Rei Yasuda

Rei Yasuda
Native name 安田レイ
Birth name Rachel Rhodes
Also known as
  • Yasuda Rei
  • Lumi
Born (1993-04-15) April 15, 1993
North Carolina, U.S.
Origin Tokyo, Japan
Genres J-pop
Occupation(s) Singer, model, radio host
Years active 2006–present
Labels Sony Music Japan
Associated acts Genki Rockets
Website yasudarei.net

Rei Yasuda (安田レイ, born Rachel Rhodes; April 15, 1993), who has also gone by Yasuda Rei, is a Japanese singer who portrayed and co-voiced Lumi, the fictional front woman of Genki Rockets, the virtual band that became popular with its first single "Heavenly Star" in 2006. She debuted as a solo singer in 2013.

Biography

Rachel Rhodes[1] was born in North Carolina, United States on April 15, 1993, but was moved to Japan at the age of 3.[2] She was raised in an American school at Yokota Air Base. When she was in first grade at around 6-7 years old,[3] she was inspired to become a singer[4] after hearing her mother listening to First Love by Utada Hikaru and later influenced by Mariya Takeuchi and Love Psychedelico.[1] When she was in third grade she became addicted to American R&B artists Alicia Keys and Usher.[3][5][6] She is hāfu from an American father who was from Michigan[7] and a Japanese mother[8] and is fluent in both English and Japanese.[9] While in junior high school, her school didn't allow students to perform art activities so she had to secretly work with Genki Rockets, though it was later disclosed so she had to either quit school or quit singing. Her teacher was being supportive of her singing career so she decided to transfer to another school.[10] After high school graduation, Rei decided to pursue a full time music career. Her decision was against many suggestions she received from adults that want her to go to university and get a serious job instead, citing a difficulty of becoming a singer.[11] She has a younger brother Musashi Rhodes who was a former child tarento and later registered into a modeling agency as "Rose".[12][13]

Career

Genki Rockets

Rei sang Happy Birthday to You for an audition of Genki Rockets at the age of 13 when she was still in 6th year elementary school student[4] and became the sole image model and provided her vocal to synthesized with the voice of Nami Miyahara,[14] creating the lead singer of the virtual band, Lumi, who was written as a fictional 17 years old girl born on September 11, 2019 as the first human being born in outer space and finally visited the earth on September 11, 2039, when she reaches 20 years old.[15][16] The band produced electronic dance[17] house music with mostly English lyrics.[18] Other members of the band are video game developer Tetsuya Mizuguchi and record producer Kenji Tamai of agehasprings.[19][20] The band's first single "Heavenly Star" and its music video were featured in video game Lumines II and No More Heroes.[21] The song was nominated for Best Song by Spike Video Game Awards in 2006[22] while the band won Best New Artist in Electronic category from iTunes in 2007.[23] She acted as Lumi in Child of Eden, where she was resurrected as a persona in 23th century but being under attacked by a malicious virus, with the player tasked to save her.[24] Whilst in Genki Rockets, Rei gained no stage experience[18] because all of the band's events use high tech pre-recorded video of her for Live PA,[25] with the notable example of Lumi introducing the former U.S. Vice President Al Gore using Musion Eyeliner in Live Earth concert, Tokyo 2007.[26] In 2010, the band moved from Avex Trax to Sony Music Records as a part of make.believe, a Sony marketing campaign, where the band was used to demonstrate Sony's 3D display.[20] Rei noted that at first her voice and appearance are heavily processed but later the process effect became weaker and her identity became more clear.[1]

