Her name is Hikaru "Hikki" Utada. She is a 16-year old from New York that is currently dominating the charts
in Japan and throughout Asia. Her music is enjoyed not only by people in Asia but by fans all over the world.
The last time an Asian reached #1 in the US on the Billboard music charts was back in 1963. His name was Kyu Sakamoto with his song "Ue o Muite Aruko" known to many of you as "Sukiyaki" which was sung in Japanese and stayed #1 for almost a month.
As GenerAsian artists still don't get much airplay in the US, many popular non-Asian artists would like to see
an Asian reach #1 and everyone's eyes are on Hikaru Utada.
She did what most people thought was impossible and that was to have the #1 selling album, "First Love" in Japan (over 7 million albums sold and is still in the top 20), to achieve the highest point for a debut album and original album.
Also, she knocked the super Japan idol of the 90's, Namie Amuro out of the #1 position for most albums sold in one week.
She has accomplished all this with only three CD singles released.
But her popularity is not only in the music industry. She proved to the networks that she can increase television ratings.
In five televised appearances this summer, she was able to raise music shows in the 9-11% rating to 33%.
Her songs have reached #1 throughout Asia and even popular HK celeb, Kelly Chen, had her company shell out a lot of money for her to cover Hikaru's debut song, "Automatic".
Who is Hikaru Utada?
Hikaru was born in New York in 1983. She was exposed to music at an early age.
Her mother Keiko Fujii is known for her popular songs in the 70's.
Hikaru released an album at the age of 12 with her parents known as U3. At the age of 15, she released an all English album under the name Cubic U which was praised by singer Lenny Kravitz.
At the age of 16, she exploded into the music scene with the song "Automatic" and the c/w song "Time Will
Tell" which will likely win the #1 song of the year in Japan.
Her 2nd CD single, "Movin' on Without You" and her 3rd CD single "First Love" (a slow song used for the hit Japanese drama "Majo no Joken") easily reached #1 on the charts.
She has become a cultural phenomenon and the industry is shocked by how she beat the odds.
Even more so because people all over the world are into her music.
"I will continue to do my own music without the constraints of musical genres," Hikaru said. "I want to keep betraying everybody in a good sense".
With that mentality, the mystery of her character has elevated her to new heights.
Not too long ago, Hikaru performed a concert in Japan with TLC and Monica.
She got to hang out with one of her favorite artists, Mary J. Blige on her radio show in which she discussed
with Blige being scared to fulfill the high expectations set by fans.
Sony made a big hit in getting Hikaru to represent their "Red Hot" MD campaign which was represented by Lauryn Hill last year.
She teamed up with Janet Jackson's producers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for her fourth single titled "ADDICTED TO YOU" (the Sony "Red Hot" campaign song)) which was released in Japan on November 10th.
Recently, Lauryn Hill asked Hikaru to join her in a concert tour in Japan but Hikaru declined because of her dedication to her school. Hikaru's goal is to enter Columbia University which is the same college that Lauryn Hill attended.
A rumor circulating around Asia is that Hikaru will quit the music business to concentrate on her college education and major in philosophy. This worries many of her fans.
Regardless of what decision she chooses, Hikaru has accomplished a great deal.
Her music has sent a shockwave effect, touching the hearts of listeners all over the world.
In her official Toshiba-EMI web site, she wrote a message to her fans:
