these early songs. She had also collaborated with other Morning Musume members in special projects during these early days. One of the more notable ones was when she co-wrote and co-sang with Natsumi Abe
the song "Sanpo" for a radio contest. It became wildly popular and a petition was circulated to make it an official single, though that never happened.
Yasuda and Ichii sang a particularly catchy duet known as "Otome no Shinrigaku" (Girl's Psychology) on Morning Musume's second album. In response to the popularity, Tsunku
decided to group them together with the third generation member, Maki Goto
to create Morning Musume subgroup Petitmoni
(also known as Pucchimoni) in 2001. Their first single, "Chokotto Love", has sold over a million copies since its release.
After Ichii left Morning Musume and Petitmoni, fourth generation member Hitomi Yoshizawa
joined the subgroup. Yasuda had taken on the role of leader of Petitmoni and the group continued to produce three singles and an album.
After Morning Musume's then-leader Yuko Nakazawa
left in 2001, Yasuda (who was the oldest member of the group at the time) became a co-leader along with Kaori Iida
.
Yasuda left in mid-2003 at the same time when Morning Musume's 6th generation became full-fledged members. Tsunku
commented that this one-time sixteen-member formation will be the largest Morning Musume. During her good-bye concert, Yasuda sang a remixed rock version of "Never Forget", which was also Fukuda's good-bye song. Additionally, as a special gift, Tsunku gave Yasuda a CD of her own solo version of "As for One Day
", her last single with Morning Musume.
Following Yasuda's leaving, Iida was given the title of leader of Morning Musume and Yaguchi was given the title of sub-leader. The Petitmoni leadership was handed over to Yoshizawa, and two members were added (fifth generation Morning Musume member Makoto Ogawa
and Coconuts Musume
's Ayaka Kimura
) and Goto was removed. This new line up of Petitmoni never had another release, but a few of their songs were featured on compilation albums.
Yasuda was still in the Hello! Project
after leaving the group, and has acted in dramas outside of H!P. Within H!P, she has collaborated with Nakazawa and other H!P artists on 2 Folk Songs albums, performed and MCed Abe's first solo concert, sang backup on Goto's single "Daite Yo! Please Go On," and had hosted Morning Musume's weekly TV show Hello! Morning
until Rika Ishikawa
took that position. Yasuda had participated in the H.P. All Stars single "All for One & One For All" and the Puripuri Pink shuffle unit. Puripuri Pink was a new type of shuffle unit, since it was the first unit to feature former Morning Musume members, who were usually not included in the shuffles.
During a promotional appearance on Utaban
in 2004, Yasuda even revealed that she has been learning how to play the flute
.
Yasuda Kei graduated from Hello! Project
on March 31, 2009 along with the rest of the H!P Elder Club.
In 2010, It was announced that Kei Yasuda will be joining other former-Morning Musume members for the new group "Dream Morning Musume"
Hello! Project
is the umbrella name for all female idol Japanese pop recording artists collective that are under contract with the Up-Front Group. The "mothership" group of Hello! Project is the super-group Morning Musume. Hello! Project's current leader is Risa Niigaki, the leader of Morning Musume...
. She was a member and co-leader of the pop
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...
group Morning Musume
Morning Musume
, sometimes referred to as is a Japanese idol girl group, whose act generally revolves around singing and dancing to upbeat melodies. They are the lead group of Hello! Project, which is managed and produced by Tsunku, who composes nearly all the lyrics and melodies of their songs...
. Yasuda, along with Mari Yaguchi
Mari Yaguchi
, known professionally by her birth name of is a Japanese pop artist and former member of Hello! Project. She is a former member of Morning Musume and Tanpopo, one of its first sub groups, and also founded Minimoni...
and Sayaka Ichii
Sayaka Ichii
joined the girl group Morning Musume in 1998. She, along with Mari Yaguchi and Kei Yasuda, formed the second generation of members. While in Morning Musume, Sayaka Ichii was put into the spin-off group, Petitmoni. Ichii was also part of the Hello Project! Summer Shuffles 2000 group Aoiro 7...