Solo singer

In 2013, Rei made her solo debut under Sony Records under her Japanese name, Rei Yasuda,[27] debuting with "Best of My Love" that served as the ending theme to Space Battleship Yamato 2199. In its music video, the UFO came to the world where the civilization hasn't been developed, which Rei found its contrast. It's also the first time she location shoot the music video instead of green screen.[1] Genki Rockets's member Kenji Tamai continues to be her music producer[28] and help her solo debut after her high school graduation.[29] Genki Rockets also did a remix of "Best of my Love" and featured in her first digital single release "Let it Snow".[30] Her first and second album, Will and Prism, both ranked first on the Japanese iTunes Store’s J-Pop Top Album chart and second on the Overall Album chart.[31][32] She was selected as Japanese iTunes New Artist 2014[33] and nominated in 57th Japan Record Awards for Best New Artist in 2015.[34] In August 2015, she performed to 34,000 youths from 150 countries gathered in Yamaguchi Prefecture for 23rd World Scout Jamboree.[35] Her first live performance outside Japan was in November 2016 for the event "Japan Media Mix Festival in Taipei 2016".[36] She was nominated for Best Teen Choice Award in 2016 MTV Video Music Awards Japan.[37]

Model

Before Genki Rockets debut, Rei appeared as a model for Sony's CMOS Sensors in 2006.[38] She was the model in a makeup and skincare book titled "Kirei no Mahou" (The Magic of Beauty/The Magic Behind Beauty) released in August 2008.[39] She appeared as Lumi in Vogue Italia website for Child of Eden promotional interview of Tetsuya Mizuguchi.[40] She was registered in FourSprings talent agency as Rachel Rhodes[41] before moving to Ten Carat for her solo debut as Rei Yasuda.[42] She started Nylonista fashion blog for Nylon Japan magazine which she also performed live for Nylon special stage in Girls Award 2013 Autumn/Winter.[43] In April 2014, she started shoe blog for ABC-Mart accompanied with the release of her single Passcode 4854.[44] She participated in Escada fashion event in April 2014[45] and Tokyo Girls Collection festival once a year from 2013 to 2016, with the 2013 Autumn/Winter being her first live performance.[6] She was featured in Sendai Collection 2014 and her song "Inside Out" became the brand's promotional single for the brand's event in August 2014.[46] She had been appeared as a model for three consecutive years on Flags fashion building in Shinjuku for its 16th-18th anniversary[47][48] and was selected alongside with Rihwa as campaign ambassadors for its 20th anniversary.[49] She was both the performer and model for Kansai Collection Autumn/Winter 2016.[50] She was the 60th Tokyo IT Girls model for Vogue Girl Japan.[8] In 2017, She became Lumine Est brand ambassador and also providing her song "up to Me" for summer collection[51] and "Not Enough" for winter collection.[52]

Radio host

Rei hosted her own program "City Girls Music" for Japan FM Network since 2016.[53] She also co-host "JA Zen-noh Countdown Japan" with another British-Japanese radio personality George Williams for Tokyo FM in every Saturday noon began in April 2017.[54]

Other works

Rei was the NylonTV Japan's backstage reporter for Vantan Cutting Edge 2013 fashion show.[55] She was selected as Yahoo! Japan smartphone guide for iTunes Festival 2014 in London, interviewing Foxes, Jenny Lewis, and Clean Bandit.[56][57] She wrote the lyrics for the Japanese version of Charli XCX's song Boom Clap[58] and later wrote the lyrics for some of her own songs.[59][60] She made a cameo appearance in TBS drama "100 days: Love, Marriage, Sickness and Mom" that used her song "Ashitairo" as theme song.[61] She also designed merchandise of her own brand and sold through her official shop.[62]

Discography

Albums

Title Release date Peak positions
Oricon Albums Chart[63]Billboard Japan Top Album Sales
WillOctober 8, 20141513
PrismFebruary 3, 20161516

