ayaka

Ayaka performs J-pop built around acoustic arrangements that incorporate blues inflections, with Sheryl Crow, Hirai Ken, and Dream Come True frequently cited among her reference points. Born Ayaka Iida in 1987 in Moriguchi, Osaka Prefecture, she first appeared publicly by playing covers at school concerts before choosing a professional path, composing original songs, and enrolling at a music school in Fukuoka whose alumni include Yui. In 2005 she entered the industry without any prior releases when invited to record the theme song “Mikazuki” for the television drama @Human. By year’s end, Warner Music Group CEO Lyor Cohen was observed clapping along at one of her performances, likening her talent to that of Mariah Carey and Hikaru Utada while forecasting international stardom. After signing with Warner she supplied the theme “I Believe” for the high-profile drama Rondo, which accumulated one million digital downloads and 220,000 physical copies upon single release. Two further singles appeared in 2006, among them the limited-edition “Melody ~Sounds Real~,” whose rock direction drew critical notice for the breadth of styles she displayed. Her debut album, First Message, reached stores the same year despite multiple delays and sold 350,000 copies in its first week, eventually exceeding one million units overall. Additional singles followed in 2007–2008, including the 2007 track “Winding Road,” recorded with labelmates Kobukuro, the well-known folk-rock duo; Ayaka also joined them for live shows and the 2008 single “Anata To.” Another release, “Why,” served as the theme for the PSP game Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. Her second album, Sing to the Sky, arrived in mid-2008, peaked at number two on the charts, and surpassed 500,000 units sold.