Season 1 2019

International superstar YOSHIKI treated us to a special performance accompanied by a live orchestra for our first episode. Since his major debut with X (name later changed to X JAPAN) in 1989, YOSHIKI’s music career has been a turbulent 30 years. He talks to host Shingo Murakami about his international endeavors and unwavering sentiments. YOSHIKI composed the single “Anniversary” in honor of the tenth anniversary of Japanese Emperor Akihito’s reign and performed it at Japan’s Imperial Palace in 1999. Now, the original full version will be aired for the first time on television on SONGS OF TOKYO. Don’t miss this stirring tribute to mark the end of an era.

For our second regular episode, we welcome the girls' chorus group, Little Glee Monster. At an average age of just 19, all 5 members of the group are incredible vocalists and take turns on lead vocals. Known especially for their a cappella performances, they have performed with international superstars like Earth, Wind & Fire, and even members of ABBA have talked about how impressive the group is, words of encouragement that have pushed Little Glee Monster to set their sights on international success. Already, they have performed at events in San Francisco and Shanghai, and last year they embarked on their first ever Asia tour. In this episode of SONGS OF TOKYO, the group shares what drives their passion for music, and they show that passion through exclusive performances. Studio MC Shingo Murakami uses his exceptional ability to connect with artists to get the group to admit to some crazy things that have happened on stage.

For our third regular broadcast, we welcome the charismatic singer, AI! In addition to her incredible vocals, her songs also feature powerful lyrics full of positive messages that can pick you up whenever you're feeling down. At the young age of 15, AI left her home prefecture of Kagoshima and flew to America to pursue a career in music, an incredibly difficult challenge that tested the singer's resilience. Our program's host, Shingo Murakami, dives into AI's "story" to learn about the life experiences that helped shape her ability to create such impactful music.In this episode, she performs her megahit "HAPPINESS" with a chorus featuring 100 of her biggest fans from around the world, a performance that blew everyone in the studio away. She also sings the English version of "Story," a track that became a massive hit as the ending theme for the Japanese release of Disney's "Big Hero 6".

For our fourth broadcast, we welcome Hideaki Tokunaga. Since making his debut in the 1980s, Tokunaga's music has been covered by artists all across Asia, including Jackie Chan as well as popular K-POP artists. This time, we talk to JAEJOONG about the love and respect he has for Hideaki Tokunaga and his incredible vocals. Plus, program host Shingo Murakami gets Tokunaga to open up about how he was able to overcome sickness and continues to put out great music. Join us and treat yourself to a special medley featuring Hideaki Tokunaga's most popular tracks: "Yume o Shinjite," "Kowarekake no Radio," and "Rainy Blue." The performance brought his international fans in the studio to tears! Don't miss it!

For our fifth broadcast, we welcome Kyary Pamyu Pamyu! Since making her major debut in 2011, the pop icon has completed four world tours and continues to be the icon of Tokyo's kawaii-culture. This time, Kyary will be sharing her kabuki collaboration for the first time on TV! The best parts of Japan's traditional performance art form combine with Kyary's unique pop music to create something brand new. The 9-minute long special medley features Kyary in authentic kabuki wear performing hit songs like "Ninja Re Bang Bang" and "Oto no Kuni," all with the flair of a real kabuki show! You'll understand how Kyary's international fans were utterly blown away by the glamorous mix of cutting-edge pop music and traditional Japanese performance art. During the studio interview, host Shingo Murakami talks to Kyary about her neverending search for originality and her incredible self-producing skills. She also unveils her brand-new track, "KIMIGA IINE KURETARA".

Episode 6 features 4 of Tokyo's coolest and most popular female artists of 2019. Sayaka Yamamoto, a singer-songwriter who is blazing new trails for herself after graduating from AKB48, the superstar idol group where Yamamoto was the center position for "365nichi no Kamihikouki," a megahit across Asia. Reol, an emerging pop artist whose music videos have been viewed more than 400 million times, the majority of views coming from outside Japan. Juice=Juice, a Hello! Project group with plenty of experience performing overseas since successfully completing their first world tour in 2015. The episode will also feature the anime song world's new heroine, ASCA. The unique singer with amazing vocals who made a name for herself by performing the opening theme for the anime Sword Art Online. These 4 hot artists join us in the studio where host Shingo Murakami uses his wit and charisma to uncover what makes these artists so unique.

The 7th episode of SONGS OF TOKYO will feature two hot Johnny's groups set to make their CD debut in 2020 in a show called "SixTONES vs Snow Man." SixTONES has been making waves with their single "Imitation Rain," written and composed by YOSHIKI. This six-member group already has an international fan base thanks to their YouTube and social media pages, and are hoping to make it big on the international arena. Snow Man, a group of nine, has already gotten acclaim for their show stopping performances. They started their own WEIBO page in 2019 and have won their newcomers award. They are set to tour Asia in 2020. SONGS OF TOKYO host Murakami Shingo, also a Johnny's member, does a great job of easing their tension and livening up the studio. Tune in to learn more about what makes each member unique.