Vol.16 Justin Timberlake

Today, I'll introduce Justin Timberlake. 

He is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and actor. He appeared as a child on the music audition program "Star Search". It was his first attempt as a singer and he sang country music. From 1993 to 1994, he appeared on the children's program "Mickey Mouse Club", the same as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. And in 1995, he joined the pop group NSYNC as the youngest member. One of their songs "No Strings Attached" sold over a million copies in a day and 2.42 million in a week. 

In 2002, NSYNC suspended their activities. Since then, Justin Timberlake has been performing solo. He got six Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards and performed at the half-time show of the Super Bowl with Janet Jackson in 2004. Recently he sang a duet with Michael Jackson that combines audio and video from over 30 years and the song, "Love Never Felt So Good", became a hot topic.

Justin Timberlake is doing well as an actor too. He appeared in several movies, such as "Shrek the Third" as a voice actor and the movie "TIME" as the leading actor. But I love him as a singer rather than as an actor because his voice and dance are so cool.

Today's song is "Loved Stoned/ I think She Knows Interlude". It's cool too!! I've danced to this song, so whenever I listen to it, I remember that. I think you will like his songs and want to dance too!

Vol.15 Fifth Harmony

Today, I'll introduce a girls group, Fifth Harmony. Do you know them? I think they're one of the most notable groups!! 

Fifth Harmony is an American girls group with five members. The members are Ally Brooke Hernandez, Karla Camila Cabello, Normani Kordei Hamilton, Dinah Jane Hansen, and Lauren Michelle Jauregui. They all appeared on the music audition program" X Factor" in the US and none of them could go on to the final, but fortunately they became Fifth Harmony through the judge's decision in 2013. They are called a "girls version of One Direction" and their fans are called "Harmonizers".

They have received "the Artist to Watch" prize that is awarded by MTV for the best new star in 2014. Two years have passed since they made their debut, and they finally released an album which went to fifth place on the Billboard charts. In Japan, they haven't become famous yet, but I think they have great singing ability and everyone can sympathize with their song's lyrics. That's why they will become popular in Japan too!

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Vol14. Bruno Mars

Today, I'll introduce Bruno Mars.

He is an American singer who was born and raised in Hawaii by a family of musicians. Since he made his debut in 2010, he has gotten prizes many times, like the MTV Award and the Grammy Award. And he performed at the half time show of the Super Bowl in 2014.

I have been his fan since I was a high school student because my high school friend often listened to his songs in class. I think his voice sounds like Michael Jackson, so maybe that's why I became a fan of his songs.

Today's song "Just the Way You Are" is one of his popular songs.  Maybe you've heard this song. His songs are often used at some events. For example, today's song is often used at weddings when the bride and groom come together and another song " Marry You" is used at weddings too like this (this is the one of the wedding scenes from the drama Glee). This song's music video is entertaining and the lyrics are very nice. Maybe girls will like it and if a boy sings this song to a girl, the girl will fall in love with him! Let's check it!

Vol.13 Carly Rae Jepsen

Today, I'll introduce an artist who makes enjoyable music videos too! Today's artist is Carly Rae Jepsen.

She is a Canadian singer and she won third prize in the Canadian Idol contest in 2007. Although she showed her ability, she wasn't famous as a singer yet. But Justin Bieber recommended her song to everyone on the Internet, and then she received public attention and became a famous singer! One of her most famous songs is "Call Me Maybe". Maybe you've heard this song. This song was covered by some people. For example, the Japanese model Rola made a music video with this song. So Carly has become a famous singer in Japan too.

Today's song's music video is enjoyable too! Tom Hanks appears in this music video. He lip-synches this song and dances. Why do you think he appeared on her music video? Because there is a common person between Carly and Tom, so Carly asked that person if Tom Hanks could appear on it and he did. I think Tom Hanks's dance is pretty. And there is another version where Carly co-stars with Rola (the Japanese model) on the music video. They are so cute. These are characteristic of an enjoyable music video! Let's check it out!

Vol. 12 Ok Go

This week, I'll introduce some artists who make enjoyable music videos. So, today's artist is OK Go! 

They are an American rock group with four members. They were five people in this group at first, but one of the members left the group in 2005. So now, the members are Damian Kulash (vocals and guitar), Tim Nordwind (bass and vocals), Dan Konopka (drum), Andy Ross (keyboards, guitar and vocals). Do you know why their name became "OK Go"? Because when one of  the members went to the art school, the teacher said "Ok, Go!".
I had never heard of them before, but when I watched the Japanese TV show "Sukkiri" (スッキリ), they featured the music video of today's song. Then I knew them for the first time.

All of their music videos are very unique and interesting. So many people watch their music videos on You Tube and they received a Grammy Award for the Best Short Form Music Video in 2007. The music video of today's song was shot in Japan with a multicopter. Riding the Honda's vehicle (UNI-CUB β) and dancing like a mass game with some Japanese cheerleaders are characteristics of this music video. So let's check their music videos! I think you will like them!

Vol. 11 Little Mix

Today's group is Little Mix!

They are a British girls group with four members. The members are Perrie Edwards, Jessica Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall. They are in their twenties. Perrie Edwards from this group is engaged to Zayn Malik from One Direction. 

In 2011, they won the popular audition "X Factor" that turned out One Direction. As the first winning girls group, they are called "One Direction's sister group"! They are a very popular group among young people all over the world and their fans are called "Mixers". All of their single CDs have become big sellers and their music videos were played back on YouTube over two hundred million times! In 2013, they came to Japan to release their debut album and they appeared on a famous Japanese music program. In June 2014, they released the new single "Salute". This music video is cool.

I think they are popular because they are cute and fashionable. Above all, each of them has a powerful voice, and they can dance too. As a result, I became a fan of theirs. Their voices are wonderful! They can sing beautifully and powerfully. I think there are no other singers like them. This is the music video that covered another singer's song. They sing this song with only acoustic guitar. I like the original version too, but today's song is a powerful version.

Today's song is "Wings," their debut single! Since I was recommended this song by my friend, I've listened to their songs. Which versions do you like, the beautiful voice version or the powerful voice version? I think you will like both versions!

Vol. 10 Wham

Today, I'll introduce another Christmas song! Today's song is " Last Christmas." This song is sung by Wham.

Wham was a British duo group. The members were George Michael (vocalist) and Andrew Ridgeley (guitarist). They were fellows in their school band, and each of them took charge of their music and stage.

In 1982, they debuted in the United Kingdom. Their music and their appearances were attractive. In 1983, they released their first album "Fantastic." Their first debut album went to first place in the United Kingdom, and they debuted in America too. 

In 1985, they came to Japan to hold a concert, so they became popular in Japan as well. And many their song was used in a Japanese commercial.

But now, they are well known as the singers who sang today's song, "Last Christmas" among Japanese young people. Perhaps, you didn't know it was them who sang today's song. Their songs were covered by some Japanese singers, so perhaps you've heard Wham's songs covered by others.

In 1986, regrettably, they announced that they disbanded. And they started going solo respectively.

Today's song, " Last Christmas," was released in 1984. This song's theme is about unrequited love. And now, you can hear this song during the Christmas season all over the world! This song has been covered by many famous singers. This is actually a sad song, but somehow I think that it's a happy Christmas song, because when I hear this song, I think that Christmas will come soon! How do you feel about this song? I wish you a happy Christmas!