SoulJa
SoulJa is a Japanese hip-hop musician and songwriter. He is best known for his collaborations with singer Thelma Aoyama, "Koko ni Iru yo" and "Soba ni Iru ne" – the latter of which was the former Guinness World Records holder for the best selling digital single of all-time in Japan.
Biography
SoulJa's father is Japanese and his mother is Belgian. He studied music, learning how to play the violin, cello and piano from a young age, due to the influence of his mother. During his childhood, he spent time in Belgium, Japan and the United States. At 15, he grew to love hip-hop music.In 2003, he returned to Japan, and began creating music. He got his first big break when a song of his, "First Contact," was featured in a commercial for Men's Beauteen in 2005. This led to several more offers to write commercial music for companies such as magazine Oggi, along with SoulJa's independent label debut. In late 2005, he released the EP First Contact under Rock & Hill Records.
In 2007, SoulJa debuted as a major label artist with Universal Music Japan. His third single, "Koko ni Iru yo" featuring R&B singer Thelma Aoyama, became a long selling hit, staying in Oricon's top 10 singles for five weeks. Eventually, by March 2008, the song had been certified by the RIAJ for selling over 1,000,000+ ringtones, 1,000,000+ cellphone full-length downloads and 100,000 PC downloads.
SoulJa's debut album, Spirits, released two and a half months later, was a modest success, breaking the top 10 on Oricon and selling over 66,000 copies.
In January 2008, Thelma Aoyama released her own answer version to the song, "Soba ni Iru ne." This version outstripped the popularity of the original, topping the RIAJ's monthly ringtone chart for three months, peaking at No. 1 on Oricon's single sales charts and eventually being certified by Guinness World Records as the best digital single in Japan of all-time.
After the extreme popularity of this version, SoulJa re-released Spirits, featuring a self-cover of this version.
SoulJa's second album, Colorz, was preceded by two singles: "Kinenbi/Home" feat. Misslim and "One Time" feat. Issei & Jin Oki. The album did not do as well as his previous, only reaching No. 106 on Oricon's album charts. "Kinenbi" was a minor hit, charting in the top 20 on RIAJ's Chaku-uta chart for two months.
In January 2010, SoulJa released his 6th single, "Way to Love " feat. Miho Karasawa. It was a digital hit, being certified by the RIAJ for selling 100,000 copies after charting for two months. This will be followed by his third album, Letters, along with the leading single "Hanasanaide yo" featuring Thelma Aoyama. SoulJa also worked together with Aoyama on her single "Kaeru Basho," writing the song.
Discography
Albums
EPs
| Year | Album Information |
| 2005 | First Contact
|
Singles
As lead artist
- charted on monthly Chaku-uta Reco-kyō Chart.
As a featured artist
Other appearances
| Release | Artist | Title | Notes | Album |
| 2008 | SoulJa | "Break" | Negachaincompi: Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge Official Compi | |
| 2008 | SoulJa | "Engage" | Negachaincompi: Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge Official Compi | |
| 2008 | Sly and Robbie feat. Lady Traffic, SoulJa & Chantelle | "Hurry Home " | "Soba ni Iru ne" English cover. Featured on Colorz. | Amazing |
| 2010 | Yuki Koyanagi feat. SoulJa | "Be Alive " | Featured on Letters as a bonus track. RIAJ No. 32. | The Best Now & Then: 10th Anniversary |
| 2010 | Under Graph × SoulJa | "2111 " | Originally released as a digital single on 2 June 2010. | "Natsukage" |
| 2010 | Issa × SoulJa | "Breathe" c/w/ "Destiny" |
He also graduated Christian Academy in Japan.