City Pop, the genre that captured the essence of urban Japanese life in the 1970s and 1980s, was shaped by numerous talented musicians. This article focuses on four key artists who played pivotal roles in defining and popularizing the genre: Tatsuro Yamashita, Miki Matsubara, Taeko Onuki, and Kingo Hamada.
Tatsuro Yamashita
Tatsuro Yamashita, often referred to as the “King of City Pop,” is one of the most influential figures in the genre. Born on February 4, 1953, in Tokyo, Yamashita’s musical journey began in the early 1970s as a member of the band Sugar Babe.
Biography and Early Career
Yamashita’s solo career took off in 1976 with the release of his debut album “Circus Town.” However, it was his 1980 album “Ride on Time” that solidified his status as a City Pop icon. The album’s title track became an instant classic, embodying the sophisticated urban sound that defined the genre.
Yamashita’s musical style is characterized by his smooth vocals, intricate arrangements, and a seamless blend of jazz, funk, and pop elements. His ability to craft catchy melodies while maintaining musical complexity set him apart from his contemporaries.
Major Works and Contributions
Throughout the 1980s, Yamashita released a string of successful albums that helped shape the City Pop sound. Some of his most notable works include:
- “For You” (1982): This album featured the hit single “Sparkle,” which became one of Yamashita’s signature songs.
- “Big Wave” (1984): Considered by many as his magnum opus, this album perfectly encapsulated the breezy, summery feel of City Pop.
- “Pocket Music” (1986): This album showcased Yamashita’s evolving sound, incorporating more electronic elements.
Yamashita’s influence extends beyond his own discography. He has written and produced songs for numerous other artists, including his wife Mariya Takeuchi, another City Pop legend. His songwriting and production work have helped shape the careers of many Japanese pop artists.
Miki Matsubara
Miki Matsubara, born on November 28, 1959, in Osaka, was a versatile artist whose contributions to City Pop have gained renewed appreciation in recent years.
Overview of Career and Influence
Matsubara began her career in the late 1970s as a backing vocalist before making her solo debut in 1979 with the album “Pocket Park.” Her powerful yet smooth vocal style, combined with her songwriting skills, quickly set her apart in the City Pop scene.
Throughout the 1980s, Matsubara released a series of successful albums and singles, collaborating with some of the most respected musicians and producers in the Japanese music industry. Her music often incorporated elements of jazz and funk, resulting in a sophisticated sound that epitomized the City Pop ethos.
Analysis of “Plastic Love” and Its Legacy
While Matsubara had several hits during her career, it’s her 1984 single “Plastic Love” that has become her most enduring legacy. The song, which only achieved moderate success upon its initial release, has experienced a remarkable resurgence in popularity in the digital age.
“Plastic Love” encapsulates many of the elements that make City Pop appealing:
- A catchy, funk-inspired bassline
- Shimmering synthesizers and disco-influenced strings
- Lyrics that touch on themes of love, loneliness, and urban life
- A lengthy instrumental break that showcases the musicianship typical of City Pop
The song’s revival began in the mid-2010s when it started gaining traction on YouTube and other streaming platforms. Its popularity exploded, particularly among younger listeners discovering City Pop for the first time. This resurgence has led to numerous remixes, covers, and sampling in contemporary music, cementing “Plastic Love” as a classic of the genre and introducing Matsubara’s work to a new generation of fans.
Tragically, Matsubara passed away in 2004, before witnessing the global rediscovery of her music. However, her influence on City Pop and her contribution to Japanese popular music continue to be celebrated and studied.
Taeko Onuki
Taeko Onuki, born on November 28, 1953, in Tokyo, is a singer-songwriter who played a crucial role in the development of City Pop, particularly in its early stages.
Role in the Development of City Pop
Onuki’s career began in the mid-1970s as a member of the band Sugar Babe, alongside Tatsuro Yamashita. After the band’s dissolution, she embarked on a solo career that would help define the emerging City Pop sound.
Onuki’s music is characterized by its sophisticated jazz influences, complex arrangements, and poetic lyrics. Her work in the late 1970s and early 1980s was instrumental in establishing City Pop as a genre that could be both commercially appealing and musically ambitious.
Notable Albums and Songs
Some of Onuki’s most influential works include:
- “Sunshower” (1977): Often cited as one of the earliest and most definitive City Pop albums, it showcases Onuki’s jazz-influenced style and poetic lyricism.
- “Mignonne” (1978): This album further developed the City Pop sound, featuring lush arrangements and memorable melodies.
- “Romantique” (1980): A mature work that balances pop sensibilities with complex musical ideas.
Onuki’s contributions to City Pop extend beyond her own discography. Her sophisticated approach to pop music influenced many of her contemporaries and helped elevate the genre’s artistic credibility.
Kingo Hamada
Kingo Hamada, born on October 15, 1950, in Toyama Prefecture, is a singer-songwriter and producer who made significant contributions to the City Pop sound.
Contributions to the Genre’s Sound
Hamada’s music is known for its smooth, polished production and its seamless blend of pop, funk, and AOR (Adult Oriented Rock) elements. His work epitomizes the sophisticated, cosmopolitan sound that City Pop became known for.
As both a solo artist and a producer, Hamada played a crucial role in shaping the sound of City Pop throughout the 1980s. His production work, in particular, helped define the lush, expansive soundscapes that became a hallmark of the genre.
Key Tracks and Collaborations
Some of Hamada’s most notable works include:
- “Midnight Cruisin'” (1982): This album, particularly its title track, is considered a classic of the City Pop genre.
- “Dolphin’s Dream” (1983): Another influential album that showcases Hamada’s sophisticated approach to pop music.
Hamada’s influence extends beyond his own releases. He has collaborated with and produced for numerous other artists, helping to spread the City Pop sound across the Japanese music industry.
These four artists – Tatsuro Yamashita, Miki Matsubara, Taeko Onuki, and Kingo Hamada – represent just a fraction of the talent that contributed to City Pop. However, their work was instrumental in defining the genre’s sound, image, and cultural impact. From Yamashita’s catchy melodies to Matsubara’s enduring “Plastic Love,” from Onuki’s sophisticated jazz-pop fusions to Hamada’s polished productions, these artists created a body of work that continues to captivate listeners around the world, decades after its initial release.