Physical singles

Title Release date Peak positions Tie-in Album
Oricon Singles Chart[64]Billboard Japan Hot 100
Best of My LoveJuly 3, 20132127Second ending theme song for Space Battleship Yamato 2199[65]Will
Brand New DayFebruary 5, 20148432TV Commercial song for Nissen Spring 2014[66]
Passcode 4854June 4, 20148490First ending theme song for Kindaichi Case Files R[67]
MirrorSeptember 3, 201419222nd ending theme for the anime The Irregular at Magic High School[68]
KoiutaFebruary 25, 20154322Theme song for the TBS drama Zanka: Beautiful Snares
Cover of an Ikimono-gakari song with the same name[69]		Prism
TweediaJuly 15, 20152333Ending theme song for Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages[70]
AshitairoNovember 11, 20154133Theme song for the TBS drama 100 days: Love, Marriage, Sickness and Mom[71]
MessageMay 18, 20165146First ending theme song for the anime Ace Attorney[72]
KiminoutaMay 24, 20176598Ending theme for Natsume's Book of Friends Season 6[73]
SunnyAugust 22, 201812885Opening theme song for Fuji TV drama adapted from manga of the same name Caseworker's Diary: Constitutional Rights, The Minimum Standard of Wholesome and Cultured Living[74]

Digital singles

Title Release date Tie-in Album
Let It SnowDecember 4, 2013Sony Headphone MDR-10 commercial music video[75]Will
ClassyNovember 14, 2016TV commercial song for Sony Bravia [76]

