SUITE CHIC
Encyclopedia
Suite Chic was a collaborative project between some of Japan's top and up-and-coming R&B
and Hip-Hop
artists, writers, and producers, which debuted on December 18, 2002.
Suite Chic served as a vehicle for J-Pop
singer Namie Amuro
, who at the time was establishing herself as a credible R&B artist following a decline in her popularity as a pop singer. Since the dissolution of the project many of its participants have gone on to greater mainstream success and the project revived Amuro's career.
In a late 2005 interview, Amuro said she would like to have Suite Chic make a comeback in 2006, but nothing came of it.
of (m-flo
) about who was the Japanese Janet Jackson
. They reached the conclusion that it was "Namie Amuro", who at the time had seen her career fade following a hiatus. They produced demos without permission and proposed them to Amuro. The project featured up-and-coming DJs and hip-hop producers such as DJ Muro, Dabo and hip-hop singer Ai (singer)
on the single "Uh Uh......" , who would herself go on to great success.
Verbal named this project Suite Chic, a combination of "High-class (=Suite) & Cool (=Chic)".
1 Limited Release
etc.
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
and Hip-Hop
Japanese hip hop
Japanese hip hop is said to have begun when Hiroshi Fujiwara returned to Japan and started playing hip hop records in the early 1980s. Japanese hip hop generally tends to be most directly influenced by old school hip hop, taking from the era's catchy beats, dance culture, and overall fun and...
artists, writers, and producers, which debuted on December 18, 2002.
Suite Chic served as a vehicle for J-Pop
J-pop
, an abbreviation for Japanese pop, is a musical genre that entered the musical mainstream of Japan in the 1990s. Modern J-pop has its roots in 1960s music, such as The Beatles, and replaced kayōkyoku in the Japanese music scene...
singer 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...
, who at the time was establishing herself as a credible R&B artist following a decline in her popularity as a pop singer. Since the dissolution of the project many of its participants have gone on to greater mainstream success and the project revived Amuro's career.
In a late 2005 interview, Amuro said she would like to have Suite Chic make a comeback in 2006, but nothing came of it.
Outline
Ryosuke Imai talked with VerbalVerbal (rapper)
Verbal is a Japanese third generation Zainichi Korean hip-hop MC, who debuted in 1998 as a member of the J-Pop hip-hop duo m-flo....
of (m-flo
M-flo
is 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...
) about who was the Japanese Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
. They reached the conclusion that it was "Namie Amuro", who at the time had seen her career fade following a hiatus. They produced demos without permission and proposed them to Amuro. The project featured up-and-coming DJs and hip-hop producers such as DJ Muro, Dabo and hip-hop singer Ai (singer)
AI (singer)
Ai , born November 2, 1981 as , is a Japanese R&B singer and rapper. She is currently under EMI Music Japan.-Early life:...
on the single "Uh Uh......" , who would herself go on to great success.
Verbal named this project Suite Chic, a combination of "High-class (=Suite) & Cool (=Chic)".
Albums
| Year | Album | JP 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... |
Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| When Pop Hits the Fan | 4 | 200,000+ | |
| When Pop Hits the Lab | 65 |
Singles
| Year | Single | JP 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... |
Sales | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | "Good Life" (featuring Firstklas) / "Just Say So" (featuring Verbal Verbal (rapper) Verbal is a Japanese third generation Zainichi Korean hip-hop MC, who debuted in 1998 as a member of the J-Pop hip-hop duo m-flo.... ) 1 |
35 | Limited to 30,000 copies. | When Pop Hits the Fan |
| 2003 | "Uh Uh,,,,,," (featuring Ai AI (singer) Ai , born November 2, 1981 as , is a Japanese R&B singer and rapper. She is currently under EMI Music Japan.-Early life:... ) / "Baby be mine" 1 |
22 |
Participants
- Firstklas (Riyosuke Imai+ZeebraZeebra, real name , is a Japanese hip hop artist, who made his first appearance in 1995. Zeebra is a former member of the hip-hop group King Giddra, which also included DJ Oasis and K Dub Shine, and the older brother of fellow hip-hop artist SPHERE of INFLUENCE...
) - VerbalVerbal (rapper)Verbal is a Japanese third generation Zainichi Korean hip-hop MC, who debuted in 1998 as a member of the J-Pop hip-hop duo m-flo....
- Namie AmuroNamie Amurois 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...
- AiAI (singer)Ai , born November 2, 1981 as , is a Japanese R&B singer and rapper. She is currently under EMI Music Japan.-Early life:...
- DaboDaboDabo is a Japanese rapper. He first appeared on the Japanese hip-hop scene in the 1990s, collaborating in a Shakkazombie song, "Tomo ni ikkou". Since 2002, he has released three albums: Hitman , Diamond , and The Force...
- XBS
- Daisuke Imai
- Akira
- DJ MuroDJ Muro, known better as MURO, is an active Japanese hip hop producer and DJ. In 1987 DJ Krush, Microphone Pager, TWIGY and others formed the "KRUSH POSSE", a crew of rappers and Dj's. During this time he excelled at DJing hip-hop and began producing hip-hop beats. His solo debut appeared 1993...
- DJ Watarai
- Tsutchie （ShakkazombieShakkazombieShakkazombie is a Japanese rap group consisting of three members . They formed in 1994 when Tsutchie joined Osumi and Hide-Bowie who were already making music at the time and released their first single "ShakkAttack" in 95...
） - DJ Celory （Soul Scream）
- Yakko for Aquarius
- Michico
etc.