By Nathan Phua

Her constant singing made her adamant in wanting a music career. Thus, she went for different auditions from high school onwards that came to no avail. Finally, her persistence and perseverance carried her in passing the BMG audition in Sept. 1997. On Feb. 21, 1998, she debuted with her first CD maxi single, “Tsutsumi Komu Youni”. Following that, on Jun. 24, 1998, she released an interestingly titled first album, “Mother Father Brother Sister”. It comfortably occupied the no. 1 spot after four weeks on the Oricon Chart.

Adding to this achievement, she clinched “Best New Artist of the Year” and “Best Pop Album of the Year” awards from the Nihon Gold Disc Award in Mar. 1999. She currently has 6 singles, 2 albums and 2 remix albums under her wings. In her latest single, “Escape” that was out on the same day as her birthday, Jul. 07, the words and music is by her. The title track is also the CM song for Kenwood’s “Avino”. With many budding R & B singers in Japan lately, looks like her skills in writing and composing will certainly sustain her in this stormy battle of the best.