The one and only Crystal Kay is the guest today in this very special episode of the Japan Station podcast.
A singer, songwriter, and actress, Crystal Kay has been singing for just about as long as she’s been able to speak. In fact, her first credit is at the age of four when she used her vocal talents in a song for a commercial promoting the PC Engine Duo game console (known as the TurboDuo in the U.S.). Crystal released her debut single in 1999 at the age of 13 and in the two decades since then she’s sold millions of albums and produced numerous chart-topping singles. Her positive attitude, incredible talent, and status as one of the earliest artists of mixed race to rise to mainstream fame in Japan have earned Crystal many fans around the world and turned her into a role model for many.
In this episode we discuss:
- When it was that Crystal realized she was a source of inspiration for other mixed race individuals in Japan
- How Crystal deals with negativity
- Crystal’s relationship with her mother
- Crystal’s thoughts on the 20th anniversary of her major debut as a singer
- Crystal’s connection to the legendary Japanese singer Misora HIbari
- Crystal’s daily routine
- And more!
You won’t be able to help feel positive after listening to this episode.
Note: The conversation heard in this episode was recorded in November of 2018 when Crystal Kay visited Hawaii to perform in a music festival dedicated to the Japanese singer Misora Hibari. The conversation heard in this episode was recorded for the purposes of a print article in Wasabi magazine. It was adapted into a podcast episode with the Crystal Kay’s permission.
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Extra Stuff
You can follow Crystal Kay on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Here is a preview of the Japanese production of the Broadway musical Pippin in which Crystal Kay will be starring. She will be performing the role of Leading Player.
The Japanese production of Pippin will run from June 10-30 at the Tokyu Theatre Orb, which is located in Tokyo’s Shibuya district within the Hikarie complex. For information on showtimes and purchasing tickets, visit the Tokyu Theatre Orb website here.
There will also be performances in July in Nagoya (7/6-7/7), Osaka (7/12-7/15), and Shizuoka (7/20-7/21).
And of course, below you’ll find a very small collection of Crystal Kay’s expansive body of work. First up we have Crystal Kay’s 17th single “Koi ni Ochitara.” Released in 2005, this song was used as the theme song for the drama Koi ni Ochitara: Boku no Seikō. It is also one of her most successful songs, selling 73,717 copies in the first week of its release almost 300,000 according to figures from 2012.
Next we have “Anata no Soba ni,” which is the third and final single from Crystal Kay’s 2007 album All Yours. This track has more of that R&B vibe Crystal Kay is known for.
Here’s a track from 2014 called “Rule Your World.”
Here is a 2015 track called “Revolution,” which features none other than pop sensation Namie Amuro.
Here is a track called “Nando demo,” which was used in the 2015 Fuji TV drama Otona Joshi.
Here’s a track featuring Crystal Kay called “Reewind! [m-flo loves Crystal Kay].” It is from the Japanese hip hop group m-flo’s 2004 album Astromantic.
Special Thanks
Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi)
To listen to more of Yunomi’s music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.
Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.
Image: PR Times
