SoulJa (rapper)
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese hip-hop musician and songwriter. He is best known for his collaborations with singer Thelma Aoyama
, "Koko ni Iru yo" and "Soba ni Iru ne
" - the latter of which was the former Guinness World Records
holder for the best selling digital single of all-time in Japan (until it was superseded by Greeeen
's "Kiseki
").
. He studied music, learning how to play the violin, cello and piano from a young age, due to the influence of his mother. During his childhood, he spent time in Belgium, Japan and America. At 15, he grew to love hip-hop music.
In 2003, he returned to Japan, and began creating music. He got his first big break when a song of his, "First Contact," was featured in a commercial for Men's Beauteen (featuring actor Joe Odagiri
) in 2005. This led to several more offers to write commercial music for companies such as magazine Oggi, along with SoulJa's independent label debut. In late 2005, he released the EP First Contact under Rock & Hill Records.
In 2007, SoulJa debuted as a major label artist with Universal Music Japan. His third single, "Koko ni Iru yo" featuring R&B singer Thelma Aoyama
, became a long selling hit, staying in Oricon
's top 10 singles for five weeks. Eventually, by March 2008, the song had been certified by the RIAJ for selling over 1,000,000+ ringtones, 1,000,000+ cellphone full-length downloads and 100,000 PC downloads.
SoulJa's debut album, Spirits, released two and a half months later, was a modest success, breaking the top 10 on Oricon and selling over 66,000 copies.
In January 2008, Thelma Aoyama released her own answer version to the song, "Soba ni Iru ne
." This version outstripped the popularity of the original, topping the RIAJ's monthly ringtone chart for three months, peaking at No. 1 on Oricon's single sales charts and eventually being certified by Guinness World Records as the best digital single in Japan of all-time (an award it held for a year).
After the extreme popularity of this version, SoulJa re-released Spirits, featuring a self-cover of this version (featuring vocalist Yukie).
SoulJa's second album, Colorz, was preceded by two singles: feat. Misslim (a pseudonym for Yumi Matsutoya
) and "One Time" feat. Issei & Jin Oki. The album did not do as well as his previous, only reaching No. 106 on Oricon's album charts. "Kinenbi" was a minor hit, charting in the top 20 on RIAJ's Chaku-uta chart for two months.
In January 2010, SoulJa released his 6th single, "Way to Love (Saigo no Koi)" feat. Miho Karasawa. It was a digital hit, being certified by the RIAJ for selling 100,000 copies after charting for two months. This will be followed by his third album, Letters, along with the leading single "Hanasanaide yo" featuring Thelma Aoyama. SoulJa also worked together with Aoyama on her single "Kaeru Basho," writing the song.
* charted on monthly Chaku-uta Reco-kyō Chart
.
†Japan Hot 100 established February 2008, RIAJ Digital Track Chart established April 2009.
He also graduated Christian Academy in Japan.
Thelma Aoyama
, born October 27, 1987, is a Japanese pop and R&B singer. She is part Afro-Trinidadian and Japanese.She is probably best known for her collaboration song with SoulJa, "Koko ni Iru yo", and her answer song "Soba ni Iru ne"...
, "Koko ni Iru yo" and "Soba ni Iru ne
Soba ni Iru ne
is Thelma Aoyama's second official single, released on January 23, 2008, featuring SoulJa. It is an answer song to her previous collaboration with SoulJa, "Koko ni Iru yo." B-side "My dear friend" was used as the ending theme to anime Shion no Ō, and the opening theme to television show...
" - the latter of which was the former Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
holder for the best selling digital single of all-time in Japan (until it was superseded by Greeeen
GReeeeN
is a Japanese pop/rock/hip hop/breakbeat vocal group from Kōriyama city in Fukushima Prefecture, comprising the all-male four members Hide, Navi, 92, and Soh. They made their debut with Universal Music in 2007. Their logo image is of a mouthful of teeth, and the four Es indicate the number of members...
's "Kiseki
Kiseki (Greeeen song)
is the 7th single released by Greeeen on May 28, 2008. The term "Kiseki" is the kakekotoba of and on the lyrics of the song.It reached the number-one position on the Japanese Oricon weekly charts for 2 weeks and physically sold over 500,000 copies. The song was ranked at the number-one position...
").
Biography
SoulJa's father is Japanese and his mother is BelgianBelgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. He studied music, learning how to play the violin, cello and piano from a young age, due to the influence of his mother. During his childhood, he spent time in Belgium, Japan and America. At 15, he grew to love hip-hop music.