Guest appearance

Title Release date Artists
OnajisoraNovember 2, 2016SPICY CHOCOLATE feat. Naoto Inti Raymi & Rei Yasuda[77]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "安田レイ 『Best of my Love』インタビュー | Special | Billboard JAPAN". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  2. ↑ "安田レイ YASUDA REI OFFICIAL WEBSITE". www.yasudarei.net (in Japanese). SME Records Inc,. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  3. 1 2 Takahashi, Makoto. "ドラマ『ケンカツ』OP曲『Sunny』を歌う安田レイ　「この夏の思い出となる一曲に」". しらべぇ ｜ 気になるアレを大調査ニュース！ (in Japanese). sirabee. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  4. 1 2 "素の自分で歌いたかった 安田レイインタビュー". Takahashi, Miho. 2013-12-05. Retrieved 2014-11-06.
  5. ↑ "安田レイが掴んだ、シンガーとしての新たなビジョン「ようやく、自分の声を愛せるようになってきた」". Real Sound｜リアルサウンド (in Japanese). realsound.jp. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  6. 1 2 "安田レイ東京ガールズコレクション2014 SPRING/SUMMER出演決定！". ソニーミュージック オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  7. ↑ "J-WAVE WEBSITE : TOKIO HOT100". www.j-wave.co.jp. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  8. 1 2 "東京it girlsの着回しリレー／Vol.60 安田レイ - 東京it girlsの着回しリレー | VOGUE GIRL". VOGUE GIRL (in Japanese). CONDÉ NAST JAPAN. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  9. ↑ "安田レイ「Let It Snow」インタビュー (1/3) - 音楽ナタリー Power Push:". Mori, Hideyuki. 2013-12-05. Retrieved 2014-11-06.
  10. ↑ "安田レイ8枚目のシングル「Message」をリリース". EMTG Music (in Japanese). EMTG Co, Ltd. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  11. ↑ Yoshioka, Riho. "J-WAVE NEWS". www.j-wave.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  12. ↑ "ローズ". Image Models 株式会社ボン イマージュ (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  13. ↑ Yasuda, Rei. "安田レイ on Instagram: "My brother💕なんだかんだ仲良しね〜😘#sister #brother"". Instagram. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  14. ↑ "香里奈出演CMに抜擢　注目の美女シンガー・安田レイの素顔に迫る　モデルプレスインタビュー - モデルプレス". モデルプレス - ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース (in Japanese). modelpress. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
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  16. ↑ "元気ロケッツ - TOWER RECORDS ONLINE". Tower Records Online. TOWER RECORD CO., LTD. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  17. ↑ McWhertor, Michael. "Is Child of Eden Everything You Want From A Rez Sequel? [Update]". Kotaku. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  18. 1 2 "Yasuda Rei". JaME U.S.A. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  19. ↑ Eisenbeis, Richard. "The Virtual Idol Gaming Forgot About". Kotaku. Gizmodo Media Group. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  20. 1 2 "Innovative Audio & Visual Hybrid Project, Genki Rockets Releases First EP "make.believe / Flow (Child of Eden Mix)" Worldwide". Anime News Network. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  21. ↑ Fletcher, JC. "No More Genki Rockets". Engadget. Oath Tech Network AOL Tech. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  22. ↑ Sinclair, Brendan (27 November 2006). "Spike TV's 2006 game awards detailed". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  23. ↑ "謎の元気ロケッツ、新曲がPARCO CMソングに | BARKS". BARKS (in Japanese). Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  24. ↑ Seaberg, Maureen. "Gaming Synesthesia". Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers, LLC. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  25. ↑ "Rockers urge fans to fight global warming at Live Earth concerts | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  26. ↑ "Al Gore's Holographic Presentation at Live Earth - Digital Illusions". www.digitalillusionsllc.com. digital illusions llc. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  27. ↑ "安田レイ". Sony Records. 2013-12-05. Retrieved 2014-11-06.
  28. ↑ Inc., Natasha,. "安田レイ×玉井健二「Best of my Love」対談 (1/4) - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  29. ↑ Miho, Fujii. "安田レイが届ける、"意志"と"決意"を込めた『Will』". 音楽WEBメディア M-ON! MUSIC(エムオンミュージック) (in Japanese). M-ON! Entertainment Inc. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  30. ↑ "安田レイ YASUDA REI OFFICIAL WEBSITE". www.yasudarei.net (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  31. ↑ "Newcomer Artist Rei Yasuda's Debut Album Suddenly Reaches No. 1, Also Popular on *The Irregular at Magic High School* | Tokyo Otaku Mode News". otakumode.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  32. ↑ "安田レイ×藤井サチ×山本ソニアがバレンタイン女子会を開催。「そうそう！すぐに反応、見たいよね！」". 音楽WEBメディア M-ON! MUSIC(エムオンミュージック) (in Japanese). M-ON! Entertainment Inc. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  33. ↑ Loo, Egan. "GARNiDELiA, Rei Yasuda Perform The irregular at magic high school's New Songs". Anime News Network. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  34. ↑ "Winners and Nominees for the 57th Japan Record Awards Announced | ARAMA! JAPAN". ARAMA! JAPAN. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  35. ↑ "第23回世界スカウトジャンボリー＠山口市きらら浜アリーナショーに参加させて頂く事が決定しました！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  36. ↑ "11/10(木)～11/13(日) 安田レイ、初の海外ライブが決定！！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  37. ↑ "「MTV VMAJ 2016」特別賞『Best Teen Choice Artist』に安田レイがノミネート！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  38. ↑ "Sony's CMOS Sensors. | Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation". Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  39. ↑ "En in Tokyo: IKKOさんの キレイの魔法". En in Tokyo. 13 April 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  40. ↑ Cozzi, Emilio. "Child of Eden - Vogue.it". vogue.it. Vogue Italia. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  41. ↑ "ローズ・レイチェル | foursprings official site". Archived from the original on February 13, 2012.
