Cico, of Bennie K
Happy 30th birthday to Cico, the rapper of the Jpop duo Bennie K!!!
Bennie K is a Jpop duo largely influenced by American hip-hop. The group formed in 1999 in Los Angeles, where Yuki, who was participating in vocal training, and Cico, a rapper, met by accident and became great friends. The two decided to form a band, and Bennie K was formed.
The group managed to attain a record label under For Life, and released their first single, Melody, in January 2001. During the release of their next three singles they achieved popularity by performing at concerts with other famous artist such as SOUL’d OUT, and by participating in various charity events. For their first album, Cube, which was released in July 2002, they had contributions from popular artists like Diggi-mo and Def Tech, which also increased their fame.
The group’s major popularity arose in September 2004, when they released their 8th single, Sunrise, which managed to top at #10 on the Oricon charts. Afterwards, all of their singles made it onto the Oricon charts, and their third album, Synchronicity, hit the charts at #5.
The group embarked on their first solo tour in 2005, and their single Dreamland, became a theme song for Coca-Cola commercials. Not surprisingly, Dreamland became a hit, peaking at #2 on the charts, and allowed their fourth album, Japana-rhythm, to hit the #1 spot.
They still continue to be a successful group, with singles and albums that hit the charts. Though their latest single, 1001 Nights, peaked at only #17, their newest album, The World, managed to peak at #5. In June 2007 they embarked on their second Japan tour, and in November they released a DVD. They will be releasing a new single in February 2008, which is yet untitled.
Debut Date: January 2001
Current Label: For Life
Members:
Yuki - vocals
Cico - rap
Discography:
Singles:
01/24/2001 - Melody
05/23/2001 - School Girl
10/31/2001 - Sunshine
04/24/2002 - Nai / P-Dad
03/05/2003 - My Way
07/23/2003 - Better Days
10/22/2003 - Tegami / Nagori Natsu
09/22/2004 - Sunrise
06/08/2005 - Dreamland
09/21/2005 - Sky
11/08/2006 - Joy Trip
03/07/2007 - 1001 Nights
02/20/2008 - Shinkyoku (TV Drama “Binbou Danshi” Theme Song)
Mini-Albums:
05/08/2004 - The Bennie K Show
08/02/2006 - The Bennie K Show ~on the floor Hen~
Albums:
07/24/2002 - Cube
11/05/2003 - essence
11/04/2004 - Synchronicity
11/09/2005 - Japana-Rhythm
05/23/2007 - The World
Credits: Wikipedia, JMusicAmerica
Bennie K is one of my most favoritest artists! They have this great, upbeat sound that just sticks with you. The vocalist, Yuki, has an awesome voice, which is unique, because I don't really find too many Japanese people with really good voices. Cico's rapping is really catchy and very skillful, and it always fits in with the song, unlike some songs where the rap just sounds like a random addition. I love almost ALL of their songs. <3
Waiha
This is Bennie K's most recent solo video, from their fifth album, The World. It's actually a live performance that seems to be taken as a PV. xD; Well in any case it's a surpsingly laid back song from them; their songs usually burst with energy and excitement, but this song just has the feel of the Hawaii in it with it's slow melody and steel drums. I like it a lot! Although the PV/live performance is just a little boring.
Lyrics | Translation
2BACKKA + Bennie K - Home
This is Bennie K's most recent musical endeaver, which was released in October (much more recent than Waiha, but not a solo project). This is actually also a more laid-back song. It's got a medium-tempo beat and features quite a bit of rap, but also some of Yuki's vocals. She doesn't seem to be in tip-top shape, however. I think her voice is more suited to belting it out; she seems like she's holding back here. Anyway, I'm not familiar at all with 2BACKKA but they seem, alright, although I can't imagine what kind of music they have without Yuki's vocals to complete it. D: (And I couldn't find lyrics anywhere! >_<)
Lyrics | Translation
Download:
Bennie K - 1001 Nights (kinda uploaded this one first until I found out about the other 2 videos so...a FREEBEE! Yay~)
Bennie K - Waiha
2BACKKA + Bennie K - HOME
Comment if you download something please~!