In 2003, he returned to Japan, and began creating music. He got his first big break when a song of his, "First Contact," was featured in a commercial for Men's Beauteen (featuring actor Joe Odagiri
Joe Odagiri
, born is a Japanese actor.-Career:Commonly known just as Odajō, and also known for his unusual hairstyle and eclectic style of dressing, he is the epitome of Cool Japan...
) in 2005. This led to several more offers to write commercial music for companies such as magazine Oggi, along with SoulJa's independent label debut. In late 2005, he released the EP First Contact under Rock & Hill Records.
In 2007, SoulJa debuted as a major label artist with Universal Music Japan. His third single, "Koko ni Iru yo" featuring R&B singer Thelma Aoyama
Thelma Aoyama
, born October 27, 1987, is a Japanese pop and R&B singer. She is part Afro-Trinidadian and Japanese.She is probably best known for her collaboration song with SoulJa, "Koko ni Iru yo", and her answer song "Soba ni Iru ne"...
, became a long selling hit, staying in 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...
's top 10 singles for five weeks. Eventually, by March 2008, the song had been certified by the RIAJ for selling over 1,000,000+ ringtones, 1,000,000+ cellphone full-length downloads and 100,000 PC downloads.
SoulJa's debut album, Spirits, released two and a half months later, was a modest success, breaking the top 10 on Oricon and selling over 66,000 copies.
In January 2008, Thelma Aoyama released her own answer version to the song, "Soba ni Iru ne
Soba ni Iru ne
is Thelma Aoyama's second official single, released on January 23, 2008, featuring SoulJa. It is an answer song to her previous collaboration with SoulJa, "Koko ni Iru yo." B-side "My dear friend" was used as the ending theme to anime Shion no Ō, and the opening theme to television show...
." This version outstripped the popularity of the original, topping the RIAJ's monthly ringtone chart for three months, peaking at No. 1 on Oricon's single sales charts and eventually being certified by Guinness World Records as the best digital single in Japan of all-time (an award it held for a year).
After the extreme popularity of this version, SoulJa re-released Spirits, featuring a self-cover of this version (featuring vocalist Yukie).
SoulJa's second album, Colorz, was preceded by two singles: feat. Misslim (a pseudonym for Yumi Matsutoya
Yumi Matsutoya
', nicknamed , is an influential Japanese singer, composer, lyricist and pianist. She is renowned for her idiosyncratic voice, and live performances, and is an important figure in Japanese popular music....
) and "One Time" feat. Issei & Jin Oki. The album did not do as well as his previous, only reaching No. 106 on Oricon's album charts. "Kinenbi" was a minor hit, charting in the top 20 on RIAJ's Chaku-uta chart for two months.
In January 2010, SoulJa released his 6th single, "Way to Love (Saigo no Koi)" feat. Miho Karasawa. It was a digital hit, being certified by the RIAJ for selling 100,000 copies after charting for two months. This will be followed by his third album, Letters, along with the leading single "Hanasanaide yo" featuring Thelma Aoyama. SoulJa also worked together with Aoyama on her single "Kaeru Basho," writing the song.
Albums
| Year | Album Information | 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... Albums Charts |
Reported sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Spirits
|
9 | 66,000 |
| 2009 | Colorz
|
106 | 2,000 |
| 2010 | Letters
|
36 | 2,300 |
EPs
| Year | Album Information |
|---|---|
| 2005 | First Contact
|
As lead artist
| Release | Title | Notes | Chart positions | Oricon sales |
Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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... Singles Charts |
Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... 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 .... † |
RIAJ 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 .... digital tracks† |
|||||
| 2007 | "Dogg Pound" | 100 | — | — | 4,000 | Spirits | |
| "Rain" | 99 | — | — | 1,500 | |||
| align="left"| feat. Thelma Aoyama Thelma Aoyama , born October 27, 1987, is a Japanese pop and R&B singer. She is part Afro-Trinidadian and Japanese.She is probably best known for her collaboration song with SoulJa, "Koko ni Iru yo", and her answer song "Soba ni Iru ne"... |
6 | 77 | 3* | 149,000 | |||
| 2008 | "Soba ni Iru ne Soba ni Iru ne is Thelma Aoyama's second official single, released on January 23, 2008, featuring SoulJa. It is an answer song to her previous collaboration with SoulJa, "Koko ni Iru yo." B-side "My dear friend" was used as the ending theme to anime Shion no Ō, and the opening theme to television show... " feat. Yukie |
Self-cover, radio single. | — | — | 29* | — | Spirits X'tended |
| align="left"| feat. Misslim Yumi Matsutoya ', nicknamed , is an influential Japanese singer, composer, lyricist and pianist. She is renowned for her idiosyncratic voice, and live performances, and is an important figure in Japanese popular music.... |
24 | 33 | 13* | 9,000 | Colorz | ||
| 2009 | "One Time" feat. Issei & Jin Oki | 86 | 82 | — | 1,300 | ||
| 2010 | align="left"| feat. Miho Karasawa | 62 | — | 11 | 3,000 | Letters | |
| align="left"| feat. Saki Kayama | 88 | — | 13 | 500 | |||
| align="left"| feat. Thelma Aoyama | 61 | 57 | 9 | 1,600 | |||
| align="left"| feat. Chihiro Onitsuka Chihiro Onitsuka is a Japanese singer-songwriter.In 2000, Onitsuka released her debut single "Shine" and gained a recognition with its follow-up "Gekkou" which became a hit. Insomnia, her first studio album released in following year topped the Japanese Oricon chart and sold more than a million copies... |
Radio single. | — | — | 23 | — | ||
| "Breath" | 36 | TBA | TBA | 3000 | TBA | ||
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 ....