  42. ↑ "安田レイ". www.tencarat.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  43. ↑ "GirlsAward 2013 AWでNYLON JAPAN創刊10周年をカウントダウン！". NYLON JAPAN. CAELUM Ltd. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  44. ↑ "安田レイABC-MART店内放送"ABCリコメンズ"のMCに決定！". ソニーミュージック オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  45. ↑ "エスカーダ、2014年春夏コレクションを六本木で披露 ‐ 神田うのがランウェイに登場". Fashion press (in Japanese). Carlin, inc. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  46. ↑ "Fashion and Music Event SENDAI COLLECTION to Take Place This Year | NEWS". HARAJUKU KAWAii!! STYLE. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  47. ↑ "安田レイ、2年連続新宿フラッグスのイメージキャラクターに就任！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  48. ↑ "Flags 18th Anniversary イメージキャラクターに決定！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  49. ↑ "新宿駅東南口商業施設「Ｆｌａｇｓ（フラッグス）」開業２０周年キャンペーン「Ｆｌａｇｓ ２０ｔｈ Ａｎｎｉｖｅｒｓａｒｙ」を開催 （９月２８日～１０月１１日）：時事ドットコム". 時事ドットコム (in Japanese). Jiji Press Ltd. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  50. ↑ "KANSAI COLLECTION 2016A/W 出演が決定！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  51. ↑ "安田レイがLUMINE ESTシーズンビジュアルに決定 | OKMusic". okmusic.jp. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  52. ↑ "安田レイ ルミネエスト新宿冬ビジュアルに新曲「Not Enough」を提供 - モデルプレス". モデルプレス - ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  53. ↑ "CITY GIRLS MUSIC|安田レイ|JFN PARK". JFN PARK (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  54. ↑ "安田レイ - TOKYO FM 80.0MHz - 80.Love FM RADIO STATION". www.tfm.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  55. ↑ "安田レイが潜入！　学生によるスタイリングショー「Vantan Cutting Edge 2013」". YouTube. Nylon Japan. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  56. ↑ "安田レイ"iTunes Festival" Yahoo!スマホガイド公式レポーターに決定". ソニーミュージック オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  57. ↑ "iTunes Festival London 2014 - Yahoo!スマホガイド". Yahoo.co.jp (in Japanese). Yahoo Japan Corporation. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  58. ↑ Grow, Kory (28 January 2015). "Hear Charli XCX Sing 'Boom Clap' in Japanese". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  59. ↑ "安田レイ ルミネエスト新宿冬ビジュアルに新曲「Not Enough」を提供 - モデルプレス". モデルプレス - ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース (in Japanese). modelpress. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  60. ↑ Watanabe, Akiko. "安田レイ、『健康で文化的な最低限度の生活』OP曲「Sunny」で引き出されたシンガーとしての特性". Real Sound｜リアルサウンド (in Japanese). realsound.jp. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  61. ↑ Inc., Natasha,. "安田レイ、主題歌歌う「結婚式の前日に」でドラマデビュー - 音楽ナタリー". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  62. ↑ "安田レイ ONLINE SHOP". etb-rights.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  63. ↑ "安田レイのアルバム売上ランキング". ORICON NEWS (in Japanese). oricon ME inc. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  64. ↑ "安田レイのシングル売上ランキング". ORICON NEWS (in Japanese). oricon ME inc. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  65. ↑ "本日ついにデビューシングル「Best of my Love」リリース！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  66. ↑ "2nd Single「Brand New Day」2月5日リリース決定＆MV公開！／「NISSEN 2014春」CMソングとしてのオンエア＆CM初出演も！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  67. ↑ "3rdシングル「パスコード4854」6月4日リリース決定！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  68. ↑ "Newシングル「Mirror」９月３日リリース決定！＆TVアニメ「魔法科高校の劣等生」新EDテーマ担当決定！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  69. ↑ "安田レイ、初のドラマ主題歌に大抜擢！「恋詩」2015年2月25日リリース決定！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  70. ↑ "安田レイ、今年の夏ポケモン映画の主題歌に大抜擢！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  71. ↑ "安田レイ新曲「あしたいろ」が香里奈さん主演ドラマ『結婚式の前日に』主題歌に大抜擢！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  72. ↑ "8thシングル「Message 」5月18日(水)発売決定！アニメ『逆転裁判~その「真実」、異議あり！~』エンディング！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  73. ↑ "新曲「きみのうた」がTVアニメ「夏目友人帳 陸」エンディングテーマに決定！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  74. ↑ "★約3年ぶりとなるドラマタイアップ決定！　10thシングル「Sunny」発売決定！★". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  75. ↑ "新曲「Let It Snow」12月4日（水）配信限定リリース決定！＆予告編MV公開！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  76. ↑ "11/14(月)配信の新曲「Classy」がソニー　ブラビアTVCM曲に決定！新ビジュアル＆ミュージックビデオも公開！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  77. ↑ "安田レイ、SPICY CHOCOLATE楽曲へのフィーチャリング参加＆配信リリース決定！". www.sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
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