, were the second generation of singers to be recruited into Morning Musume. Morning Musume had only released one official single, Morning Coffee, prior to their joining.
Yasuda is currently a member of Dream Morning Musume.
Biography
Yasuda attended Kimitsu Shogyo (Commercial) High School in Futtsu City, Chiba PrefectureFuttsu, Chiba
is a city located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of September 2010, the city had an estimated population of 47,705 and the population density of 232 persons per km²...
, but dropped out to pursue her dreams in the entertainment industry. She worked in a McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
restaurant in her hometown, until 1998.
She was chosen to be in the second generation of Morning Musume. After they joined, Morning Musume went on to produce one album and three more singles until Asuka Fukuda
Asuka Fukuda
is a Japanese pop singer, and she was a member of Morning Musume from 1997 until April 18, 1999.In 1997, Fukuda joined Morning Musume along with Yuko Nakazawa, Aya Ishiguro, Natsumi Abe, and Kaori Iida. Although she was the youngest member at that time, she was the first to graduate in April 1999...
decided to leave to further pursue her studies. Yasuda was given almost all of Fukuda's lines in future performances of these early songs. She had also collaborated with other Morning Musume members in special projects during these early days. One of the more notable ones was when she co-wrote and co-sang with Natsumi Abe
Natsumi Abe
is a Japanese singer and actress, a former member of Morning Musume, and currently a member of Dream Morning Musume.-Career:On August 13, 2003, she released her first single, "22 Sai no Watashi," which means "Me, 22 years old," just a few days after her 22nd birthday...
the song "Sanpo" for a radio contest. It became wildly popular and a petition was circulated to make it an official single, though that never happened.
Yasuda and Ichii sang a particularly catchy duet known as "Otome no Shinrigaku" (Girl's Psychology) on Morning Musume's second album. In response to the popularity, Tsunku
Tsunku
, better known professionally as , is a prolific Japanese record producer, songwriter, and vocalist.He is best known for having two major roles in the Japanese music landscape: first as the lead singer of the popular rock group Sharam Q, and now as the producer, primary composer, lyricist and main...
decided to group them together with the third generation member, Maki Goto
Maki Goto
is a Japanese singer, lyricist and former actress. Born and raised in Edogawa, Tokyo, Goto began her musical career in 1999 when she joined Morning Musume as the only third generation member. Her first single with the group, "Love Machine", topped the Oricon singles charts and sold over a million...
to create Morning Musume subgroup Petitmoni
Petitmoni
, also known as Pucchi Moni, was the second official subgroup of the Japanese pop idol group Morning Musume.- History :Founded November 1999, the group initially consisted of Morning Musume members Kei Yasuda, Sayaka Ichii, and Maki Goto...
(also known as Pucchimoni) in 2001. Their first single, "Chokotto Love", has sold over a million copies since its release.
After Ichii left Morning Musume and Petitmoni, fourth generation member Hitomi Yoshizawa
Hitomi Yoshizawa
is a former leader of the pop group Morning Musume and current member of the duo Hangry & Angry as Hangry. She is the current leader of the Hello! Project futsal team Gatas Brilhantes H.P...
joined the subgroup. Yasuda had taken on the role of leader of Petitmoni and the group continued to produce three singles and an album.
After Morning Musume's then-leader Yuko Nakazawa
Yuko Nakazawa
is a Japanese pop and enka singer, and actress, best known as one of the original members of the all-female J-pop group Morning Musume. She is currently a member of Dream Morning Musume.- Biography :...
left in 2001, Yasuda (who was the oldest member of the group at the time) became a co-leader along with Kaori Iida
Kaori Iida
is a Japanese pop singer and actress, associated with Hello! Project and best known as a founding member of the girl band Morning Musume. She has also recorded with the Morning Musume side project band Tanpopo and is currently a solo artist...
.
