ArtistInfo

Keiko Fuji

voc, 1951-2013 JP
Singer of Pop
A.k.a. 宇多田純子 (Utada Junko) Ra Junko Utada

July 5, 1951 to August 22, 2013. Was a Japanese female singer and actress. Born in Iwate, but brought up in Asahikawa in Hokkaido. Released her debut single in September 1969. Mother of the Japanese pop R&B singer Utada Hikaru. It made a big controversy as RCA credited Enka for her when she debuted. In order to avoid that, she answered many interviews at that time. At that time Keiko Fuji was 18 years old. She has introducing her profile. Her father was Rōkyoku singer, Her mother was a Shamisen player. Keiko Fuji was singing as Nagashi singer since childhood and helping the family budget. Lyricist Masao Ishizaka discovered Keiko Fuji. She made a record debut at the age of 18. RCA campaigned Keiko Fuji and Cool Five as Enka but their songs were not Enka. At this point, Keiko Fuji was a female singer in Nagashi style. Nagashi does not necessarily need to be Enka, but they sing in response to customer requests at a dark spot and bar. At the time it was demand that only dark and sad songs reflect Japanese society. Keiko Fuji sang it. So, RCA used Keiko Fuji as a strategy to expand the Enka market, but in fact she was singing was controversial as it was not Enka defined by Masao Koga. It was like debating whether BABYMETAL was heavy metal or J-pop. After all Keiko Fuji was singing Enka fans' favorite song style and her song was not on the Enka term made by Masao Koga. But like Kaji Meiko, Keiko Fuji also became Enka singer at late 70s.

Genres

• Pop
• Blues
• Dance

Plays With