Ken Hirai

Ken Hirai (平井 堅, Hirai Ken, born on January 17, 1972) is a Japanese R&B and pop singer. Since his debut, Hirai has worked as a model, actor, composer, lyricist, singer, and spokesperson.

During his career, Hirai has released 32 singles and 11 albums up until October 2010. According to Oricon, his single Hitomi o Tojite (Close Your Eyes) became the best-selling single of 2004 in Japan. While his compilation album Ken Hirai 10th Anniversary Complete Single Collection '95–'05 "Utabaka" became the best-selling album of 2006 in Japan.

Early life

Born on January 17, 1972 in Higashiosaka, Osaka, Ken Hirai grew up in Nabari, Mie.

Career

1995–2000

Signing with Sony, he released his first single in 1995, but to no great success. Hirai used the next four years to consolidate his style and take time out - he only released one single each in 1997 and 1998 and did not produce any new music during 1999. Fans waited until 2000 for a third album from Hirai, The Changing Same. It was the first single, "Rakuen" (楽園, Paradise), that established him as a major player in the Japanese sales charts and overseas. He was the first Japanese artist to take the classic test of a true R&B performer - playing at the Apollo Theater in New York, where he got a warm reception. Capitalizing on a strong fan base in Asia, Hirai appeared at the MTV Music Summit in Taiwan in August 2000. Hirai was voted "Best New Japanese Act" in a pop poll organized by the RTHK radio station in Hong Kong.