Yasuda left in mid-2003 at the same time when Morning Musume's 6th generation became full-fledged members. Tsunku
Tsunku
, better known professionally as , is a prolific Japanese record producer, songwriter, and vocalist.He is best known for having two major roles in the Japanese music landscape: first as the lead singer of the popular rock group Sharam Q, and now as the producer, primary composer, lyricist and main...
commented that this one-time sixteen-member formation will be the largest Morning Musume. During her good-bye concert, Yasuda sang a remixed rock version of "Never Forget", which was also Fukuda's good-bye song. Additionally, as a special gift, Tsunku gave Yasuda a CD of her own solo version of "As for One Day
As for One Day
"As for One Day" is the eighteenth single of J-pop idol group Morning Musume and was released April 23, 2003. It sold a total of 129,893 copies. This single also marked the graduation of second generation member Kei Yasuda...
", her last single with Morning Musume.
Following Yasuda's leaving, Iida was given the title of leader of Morning Musume and Yaguchi was given the title of sub-leader. The Petitmoni leadership was handed over to Yoshizawa, and two members were added (fifth generation Morning Musume member Makoto Ogawa
Makoto Ogawa
is a Japanese pop singer and actress best known as a former member of Morning Musume. She joined the group in August 2001 along with fellow fifth generation members Ai Takahashi, Risa Niigaki, and Asami Konno.Ogawa is currently a member of Dream Morning Musume....
and Coconuts Musume
Coconuts Musume
is a group from Hello! Project that was formed and promoted as the "girls from Hawaii". After nine years, the group officially disbanded when Ayaka Kimura graduated from Hello! Project.- Members :* 1998–2008 –...
's Ayaka Kimura
Ayaka Kimura
, currently known by her stage name as Ayaka Nagate , is an actress currently signed to Tristone Entertainment...
) and Goto was removed. This new line up of Petitmoni never had another release, but a few of their songs were featured on compilation albums.
Yasuda was still in the Hello! Project
Hello! Project
is the umbrella name for all female idol Japanese pop recording artists collective that are under contract with the Up-Front Group. The "mothership" group of Hello! Project is the super-group Morning Musume. Hello! Project's current leader is Risa Niigaki, the leader of Morning Musume...
after leaving the group, and has acted in dramas outside of H!P. Within H!P, she has collaborated with Nakazawa and other H!P artists on 2 Folk Songs albums, performed and MCed Abe's first solo concert, sang backup on Goto's single "Daite Yo! Please Go On," and had hosted Morning Musume's weekly TV show Hello! Morning
Hello! Morning
was a weekly Japanese TV show featuring members of Morning Musume, and sometimes other Hello! Project members on TV Tokyo. It is also known by the shorter name of . On April 1, 2007, the show ended after seven years of broadcast and a new show, featuring the same people, , took its place...
until Rika Ishikawa
Rika Ishikawa
, is a Japanese pop singer and TV/radio hostess, associated with the Hello! Project banner and best known as a former member of the pop group Morning Musume. She was the leader of the trio v-u-den until June 2008...
took that position. Yasuda had participated in the H.P. All Stars single "All for One & One For All" and the Puripuri Pink shuffle unit. Puripuri Pink was a new type of shuffle unit, since it was the first unit to feature former Morning Musume members, who were usually not included in the shuffles.
During a promotional appearance on Utaban
Utaban
was a long running Japanese music variety show, broadcast weekly from October 15, 1996 until March 23, 2010 on TBS. The name of the show is an abbreviation of , meaning "music program"...
in 2004, Yasuda even revealed that she has been learning how to play the flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
.
Yasuda Kei graduated from Hello! Project
Hello! Project
is the umbrella name for all female idol Japanese pop recording artists collective that are under contract with the Up-Front Group. The "mothership" group of Hello! Project is the super-group Morning Musume. Hello! Project's current leader is Risa Niigaki, the leader of Morning Musume...
on March 31, 2009 along with the rest of the H!P Elder Club.
In 2010, It was announced that Kei Yasuda will be joining other former-Morning Musume members for the new group "Dream Morning Musume"