AKIRA Celebrates 20 Years with Solo EP, Dedicates Song to Son

Japanese artist AKIRA, a prominent member of the group EXILE, is celebrating two decades in the entertainment industry with the release of his debut solo EP, "URBAN SAVAGE." This milestone project features four tracks, including a heartfelt song titled "SUN," inspired by his experiences as a father to his 4-year-old son. AKIRA's journey from dancer to performer has been marked by continuous evolution, and this EP represents a significant culmination of his artistic endeavors.

“

SUN is a song written for my son, mainly about the experience of interacting with my son and family, turning these thoughts into this song.

AKIRA's career has seen him evolve from a dancer to a multifaceted performer, a transition he attributes in part to his participation in the show "Call Me By Fire" (披荊斬棘的哥哥). This experience pushed him to explore singing, a challenge he embraced despite initial pressure. "I originally just wanted to enrich the performance with dance, but I challenged singing in the first round," he shared, noting that the experience solidified his decision to release a solo EP.

“

Making this EP with people from the same era is a very important focus this time.

Collaborating with a diverse group of artists, including Thai rapper F.HERO, Japanese guitarist MIYAVI, and R&B singer JAY'ED, AKIRA aimed to create a project that reflected his contemporaries. "Making this EP with people from the same era is a very important focus this time," he explained. The EP also features a special dedication to his son, "SUN," a song born from his personal experiences as a father.

“

YA! Ganbatte!

Marking his 20th anniversary, AKIRA also celebrates his wedding anniversary with Taiwanese model and actress Lin Chi-ling on June 6th. He is set to hold two solo concerts in Taipei on August 8th, a date that holds significance as it falls on Taiwan's Father's Day. AKIRA expressed his excitement about performing in Taiwan, a place he holds dear, and hopes to deliver a vibrant performance as "the most energetic father in Taiwan" for the occasion. He also expressed a desire to challenge himself by singing in Mandarin, recalling the difficulty of rapping in Chinese during his time on "Call Me By Fire."

“

I originally just wanted to enrich the performance with dance, but I challenged singing in the first round. The pressure was immense because I had never sung in front of everyone before.