.
†Japan Hot 100 established February 2008, RIAJ Digital Track Chart established April 2009.
As a featured artist
| Release | Artist | Title | Notes | Chart positions | Oricon sales |
Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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... Singles Charts |
Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... 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 .... |
RIAJ 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 .... digital tracks |
||||||
| 2008 | Thelma Aoyama Thelma Aoyama , born October 27, 1987, is a Japanese pop and R&B singer. She is part Afro-Trinidadian and Japanese.She is probably best known for her collaboration song with SoulJa, "Koko ni Iru yo", and her answer song "Soba ni Iru ne"... feat. SoulJa |
"Soba ni Iru ne Soba ni Iru ne is Thelma Aoyama's second official single, released on January 23, 2008, featuring SoulJa. It is an answer song to her previous collaboration with SoulJa, "Koko ni Iru yo." B-side "My dear friend" was used as the ending theme to anime Shion no Ō, and the opening theme to television show... " |
"Koko ni Iru yo" answer song. | 1 | 1 | 1* | 465,000 | Diary Diary (Thelma Aoyama album) Diary is Japanese Pop/R&B singer Thelma Aoyama's debut album. It was released on March 26, 2008 in Japan.-Track listing:# "My Beginning"# "Soba ni Iru ne feat. SoulJa "# "One Way"# "My dear friend"# "Last Letter"... |
| 2010 | Skelt 8 Bambino feat. SoulJa | "What's Love?" | Featured on Letters as a bonus track. | 190 | — | 33 | 300 | Love Balance |
| Thelma Aoyama | "Kaeru Basho" | Written by SoulJa. | 63 | 26 | 51 | 2,000 | TBA | |
Other appearances
| Release | Artist | Title | Notes | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | SoulJa | "Break" | Negachaincompi: Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge Official Compi | |
| "Engage" | ||||
| Sly and Robbie Sly and Robbie Sly and Robbie is the prolific Jamaican rhythm section and production team of drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare who joined in the mid 1970s after having established themselves separately in Jamaica as professional musicians... feat. Lady Traffic, SoulJa & Chantelle |
"Soba ni Iru ne Soba ni Iru ne is Thelma Aoyama's second official single, released on January 23, 2008, featuring SoulJa. It is an answer song to her previous collaboration with SoulJa, "Koko ni Iru yo." B-side "My dear friend" was used as the ending theme to anime Shion no Ō, and the opening theme to television show... " English cover. Featured on Colorz. |
Amazing | ||
| 2010 | Yuki Koyanagi Yuki Koyanagi , is a Japanese pop singer. She released her first single, 'Anata no kisu o kazoemashô - You Were Mine' on September 15, 1999. This song was a huge hit in Japan and made the 17-year-old a sensation overnight. Her second album 'EXPANSION', sold over 1.3 million copies. She has done several albums ... feat. SoulJa |
Featured on Letters as a bonus track. RIAJ #32. | The Best Now & Then: 10th Anniversary | |
| Under Graph Under graph -Member profiles:*Vocals/Guitar: Naoto Matohara Birthdate:July27,1977 Blood Tipe:B Equipment: Gibson ES-325 Fender customshop '69storatocaster BLACK SHINOS LUCK6V amp*Guitar/background vocal : Ryosuke Asa... × SoulJa |
Originally released as a digital single on June 2, 2010. | "Natsukage" (single) | ||
| Issa Da Pump is an Okinawan male idol group comprising lead vocalist, Issa and MCs Ken, Yukinari, and Shinobu. The group formed as students at Okinawa Actors School in 1996... × SoulJa |
"Breathe" c/w/ "Destiny" | (single) |
He also graduated Christian Academy in Japan.