Bennie K is a Jpop duo largely influenced by American hip-hop. The group formed in 1999 in Los Angeles, where Yuki, who was participating in vocal training, and Cico, a rapper, met by accident and became great friends. The two decided to form a band, and Bennie K was formed.
The group managed to attain a record label under For Life, and released their first single, Melody, in January 2001. During the release of their next three singles they achieved popularity by performing at concerts with other famous artist such as SOUL’d OUT, and by participating in various charity events. For their first album, Cube, which was released in July 2002, they had contributions from popular artists like Diggi-mo and Def Tech, which also increased their fame.
The group’s major popularity arose in September 2004, when they released their 8th single, Sunrise, which managed to top at #10 on the Oricon charts. Afterwards, all of their singles made it onto the Oricon charts, and their third album, Synchronicity, hit the charts at #5.
The group embarked on their first solo tour in 2005, and their single Dreamland, became a theme song for Coca-Cola commercials. Not surprisingly, Dreamland became a hit, peaking at #2 on the charts, and allowed their fourth album, Japana-rhythm, to hit the #1 spot.
They still continue to be a successful group, with singles and albums that hit the charts. Though their latest single, 1001 Nights, peaked at only #17, their newest album, The World, managed to peak at #5. In June 2007 they embarked on their second Japan tour, and in November they released a DVD. They will be releasing a new single in February 2008, which is yet untitled.
Debut Date: January 2001
Current Label: For Life
Members:
Yuki - vocals
Cico - rap
Discography:
Singles:
01/24/2001 - Melody
05/23/2001 - School Girl
10/31/2001 - Sunshine
04/24/2002 - Nai / P-Dad
03/05/2003 - My Way
07/23/2003 - Better Days
10/22/2003 - Tegami / Nagori Natsu
09/22/2004 - Sunrise
06/08/2005 - Dreamland
09/21/2005 - Sky
11/08/2006 - Joy Trip
03/07/2007 - 1001 Nights
02/20/2008 - Shinkyoku (TV Drama “Binbou Danshi” Theme Song)
Mini-Albums:
05/08/2004 - The Bennie K Show
08/02/2006 - The Bennie K Show ~on the floor Hen~
Albums:
07/24/2002 - Cube
11/05/2003 - essence
11/04/2004 - Synchronicity
11/09/2005 - Japana-Rhythm
05/23/2007 - The World
Credits: Wikipedia, JMusicAmerica
Bennie K is one of my most favoritest artists! They have this great, upbeat sound that just sticks with you. The vocalist, Yuki, has an awesome voice, which is unique, because I don't really find too many Japanese people with really good voices. Cico's rapping is really catchy and very skillful, and it always fits in with the song, unlike some songs where the rap just sounds like a random addition. I love almost ALL of their songs. <3
Waiha
This is Bennie K's most recent solo video, from their fifth album, The World. It's actually a live performance that seems to be taken as a PV. xD; Well in any case it's a surpsingly laid back song from them; their songs usually burst with energy and excitement, but this song just has the feel of the Hawaii in it with it's slow melody and steel drums. I like it a lot! Although the PV/live performance is just a little boring.
Lyrics | Translation
2BACKKA + Bennie K - Home
This is Bennie K's most recent musical endeaver, which was released in October (much more recent than Waiha, but not a solo project). This is actually also a more laid-back song. It's got a medium-tempo beat and features quite a bit of rap, but also some of Yuki's vocals. She doesn't seem to be in tip-top shape, however. I think her voice is more suited to belting it out; she seems like she's holding back here. Anyway, I'm not familiar at all with 2BACKKA but they seem, alright, although I can't imagine what kind of music they have without Yuki's vocals to complete it. D: (And I couldn't find lyrics anywhere! >_<)
Lyrics | Translation
Download:
Bennie K - 1001 Nights (kinda uploaded this one first until I found out about the other 2 videos so...a FREEBEE! Yay~)
Bennie K - Waiha
2BACKKA + Bennie K - HOME
Comment if you download something please~!